[nsap]

Next Aveo To Sport New Name
Following the footsteps of the Cruze, Aveo will get a new, global name.
www.GMInsideNews.com
December 7, 2010
By: Nick Saporito

General Motors has elected to rename Chevrolet's global subcompact sedan when the all-new model arrives next year. The current Chevrolet Aveo has been on the North American market since 2004 and has lost any luster it had when the car first arrived to American shores from South Korea.

The lackluster image of the current Aveo has left GM's new marketing chief, Joel Ewanick, to conclude that the car needs to be renamed. Although GM has not formally announced the new name, GMI sources are stating that GM has signed off on the name "Chevrolet Sonic."

According to U.S. Trademark records General Motors LLC filed for a trademark on the name "Chevrolet Sonic" on October 5th.

The new Sonic will follow the footsteps of the recently-launched Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan in that the Sonic will be a global name- further unifying Chevrolet's global lineup.

GM has struggled with the Aveo's name for the last two years. According to sources former U.S. marketing chief Mark LaNeve originally wanted to rename the Aveo to "Viva." Then--following GM's bankruptcy filing last year--Bob Lutz ordered the Aveo name to stay put.

The replacement for the Aveo is expected to be revealed during the 2011 auto show circuit, perhaps as early as next month. The Holden variant of the Aveo is expected to retain its "Barina" name.

 

[ne_one]

 

[matt.w]

 

[K-1]

Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.

 

[chevypowa670]

Hm interesting, I know I'm in the minority, but I liked the Aveo name... Sonic doesn't sound too bad. Wasn't "Aveo" production supposed to begin in Jan or Feb ?

 

[Canuck]

 

[mgescuro]

Why isn't "Aveo" considered a "global" name?

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Another new name.. Another model gone.. heh.. Chevy Sonic sounds okay, though.. Chevy Sonic SS.

 

[hpatrick]

It's not the name that is the issue it is the fact that cars are allowed to grow old and stale. This is the new GM but until they change the culture it will always be "OLD GM". Change the name all you want but if we still keep getting crap cars then who cares. I know someone will say that the Cruze is a great car but because it was released in Europe first the competition was ready. The Cruze already looks outdated, just another GMism.

 

[matt.w]

Sorry, this might have been more appropriate:

Yes, trolling this thread with images is reflecting the absolute stupidity of the new name.

 

[Timekeeper]

Perfect name. Especially when it tanks and goes "BOOM"!!!

 

[Quickening]

Idiots.

How out of touch can they be?

 

[skylark68]

Well, at least they didn't go with Spectrum or Nova. Nova was desecrated with the former Aveo type Korean built car decades ago.

 

[AG3]

Hm interesting, I know I'm in the minority, but I liked the Aveo name... Sonic doesn't sound too bad. Wasn't "Aveo" production supposed to begin in Jan or Feb ?

Does this name change only apply to North America?

 

[ksr]

I would have no problem with the name if it were unique. I can't believe they'd use a name that's already the name of a nationwide restaurant chain.

Terrible idea.

I don't think Spectrum is too badly damaged by it's prior use, as I think that car wasn't really around all that long or in huge volumes. It's probably been pretty much forgotten.

What about Prism? Those cars had good reputations.

 

[nsap]

Does this name change only apply to North America?

It is like the Cruze...will be a global name.

 

[Avalanche13]

I suppose this new car will be good at battling robots and gathering rings and emeralds?

 

[American_Muscle]

the chevy SuperSonic. atleast that team isnt even around anymore.. i liked Aveo. I can already hear aallllll the jokes coming in from the journalists mocking the aveo's lack of speed with its speedy name

 

[ne_one]

Nova was desecrated with the former Aveo type Korean built car decades ago.

Are you maybe thinking of the NUMMI Sprinter/Corolla-based Nova?

 

[Quickening]

It really is pointless to do this. Did renaming the Cruze get away from all the media making comparisons to the now dead Cobalt and Cavaliar? No. They continue to discuss GM's struggle with the compact car class and the failures of the past.

Will renaming the Aveo get away from the references to Aveo? No. The first couple of sentences are going to read "GM introduced the new "Sonic....(please no)" as their subcompact vehicle to replace the Aveo, which was terrible, blah blah blah. So readers get the sense that its simple a new car that potentially follows in the same steps of the Aveo, just with a different name.

Idiots.