GM gunning for smart & CSMonitor gets it wrong

[dennyrex]

In the restructuring proposal yesterday GM states:
"While remaining a full-line manufacturer, GM will substantially change its product mix
over the next four years, and launch predominately high-mileage, energy-efficient cars
and crossovers. The Plan includes introducing this market‘s smallest 4-passenger vehicle,
achieving higher fuel economy than the 2-passenger Smart Fortwo, the most fuel-
efficient non-hybrid vehicle in the U.S. market today."

Meanwhile, reporting on the industry's attempts to get federal funding, the Christian Science Monitor writes about GM's submitted plan:
"The company touted its Chevy Volt, a fully electric car that is scheduled for production in 2010, and its Smart Fortwo, which runs on a conventional internal combustion engine but is very fuel-efficient because of its tiny size. "

That was a cheap shot ;-). GM indeed!

[Old Panda]

WHAT? GM makes the smart? How can that be? It gets great mileage, people are lined up to get it for months and seem to be very reliable.

NO WAY GM could make anything like THAT!

[jimvw57]

I have heard more people lamenting about the fate of the GEO... If they went back to building them they might have a chance. But I suppose they would be in the 45,000 price range.....

[mendo]

Originally Posted by jimvw57

I have heard more people lamenting about the fate of the GEO... If they went back to building them they might have a chance. But I suppose they would be in the 45,000 price range.....

It's almost the same motor!!

[jetfuel]

Originally Posted by jimvw57

But I suppose they would be in the 45,000 price range.....

..why go gas....save another 30k and go electric with a Volt by GM (got money)...


jetfuel

[jediknight36]

Ill believe it when I see it. And lets hope they dont can 20K jobs in the process either. But I digress. Yes, I see a couple new Geo's on the horizon if GM survives.

[Orphan-Beggar]

The auto execs should arrive in DC in fortwos

GM has 13 "crossovers"
General Motors | GM Vehicle Search | Find your Car, Truck, or SUV

[jwight]

This is what they're hanging their hat on: GM releases official pics of 2011 Chevy Cruze - Autoblog

And of course the diesel version (the really high mpg engine) won't be offered in the USA.

To give GM credit, it does have a nice interior:

[Jordon]

GM is planning on other small cars, not just the Cruze, in the US like the Beat. GM is not making a smart (like Toyota), they are not going to bring back GEO, they will just make more small cars.

[SMART]

It's really funny that they are hanging their hats on this when about 3 months ago they told us we wouldn't be getting the beat. Doesn't really make sense to me!