GM May Sell New Mini-Cars to U.S. Buyers

[tholland]

Originally Posted by Saturn69

But just think of the Go-Go's singing "We Got the Beat" during the commercials! What a great ad tie-in, the car already has a theme song!

That's a great idea... especially since I think it would be popular with girls

[footney]

Should GM partner with Harley Davidson and build a competitor?

http://www.diseno-art.com/encycloped...es/CLEVER.html

[tholland]

Originally Posted by New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66

Also the name Beat has potential negative connotations.

Originally Posted by Ming

Not the least of which is "Beater".

Yeah, but it Beats takin' the bus.

[neshapop]

If they make Beat in upper trims close to Mini Cooper I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Will GM live long enough to launch that kind of car?

[johnriley]

Originally Posted by Ming

The Groove is too much like a mix of the existing retro HHR - that seems to appeal to Baby Boomers and retirees more than young people who need a small affordable car - and the less than hot-selling new Scion Xb. The PT Cruiser / Scion Xb white haired owners, that is.

I don't think it would win many new customers who wouldn't already have considered the HHR. The Beat is significantly more radical and sharp looking than the Aveo, on the other hand. At least in concept form.
...

What, our money is no good? The xB got off mission - too big. Speaking as one of whom you speak, I hate the limited visibility of the HHR. First one at the light, and you can't see the light! IMO HHR is not it. Not like the original xB. Doesn't get 40 mpg either, like what we are talking about here. Nothing retro about the Groove, BTW. Being boxy doesn't automatically make it retro.

[01cavalier]

GM "may" sell these cars in the US? If they still haven't decided on it they are really in trouble. GM should have been selling cars like this years ago.

[MrJamesMc]

Bring it over here NOW!
I am sick of the 12 MPG in my Tahoe, I want something small. That would be perfect, I wouldn't have to betray the Chevrolet name =).

[motorman]

Originally Posted by Ming

Says the guy with the Corvette in his avatar, who prizes safety above all other concerns.

"Because safety is not a primary concern of Corvette drivers, little is said of its active and passive safety systems. In fact, neither the federal government nor the insurance industry has crash tested it. Chevrolet equips the Corvette with driver and passenger dual-stage front airbags, as well as a passenger sensing system. Side impact air bags, however, are only available as an option."

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...rvette/Safety/

Not to pick on you, Motorman, but I really wish the safety nazis who inevitably pop up in the minicar threads would leave minicars alone. Especially convenient "rain on your minicar parade" safety nazis who drive sports cars and motorcycles but frown on minicars secretly because of the lack of a macho, tough-guy image - or possibly just leg room .

only the base interior does not have side impact air bags built into the seats. corvettes have proven very safe in crashes because the composite body absorbs a lot of energy that the driver does not see

[Hunid Racks]

I don't care if the mini cars come here or not. For some the market is here.

But to ignore the posibilty of selling the Chevy Montana here is just beyond belief.

[TimR]

Seriously, talk, talk, talk....just get the things over here. People are buying up everything small they can find...one of the guys at work bought a smart car. He said I could drive it if I wanted so after all the funny comments were done we went on a small road trip. Drives quite nice, does not feel small inside at all, has a/c and heated seats and all the rest. Quite peppy actually, although I HATE the way it shifts...seems like a 1/2 second delay between shifts even when using the paddle shifters (yup, paddle shifters).

Other than that its a normal car until you go to back up and see there is nothing behind you!!LOL And yeah the safety nazis have a point about size but at the same time as small cars get more popular the risk averages out too. You can drive around in your big bad hemi powered dodge ram and then get broadsided by a semi and guess what you're dead too.

Personal choices, but the market is speaking and GM needs to listen.

[KingElvis]

The problem with small cars is that it's so hard to make money on them.

Mercedes has NEVER turned a profit with the SMART. NEVER.

Gas prices are finally factoring in decisions, but people still think a smaller car should always be cheaper.

[Kennyboy]

I prefer the Groove over the other trio, but I like them all since there's no other car model that look like them.

[TruckMan]

Like some other people posted, I think the Groove looks too much like a cross between the HHR and Scion POS. But I like the looks of the Beat - even with the long headlights. Chevy needs to add some stylish cars to their lineup. Their getting too plain and boring with their cars. Even the Trax doesn't look so bad. I could see the Beat and Trax doing well in the US with frugal and young customers.

[dratnol]

Originally Posted by Saturn69

But just think of the Go-Go's singing "We Got the Beat" during the commercials! What a great ad tie-in, the car already has a theme song!

Beat high gas prices!
Beat the Fit!
Beat the yaris!

All while 'Beat It' is playing in the background.



In all seriousness, something like the above with Saturn69's pick of music would make for a simple marketing angle.

[GMsElite]

I absolutely love the GROOVE!!! I think that they should produce both the Beat and the Groove or atleast base the HHR replacement off of the Groove.