Autoblog

U.S. to get Chevy Groove or Trax in 2011

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

Click either image for a high-res gallery.

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.

Gallery: New York Auto Show: 2007 Chevy Groove Concept

Gallery: New York Auto Show: 2007 Chevy Trax Concept

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

U.S. to get Chevy Groove or Trax in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz chimes in on the Chevy Beat

Alex Nunez — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:35:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Opinion/Editorial

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.

Gallery: New York Auto Show: 2007 Chevy Beat Concept

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Lutz chimes in on the Chevy Beat originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Trax concept joins Beat on TF2 set

Alex Nunez — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Chevrolet, GM, Celebrities

We knew the Chevy Beat was making an appearance in the overly-named Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The new news is that one of its "triplet" siblings, the Chevy Trax concept, is joining it, as you can see above. The two are chasing/following Bumblebee on Philadelphia's JFK Boulevard. Proof of GM's new commitment to building more smaller, fuel-efficient cars, you ask? Eh, well, as you may remember, Trax and the third triplet, Groove, were not slated for production like the Beat, so this is (unfortunately) probably just a movie special. At least one Autoblogger is happy, though (raises hand), because Trax is the one he voted for last year. Transformers Live Action Movie Blog wonders if the Beat and Trax might be portraying the Autobot "Twins" in the sequel. Sacrilege? Well, if the movie Bumblebee can be a Camaro instead of a VW beetle, there's no reason Sideswipe and Sunstreaker can't be Chevy-branded "world cars" instead of twin Countaches. If that turns out to be the case, though, it does kinda make one wish Lambo paid to be part of Michael Bay's party instead of Batman.

[Source: Jalopnik via TFLAMB]

Chevy Trax concept joins Beat on TF2 set originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Auto Show: Chevy debuts the Beat, Groove and Trax mini car concepts

John Neff — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

It's not easy to put your finger on the pulse of the buying public, so Chevy decided to hedge its bets and build three mini car concepts, the Beat, Groove and Trax, and is leaving it up to us (as in all of us) to decide which one we like best. The public can vote for which concept is most appealing by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com. While there's no guarantee the highest vote getter will be built, it will help guide the development of a future global mini car from GM.

So here are your candidates. The Beat (green) is by far the most sporty of the trio, with its slicked back styling and comparatively large 1.2L turbo engine. Technically described as a "tuner" car, the Beat is meant to be customized much like a Scion to an owner's own individual tastes. The Beat is a front-wheel drive, three-door hatch with an automatic tranny to divvy up the tiny motor's available power.

The Groove concept (black) is much like a mini HHR, a five-door wagon with a tall roof and flat sides. It's extremely short hood, big wheel arches and nonexistent overhangs mean that every square inch of the platform is utilized. Consider this the most practical concept of the three. Also a front-driver, the Groove is powered by a 1L diesel engine.

Finally there's the Trax (orange), which we've met before. The Trax concept is the mini ute of the bunch, doing its best to feign even the slightest ability to venture off the beaten path. We wouldn't suggest it however, as those tires lack any meaningful tread and the ride height, while high compared to the other two concepts, could hardly clear a curb (if that). It's the only one of the three that features round headlights, though its four-door, upright, box-like packaging mimics that of the Groove concept. It's powered by a 1L gas engine.

Which one would we choose? The Autoblog team is split, though this Autoblogger would pick the Groove if pressed. We'll come back at you with more details on each concept, including live shots, in just a few short hours when the 2007 New York Auto Show opens to the press. Check out the preliminary press release from GM after the jump.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: New York Auto Show: 2007 Chevy Beat Concept

Gallery: New York Auto Show: 2007 Chevy Groove Concept

Gallery: New York Auto Show: 2007 Chevy Trax Concept

Continue reading New York Auto Show: Chevy debuts the Beat, Groove and Trax mini car concepts

New York Auto Show: Chevy debuts the Beat, Groove and Trax mini car concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Preview: Chevy Trax Concept

Alex Nunez — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:42:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Budget, Chevrolet

Click image for high-res version

Speculation that the hush-hush global concept GM has headed to the New York Auto Show has varied wildly, with the Corvette SS a popular favorite among theorists. Turns out they're all wrong. The secret concept is actually three global concepts. Small ones, at that -- they're all minicars -- perfect for NYC's urban canyons. GM has released a photo of one of them, the Chevy Trax, and you can color us impressed. We love the chunky little wagon's look, with its big round lights and extra-thick Chevrolet crossbar grille. It's also got a combination matte/gloss orange finish that we'll reserve judgment on until we see how it looks in person.

Designed at GM's Incheon, South Korea design center, the Trax will be joined onstage by two other minicar concepts, and the public will be able to vote for their favorite one online at http://www.vote4chevrolet.com. That little marketing exercise will help the General gauge US market interest in the mini/city car segment as well as get reaction to the individual models they're debuting in the Big Apple. The Trax stows a 1.0L gasoline engine under it's stubby hood, and we're looking forward to getting up close and personal with the car next week.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: Chevy Trax Concept

Continue reading New York Preview: Chevy Trax Concept

New York Preview: Chevy Trax Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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