GM announces plans to build new small car in U.S. - but which one will it be?
2010 Chevy Spark - Click above for a hi-res image gallery
General Motors has issued a cryptic press release suggesting it plans to retool an existing plant here in the United States to build a new small car. No specifics are given on what small car this may be, as the missive only says that the plant will have the capacity to build up to 160,000 small and compact cars and that "this vehicle adds to GM's growing portfolio of U.S.-built, highly fuel efficient cars including the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt." Know what that means? It's speculation time!
GM's most well-known small car is arguably the Chevy Spark, which was introduced earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show and is based on the Beat concept from 2007. It's possible this is the small car GM is referring to, but it's not the only option. The automaker could also introduce a model slightly larger than the Spark that would still slot below the upcoming Chevy Cruze compact that's slated to replace the aging Chevrolet Cobalt, possibly based on either the Opel Corsa or Astra. Have any other ideas? Check out the press release after the jump, and then free to sound off in the comments.
Gallery: 2010 Chevy Spark
[Source: General Motors]
PRESS RELEASE:
GM Announces Plans to Build Small Car in U.S.
* GM to utilize and retool idled assembly and stamping facility for future production.
* Additional production will help the company deliver outstanding new vehicles to the compact and small car markets and meet future fuel efficiency regulations.
DETROIT, Mich. -- General Motors Corporation (NYSE:GM) announced today it plans to build a future small car in the United States utilizing an idled UAW-GM facility. This vehicle adds to GM's growing portfolio of U.S.-built, highly fuel efficient cars including the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt.
"Small cars represent one of the fastest growing segments in both the U.S. and around the world," said Fritz Henderson, General Motors President and CEO. "We believe this car will be a winner with our current and future customers in the U.S."
The re-tooled plant will be capable of building 160,000 cars annually, which can be a combination of both small and compact vehicles. Selection of the site will be determined in the future.
"I would like to personally thank the UAW for agreeing to work with us to ensure our overall manufacturing competitiveness in the United States," said Henderson. "This vehicle segment, while important today and expected to be more so in the future, is extremely challenging. It takes a special effort by everyone to bring a domestically produced small car to market in a cost-competitive and profitable way - but that is what we are going to do together."
GM already has a strong manufacturing presence in the United States. Currently, about 67 percent of GM cars and trucks sold in the U.S. are built in the U.S. With this announcement, GM anticipates that U.S. production levels will increase beyond 70 percent by 2013, augmenting its already automotive industry-leading U.S. manufacturing footprint.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
hypermiler 2:34PM (5/29/2009)
This sounds like a scam to get a piece of US DoE's $25 billion fuel-efficient car fund. Nissan applied for it and is expected to get $1.1 billion, so that GM could convert its existing plants with US DoE's fund.
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Shamdiddly 2:53PM (5/29/2009)
You can't call it a "scam" if you're getting the money from yourself...
SSS 3:14PM (5/29/2009)
considering the gm stock price, their history of making rubbish cars, and the bankruptcy, there is zero chance that any small or other car that GM builds is relevant or desired
hypermiler 3:36PM (5/29/2009)
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2009/112_0905_2011_chevrolet_viva/index.html
Indeed, the car intended for US production is the next-gen Aveo.
hypermiler 3:37PM (5/29/2009)
But there is a problem. Development of Aveo was delayed by 10 months thanks to the current cash crunch at Daewoo.
tuxchown 5:15PM (5/29/2009)
General Motors sold nearly three million of those so called "rubbish", undesirable cars in North America last year, more than any other company including "the world's largest automaker", Toyota.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/05/by-the-numbers-2008-phew-glad-thats-over-edition/
MoonRover 8:51AM (5/30/2009)
SSS,
You have the brain of a pea, or rather I should say you have the brain of a pee. GM makes a hell-of-a-lot better products than that Toyota you plop your wide butt down in.
polo 1:52PM (5/31/2009)
How it is a scam if they are using the money for legitimate purposes. Its not like they're going to use to build secret Hummer factories in Mexico. Do you always make idiotic posts like this?
zamafir 2:35PM (5/29/2009)
Makes sense with ford already finailaizing all the details they needed to a year or so ago to bring the fiesta over GM should want to counter with something capable. Better late than never. Though didn' they tell us (about the same time, a year ago) we weren't getting anything this small because there wasn't a market for it?
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This Man. 2:36PM (5/29/2009)
"Have any other ideas? Check out the press release after the jump, and then free to sound off in the comments."
My idea is that GM has been so full of themselves, and what they think people "need" that they've lost sight of the American Consumer, and have only gained Superficial wisdom.
In other words, my idea, is that I don't care.
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why not the LS2LS7? 2:37PM (5/29/2009)
I hope it's the new Aveo. Or maybe a 1994 Geo Metro flashback model!
In more seriousness, I saw a Geo Metro convertible on the road two days ago. Two seater! Wild.
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Epyx 4:01PM (5/29/2009)
I saw one last Saturday. Red with black interior. Looked pretty cool in a lame sort of way. Very hipster doofus chic.
henrykrinkle 2:38PM (5/29/2009)
Just damage control for the flak they're probably getting about importing Chinese Buicks.
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Coolio 3:09PM (5/29/2009)
Cripes. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.
Go back to sucking Toyota's tailpipe.
henrykrinkle 3:50PM (5/29/2009)
Never owned a Toyota and never will. Criticism of GM does not automatically make someone a rice lover. One of the domestics deserves our support - and it's not the money pit that is GM.
Eric 2:43PM (5/29/2009)
"Yup! And if I had wheels, I'd be a wagon"
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ojfl 2:49PM (5/29/2009)
How is it that GM will sell a car based on Opels if they are selling the division? Someone has some 'splaining to do.
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Taglane 2:56PM (5/29/2009)
From my understanding, Magna took the 'majority' stake in Opel. Not full stake, so GM can still reach Opel for cars, just not as a full owner.
DasBoese 3:01PM (5/29/2009)
Opels are built on GM platforms, not the other way around.
S'why selling Opel is a patently retarded idea, but they kinda have to because my idiotic government forces them to. Elections upcoming, you know.
mz6 2:53PM (5/29/2009)
Look at this link: http://microsite.chevrolet.com/spark/
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