Should Chevrolet Bring Back the Metro Nameplate?

[Ming]

Poll: Should the Chevrolet Metro Nameplate Return?

With recent news of a Geo / Chevy Metro craze, with Metros selling for nearly what they stickered for 10 or more years ago because of their well-earned image of fuel efficiency in these times of high gas prices, GM has a potential gold mine in the name recognition of the Metro nameplate. While bringing another whole brand like Geo back would be a major undertaking, deciding to re-use the name "Metro" again for a Beat, Next Gen Matiz/Spark or even the planned redesigned Aveo would be an easy way to take advantage of the Metro ballyhoo. Perhaps even calling it the "Chevrolet GeoMetro" to cram it all in there? (Yes, I give you free and full rights to use that idea, GM!)

Business Week: THE METRO RIDES AGAIN

[give_it_all_]

No. Keep it with Aveo or Beat.

[69Firebird400]

I voted to stick with what they have - GM already changes names way too often, thinking they can fool consumers into suddenly assuming that a new product is better than a sub-par older one.

However, Metro might not be the worst name for something sub-Aveo size, a super high mileage, super small commuter vehicle. I don't want to see them throw away the Aveo name though. People clearly do associate that name with ultra high gas mileage.

Getting 50+ mpg from a conventional cheap car today would be nearly impossible, though, because of the additional safety requirements and engine power expectations of buyers.

[WishIhadatruck]

Only if it gets 50+ mpg. Of course it needs to be safe this time.

[PeterPuck]

The Aveo is supposed to be the replacement for the old Metro. It's a perfectly fine car, with some brand equity. People like the looks and the relative comfort, though everyone seems to agree that the mileage isn't up to par.

GM should just stick a fuel-efficient, underpowered motor in it, and advertize the heck out of it.

[likearock00]

The Aveo sucks- name included. I like the Beat name, but think they could name the Aveo the Metro if they really wanted to. Nerdy and green customers will buy the Aveo because it is just a boring, fuel efficient vehicle. The Beat is going to be the vehicle that if built well and contented enough, will attract the next gen of kids back to GM.

[drees1]

What

[Slack]

I think GM should try to cash in on the Metro name. It should not just be swapped out for another vehicle though. GM doesn't need a FiveHundred/Taurus. Perhaps it could be applied to a 3 door hatch version of the Aveo with different styling or it could be applied to a completely different vehicle.

[rsbaker]

Absolutely not. They should be Chevrolets...Period! GM does not need any more divisions. Chevrolet is just beginning to develop a reputation for offering fuel efficient cars. Aveo, Cobalt, HHR with more models to comE like Beat. If there are any other models offered, and I think there should be, they should all be Chevrolets. I never did like the "GEO" badging. The Tracker, Metro, Prizm etcetera would have helped the image of the Chevrolet name if they had been called Chevrolets. These same models were sold in South America and other places as "Chevrolets" so why not in the US. I vote, NO MORE GEO!!!

[psece]

Only if you mean the Chevy Metro! That way they have the Chevy name associated with high mpg name of Metro.

[t-rex]

While the Metro moniker is synonymous with 50mpg, it's also synonymous with a cheap, flimsy runabout. Sure MPG is on everyone's mind these days, but our expectations of safety are unlikely to be sacrificed to a great degree.

I'm certain a "new Metro" would be a safe car, but I'd say that squeezing MPG's out of existing models would be the best bet.

Too bad the trucking industry has wrecked Diesel prices. Opel's 1400cc CDTI (via Fiat) is a punchy little unit. 75 horsepower doesn't sound like much, but it's torquey and flexible, and would suit something like the Beat just fine.

I vote for keeping Aveo the staple Chevy small car, with the Beat being the funky alternative. And give us the Groove too while you're at it, GM! We old farts would snap it up before we would the "youthy" Beat or the plain-jane Aveo.

[PontiacBixler]

Forget making it a Chevy, bring back the GEO brand and make that the "Global" "Go Green" name for GM instead of shoehorning these underpowered, high gas mileage vehicles where they don't belong.

Bring all 3 Chevy concepts from last year out as GEOs and make sure that the lowest MPG rating that they get is 30 in the city and GM would have a winner. Oh, and make sure that the most expensive they get is $25k at the most.

[CrimsonTider]

The Aveo name does have recognition. The wrong kind. Same for the Metro. Chevy should go back farther and bring back another storied name. Of course I'm referring to Chevy's entry-level ride, the Nova.

[ProjectRS]

50+MPG yes!

[steve333]

Not to toot my own horn but I have mentioned a few times that the Aveo should be changed to the Metro. Not Geo, the Chevy Metro.
Metro is a cool name and evokes what it is, a city car. What the hell does Aveo mean?