U.S. to get Chevy Groove or Trax in 2011
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General Motors won't be bringing the Beat to the U.S., but some version of the Groove or Trax will replace the Aveo by 2011. Speaking with Automotive News, Chevy veep Ed Peper said that the bow-tie brand would get something "very similar to one of those vehicles," but in order to meet U.S. crash test standards and accommodate consumer's taste, the new compact five-door would grow in size.
Of the three concepts that debut in New York last year, the Beat will be the first to reach consumers -- in Europe and other markets in 2009 -- and will be built atop GM's global minicar platform in Shanghai. However, the yet-to-be-named Aveo replacement will be underpinned by GM's Gamma small-car platform and will likely be assembled in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
While GM's decision to bring a more stylish small car to U.S. consumers is certainly good news, we can't help but still feel slighted that the Beat won't be offered in the States and that we'll have to put up with the Aveo for another three years as the only sub-compact offering from the General.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
216 7:41AM (7/28/2008)
I gotta say, I'm happy about this. I never liked the Beat to begin with (I voted for the Groove)
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PhilP10 10:50AM (7/28/2008)
Bring on the Groove, thats the one I voted for too..
Bluewarp 7:45AM (7/28/2008)
Ah, yes. It will grow in size to "accommodate consumers' taste". It's a good thing they're noticing that the US consumer doesn't want the smaller cars these days...
On the other side, at least there will be a stylish replacement for the Aveo.
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geo.stewart 8:05AM (7/28/2008)
on whole, the US does not want kei sized cars. C-size is hot right now, and B-class is starting to get some traction. GM is smart here. By the time these come out, we will have started to be used to the higher price of oil ( it will plateau again for a few years) and will not be so enamored of something we have to accordion into.
If you look at general body types, I believe the US is near the top in dimensions so yes, we generally want larger vehicles.
Vintage 8:28AM (7/28/2008)
The mini cooper is sold out, and it's impossible to find a Honda Fit. The fact that GM won't make a car that size is beyond stupid.
boneheadotto 9:26AM (7/28/2008)
OMGWTFBBQ! they plan to keep the Aveno till
2-0-1-1 !!!!
HAHAHAHA good luck with that Chevy
Rocketboy 9:48AM (7/28/2008)
On the whole the US does not want a cheaply made small car.
We will buy a well made/premium small car.
Much to BMW's happy surprise.
G-Meister 11:14AM (7/28/2008)
Stew- wow. now that was gently put.
why not the LS2LS7? 1:53PM (7/28/2008)
Vintage:
GM already makes a car that size. It was the class leader in sales until recently too. It's called the Aveo. Heard of it?
Rocketboy 4:52PM (7/28/2008)
If the class was low-budge cars that were made by Dawoo, yes, it's tops in class.
Avinash machado 7:49AM (7/28/2008)
So GM will have the Groove or Trax and Ford the Fiesta. But what about Chrysler?
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2007RC46SP2 7:50AM (7/28/2008)
Chrysler will probably be dead by that time.
Rboyett 7:55AM (7/28/2008)
I suspect Chrysler will have a chinese built Hornet, eventually. Maybe in 2020.
Canadian 8:06AM (7/28/2008)
Dodge hornet built by Chery. google it, it looks cute.
Thomas 8:28AM (7/28/2008)
Chrysler has a deal with Nissan to build a compact for the U.S. based on the Versa. In return Dodge will build the next Nissan Titan. Don't you guys read Autoblog?
Frylock350 9:33AM (7/28/2008)
Chrysler will get a reskinned Versa and/or Sentra. Nissan made a deal with Chysler, they rebadge Ram as a Titan, and Nissan reciprocates with small cars.
azzo45 11:25AM (7/28/2008)
Chrysler emptied out their Pacifica Design Studio & sent everything to a rented building in Warren MI. They are working with a crew from Nissan on a small car project.
IMO, even with Nissan... they will be the Detroit 3's "weakest link" in this segment.
Allan 7:57AM (7/28/2008)
2011 it is now? Wow. Good news if they can actually get it to market. Just to have SOMETHING small and quirky that'll sell better than the Aveo.
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mike 8:40AM (7/28/2008)
Both look better than Aveo now, but they are concepts, by the time they will be built they will look different.
ALSO, they will probably be of similar quality to Aveo......would you buy a cooler looking car that still has similar interior.
GM can introduce new cars all they want, Cruze, Acadia, Trax......untill they will learn to improve an existing product they will lose money.
Example is Cruze, why kill name Cobalt, why not just bring a new car (cruze) and call it Cobalt? Because most consumers do not associate Cobalt with anything positive.
G-Meister 11:19AM (7/28/2008)
There's no need for these to be crap-boxes. I've spent some time in the last-gen Corsa and its not bad for what it's for. The 2door hatch fits 2 good-sized adults and 2 kids easy. It was long-ago announced we would get the next-gen Corsa here in the US, I guess it will just be wearing different clothes.