Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch

**nsap** · 01-10-2009, 12:19 PM

Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch
Hold it...Beat @ NAIAS does not equal an imminent US launch.
www.gminsidenews.com
January 10, 2009
By: Nsap

General Motors shocked the world by announcing on the Today Show earlier this week that the production version of the Chevrolet Beat mini car was going to be unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Instantly the assumption was that the Beat was going to be sold in North America. That was an easy assumption to come to considering the car is being revealed at the DETROIT auto show. However that assumption is partially incorrect.

When GM revealed the Beat Concept, along with its sister concepts the Groove and Trax, they allowed for the public to vote on which of the trio was their favorite. Over two million people voted the Beat as their favorite concept; beating the other two by vast margins. Since the overwhelmingly positive fanfare over the concept materialized, we’ve heard many rumors regarding the Beat’s future (or possible lack-there-of) in the North American market, but have usually be left confused. We’ve seen a number of spy shots of the Beat in its aggressive-looking glory overseas and in the United States, further confusing the cars potential U.S. launch.

As it turns out, we’re hearing that GM is revealing the production Beat at NAIAS this year to test the waters for a potential U.S. launch of the car in a few years. The production Beat that we will be seeing at NAIAS does not meet U.S. safety standards and cannot be sold without modifications. We’re told that if reaction to the production Beat is solid here in North America, GM will take actions to being a mid-cycle enhancement to the Beat to bring it up to U.S. safety regulations and sell it in North America. Another likely reason for the Beat’s reveal is to show that GM can and is building hip small cars.

It is expected that the Beat will go on sale in global markets by late 2009.

Who knows? GM surprised us all (even the media) with the Beat production car at NAIAS, maybe they will surprise us and launch it in North America sooner? Don't count on it though...

FenwickHockey65 · 01-10-2009, 12:20 PM

You'd think that the overwhelming response to the whole "Vote for your favorite concept" thing would've been enough to justify a US launch...

eaton53 · 01-10-2009, 12:26 PM

How many times do they need an overwhelming response?
IMO, it doesn't matter... if GM can't figure it out the government will figure it out for them...

logansowner · 01-10-2009, 12:32 PM

So how many times do they need to be told to bring this to the US? Apparently this management team is still mentally retarded.

cyclone · 01-10-2009, 12:33 PM

When I voted my clicker almost instantly went to the Beat. My wife wants one really bad!

A.J. · 01-10-2009, 12:44 PM

This is a situation kind of like the new Insignia/Regal...

We'll probably see both the Beat and Regal on our shores when they both receive MCEs.

motorman · 01-10-2009, 12:53 PM

till they can figure out a way to get car leasing back on track car sales of any kind are going to be in the crapper. the average person in the USA can not afford a $400/$500 a month car payment it is a simple as that. the interest rate right now for leasing thru GMAC is 12% and that is not going to fly.

jbernie · 01-10-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

You'd think that the overwhelming response to the whole "Vote for your favorite concept" thing would've been enough to justify a US launch...

Not quite, there is a decent difference between some random online vote over which care you like best out of (present choices) and actually doing a serious review of potential market etc etc. When the vote was on there was no pricing attached or features listed they were just design concepts.

Now go to the market and say, here is the car, how likely are you consider it, what about at pice x, y & z, now with these standard/optional features etc.

The vote was enough to show GM that there was potential interest, not to look for actual interest

Buick Riviera · 01-10-2009, 01:08 PM

Chevrolet Aveo summmer 2010 on Gamma II Platforum. Chevrolet Beat 2010 on Gamma II Platforum. These Gamma II is already approve for NA market.

Hurricane · 01-10-2009, 01:24 PM

Great news! I can't wait to see the Beat!

zl-1 · 01-10-2009, 01:27 PM

Yes, yes, yes!!! GM's finally understanding that Chevy needs to be truly global and that its smaller cars have to be offered in the US. At last!

throwback · 01-10-2009, 01:30 PM

I'll believe it when I see a Beat in a US showroom. My guess is Canada and Mexico get it but not us, afterall Bob knows best.

YupYupYup · 01-10-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaton53

How many times do they need an overwhelming response?
IMO, it doesn't matter... if GM can't figure it out the government will figure it out for them...

Both are scary thoughts...

YupYupYup · 01-10-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buick Riviera

Chevrolet Aveo summmer 2010 on Gamma II Platforum. Chevrolet Beat 2010 on Gamma II Platforum. These Gamma II is already approve for NA market.

2009 is better.

big swede · 01-10-2009, 01:37 PM

I think this is one of those cars that looks great on paper and in print but when people see them in person they will be under whelmed. If the Beat is too small by European standards it definitely won't be big seller here.

01-10-2009, 12:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
nsap Editor-in-Chief Join Date: Jan 2003 Drives: 2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT Posts: 17,726	Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch *Hold it...Beat @ NAIAS does not equal an imminent US launch.* www.gminsidenews.com January 10, 2009 By: Nsap General Motors shocked the world by announcing on the Today Show earlier this week that the production version of the Chevrolet Beat mini car was going to be unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Instantly the assumption was that the Beat was going to be sold in North America. That was an easy assumption to come to considering the car is being revealed at the DETROIT auto show. However that assumption is partially incorrect. When GM revealed the Beat Concept, along with its sister concepts the Groove and Trax, they allowed for the public to vote on which of the trio was their favorite. Over two million people voted the Beat as their favorite concept; beating the other two by vast margins. Since the overwhelmingly positive fanfare over the concept materialized, we’ve heard many rumors regarding the Beat’s future (or possible lack-there-of) in the North American market, but have usually be left confused. We’ve seen a number of spy shots of the Beat in its aggressive-looking glory overseas and in the United States, further confusing the cars potential U.S. launch. As it turns out, we’re hearing that GM is revealing the production Beat at NAIAS this year to test the waters for a potential U.S. launch of the car in a few years. The production Beat that we will be seeing at NAIAS does not meet U.S. safety standards and cannot be sold without modifications. We’re told that if reaction to the production Beat is solid here in North America, GM will take actions to being a mid-cycle enhancement to the Beat to bring it up to U.S. safety regulations and sell it in North America. Another likely reason for the Beat’s reveal is to show that GM can and is building hip small cars. It is expected that the Beat will go on sale in global markets by late 2009. Who knows? GM surprised us all (even the media) with the Beat production car at NAIAS, maybe they will surprise us and launch it in North America sooner? Don't count on it though... __________________ Get the latest news from GMI...Join the "GMInsidenews.com Facebook Page!! Follow me on TWITTER E-Mail Me

01-10-2009, 12:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
FenwickHockey65 News Contributor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Drives: Chevrolet Malibu LS, GMC Envoy SLE, GMC Sonoma SLS Posts: 9,274	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch You'd think that the overwhelming response to the whole "Vote for your favorite concept" thing would've been enough to justify a US launch... __________________ Proud to drive American. Proud to drive GM. Current Cars: 2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS: 2.2L ECOTEC I-4 2003 GMC Envoy SLE: 4.2L Vortec 4200 I-6 1998 GMC Sonoma SLS Ext. Cab: 4.3L Vortec 4300 V6 Former Cars: 1993 Saturn SW2 (1993-2006, 243,000 miles) 1989 GMC Safari SLT (1989-2003, 293,000 miles) Future Car: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS: 3.6L SIDI High-Feature V6

01-10-2009, 12:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
eaton53 6.2 Liter LS3 V8 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,428	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch How many times do they need an overwhelming response? IMO, it doesn't matter... if GM can't figure it out the government will figure it out for them... __________________ TiresomeOverratedYawnmobilesOrTediousAppliances When you're falling on your face you're still moving forward. Toyota... moving forward.

01-10-2009, 12:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
logansowner 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Between the puck and the mesh Posts: 2,266	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch So how many times do they need to be told to bring this to the US? Apparently this management team is still mentally retarded.

01-10-2009, 12:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
cyclone 4.6 Liter Northstar V8 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Minnesota Drives: '08 2500HD , Pontiac G8, '59 IMPALA Posts: 1,623	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch When I voted my clicker almost instantly went to the Beat. My wife wants one really bad! __________________ 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 2009 Pontiac G8 GT 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LTZ 4WD 1959 Chevrolet Impala

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01-10-2009, 12:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
A.J. GMI Design Contest Official Join Date: Aug 2006 Drives: 2007 Buick Lucerne CXL, 2005 Ford Freestyle SEL Posts: 1,210	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch This is a situation kind of like the new Insignia/Regal... We'll probably see both the Beat and Regal on our shores when they both receive MCEs. __________________ A note to all design contest participants - if I pound you with penalties or point out that you can't enter one of your designs, please do not think that this is a personal bash on you as a designer. I am merely enforcing the rules that I have set down.

01-10-2009, 12:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
motorman 3.6 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,134	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch till they can figure out a way to get car leasing back on track car sales of any kind are going to be in the crapper. the average person in the USA can not afford a $400/$500 a month car payment it is a simple as that. the interest rate right now for leasing thru GMAC is 12% and that is not going to fly. __________________ chevy owner since 1953,30 new chevys and 11 new corvettes since 1959 ,# 11 2008 corvette in the garage ,2004 impala,1988 2500 silverado,former NASCAR tech inspector,retired race engine builder

01-10-2009, 01:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
Buick Riviera 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 478	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch Chevrolet Aveo summmer 2010 on Gamma II Platforum. Chevrolet Beat 2010 on Gamma II Platforum. These Gamma II is already approve for NA market. Last edited by Buick Riviera : 01-10-2009 at 01:26 PM.

01-10-2009, 01:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
Hurricane News Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,428	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch Great news! I can't wait to see the Beat! __________________ 2007 Yukon XL Denali 2006 Chevrolet Corvette

01-10-2009, 01:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
zl-1 3.0 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blood Mountain Posts: 652	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch Yes, yes, yes!!! GM's finally understanding that Chevy needs to be truly global and that its smaller cars have to be offered in the US. At last!

01-10-2009, 01:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
throwback 3.6 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,183	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch I'll believe it when I see a Beat in a US showroom. My guess is Canada and Mexico get it but not us, afterall Bob knows best.

01-10-2009, 01:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
big swede 6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Midwest Drives: 07' Monte Carlo SS Posts: 5,063	Re: Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch I think this is one of those cars that looks great on paper and in print but when people see them in person they will be under whelmed. If the Beat is too small by European standards it definitely won't be big seller here.

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