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Should the Metro Nameplate Return?

  • Yes, Bring back the Metro Name!

    Votes: 112 48%
  • No, Aveo, Beat or some other name is fine.

    Votes: 95 41%
  • I've Got a Better Idea...

    Votes: 25 11%

Should Chevrolet Bring Back the Metro Nameplate?

20K views 150 replies 88 participants last post by  Hydro  
#1 · (Edited)
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!)

 
#3 ·
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.
 
#45 ·
All cars are safe if you're not involved in a collision.

Don't worry, be happy. :yup:
 
#5 ·
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.
 
#32 ·
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.
Have you ever seen an Aveo? Its a horrible car. The Yaris/Fit/Versa and the upcoming Fiesta will run laps around it! Chevy needs to change the name to something like Nova or something else from Chevy's heritage. Just like they did with the Impala and Malibu.
 
#6 ·
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.
 
#8 ·
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.
 
#9 ·
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!!!
 
#11 ·
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.
 
#12 ·
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.
 
#22 ·
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.

Wouldn't these work better as Saturns? There ares still many, many people that associate Saturn with economical commuter cars, but they really dont have that offering anymore--The Astra is nice but too much $$$
 
#46 ·
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?
I think it's some sort of cookie.
 
#24 ·
I brought up a similar topic last year or so. But let me attack this from a different angle, outside of simple names.

Yes, the Metro is an established name, recongized as fuel efficient, but maybe not appointed the best.

I would argue that GM needs to place the same passion, energy, excitement and anticipation that was shooting through the hallways of GM in 2005 when the Camaro was being generated to be intorduced at the 2006 NAIAIS, into the small cars in GM's lineup.

Small cars need to be more than an afterthought at GM.

I argued for years for GM to bring back the Camaro. And even wrote a rather passionate letter to GM back in the mid-1990's to use Holden as a platform for a new series of RWD cars. So we now have the Camaro, G8 and future Buick Zeta all featured on RWD. So now what's next to be a full-line manufacturer? Small, fuel efficient, well-appointed cars.

I'm confident GM can do it. I've learned, "if you set your mind to it, you can do anything".

GM, today, needs to commit to producing a series of cars, small, in the low-teen to $20,000 price range, with interiors well appointed, full of nice rich materials.

The exteriors do not need to be styled "wacky". Simple, yet classic like the Invicta concept, Lambda triplets will do well. GM is establishing some very nice design themes with the Buick concepts and the current Lambda triplets. These need to also continue into the smaller cars in GM's lineup.

In this atmosphere the consumer is willing to spend a little more to get a nice, well-apponted small car with great fuel efficiency.
 
#25 · (Edited)
I would argue that GM needs to place the same passion, energy, excitement and anticipation that was shooting through the hallways of GM in 2005 when the Camaro was being generated to be intorduced at the 2006 NAIAIS, into the small cars in GM's lineup.
Good point, but honestly, I don't see how GM can do that with Bob Lutz at the product helm. Bob has shown contempt and disdain for small cars in statements he's made to the press in the past, and predicted we'd need to see $8.00/gallon before Americans would swith out of their SUVs, just back in January or so.

You can't change what the man appears to like -- cars like the old Cunningham concept, 60's style roadsters like the Solstice, or 60's style muscle like the Camaro. He likes flowing lines and classic design, not "angry toasters", or, I'm guessing, boxy little Kei cars from Suzuki (see Chevy MW above).

Unless GM gets a young, tech-happy guy like some car-geek from Wired Magazine (examples below) to slot under Lutz and supply the passion for small techy cars where there is none apparent right now, I don't see GM changing any time soon from the "we were forced to make this car by market demands" situation we have had for years now.

Forced enthusiasm from Lutz for such cars will shine through.

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#26 ·
Good point, but honestly, I don't see how GM can do that with Bob Lutz at the product helm. Bob has shown contempt and disdain for small cars in statements he's made to the press in the past, and predicted we'd need to see $8.00/gallon before Americans would swith out of their SUVs, just back in January or so.

You can't change what the man appears to like -- cars like the old Cunningham concept, 60's style roadsters like the Solstice, or 60's style muscle like the Camaro. He likes flowing lines and classic design, not "angry toasters", or, I'm guessing, boxy little Kei cars from Suzuki (see Chevy MW above).

Unless GM gets a young, tech-happy guy like some car-geek from Wired Magazine (examples below) to slot under Lutz and create passion for small techy cars where there is none apparent right now, I don't see GM changing any time soon.

Forced enthusiasm from Lutz for such cars will shine through.


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Your right-- Lutzprobably won't let that happen with Chevy, but he should give it up and let Saturn have some more designs of this type. Chevy should be a little more conservative in design in my opinion, but Saturn is perfect for this application. Not all youths like the techy look so they have a chance at appeasing both crowds which is a win situation.
 
#27 ·
Yes, Yes, and Dear God YES!

Everyone knows what Metro stands for -- good fuel economy. It would be perfect to tackle on Yaris, and Smart.

In fact, GEO could come back as a subbrand to take on Smart. Reduce HUMMER to a Wrangler like vehicle (real offroad) and maybe H3, and then take all other resources and put into a GEO division.

I think the brand has name recognition and could be the Scion of the GM brand. I'd really think to dump Pontiac at this point. It's nothing more than lead weight with very niche vehicles.
 
#29 ·
Yes, bring back the Chevy Metro (and Pontiac Firefly) under the Aveo, as 3-door hatches only, with mpg of 35/45 to 40/50 city/hwy. Offer them with the new 1.4L in both NA and Turbo forms as XF and SE/GT models respectively.
 
#109 ·
1.4 is too big!!!! - that will give you 35/40.

you mention 40/50

only one way to get that: Standard tranny with a 2 or 3 cylinder 1.0 liter or smaller.

this is reality.

...............

all the new microcar slated for US market have engines bigger than their identical sister cars outside US - there is NO REASON for this extra power.

my car has a 1.5 liter and a 0-60 of 9.3.

all I really need is around 1.0 and a 0-60 of 15 - this is all anyone really needs in truth.
 
#36 ·
The Metro is selling well because of supply and demand. I've looked on autotrader and don't see ANY of the Metros that were good on gas (3cyl manual). One of those cars in driveable condition is a RARE find.
 
#55 ·
The Metro is selling well because of supply and demand. I've looked on autotrader and don't see ANY of the Metros that were good on gas (3cyl manual). One of those cars in driveable condition is a RARE find.
It's not just that, name recognition is playing a part. I've seen KIA Rios and Hyundai Accents from 2000 and up selling for far less than the $7,000 that some Metros are going for, and the Rio/Accents are 10 years younger in some cases. These are not informed buying decisions, they are buying on emotion and name recognition.

I've also seen an influx of "looking for a Geo Metro" on a couple of car forums. So there is some kind of hype out there beyond simple fuel economy numbers.

The best example of emotion I can think of is a 2004 Aveo selling at a local car dealer here for $5,500. That's what a 1994 Metro might go for on E-bay. Sure, the Aveo is not as fuel efficient, but trading 10 years of hard use (and likely parts failure/replacement) for somewhat better fuel economy...? Something tells me that even newer Toyota Echos are not basking in the kind of attention the Metro name is getting right now.

All I'm saying is that GM could likely cash in on that emotion and name recognition.
 
#40 ·
One thing that gets me is that alot of people keep saying NOVA for a small car name, but, you know what I think of when I hear the name NOVA? Doesnt scream fuel efficient to me....
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