GM plans global group of small crossovers

[mkaresh]

Jason Stein | Automotive News / March 12, 2007 - 1:00 am

GENEVA -- General Motors may produce a family of crossovers based on its global small-car architecture. The five-seat vehicles will be sold in North America as a GMC model but not built there.

The crossovers would be smaller than the Saturn Vue and marketed under different brands in North America, Europe and possibly emerging markets such as Russia, India and China...

GM could build the vehicles at low-cost sites in Thailand, India and Mexico, although no factory location has been chosen. The annual global production target is 200,000 units...

Full article (sub req'd): http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../70309024/1128

My comment: I have a hard time envisioning something smaller than the new Vue as a GMC.

[minnfang]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

My comment: I have a hard time envisioning something smaller than the new Vue as a GMC.

I agree. If anything, give a cute ute to Chevrolet instead.

Also, the next gen Theta should be taken away from Pontiac and given to GMC.

[mikesright]

Originally Posted by minnfang

I agree. If anything, give a cute ute to Chevrolet instead.

Also, the next gen Theta should be taken away from Pontiac and given to GMC.

They did. It's called HHR, and it is/will be built on Delta. (global small-car platform) It's also built in Mexico. Essentially they are saying GMC will get an HHR copy, which really is not a bad idea to do since GMC has greatly expanded its appeal past large trucks, and furthermore, it needs to do so to survive. Still, I hope theres no cars coming down the line for them...

[HoosierRon]

My vote is to have Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealers get one small SUV: a Theta for GMC. That's it.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

My comment: I have a hard time envisioning something smaller than the new Vue as a GMC.

Heck.. I'm still having trouble seeing Acadia as a GMC.

[mkaresh]

Come to think of it, I wouldn't have had a problem with them creating a truly driver-oriented Lambda and badging it a Pontiac.

The Acadia is my favorite Lambda, which is odd since I've never before considered owning a GMC. The only other brand which the Acadia would fit is Chevrolet.

[slowinthefastlane]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

Come to think of it, I wouldn't have had a problem with them creating a truly driver-oriented Lambda and badging it a Pontiac.

That is a good idea. I'd be all for a Pontiac X3-like or X5-like "performance SUV" vehicle.

[asim]

Smaller than a Vue, is that even possible? I think that Pontiac or GMC should get a version (hopefully a sporty Pontiac) and then have Chevrolet have a little cute-ute crossover. Like the others have said, this seems too small to be a GMC. The smallest GMC that should be done is about Envoy size. This seems like it would benefit GM the most.

[HoosierRon]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

Come to think of it, I wouldn't have had a problem with them creating a truly driver-oriented Lambda and badging it a Pontiac.

As a father of four, I think the Lambdas are great, but come on, a "truly driver-oriented" 7 passanger, 4,900 pound, 201" long, 73" tall vehicle?

Besides, the Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealers already have two Lambdas.

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

As a father of four, I think the Lambdas are great, but come on, a "truly driver-oriented" 7 passanger, 4,900 pound, 201" long, 73" tall vehicle?

Besides, the Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealers already have two Lambdas.

I agree with you on both counts, particularly the 2nd one.

[Sporer65]

Would this be a Vibe replacement? By making it a GMC, it would be sold at the same dealership so, no volume lost. Also, if GMC gets the Torrent, again same dealer-no volume lost, replacement it would mean the Ponitac would have only cars and then GMC would have the full range of SUVs, Crossovers, and Trucks that GM offers.

[mcool]

Originally Posted by slowinthefastlane

That is a good idea. I'd be all for a Pontiac X3-like or X5-like "performance SUV" vehicle.

I disagree. Pontiac is a mess right now. The Solstice and G8 (and the GTO while its still on dealer lots) are the only products that really represent Pontiac's core.

Cadillac has the SRX for those who want sporty CUV. The X5 just grew in size and I think it won't meet the volume of its predecessor. The X3 was cannibalzing the old X5, and it's a fringe product for a BMW brand that has performance oriented cars at its core.

The Torrent, Vibe, Montana, and G5 are all products that don't represent Pontiac's brand. They just represent potentially more volume for starved Pontiac dealers.

[tgagneguam]

Ah, thinking globally [again] yields a product that will fill a niche, fill a factory, and depending on how well it's executed, fill the coffers. This global perspective thing might just pay off, GM. Bravo.

I'd like to understand the rationale of assigning the N.A. version to GMC. Admittedly, Sporer65 has a reasonable thought, though if Pontiac's struggling, and if this vehicle is destined to replace the Vibe, why not simply give it to Pontiac?

Oh, and three's more than enough versions of the Lambda, especially if two of them sit on B-P-G lots. Heck, in a few years, we'll have four, and I suspect that the Chevrolet version will have more than just a passing resemblance to the Acadia and Outlook.

[igor]

I have a question - isn't Theta based on the Delta? is the new Vue on Theta2?

If so they are talkig about Rondo sized vehicle, based on "whatever you call the Aveo platform" ...

I agree that this bottom end should be Chevy - as bread and butter and Pontiac as driver oriented (think well handling Vibe). GMC should have the big utes and trucks only.

Igor

[Angry Dad]

Have any of you seen / touched the Meriva or Zafira?

That's the size that you need to relate to.


http://www.worldcarfans.com/photos.c...pel-meriva-opc