Lutz Chimes in on the Chevy Beat: 4 Years?

[zete]

Originally Posted by paul8488

If they had decided to offer the Beat in the US Lutz would have said it by now. That man doesn't keep anything secret. He loves to telegraph every detail of GMs products. I suspect that this means that the Beat hasn't been greenlighted yet, which means it isn't coming to the US anytime soon.

But GM has already said it'll be in production as a 2010 model year car:

GM Says Beat Concept Will Reach Production

Chevrolet Beat To Go Into Production for Global Markets But Not US

That last article also states that Lutz indicated that the Beat will be in left and right hand configurations and meet all safety requirements thus be a global car.

All I can figure is that Lutz has decided to be coy about something. They were awfully coy about the Camaro, claiming it wasn't coming though media outlets claimed it was. So Lutz can keep his mouth shut about things when he wants to.

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by paul8488

If they had decided to offer the Beat in the US Lutz would have said it by now. That man doesn't keep anything secret. He loves to telegraph every detail of GMs products. I suspect that this means that the Beat hasn't been greenlighted yet, which means it isn't coming to the US anytime soon.

I respectively disagree, on this subject anyway. With the Beat and Trax in the next Transformers movie - along with the "Ain't Gonna Happen, Camaro", I say 18 months from now, we'll have the Beat. If GM is that stupid to not bring some sort of high-mpg car into the U.S., they deserve to fail and they have no one to blame but themselves.

[The Law]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

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

'010 at worst or Saturn Corsa before Chevy Beat.

[zete]

The Beat will be here by next summer, in my opinion. But will that be in time?

[hpatrick]

Four years is far too long but should this surprise you, look how long we have been waiting for the Camaro. Hopefully four years is a VERY loose translation.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by zete

But GM has already said it'll be in production as a 2010 model year car.

That reminded me...

GM launches latest stage of its hydrogen 'moonshot'
January 9, 2005

"GM's goal," Burns explained, "is to design and validate a fuel cell propulsion system by 2010 that is competitive with current internal combustion systems on durability and performance, and that ultimately can be built at scale affordably.

GM: Hydrogen cars will re-establish company
'Going to make General Motors what it was in the '50s and '60s,' exec says
Sept. 15, 2006

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles could hit showrooms as early as 2011 and the technology will revitalize General Motors, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said as he delivered a hydrogen concept car to be test driven by Camp Pendleton Marines over the next few months.

Calling the effort a "moon shot," Lutz said it is vital the world's largest automaker commits to the new technology, so it can win back its reputation as an innovator and design leader.

"This is to re-establish our technological credentials with the American public and the American media," Lutz said Thursday. "And it has a huge re-moralizing effect in the company as our people see how serious we are."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14848423/

[zete]

Originally Posted by Ming

That reminded me...




GM: Hydrogen cars will re-establish company
'Going to make General Motors what it was in the '50s and '60s,' exec says
Sept. 15, 2006

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles could hit showrooms as early as 2011 and the technology will revitalize General Motors, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said as he delivered a hydrogen concept car to be test driven by Camp Pendleton Marines over the next few months.

Calling the effort a "moon shot," Lutz said it is vital the world's largest automaker commits to the new technology, so it can win back its reputation as an innovator and design leader.

"This is to re-establish our technological credentials with the American public and the American media," Lutz said Thursday. "And it has a huge re-moralizing effect in the company as our people see how serious we are."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14848423/

They took a detour at Electric Avenue, it seems.

Still, hydrogen is a fascinating solution. We just need the infrastructure. Unfortunately, that's the hardest part to resolve.

[Canyonaro]

It will be here in time for the next Transformers movie....perhaps.

[FearTheDodo]

for christ's sake, pull the lead out. This is the biggest problem GM has.

[prototype66]

I bet production starts next summer.

[YupYupYup]

Originally Posted by windvale

I don't think small cars is something GM should rush into. I'm not sure the public really wants small, fuel efficient cars...
How about an update of the GMT-900's ?
I also think GM needs to concentrate on the Camaro, as this is the sort of car the public is demanding right now.
Bob Lutz "understands" the market. He "knows" what people want...like the GTO and the SSR. Just leave it to him...

The SSR was not Lutz...The GTO was only partly Lutz. The Malibu IS Lutz and it is very good. Lutz also was key on the successful Enclave, upcoming ZR-1, and of course the Volt.

PEOPLE....SLOW DOWN. There is so much misinformation out there...Most enthusiast also know that Lutz is now throwing curve balls to keep the competition off-balance about GM's future plans. It is called disinformation, and it seems to be working well.

SMALL CARS ARE COMING. SOONER THAN EARLIER. NOT ALL FROM U.S. operations; think Asia and Europe. Lutz loves playing with his words, and the dumb media just eats it up to serve their own agenda.

[YupYupYup]

Originally Posted by zete

They took a detour at Electric Avenue, it seems.

Still, hydrogen is a fascinating solution. We just need the infrastructure. Unfortunately, that's the hardest part to resolve.

Are you so sure? No one said that the "fuel cell" will be the only power source in the car. Think small fuel cell generating electricity for the Volt. Definitely feasible by 2011. In fact, it is a major part of phase 1.5 of the Volt. 2011 is not hear yet...

[Sal Collaziano]

Lutz is not throwing curve balls on this small car (Beat or whatever). He's not so stupid to think that just because he's saying things that may be indicated as "four years", that other car companies like Toyota and Honda are going to sit back, relax, breathe a sigh of relief and slowly move forward with their initiatives.

Nobody out there (other car companies) give a **** what GM and Lutz are up to. They don't sit in the background watching what other companies do first. They DO first. This is why GM is a follower instead of a leader. Nobody is waiting to see what GM is going to do to make a move. They're already moving on all their initiatives.. It's ridiculous to think otherwise.

[T-Type]

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

Nobody out there (other car companies) give a **** what GM and Lutz are up to. They don't sit in the background watching what other companies do first. They DO first. This is why GM is a follower instead of a leader. Nobody is waiting to see what GM is going to do to make a move. They're already moving on all their initiatives.. It's ridiculous to think otherwise.

That's not entirely correct. I do agree that other companies are not waiting to see what others will do. However it is ridiculous to think that they do not care what others are doing and just blindly plod along on their own path. If someone else comes up with a great idea, you don't want to be left behind. GM may be in a world of hurt right now, but they still are one of the major players in the market.

[Sal Collaziano]

Originally Posted by T-Type

That's not entirely correct. I do agree that other companies are not waiting to see what others will do. However it is ridiculous to think that they do not care what others are doing and just blindly plod along on their own path. If someone else comes up with a great idea, you don't want to be left behind. GM may be in a world of hurt right now, but they still are one of the major players in the market.

Sure. Pick the one sarcastic thing I said and criticize it. Yes, you are correct. It is ridiculous to assume that NOBODY out there is concerned with what GM is up to.

However, I seriously doubt that ANYONE is waiting to see what GM does before it makes a move...