Rumored: Beat @ NAIAS Testing Waters For Possible US Launch

[fp115]

The problem with this is that most people voted online and assume that the vehicle is the same size as an Aveo and not the same size as a Smart. Testing the waters at an auto show makes more sense than doing it on the internet.

[zete]

Sigh. Why show a production car that you can't buy.

This all reminds me of the Soviet Union that would have some stores have beautiful displays of goods, none of which you could purchase. Looks great from street level but inside you find a barren store, nothing like what the facade announced.

Sad... or should I say, pathetic. ONLY show what will be available soon -- within 6 - 9 months. Otherwise, it's pointless. Especially for a small car. You're just giving the competition time to copy your design and bring it to market first, so GM ends up looking like the copycat.

[fp115]

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.

Due to its size the Beat requires a more enclosed and durable shell since its crumple zone is so miniscule. Not only that but you must ensure that protruding vehicle doesn't slice off a limb of one of the occupants while in a crash. One of the reasons the Smart has taken so long to come to North America is because the shell was not nearly resistant enough for crashes.

[ausrutherford]

Originally Posted by fp115

The problem with this is that most people voted online and assume that the vehicle is the same size as an Aveo and not the same size as a Smart. Testing the waters at an auto show makes more sense than doing it on the internet.

Smart is still somewhat smaller.

[jaydee]

What would the price range for such a vehicle be? Start at $8k, "loaded" at $12k? Where will they be built? And what engine would it get, the 1.6 liter Aveo?

I don't understand they 4-door, 4-passenger version at all. I can't imagine fitting anyone older than a 3 year old in a car seat back there and I can't imagine any parent in their right mind would actually do it considering the only thing between the child and the hood of a car in a rear-end collision is the seat itself and a piece of sheetmetal. Can't they just call it a 2-seater with trunk/cargo volume of a mid-size hatch?

[AndrewGS]

I'm sick of water testing. Why in the hell aren't all vehicles for every market designed to meet the toughest standards in the world? Why can't the transportation authorities for the major auto producing countries come together and set a standard for the world to follow? Is saving the lives of Europeans less important than saving the lives of US Americans in auto accidents? Is the air quality less important in Riyadh than in Los Angeles?

[4gm]

GM should be building all its cars around the world to meet U.S. safety standards. How much more can that cost for each model? That way situations like the GTO, LaCrosse and Astra don't have to happen where we wait forever to get a great car. Not only that, but it would be a great marketing tool. "GM builds the safest cars in (insert non-U.S. country here)." Then have commercials that show GM cars and competitor's cars driving into something.

[ne_one]

Originally Posted by big swede

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.

Does anyone know where this concept fits in size-wise compared to the Corsa and Agila?

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

GM NEEDS a legit NA small car BAD. If I was shopping I myself would consider the Cobalt or Aveo. But frankly, the Civic and Corolla and entrie

[2000GTPBROTHER]

So would the possible introduction of the Beat to the US be in addition to GM's December announcement that by 2012 it will be "introducing this market‘s smallest 4-passenger vehicle, achieving higher fuel economy than the 2-passenger Smart Fortwo, the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid vehicle in the U.S. market today"?

[fp115]

Originally Posted by ausrutherford

Smart is still somewhat smaller.

The Beat is sized between the Smart ForFour and ForTwo. The Beat is a 4 seater, makes sense for it the size of a ForFour, though it is 7-8 inches shorter.

Originally Posted by New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66

GM NEEDS a legit NA small car BAD. If I was shopping I myself would consider the Cobalt or Aveo. But frankly, the Civic and Corolla and entrie

This is a Microcar, not a small car. The Aveo gets updated in Summer 2010.

[johnstarnes]

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...

I know.....could not agree more, hence my being baffled that they proceeded to build NOT to U.S. specs!

[johnstarnes]

I wonder what E-Flex could do in a Beat?

[A Bum In A Bus]

We could not wait for the Astra and guess what, it's success was less that astronomical. GM cannot produce a car for every taste, neither can the other companies. If this car sells well in Europe then they might consider investing the money to beef up it's safety qualifications and sell it here. GM is also letting others test the waters for this size car(and that's smart). I'm afraid America home of the "land Yacht" will not go for this in any significant way, not until gas is 6 to 8 dollars a gallon. I have driven an AVEO on the highway and my biggest complaint is it's vulnerability to big trucks, they scare the hell out of me, this is smaller and even scarier.

[fp115]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

I wonder what E-Flex could do in a Beat?

It wouldn't fit...