LA 2007: Chevy Beat concept tops public polls and will go into production
After GM's introduction of three compact cars at the 2007 New York Auto Show - the Beat, Groove, and Trax - they left it up to the public to decide which one would be produced. Well, more than 1.8 million people worldwide voted on GM's online survey, and one has beaten down the competition. At the 2007 LA Auto Show, Bob Lutz announced that a vehicle based on the Chevy Beat concept will go into global production outside the North America in mid-2009. Production will begin in South Korea where the car was originally created at GM's design studio in Bupyeong. GM is still undecided as to whether the Beat will be eventually sold in the United States.
Gallery: Chevy Beat Concept
PRESS RELEASE:
LOS ANGELES – A vehicle based on the Chevrolet Beat concept, which swept through auto shows around the globe and the Internet earlier this year, will go into global production, Chevrolet announced today at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show.
An online poll that attracted more than 1.8 million voters helped influence the decision to take the concept to production. The distinctly styled A-class car will be initially targeted to markets outside of U.S. and Canada, starting in mid-2009.
"The people have spoken. The vote count tripled all previous GM online consumer surveys, telling us the Beat resonated with customers all around the world," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "Chevrolet was overwhelmed by the positive reaction to each of the 'triplets,' but the Beat was the clear winner."
The production model will carry the spirit of the expressive Beat concept, offering compact, city-friendly dimensions and a small-displacement engine that delivers excellent fuel economy. It adds further depth and breadth to Chevrolet's global lineup, which is sold in more than 90 countries, giving the brand a leadership position in the segment – the fastest-growing automotive segment in many regions around the world.
"Fuel solutions and great-looking cars are at the core of Chevrolet's values, and this new production model aligns perfectly with those tenents," said Peper. "It will be truly global, built around the world for a variety of diverse markets."
The Beat and the other concepts highlighted in the online survey were developed primarily at GM's Design Studio in Bupyeong, South Korea , with input from GM's global network of designers and GM's Korean partner, GM Daewoo. As South Korea is a primary market for this exciting new car, production will begin there.
Beat beginnings
Conceived to evoke the mood of a speedy micro import tuner, the Beat concept debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show, along with two other concepts, Groove and Trax. All were designed to appeal to young car buyers in urban markets, infusing the energy, diversity and excitement of urban life into cars that deliver good-looking fun, fuel economy and value.
The Beat concept was designed and built leveraging GM's Global Product Development process, created from best practices around the world that integrate design, engineering, powertrain and manufacturing organizations to ensure each vehicle program meets its quality, timing and business targets, yet is responsive to the needs in regional markets.
As part of its global product development process, GM is growing the skills and capabilities of its design and engineering centers around the world, using key tools and technologies, such as a global virtual design and engineering network, that allow engineers and designers to collaborate with each other worldwide.
The production car based on the Beat concept incorporates these resources, bringing to market quickly a right-sized car, with a right-sized ecological footprint at the right time.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Donald 3:36PM (11/14/2007)
Enough with the "right-sizing" already.
I wonder if this is the best choice for GM, since this is intended for the European market, and ultra-compact SUV sales have been growing quicker than ultra-compact car sales.
I still like it, though.
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BLS 3:44PM (11/14/2007)
Agreed. I will not consider buying this car if it comes to America. I would have considered either of the other two. But if I decide to get something sporty it will be RWD not a FWD super-mini. But that is just me and I was out voted.
Tom 12:09PM (11/20/2007)
Too late. The Japanese cannot be caught up with. Chevy lags behind and is too lazy to produce competitive small gas savers. Chevy is all about the money and will only produce cars that bring big bucks to the corporate heads
Danny Boy 3:39PM (11/14/2007)
if the exterior looks 100% like that, then yes, I could consider buying it.
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Donald 3:39PM (11/14/2007)
I should clarify that I make this statement based on sales percentages and that several companies, including Toyota, Mini, and Land Rover, are looking into product offerings in this tiny class.
I don't think the Chevy offerings are Kei-classed sized, but not sure how much larger or smaller these are to the Aveo.
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C.D. Ward 3:39PM (11/14/2007)
Didn't Honda already make a Beat?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Beat
Much cooler car in my opinion.
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more money than. 3:51PM (11/14/2007)
sweet car, Restyle the Aveo to look like this. The Aveo comes in 3 door form everywhere else in the world out side north America. From the people standing around it size wise is close. If it looked like that, I would buy it., Well, maybe not in green, but you know.
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Menice 3:55PM (11/14/2007)
no, they should stop sticking the bow tie on the crappy daewoo aveo and simply make this. not rebadge a load of crap.
why do the headlights look like stickers to me?
remy 3:53PM (11/14/2007)
Why is it they reveal this, lets be honest, nice and interesting car in NY, get people voting and that car will be made for South Korean..and a maybe for north-america???
Nice marketing!
Honda did make a BEAT before..and suprinsingly its a Kei car too.
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Michael Violette 6:47PM (11/14/2007)
I agree that, why conduct a survey in North America and get good votes but lets build it and sell it outside North America. I think they might as well have never brought it to the New York Auto Show or even box it up and bring it to North America at all if your just not gonna make it for us here in the US.
Chevy, You JUST F'D UP!!
Eric 3:57PM (11/14/2007)
They could have pulled a Chrysler and said "the hell with it, let's produce all three"! Like they did with the retarded Compass
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Throwback 4:03PM (11/14/2007)
Of the 3 this one makes the most sense for the USA. chevy does not have anything like it currently. Priced like the Aveo, it will sell decently enough. I hope they keep the 1.2 liter turbo 3cyl.
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dskinner 4:09PM (11/14/2007)
I think that a lot of companies are going to really regret not selling pint-sized vehicles in America after the Smart (in a class all by itself) comes out. I know it's only practicle in the city, but most people have a secondary vehicle, usually an SUV, that they take on trips anyway. Just like the guy that actually needs a Suburban, there are guys that don't need more than a ForTwo sized vehicle for their daily commute.
MId-40s+ mileage and a $10-13k sticker? I think a lot of us would consider it.
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Brett 4:34PM (11/14/2007)
I don't care what Lutz thinks, the smart thing to do would be to build all 3 and sell them here. Sure, some people will have a problem with each of these cars being a foot shorter than an Aveo, but I would definitely buy a Groove. And the voting thing was bogus, there were 1.8 million votes, with no regulation the actual voter number has to be much less... Well, that was my rant for the week...
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k.w.a 4:36PM (11/14/2007)
lol @ the 'Transformers' center console....this would be one wimpy Autobot haha
i like the exterior,though. they should make it JUST like that...dont change it!!
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Chris 5:01PM (11/14/2007)
"a vehicle based on the Chevy Beat concept will go into global production"
Translation: it's BASED on the concept, but by the time it goes through the consumer clinic washer/dryer, it will look like an Aveo with a slightly edgier paint job.
I won't hold my breath for this.
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SGV 5:16PM (11/14/2007)
The Verbe/Fiesta will pulverize this thing.
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Jay 5:53PM (11/14/2007)
Aww crap! I wanted the one with the diesel
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Mulad 5:55PM (11/14/2007)
Good. This one was my favorite of the three. I recall that another one was the early favorite in their online poll back when I voted (the "Groove", I think), but it's nice to see this one won out.
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the law 8:37AM (11/15/2007)
Great concept...but Where's the Car?
next time I wanna hear about this thing is on the dealers floor!
Less talk more ACTION!
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