GM execs watching smart sales, considering sub-sub-compact offering
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chevrolet Beat Concept.
Aside from possibly offering a hybrid version of the Camaro, Chevrolet is looking to do everything it can to meet new fuel economy regulations. Despite Bob Lutz' assertion that diesels are not the answer to increase fuel mileage, Ed Peper, Chevy's general manager, pointed out that GM's European diesel technology could find its way here to the States. The 2.9-liter turbodiesel V6 soon to be equipped in Euro-bound Cadillac CTSs is one possibility, as is the utilization of Opel's 1.3-, 1.7- and 1.9-liter oil burners.
Chevrolet execs are also looking to see how the public responds to the smart fortwo. If the reception is good, there's a possibility that Chevy might introduce a vehicle that would slot in below the Aveo both in size and price. A version of the Beat would be an obvious choice, even though GM only plans to sell it outside of the U.S. and Canada.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mirko 8:34AM (2/04/2008)
The diesels are not Opel's, they are Fiat's (1.3 und 1.9) and Isuzu's (1.7)
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Avinash machado 8:53AM (2/04/2008)
What about the Daewoo Matiz\Chevrolet Spark? That could slot in neatly below the Aveo.
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calebe 9:19AM (2/04/2008)
The last i read, the Beat is on the Mantiz/Spark chassis. It has been reworked but basically the same. The Spark is really narrow. I do not think it would work with how wide Americans have gotten. American's will accept short before narrow.
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Pat 9:11AM (2/04/2008)
the article is confusing ... why is GM waiting to see the Smart's success in the US to build and sell a sub-subcompact car outside the US?
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calebe 9:20AM (2/04/2008)
Lutz, aka Boozo Bob, is from a generation that had a very bad time with diesels. GM pretty much ruined it for a lot of them. I understand his point to a extent. He claims the cost of diesel engines are to expensive. He also gives a hugely over inflated price. Just like he said it would cost a hugely over inflated price addition to cars to meet emissions. Bob tows the line that Detroit has been towing for years. If it costs money to change, they want no part of it. If they could, they would still be hacking 1960's tech at 2010 prices. Detroit always says we cant do it and yet they do, do it. People my age for the most part, accept diesels in cars. Most know them as powerful and fuel efficient. If there is one thing that could be done to remove some of the dirty stereo type is to get the service station employees to clean the pump handle area. Most Diesel pumps have gunk built up and the handles are messy. Miss Pointy shoes will balk at putting her hand on that.
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Corey W. 9:44AM (2/04/2008)
What is Lutz problem with diesels?!? No, it's not a ultimate solution but at least it's a step in the right direction. I'd rather have a diesel option than E85/Flex fuel.
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mike 9:54AM (2/04/2008)
It doesn't matter how Smart will perform. GM still will drop the ball with this car, because the production car will not look like this and remember, even the aveo concept was good looking.........and look at it now. This car will be the new Aveo.
Plus, this car is the mortal enemy of Bob Lutz.
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TBlueMax 9:59AM (2/04/2008)
Corey W.: "What is Lutz problem with diesels?!?"
California emissions standards and the states that have adopted this standard. If it can't pass Cali, it won't work for the US market.
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w3pirate 10:05AM (2/04/2008)
Is it a requirement for GM upper management to be impervious to 'the writing on the wall'?
How could anyone in the auto industry not see that the growth market for the near future is in sub-compact, and long-term growth market is electric.
I'll give GM the benefit of the doubt on the electric thing, until we see what the Volt really does... but once again, GM is surrendering a whole market segment to the competition. IF they do try to seriously compete in that segment, they will bring a product that is under-engineered and late to the game, just as they have done so many times in the past.
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the marais 10:05AM (2/04/2008)
Diesels do not make economic sense. Diesel prices, at least in Michigan, are 30 - 40 cents more per gallon. A diesel engine adds a 2-5K premium on the price of a car. That equals ALOT of driving to make all of that up.
Solution is lighter cars, smaller engines. And all Americans should start learning how to drive manuals. Not only is there a slight edge in fuel economy, it makes driving a 1.4L engine more bearable.
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AZMike 10:42AM (2/04/2008)
I wouldn't hold my breath to see if the Smart sells well.
I stopped in a few weeks ago at the local Smart dealer to look, and they had about twenty-five outside, all with 'sold' signs on them. they don't have any salesmen at all; the only employees look like fashion models (average age, 23). I asked why all the cars were still outside, unclaimed. the one rep I talked to said the cars' new owners "were out of town". well, they must be on a world cruise, because I drive by every day, and they are all still there. and by the way,they also said the wait time for an order was over a year.
I've seen hot-selling vehicles before, and they are almost always gone the moment they hit the ground, not sitting around 20+ deep for weeks on end.
the concept of allowing anyone to go to a website and order a car with a $99 deposit is ludicrous at best. I'm sure a lot have been ordered by 12 year olds using daddy's credit card.
the market for cars this small is limited at best. I don't buy into the theory that they will be for urban use only. I know many city dwellers, and have never met one who doesn't leave town periodically. the thought of getting out on a windy interstate with an eight-foot-long car does not seem to appealing to me.
AZMike
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jmspearman 10:51AM (2/04/2008)
GM has been making ugly cars for poor people for a long time (and not so poor people): Cavalier, Aveo, Geo Metro, and almost everything Pontiac. I looked at this concept and asked myself, "How is it possible to make a microcar look bulky?" Do they have one guy in their design studio whose job it is to add bulky, ugly features to everything going out the door? Send these guys to Europe for a few weeks and let them drive the Fiat 500 around until they get all this crap out of their system.
I really, really want to like American cars, and I really want to support my fellow American worker, but I also want to drive something stylish and fuel-efficient, so please, please Detroit, at least give me the Volt without tacking on some garish features to muck it up.
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DP 11:04AM (2/04/2008)
This car is not for urban use only. They have listed the top MPH as 90 and I've driven it at 80 MPH on the highway. I've been between Semis and SUVs and not felt threatened. Its most obvious use is in the city, but this is not a toy car. It is safe: Tridion safety cell, 4 airbags, ABS, Traction Control, skid control, etc. reasonable pep when you use the gears judiciously, and fun to drive. It is quieter than my former car, a Scion xB and is getting 10 MPG better than that did in the city.
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alex 11:12AM (2/04/2008)
many of the people in this country who will buy the smart are just attention whores. they want that look at me factor. they want you to ask them about it. they want to feel so damn unique and special. and they want to smugly tell you what a dumbass you are for buying that malibu because it's absolutely huge and it can hold more than your body and a pack of juicy fruit, which is really all you need in life.
does that sound like someone who goes to a GM dealership? no, these are the same retards that refuse to acknowledge a nice car from the big 3 because those are the companies of their daddy's generation and they are way too hip and smart to possibly like the same thing as their daddy.
trust me, i have a family member exactly like this. he has his $99 smart deposit down.
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AZMike 11:28AM (2/04/2008)
now let's factor in what I'm sure will be the average Smart buyer; a female 18-25 years old, gabbing on a cell phone, looking for that lost Britney Spears CD (isn't it here in the back?) with tires set at 12, 7 40, and 17 pounds respectively. don't need to hear about any tire pressure monitoring system; that would require paying attention, like changing the oil once a year.
Tridon safety cell or not, ABS and skid control or not, will not overcome a really bad, inattentive driver that gets driven over by a semi, or an F350 4X4 with a lift kit.
when the fear factor is added, or a few fatalities, sales to drop like a rock. look what happened to the Suzuki Samurai. between the bad rap from the small timer's bible, Consumer Reports (Suzuki sued them, and won), and the idiotic behavior of the inexperienced owners (UP and DOWN the hill, girls, not sideways) killed it quickly.
AZMike
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porschedevotee 1:25PM (2/04/2008)
Whoa there! Sexist much? You might be surprised to know there are actually quite a lot of good female drivers out there who remember to do basic maintenance and know how to drive well. Maybe they fly under your radar because you dismiss them as flukes, but I assure you, we exist and don't appreciate the stereotyping and condescending comments from jackasses like you.
I_Hate_China 11:45AM (2/04/2008)
Daewoo/Chevy Beat, the Matiz replacement, is 4 inches wider(approx 62.7 inches) and 4 inches longer than Matiz due to revised Korean Kei-car regulation. It should feel as wide as Yaris inside.
Length is a problem, unless GM plans USDM Beat as a 2-seater. Next-gen Aveo is a stretched Beat.
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asdf asdfds sd 11:58AM (2/04/2008)
18 month waiting list on the smart car in the US.
they can't build em fast enough.
GM, you blew it. Always reactive and not proactive!!
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why not the LS2/LS7? 12:08PM (2/04/2008)
Right now Diesel is over 15% more expensive than gas, it'll be tough to sell buyers of small cars on Diesel in the US.
And since Diesel pollutes at the highest bracket allowed under CARB, companies cannot afford to sell a lot of them and still meet fleet trace emissions requirements. So I think for the near term, Diesel will be on trucks and higher end (lower selling) cars. And with CARB covering half the US population, it's unlikely companies will develop a car that doesn't make sense in CARB areas.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 12:10PM (2/04/2008)
It only took a $99 refundable deposit to get on those lists. Many of the people on those lists won't ever take delivery of a car.
Besides, having driven one, it's tough to justify that vehicle for any other reason besides startling gas mileage, which it doesn't even have.
I predict the waiting list will evaporate, and by the 3rd year, sales will be rather slow. Things haven't been that much different than this for SMART in Europe either.
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