Autoblog

Detroit Preview: Next-generation Chevrolet Aveo RS to appear at Cobo

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:20:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet

On Wednesday night, Chevrolet held a media preview in Motown to discuss and show off some of what will be coming up at the Detroit Auto Show next month. Unfortunately, we were not allowed take any photos or video at the event, although General Motors officials did say we could write about anything that was discussed.

The presentation kicked off with an introduction to new Chevrolet general manager Jim Campbell who just assumed his role a week ago. Campbell and Mike Simcoe, director of exterior design, then spent the next half-hour showing off the same batch of new Chevrolets that we were shown in the GM design dome last August. All of these cars including the forthcoming Orlando MPV, Cruze, Camaro convertible, Volt and the all-new 2012 Malibu are promised to be in U.S. Chevrolet showrooms within the next 24 months. The Orlando remains pretty true to the 2008 concept, with the only real changes being to the details of the light clusters - just don't look for it at the Detroit show.

Anchoring the entr- level end of the Bowtie's lineup will be the Spark and Aveo. Campbell reaffirmed that the Spark will be coming to the U.S. in 2011, putting to rest - at least for the moment - rumors that the program had been canceled. The bigger news is the next Aveo which will get its first public viewing at next month's show. Read on after the jump for more details and observations.

[Image: The Detroit News]

Continue reading Detroit Preview: Next-generation Chevrolet Aveo RS to appear at Cobo

Detroit Preview: Next-generation Chevrolet Aveo RS to appear at Cobo originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: First look at the 2011 Chevy Aveo

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:04:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

Back in August, in the wake of General Motors emergence from its pre-packaged bankruptcy, the automaker gave select members of the media a preview of several upcoming products. Among those was the next Chevrolet Aveo, which will take up the B-segment mantle to battle the new Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, Honda Fit, and Toyota Yaris. Unlike the current Aveo, which is built in South Korea by Daewoo, the new model will be built at the Orion, MI assembly plant north of Detroit.

While there had been speculation that the ungainly-looking Chevy Viva from Brazil would be the Aveo replacement, that is an entirely different car - although it will likely share some mechanical bits with the Aveo.

At the August preview, GM design manager Bob Boniface confirmed to us that the Aveo moniker would be retained because, in spite of the baggage the current model carries, it does have recognition and launching a new nameplate has been deemed too expensive a proposition. Of course, that was three months ago and the Aveo is still a year or so away from launch, so things could change. Whatever it's called, early spy shots from Brenda Priddy and Co. suggest that it's shaping up to be a better-looking car than the current model, with a wider stance that looks less tippy.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Spy Shots: First look at the 2011 Chevy Aveo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM already has nearly two year supply of Pontiac G3

Chris Paukert — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, GM, Pontiac, Earnings/Financials

2009 Pontiac G3 - Click above for a high-res gallery

In news that will doubtlessly result in a chorus of "We told you so" forehead-slaps from critics who noted the arrival of the Pontiac G3 with disdain, word is that General Motors has a bumper crop of the Korean-built subcompacts sitting on its lots.

How many? According to The Wall Street Journal, nearly a two-year supply at current sales rates. In the course of doing some research, writer Neal Boudette discovered that GM has 3,479 unsold G3 units clogging up its dealers and vacant lots. Combined with the knowledge that dealers sold just 141 units of the car in March (or one unit for every 19 of GM's 2,700 Pontiac stores), that means that GM has a supply of these Chevrolet Aveo5 twins that will last them 617 days, meaning that if the automaker stopped building new units, they would still have a supply that would last them until December 16, 2010.

In all fairness, the G3 just came to market in February, and it often takes some time for a new model to take hold. It could well be that GM is planning a big marketing push for the car, but we've seen no evidence of this thus far, and in these cash-strapped days, it would appear that the General probably has bigger-margin fish to fry.

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac G3

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

REPORT: GM already has nearly two year supply of Pontiac G3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Chevy Aveo 5

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Budget, Chevrolet, New Car Reviews

2009 Chevy Aveo 5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Until the new Chevy Spark here in 2011, the entry point for getting into the General Motors product line-up remains the Chevy Aveo. The Korean-built Aveo is available in two forms, a four-door sedan and five-door hatch. The hatchback is dubbed the Aveo 5, an example of which spent some time in the AutoblogGreen Garage during the week following the Detroit Auto Show. This is the first opportunity we've had to sample the Aveo and it turned out to be something of a mixed bag.

The Aveo 5 is the smallest model in the current North American GM lineup and fits into the sub-compact B-Segment. Dimensionally the Aveo slots in between the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit and almost matches the Scion xD. Until the Ford Fiesta arrives late this year, the Fit is generally considered the overachiever in this class. Find out how the Aveo 5 stacks up against the Fit after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Chevy Aveo 5

Continue reading Review: 2009 Chevy Aveo 5

Review: 2009 Chevy Aveo 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Because the Chevy Aveo5 doesn't suck enough as is...

Alex Nunez — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Lifestyle

Click above for more customized Chevy Aveo5

Water's wet, fire burns, and the Chevy Aveo5 sucks. Drivers in the Middle East who voluntarily subject themselves to this tragedy now have a way to ensure that onlookers stop, point and laugh at their expense, thanks to GM's new factory ~~humiliation~~ customization program. Basically, the sky's the limit in terms of poor taste, as exhibited by this example, tricked out by a dealer in Abu Dhabi. Hey, are those quilted pleather seats? Why yes, we believe they are. Think you can do worse? Visit totallystreet.com to plumb the depths for yourselves. Just be ready for your gag reflex to kick in. An entirely over-enthusiastic press release follows the jump. Seriously: "Earn Street Cred?" Put that hookah down, now!

Gallery: Chevy Aveo5 Factory Customization (Middle East)

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Because the Chevy Aveo5 doesn't suck enough as is...

Because the Chevy Aveo5 doesn't suck enough as is... originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Chevy Aveo5 and Aveo sedan to start at $12,120

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet

Click above for more high-res shots of the Chevy Aveo5

While the outward appearance of the Chevy Aveo5 could charitably be described as "polarizing", its recently announced pricing will likely polarize a few people, as well. Currently, the Aveo sedan and Aveo5 hatchback boast the lowest average transaction price in the United States of $12,258 according to J.D. Power and Associates, but the 2009 model might end that trend with a big price bump for the redesigned 2009 Aveo5. The new five-door Aveo5 hatchback comes in with a starting price of $12,120, which is $1,125 more than the 2008 Aveo5 that starts at just $10,895. This increase is partly due to the fact that the Special Value edition has been dropped. We should also note that the Aveo5 is redesigned for 2009 and features a number of upgrades, but the price bump will still be felt hard by those looking for the cheapest Point A-to-Point B transportation. The sedan version, meanwhile, now has the same $12,120 starting price as the Aveo5, which means its MSRP has actually been lowered compared to the 2008 model that starts at $12,830. Stepping up a notch to the LT model, meanwhile, will get you standard air conditioning and a $14,255 starting point.

Desirable safety features such as dual frontal and side-impact air bags, front safety belt pretensioners, a tire pressure monitoring system, oil life monitoring system and OnStar come standard on all Aveo models. Available on the up-market LT models are XM Radio, leatherette seating trim, steering wheel audio controls, a power-operated sunroof and power-adjustable and heated outside mirrors. Regardless of what you think of the Aveo's styling (we're not fans), its still relatively low price and decent fuel mileage of 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway should yield a good chunk of buyers for GM's entry-level model.

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Aveo5

[Source: Chevrolet]

Continue reading 2009 Chevy Aveo5 and Aveo sedan to start at $12,120

2009 Chevy Aveo5 and Aveo sedan to start at $12,120 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2007: 2009 Chevy Aveo5 arrives in the U.S.

Drew Phillips — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet

click above image to view high-res gallery of the Chevy Aveo5

For 2008, Chevy is adding to its small car lineup with the return of the Aveo5. Two trim levels are being offered, including a Special Value Model and LS. Key standard features include 60/40 flip-and-fold rear seats, standard dual front and side-impact air bags, and body-color rear-view mirrors and door handles. Those wanting a little more with the LS version can opt for ABS brakes, cruise control, power sunroof, remote keyless entry, a six-speaker sound system and more.

The look of the new Aveo5 is identical to the one introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show for the European market. Whereas the Euro model features your choice of a 1.2L producing 84 HP or a 1.4L producing 98 HP, the U.S. version will only be available with a 1.6L Ecotec four-cylinder producing 107 HP. The looks, however, are the same, which in our humble opinion is not a good thing. Surprisingly, many of you disagreed with us when the Euro-market Aveo5 debuted, claiming that it's not that bad. Still think so?

Hit the jump for a full Chevy's official press release and view our gallery of high-res live shots below.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Aveo5

Continue reading LA 2007: 2009 Chevy Aveo5 arrives in the U.S.

LA 2007: 2009 Chevy Aveo5 arrives in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: Look out, the new Chevy Aveo 5-door wants to eat you

Alex Nunez — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:33:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Chevrolet

Click image for gallery

The Chevy Aveo has never been a car to set one's heart racing, but the restyled 2007 edition in sedan form is a decent-looking economy car with a visually appealing interior. Here in the US, the Aveo5 hatchback retained its old looks, which were nothing special, and we all assumed that at some point it would take on the same freshened appearance of the sedan.

Well, we were wrong. Chevy will introduce a revised Aveo 5-door next month in Frankfurt for the European market, but those looking for a hatchback version of the sedan that all markets share will be disappointed. And possibly even frightened. That's because the Aveo hatchback's new face has taken the Chevy split-grille to the extreme, adopting an oversized, angry maw bissected by a substantial Bowtie-adorned crossbar. The upturned headlights augment the angry look, but all that visual aggression backed only by a pair of docile four-bangers putting out 84 hp (1.2L ) or 98 hp (1.4L). The Aveo even gets a trendy side extractor vent on the front fender, leading us to believe that it's probably time to put that styling cue to bed. On the upside, Aveo now has something in common with Cadillac.

GM also says the hatchback sports a new interior, but has not yet released photos. We're guessing it's the same one found in the sedan. The European models will launch in March of next year. Will the new Aveo 5-door come to the U.S.? We certainly hope not looking like that.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Aveo 5-door (EU)

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Look out, the new Chevy Aveo 5-door wants to eat you

Frankfurt Preview: Look out, the new Chevy Aveo 5-door wants to eat you originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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