May20
General Motors unveiled a trio of small car concepts at the 2007 New York Auto Show — the Beat, Trax and Groove — and left it up to the public to decide which model should make production. After tallying the votes, the Beat emerged as the victor — receiving nearly 50 percent of the vote — and it looks as though the small car’s progression from concept to production is moving right along.
Spy photographers have spotted a Beat mule while out testing. Although the general size of the car can be inferred from the pictures, the car’s styling remains hidden. However, it is expected that the road-going version will closely follow the design of the concept.
GM has yet to set a launch date for the Beat, but the car is slated to replace the company’s Chevrolet Spark (Daewoo Matiz in some markets). The Spark and Matiz are set to go one sale in mid-2009.
As of now, the U.S. market is not scheduled to get a version of the Beat, but GM hasn’t ruled the idea out completely.
May 20, 2008
Who would buy this?
I’m hoping there is something better under all that camo. The Beat concept was much better than this. It was smaller, and a 2-door (3 door?) pocket rocket with the euro super streched out light look. That’s what Chevy could use for the world market. So hopefully a cooler 2-door version will come along with it.
Poor people aka. next generation UAW workers.
Good idea, GM. Take your sweet time and mull over a no-brainer decision of whether or not to bring to market a car that would sell like hotcakes in this era of $4.00 per gallon gas. Provided it would be better than the Aveo, and from what I hear that’s not much of a challenge. And I realize that the NY Auto Show is an international show, but if a decidedly American car company introduces a few concepts and then has the general public vote on them, wouldn’t it make sense to already plan to sell the car in the USA with the most votes? But hey, what do I care? I’m just waiting for the redesigned Fit to hit showrooms this Fall.
I’m with you Tseug, everytime I read about this car I can’t help but laugh. GM has us (U.S.) vote on the damn thing, but has no plans to bring it here? Can’t figure that one out.
If car was designed for third world (like with our week currency we are privileged) it may not pass safety and environment regulations. BTW, I drove Aveo, while on a short business trip and averaged 20 mpg out of tiny car with 1.6L engine. Wow, I coulda had a V8!
The pictures are of the mule which is based on the Chevrolet Matiz. Personally I thought the Beat looked too Korean and not sophisticated enough for European/Coastal tastes.
LaCarLower, we finished re-writing history and now moving on to rewrite geography? “Coastal states”? There was a division of country and the rest of US population was not informed? “Coastal states” decided to join European Union and declare independence? The only state that have right of separation from the union is Texas, and last I’ve heard they did not consider themselves “coastal” state.
Blech.
That’s a Daewoo Matiz and it looks like ****ing ****. I would rather drive the Aveo than this. You’re off to the wrong start, GM.
It’s a mule. If the actual car looks much like the concept, it will do quite well. This is surely not it.
xyunya: you got only 20 mpg out of an Aveo? That’s hilarious. Did you leave it unlocked and idling all night outside the hotel hoping someone would steal it?
Coastal states are the only ones that matter and no, that doesn’t include Texas.
GM making a compact… looks to much like a fiat or some other european compact be DIFFERENT!! i still wouldnt buy that
Impulsive thought that this post was about the track on Madonna’s new album, Hard Candy
400, what happened to your job finally? Are you back at work?
^June 2nd
I think Aveo is better looking then this.
Mule huh? Don’t be so sure, this is GM we’re talking about. Nobody sucks the life out of their concept cars like they do. Every new spy shot of the Camaro is looking more and more mediocre. And a hatchback for the American market!? Are you MAD? Do you think the American Focus would be selling so well if it were a hatchback? Uh uh.
‘CaCaLover” loves caca, nothing more, nothing less … you are a waste. Like your comment.
I liked the Beat and Goove for Chevy cars, though maybe they should make the Trax a fuel efficient GMC or ultra fuel efficient Hummer