[sisyphus]

Found this article today in Autoweek.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071114/FREE/71114015/1530/FREE

Interesting that they want to see how smart does in the US first before they try selling their Beat here.

 

[Old smart]

Chevette-ette

To suddenly have Chevrolet go for 50 or more MPG, I have to assume that they are leveraging less restrictive emissions standards, and probably thinking (but not saying) Imperial gallons.

They quote:
“The vehicle initially will target markets outside the United States and Canada.” and, “Currently, India, Korea and Latin America are markets that favor that kind of car.”

So, why not here?

 

[pokeyrider]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.d...FREE&ArtNo=71114015&Ref=AR&Profile=1528&CRED=

 

[propes]

It's a very cute car - it's a shame they won't sell it in the US. I love the interior picture from the first link:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-beat-trax-groove-concept.html

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/04/04/new-york-auto-show-chevy-beat-concept/

 

[Gortok]

The Beat looks like a two-door Scion XA...

 

[jwight]

GM

It's a very cute car - it's a shame they won't sell it in the US.

Don't get me started; GM missed the boat on small 2 seaters (Miata), was late with hybrids [and is putting the technology in SUVs!] and will be late again with microcars. This will probably be one of their better cars but bring it to the North American market - why would they want to do that?

 

[Brian7]

To suddenly have Chevrolet go for 50 or more MPG, I have to assume that they are leveraging less restrictive emissions standards, and probably thinking (but not saying) Imperial gallons.

They quote:
“The vehicle initially will target markets outside the United States and Canada.” and, “Currently, India, Korea and Latin America are markets that favor that kind of car.”

So, why not here?

Whatever happened to those Chevette's? I used to drive one when I was a teenager. Great on gas, not much power.....but I didn't care. Would like to see a version come back. Part of me really wants the U.S. to succeed in car making again. So why not sell in the U.S.???

 

[Yellowcarsrock]

It looks like what would come about if a MINI Cooper and a Smart car married and had a baby..

 

[Karl Roth]

A cars are a gas, bring them they will sell.
karl

 

[spdickey]

Saw this at the LA Auto Show. Looked like a small Chevy... move along, nothing interesting here.

 

[Smart_ABQ]

If GM spent as much money bringing to market and SELLING any one of the cars that seem to exist only in auto show and marketing material, we might actually hold out for a Made in the USA alternative. Just another example of very good design talent that will be passed over for the high markups on SUVs and trucks.

They already own the technology to make a successful EV since they had and destroyed the EV1. They could reintroduce the EV1 in an updated and more desirable package (that didn't look like an alien space vehicle) and sell more of those than their new hybrid SUVs that will cost more than the down payment for your house. Unfortunately GM seems to be convinced that Americans will continue to wait for their offerings by marketing future products like the Beat and the Volt (which will be too expensive and far too late to market to take away from the gen-3 Prius' market dominance). The Volt looks good but would YOU trust GM's first attempt at a plug in hybrid? Count me out. I'd rather not have GM be responsible for taking me to the cleaners on their unproven technology and then have it burn my house down because of some defect in the plug! The Beat also looks cool and would probably sell big. But we'll never see it and if we did it would probably get 25 mpg.

Like the rest of us on this forum, I can't wait for my Smart to come! We all have our reasons for wanting one but the Big 3 will continue to deny that there is a market for small fuel-efficient vehicles. Maybe the Smart is an extreme example of what some Americans want, but we still want it and I believe our market will prove that there is sufficient demand for these vehicles.