Lutz chimes in on the Chevy Beat
In the wake of the Chevy Beat news that started pounding the wires before the 4th of July weekend, the Wall Street Journal reached out to Bob Lutz for some commentary on the topic. Lutz, in an email to the Journal, said, "We always thought we'd do it at some point, but now it obviously enjoys a much higher priority." Based on what the Journal says, this loosely translates to "the 2012 timeframe." Unfortunately for GM, this is a car that its U.S. operation needs approximately yesterday. It would behoove the brain trust in the RenCen to stop debating this and simply end all the speculation by formally announcing a U.S. Beat and attaching a timetable, already (as in, now). We think that the car's appearance as an Autobot in next summer's Transformers follow-up will help create enough public interest for that GM will be forced to make some sort declaration if they haven't by then already (TF2 opens on June 26, 2009).
As we've suggested, GM would probably do itself a big favor by greenlighting production versions of all three Triplet concepts, sending the Trax (also featured in TF2) and Groove to showrooms, too. The argument that Americans aren't into small cars/econocars/hatchbacks is quickly losing water, as automaker sales numbers would attest. There's a reason the Civic now outsells the F-150 and that the Hyundai Accent saw a 70% jump last month. Toyota isn't adding the 5-door Yaris to the U.S. lineup on a whim, either. Market forces, in the form of elevated fuel prices, are altering the landscape, and people are a lot more willing to look at (and buy) something smaller and more economical. It's just reality. The longer General Motors deliberates, the longer it's going to get beaten by competitors who have product ready to go right now. Don't wait for for the popcorn-chompers to play focus group and beg for these cars next summer. Grow a set and make the announcement now. Who would've thought that Michael Bay has a better vision of the future than the General itself? In his, GM's cool, stylish minicars will be on the streets next summer. We know that's not possible in real life, but GM needs embrace the fact that a market now exists in the United States for the Beat (and its siblings) and make the obvious call.
[Source: Wall Street Journal]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
User 2:41PM (7/06/2008)
2012?
Uhm... It should have been out two years ago right along with the Yaris...
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Dave 5:57PM (7/06/2008)
The base 08 Yaris gets 29/36 while the base Corolla gets 28/37 according to fueleconomy.gov.
The only real advantage of the Yaris is its initial purchase price.
I wouldnt be surprised to see that the mpg difference between a Beat and a Cobalt XFE (which is supposed to improve more for 09) is negligible.
Frank 8:28PM (7/06/2008)
my wifes yaris gets 35 city and 46 highway. All the time not just sometimes, so I would say that is an advantage.
CrunchyCookie 6:49PM (7/07/2008)
"The base 08 Yaris gets 29/36 while the base Corolla gets 28/37 according to fueleconomy.gov.
The only real advantage of the Yaris is its initial purchase price."
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But when you get out into the real world, the Corolla gets about 29 and the Yaris 34. 0.3 engine liters and 496 pounds still makes quite a difference.
Kevin 11:00PM (7/07/2008)
Maintenance should be cheaper as well. There's less oil, tires, brakes, and so forth to buy. I bet insurance will be a little less too.
TriShield 2:48PM (7/06/2008)
Typical GM. Remember all the hoopla over these concepts and then nothing ever came of it? It's simply bizarre.
Also count me a little less excited if Daewoo is put in charge of engineering these cars. Their work for GM from the Aveo to the fat VUE is as underwhelming as ever. I would like to think GM could engineer these cars better here and that they don't need to lean on Daewoo so much for small cars.
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Ken Stamper 8:58PM (7/06/2008)
Agreed. And let's add that it was absolutely insane that the Opel (and Fiat)-engineered Corsa was not designed to easly meet US specification from the start... that car is widely acclaimed to be a class-leader in Europe, unlike the primitive Aveo.
why not the LS2LS7? 12:38AM (7/07/2008)
It hasn't been long enough to say nothing has come of it. You don't show concepts and then intro the car within 6 months.
As to the Corsa, the Corsa costs far more than Americans have traditionally paid for a car that size. At the time it was engineered, it made no sense to prep it for US release.
Brent 2:53PM (7/06/2008)
2012? Wow, that is not good news. I was expecting 2010. I want a Beat to replace my Neon when the time comes.
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JS 4:09PM (7/06/2008)
they always take forever to produce something good, and whenever thers something unwanted, unneeded and stupid, its ready in a year . i.e the cadillac Vs... XLR ...SUVs ??
rwcmick 5:00PM (7/06/2008)
I think the 2012 timeframe is either journalistic interpretation or a bit of a head fake by GM. I think we'll see the Beat on US shores sooner that that. More than likely in 2010 as a 2011 model.
flychinook 3:03PM (7/06/2008)
This is a no-brainer... Make the beat a Pontiac, the Groove a Chevrolet, and the Trax a... Saturn maybe? GMC? Another Chevrolet?
You get the idea. You have all these brands, GM, start utilizing them!
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AngeloD 3:12PM (7/06/2008)
5 years from concept to showroom. That's pityful.
Toyota is getting their IQ from the drawing board to the showroom in just under 2 years.
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Rootus 5:08PM (7/06/2008)
Is that why Toyota is slipping a little in their quality ratings?
Jean 3:16PM (7/06/2008)
you are kidding right? This is the ugliest POS I have ever seen. Just because gas prices are high doesn't mean people will buy ANYTHING which is small and sips fuel.
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Thedevil 3:35PM (7/06/2008)
@jean "Just because gas prices are high doesn't mean people will buy ANYTHING which is small and sips fuel."
yes they will. can you say ford focus?
i agree it's fugly as hell! but i have never found anything GM makes to look good.
knifetramp 5:00PM (7/06/2008)
"i agree it's fugly as hell! but i have never found anything GM makes to look good."
Say what?! You ignore the CTS, Corvette and Malibu, just to name a few. The General's offerings are well worth a trip to the show room.
Artie Lange 5:24PM (7/06/2008)
Jean, here's an exerpt about the Smart Car (a car that is literally two feet SHORTER than the Mini) from the WSJ article this post was based on:
"Smart's sales through the first half hit 11,400 in the U.S., putting the company well on track to shatter the initial target of 16,000 sales in the first year. Initially a hit in trendy, coastal metro areas, Smart U.S.A. is now putting dealerships in cities like Tulsa, Okla., and Omaha, Neb. The company said buyers are using the cars as their primary mode of transportation."
This is the new reality.
SteveRB 9:53PM (7/06/2008)
Newsflash ... there is a car out there called the Prius. It is about as exciting as a stool softener but people can't seem to get enough of it because it gets pretty good mileage.
Rocketboy 10:20AM (7/07/2008)
I just want to know how many people want to buy a second smart car or prius. I'd be willing to bet it's much lower than, say a MINI.