[calgaryhhr]

Well, if things weren't bad enough for GM in North America currently anouncements like this are certainly going to make things even worse. GM needs to introduce new products to NA like the Beat and Cruze and such. I won't argue that this class of cars hasn't sold well in NA in the past and it might take consumers some time to adjust and start buying smaller cars but by not offering an option GM is shutting the door and turning their back on NA. The current products are weak (Aveo, Cobalt, G5) and GM needs something that will stir up some excitement and maybe even become class leaders. If they can bring out cars like the new Malibu and the Lambda's and the G8 why not do something similar for the small car marketplace. These recent new platforms and redesigns are a step in the right direction but are limited to a larger car/truck market segment.

My girlfriend and I were just shopping for a small car about a month ago. We looked at the Smart 4two, Versa, Yaris, Fit, Golf/Jetta and Mini Clubman. GM did not even have something that we could look at the wouldn't just be a waste of time. The Aveo is horrible compared to these other cars. We did have a quick look at the Saturn Astra but it came up short in the interior feel so it didn't even get a test drive. The decision ended with a Golf in the driveway.