[Smoothcat]

I have been keeping a close eye on this story because I am somebody that could be happy living in, or very close to, the city and driving a car like the Beat to work during the week. I would think GM needs to get this car to the market ASAP. Four years seems to be a VERY strange timeline, so much that I wonder if Lutz is not hiding something from us.

That being said, am I wrong, or is the Beat not a class below the Yaris, Aveo, Fit, etc.? While these cars have been successful to a degree, I have to wonder if there are enough people willing to buy an even smaller car to warrant a stronger push to get these built? I think a lot of the people willing to do it would lean to buying imports, and would shy away from the Beat, especially when the Japanese inevitably bring over a competitor. I know that "you don't know until you try" is sort of the path GM has to take here, but I'm not sure if they wouldn't do better sinking resources into the Aveo to make it better, or to making current vehicles and hybrid engines more efficient. When it comes down to it I think most Americans bitch and moan about gas, but still want a big vehicle if at all possible.