Lutz: No Beat for US, Cobalt not near EOL, CUVs on the way, Aura stalled

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by windvale

"When the Cruze does debut, expect an interior that's a cross between the Cobalt and the Malibu, and powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-pot that will get 40+ mpg."

Why the hell would anybody want to cross the Cobalt interior with anything ???

Don't worry, we've already seen the interior, it looks awesome.

[Ambalanche]

Complete Lunacy!! I give up! Clearly, there is nobody that can forsee past their noses at GM's highest levels that actually approves future vehicles. It's definately a sad day.

What happened the the sub-compact that was rumored to be out in a year with 40+ mpg?

[GM-10]

Not exactly a happy day.

No Beat, No Cruze...my guess is we're looking at Cobalts with decontented interiors instead.

Here we go again...Happy days are around the corner. Just you wait and see....

I've been to this movie before...

[A.J.]

Here's my $.02:

No Beat for US: OK move. Yes, the concept DID debut in ths US and arguably the best-looking minicar ever. However, I would rather have a solid car designed for the US than a car designed for Europe brought to US standards.

Small CUVs: Good move. An Equinox replacement can't get here any sooner.

No Cruze for US: Bad move. GM needs a great small car like the Cruze in the US.

Insignia Halted: OK move. The current AURA is not a bad car at all - it's a solid car that's quiet inside and has creature comforts. However, the Insignia is better - I'd like to see it as a 2010.

[Glass Half full]

Want to know what Lutz/GM think.

1. Small car buyers are imbeciles. They don't deserve to be driving at all. (if you cant buy a Tahoe, you shouldn't be driving at all)

2. America does not want small cars (because we are incapable of turning a profit on them, even though honda/hyundai have figured a way of doing just that)

3. America does not want small cars (Aveo sold more than the entire hummer brand for a few months in 2008)

Message to lutz : Not everyone makes as much money as you do. Not everyone can buy only those cars that turn GM a profit. Just because GM does not make quality small cars doesn't mean buyers will switch to Lambda's. When you dont give a sh** about small car buyers, why would they give a Sh** about GM.

[sigma]

Originally Posted by GM-10

Not exactly a happy day.

No Beat, No Cruze...my guess is we're looking at Cobalts with decontented interiors instead.

Here we go again...Happy days are around the corner. Just you wait and see....

I've been to this movie before...

Haven't we all? If they don't have the Cruze here for the MY2010, I will personally fly to Detroit and join you all with the pitchforks to demand Bob Lutz's and Rick Wagoner's head. There is absolutely no excuse for that car not to be sold here in the US market, when it's built on a global platform that will be assembled in the US and Mexico (so no weakening dollar excuses) and will yield US variants. It's complete crap.

[megeebee]

About the Cruze/ Cobalt thing:

He's right that the Cobalt is relatively new (Here's hoping for a facelift and interior enhancement soon). And it certainly wouldn't make any sense to cancel it for the Cruze. Not before the development costs are at least recouped. And it makes even less sense to sell them both in the US side by side.

Is it at all possible that the Cobalt might get the turbo-4 powerplant and a 6 speed transmission?

Someone clarify this for me. The Cruze is to be built in Lordstown, but exported, right?

Isn't Cobalt built at the same plant?


Could the Insignia thing be a Euro/Dollar issue? Or do I remember reading that production was planned in the US? Which begs a bigger question: Are both versions of the Epsilon platform (I and II) capable of being built in the same plant?

[Hurricane]

Unbelievable. Hasn't the Cobalt already been around for, what, four or five model years or so already? I know the Cavalier lasted a long time, but I am not so sure about using that as a measuring stick for what to shoot for...

[Butz]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

No Beat. No Cruze. No Insignia. But lots of Pontiacs and CUVs.

This is how GM responds to America's demand for fuel efficient vehicles?

unfortunate

[SRX7697]

Let us pray this is misinformation and Lutz is running his mouth.....

[DuallyMan]

Playa,

That's GM for y'all!

[Xenon]

Its official: GM is run by a bunch of idiots. SUV sales are dropping, yet he wants to continue selling similar vehicles? High fuel efficiency vehicles are in demand here, yet the Cruze and Beat aren't coming stateside?

Honestly I'm amazed at the amount of stupidity that came out of Lutz's announcement. Does GM want to fail?

[chevygurl72]

they are stupid they wonder why they are in financial difficulty... the beat would be a success and their not bringing it over one word sums up Bob Lutz.... STUPID!!

[1487]

have people already forgotten that GM has already announced that a next gen small car will be built in Lordstown in 2010? What Lutz is saying is that the Cobalt has two more years to go and we will no be getting the Cruze in spring 2009 like other markets. Please consider ALL the information. GM JUST announced the next gen small car and new Aveo by 2010. come on folks.

As for small crossovers, they need them because there are tons of import models in that segment. The Equinox is old. Also, he is confirming that Pontiac will get new products like the G8 GXP, Solstice hardtop and an updated G6 which is sorely needed.

[crooner214]

I see most of this news as disappointing.

The only reason I can think to keep older models like the current Cobalt and Aura around are that they've already been paid for, and make more money than new models would-on a per car basis.

So, it sounds like the bean-counters are running the General again.