Quote:
The Gamma II platform is the underpinning of the next-generation Aveo and other sub-compact cars within GM. That platform is said to host a line of three new crossovers within the next few years. It is said that the three will be sized similar to the Nissan Rogue and Hyundai Tucson.
First to arrive will be the Chevrolet model. It is said to arrive in late 2011. As GMI reported yesterday, the next-generation Equinox crossover is moving up in size, so it only makes sense to add a smaller crossover to compete with the Rogue.
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Certainly not to be one to shoot down the prospect of any small wagons or hatchbacks from GM (cough) er, "crossovers", but how is a Gamma II / Aveo platform crossover supposed to compete with the Nissan Rogue when GM already has a "crossover smaller than an Equinox" in the HHR? Not to say it wouldn't be like the Rogue, but unless the HHR disappears or the new Crossover looks nothing like the Groove, I don't see the point in having two "Retro-Funky" crossovers. And yes, GM's own literature called the Groove "retro" (someone else questioned that before). I guess the HHR going away would make sense if the Cruze is a very different vehicle, architecturally speaking.
Anyway it goes, the more small, 4-cyl. powered...things....with decent cargo areas from GM, the better. I hope they aren't jacked up, cladded and bloated resulting in poor fuel economy just so they look like SUVs, though. It would seem to me that looking like an SUV (and sucking gas like one, even if a mini-version of one) isn't a particularly good thing these days...
Before GM targets 4WD/AWD tiny crossovers like the Suzuki SX4, they should check out the sales numbers for that vehicle (and the not-so-hot fuel economy), and just give us a really good fuel sipper with decent utility and a useable hatch/cargo space instead.
Call it a "Crossover" if they want for the marketing materials, but don't have it perform like one. The whole Faux-by-Four thing is really tiresome and out-of-touch with $4 gas, even with a 4-cyl. engine.
Looking forward to a small wagon with kick butt fuel economy from GM (not Toyota!).