Lutz Chimes in on the Chevy Beat: 4 Years?

[FenwickHockey65]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/06/l...on-chevy-beat/

In the wake of the Chevy Beat news that started pounding the wires before the 4th of July weekend, the Wall Street Journal reached out to Bob Lutz for some commentary on the topic. Lutz, in an email to the Journal, said, "We always thought we'd do it at some point, but now it obviously enjoys a much higher priority." Based on what the Journal says, this loosely translates to "the 2012 timeframe."

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

4 ****ing years?!!! WTF!!!

"The argument that Americans aren't into small cars/econocars/hatchbacks is quickly losing water, ..."

No ****. Even I am contemplating a used Aveo if gas goes any higher. But if the price of oil goes any higher, it will have bigger impacts to the economy than just our monthly gas bill.

[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.

[Ambalanche]

I can't imagine this taking two years AFTER the Volt debuts. If GM hasn't figured out what they need by now then they really can't see the forest for the trees!
That said, it's Autoblog basing 2012 on what Lutz said, Lutz didn't say 2012.

[civilzues]

Originally Posted by Smoothcat

Four years seems to be a VERY strange timeline, so much that I wonder if Lutz is not hiding something from us.

here is to hoping.

[HoosierRon]

DId you people read the WSJ article. No where does it say that Lutz said it would take 4 years. The WSJ just said that without backing it up. I would take all this with a grain of salt since the article already has GM selling the Beat overseas.

In any event, it could be much worse:

Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it has no plans on the table to bring its micro-sized Ka mini car to the U.S., but it is monitoring the success that Smart is having.

"We have small cars on the shelf all around the world," Ford spokesman Jay Ward said. "If at some point we decide to bring [the Ka] over here, we would be in a position to do so."

[Ming]

Something's not quite right with all of these conflicting reports over the past year or so.

Now:

"We always thought we'd do it at some point"

April 2007:

Unless something drastic changes, like gas prices going through the roof for more than a month, or a sudden fashion shift to tiny cars, General Motors likely won't sell its newest Chevy minicar in the U.S.

The public's whims will be "considered" as part of GM's decision as to which one goes into production, something Lutz said will happen in the "relatively near future," which he defines as within normal development time.

Judging by needs and the capital budget, probably only one will get the green light, but styling cues from the also-rans may make it into future small cars, Lutz said.

The triplets are not engineered to meet U.S. safety requirements, but Lutz said if GM does think North American needs a Chevy minicar, the chosen one can be homologated relatively quickly.

"The 2012 timeframe" = relatively quickly? Ooookay.

Imagine for a second that the 2012 date is legit. I wasn't aware that GM had so much time to futz around with product -- maybe they could have shaved a year off if they hadn't waited for gas prices to get so high before acting? The Beat/WTCC inspired Matiz redesign is already in camo in spy shots seen around the web at least a month ago. 4 years to get it to the U.S.? Is that another well-timed market move like the introduction of the current Opel Astra to U.S. shores 4 years after its debut in Europe? Or is that how long it would take to get a factory in Mexico?

Again, someone is trying to conveniently forget his remarks of the past, the reporters got it or are getting it wrong, or, as Doug Henning would say, "it's all an illusion"!

Or perhaps GM is hoping we'll forget about all this when (if) gas prices drop to around $3.20, Obama or McCain are finishing out their first term in office, and people start turning back to SUVs (they hope)?

[plane]

2012? Doubtful.
The GM-DAT upgrades were planned and have been underway for some time now.

The new compact (BusinessWeek.com, 6/3/08) will replace the Chevrolet Lacetti and be shipped around the world. A U.S. variant will be built at GM's Lordstown (Ohio) plant beginning in mid-2010. The new Lacetti will be unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in October and be followed by the launch of two smaller high-mileage cars—both designed and developed in Korea.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007...invest-6-.html
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbi...623_915617.htm

[Sal Collaziano]

Four years. :p 2012. It seems as if the whole world of GM will be a better place in 2012 - if it survives that long...

I suggest the owners of this forum start buying new domain names like <insert brand name here>insidenews.com - because this one is going to get very boring when GM closes up due to mind-boggling stupidity.

[kmacleod]

I see purchasing one of these for daily driving. Keep the Montana minivan for weekend activities.

Something tells me next year. My thoughts are late in '09 this car will arrive on our shores..........

Ken

[Hunid Racks]

>>>Based on what the Journal says, this loosely translates to "the 2012 timeframe." <<<

Lutz did not give a date. Within the next two or three pages, many of you will.

[kenman923]

GM will go further down the tubes if they don't get the Beat out sooner.

[logansowner]

Uhuh, it will fit right along side the Camaro in the land of Make Believe.

Things like this are why GM deserves to go tits up. If any of the rest of us ran our businesses like GM is run, we'd have been out of business long ago.

[jorgesalazar521@msn.com]

2012 is way too far off come on gm---u started 2-3 yrs. ago. This cements my idea we are better off with gm closing down. let the lean trim fast reacting companies survive. by that time hodtoyaniss will be doing a mid cycle refresh in a crowded mini market by 2012. late and out of touch as always way to go mr. lutz and co.

[tgagneguam]

With many automakers easily able to achieve concept to production in thirty six months, there's no reason GM couldn't start on this project soon and have it ready in three years (Fall of 2011 as a 2012 model). Sure, it's eons away, and sure GM will rightly lose share to more nimble, more inspired automakers who use their R&D resources more appropriately. But I still think Fall 2011 is achievable. GM moved up production of FS trucks when they thought it mattered, why not small car programs, which really matter?

Perhaps Lutz could spend less time crowing to the press and do more work within the Corporation to push useless managers to utilize GM's daily shrinking resources more appropriately?