Comments on: Chevrolet Beat, Groove, Trax concepts

By: thegriffon

thegriffon — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 05:32:03 +0000

Bimmer is correct, these cars were developed by GM Daewoo in Korea, and in particular the Korean design team led by Mike Simcoe, formerly of GM Holden, GM Daewoo’s majority shareholder (minority shareholders include SAIC of China, Suzuki and Korean banks). GM Daewoo has the lead in developing GM’s future Global Minicar architecture, which will underpin the successors to GM Daewoo’s current Daewoo/Chevrolet Matiz and the Korean-market Damas/Labo minitrucks, and possibly other models for Opel and SGM Wuling (GM’s Chinese microcar affiliate). The Beat is a running concept built in India, a huge market for these small vehicles, the Groove and Trax are mockups built in Warren, MI. Although some people have compared these concepts to the Scion xA and Aveo, GM says these are Matiz-sized, some 15″ shorter than the 5-door Aveo. If you consider the Mini 1 size down from the Aveo, then the Matiz is 2 sizes down.

Matiz, Panda—A0-segment (4-seat hatches under 3.6 m)
………………….Mini, Swift, Yaris—A-segment (4/5-seat hatches 3.6–4.0 m)
……………………….Aveo, Fit, Corsa, Accent, Rio—B-segment (5-seat hatches 3.8–4.2 m)
………………………………Rabbit, Focus, 1-series, Versa, Astra, Optra—C-segment (5-seat hatches 4.0–4.4 m)
GM Daewoo is also developing the first model on the new Global Compact Car architecture developed by Adam Opel AG/GM Europe, a vehicle previewed by WTCC Ultra concept which will replace both the Cobalt and Optra in the near future. Given the acceptance of 5-door compacts such as the Vibe, Mazda3 and Caliber wagons and the Versa and Rabbit hatchbacks, and GM’s apparent confidence in the Astra hatchbacks, the hatchback Cobalt could indeed be headed to the US.

By: Euphrentic

Euphrentic — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 08:42:46 +0000

(First Post!)

YAY! These cars should be a wake up call for the old farts that insist on holding us back! Gen Y isn’t at all interested in the dinosaurs our Boomer parents baught and quite frankly – they’re dead already (the cars, not the boomers.)

I’m so proud of GM and Ford. They’re on their way to realizing that if they stay the same, they’ll die.

All 3 of these vehicles are breaths of fresh air!

By: RobCali

RobCali — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 05:37:14 +0000

To all the GM Freaks who like to say that all Toyota does is rip-off of Domestics… this should proove the opposite!!!

These things are no more than cheap rip-offs of Scions (I wouldn’t be caught in a Scion or any one of these GMs anyway).

By: NSmist

NSmist — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 04:09:05 +0000

I think this is one of the better things they’ve done with their cars for once. Yeah the Camaro definitely needs to come out so they can salvage GM’s car market, same with Chrysler and the Challenger. I’d definitely drive the Beat, especially with all the city driving I do, not to mention looks a hell of a lot better than the Scion xA. The Trax looks like the runt of a Land Rover. The Groove, doesn’t do much for me.

3 Cars obviously isn’t a necessity, and you could probably merge the Trax and Groove. I see all the new gas guzzlers more frequently since I’m in the area of the Big 3 – all they need to do is get the gas mileage up and they’d actually start climbing the ladder over Toyota for a change.

By: minduza

minduza — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 03:04:24 +0000

scion give me a share of your sales

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 03:04:14 +0000

I like them all, but I’d love it more if GM builds the WTCC ULTRA for the US market.

By: Scott Kempton

Scott Kempton — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 01:03:12 +0000

I think GM has FINALLY found their mojo. I LOVE the new Camaro, and I really like the new Malibu, and I’ll bet the new Impala will be great when it comes out, but those are all relatively old school. These three new cars show that GM is genuinely serious about “thinking outside the box”. I think GM has figured out that their larger cars should be mildly retro, but that their new, small cars, that are supposed to appeal to 20 year olds, can be, and should be, clean-sheet designs.

There are elements of all three of these cars that I like, but my favorite is the Groove.

Now they need to do Ford a favor and go rub elbows with them for a while.

By: buyj3llo

buyj3llo — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:56:12 +0000

The Beat looks nice, but it’s obviouly gonna get toned down.

The Groove looks like what they we’re trying to make when they shit out the HHR.

The trax looks like a fake jeep.

By: illwill

illwill — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:10:22 +0000

Damn these are nooiiiiiccce!!

By: setek

setek — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 23:51:37 +0000

All of these cars are awesome! The styling is very modern and up to date. It always bugs me more than anything when companies like GM come out with awesome concepts like these, but if and when they do decide to build any of them, they always seem to tone down the styling for production. This makes the cars all the more boring and discourages me from GM’s products altoghether. The only case where this doesn’t apply to is the new Camero. I can hardly wait for that car to get here.

GM should make those cars soon, without changing a thing. They will make a pile of cash if they do.

By: Bimmer

Bimmer — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 23:38:49 +0000

Most likely this cars were developed by GM DAT (Daewoo) in Korea.

By: lotusfire

lotusfire — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 22:51:52 +0000

lol, np.

By: CTS DRIVER

CTS DRIVER — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 22:33:06 +0000

thanks again lotusfire you put it better than i could, and i also agree with you and and johnstew about roadmasters remarks, i think theese cars are exactly where gm needs to focus, small cars are their weakest departmant now the larger cars have received some attention.
if any of you all end up in by neck of so cal ill buy you a beer, imported or domestic…your choice.

By: Cooper

Cooper — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 21:20:45 +0000

Thanks for the info griffon.

By: Hyperion

Hyperion — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 21:20:11 +0000

I love the Beat’s styling and its cute 1.2L turbocharged engine. I’ll take one with a MANUAL TRANSMISSION, however.

I don’t care for the styling of the Trax… at least not in the “Woody” look they’ve given it.

I do like the Groove. A lot. Why won’t it be offered with the diesel engine mated to that “low cost” AWD system? Come on, GM. The reason I love the Scion xB is because it’s a small van that looks purposeful. The reason I won’t buy it is that it has no torque or towing capacity…. and it’s front wheel drive only. You’ve got the parts build the RIGHT car, so do it.

By: Impulsive

Impulsive — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 21:18:52 +0000

“Fatstrat”, you’re lost in the woods, bud. I am NOT him … seriously, if I was, I’d freely admit it, what do I have to lose by pretending I’m not.

But live in your dreamworld, it must be nice there.

By: Fatstrat

Fatstrat — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 21:09:43 +0000

Lets not forget, Deantj = Impulsive.

Good for GM to develope these cars, but they should still continue to develope more efficient full size vehicles as well. The market will always be there for those as well.

By: stupid_nut

stupid_nut — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 20:52:06 +0000

I love these! If GM can make them with the fit and finish of the Jap cars then they got a hit! Looks like these little guys mean business!

By: Aston Martin

Aston Martin — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 20:50:30 +0000

All hyperactively ugly.

By: thegriffon

thegriffon — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 20:17:48 +0000

The Aveo lagged only the Rio and Accent in the B-segment, and was the first to get noticeable sales (the Echo was a size down)—hardly lagging Toyota and Honda. It is still second only to the Yaris in sales. These concepts are A0-segment—a size down from even the Mini and the old Echo, and two sizes smaller than the Aveo, Fit, xD etc. Honda, Nissan, Mazda and Mitsubishi have nothing in this segment outside Japan (where even smaller engines are required), and only Mitsubishi builds there own (Honda's are built by a strategic partner building minicars especially for Honda). Toyota only produces the Aygo, a new European model built in co-operation with Peugeot, and elsewhere leaves the segment entirely to Daihatsu (seen one in the US lately?). Suzuki is the big player in this segment, and their WagonR+ is already a joint project with GM (many built in a GM plant with GM engines). Meanwhile GM Daewoo (the origin of these concepts) is on at least their 3rd generation minicar (the second to be badged Matiz), which has long been one of it's most successful models worldwide, and rated higher than the Japanese in the European press..

By: lotusfire

lotusfire — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 20:17:16 +0000

“Lotusfire, did you read that before you hit the “Submit Comment” button? You certainly do not have to have your car brand or model as your user name to not be biased on here. He is not saying shit and neither are you by having it there other what he drives (or in your case wishes) and is opening himself to up insults, it doesn’t take balls just a lack of creativity.” -jonstew = miss.

Yes, I read my post. I read a lot of posts. “v-seires” comes on the board and acts as though everything Cadillac is perfect = expected. CTS DRIVER admits he would have bought German if his wallet didn’t say “no” but respects the CTS as a REAL WORLD alternative and up and coming competition = I respect his opinion. It’s a simple concept really, and that’s just one example. I have more, trust me.

So, he doesn’t get any points for creativity, maybe it’s not your style…I understand that, but why do you have to be so hostile about it? It’s just a name.

PS: For the record, I’m with you in your argument agaisnt Roadmaster98..besides the name part.

By: thegriffon

thegriffon — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:55:38 +0000

Guys, these cars should all weigh 1 ton or less—a 1.0 L engine is middle-of the range for vehicles in this segment, and the 1.2 Turbo could probably run with a Civic Si. The current Chevy mini car, the Matiz, starts at 775 kg/1709 lb with a 0.8 L 3-cyl, and tops out with a 1.0 L 4-cylinder. The larger Opel Agila MPV (similar to the Groove), starts with a 1.0 L 3-cyl (a turbo version was used in the Volt) at just 2127 lb and tops out with a 1.3 L diesel. The raison-detre for these cars is high mileage, easy parking and low-impact on infrastructure (they get tax/registration breaks in Korea and Japan).

By: CTS DRIVER

CTS DRIVER — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:52:48 +0000

john calm down bro its just a name for petes sake geez. anyways i kind of like the beat, want to see it in person for sure, looks like i need to buy a ticket to new york.

By: Cooper

Cooper — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:21:56 +0000

Build all three. The variety of these cars is nice to see from GM. From their size they would be slotted below the Aveo. Not a bad choice for say a $9,000-$14,000 model range. The previous generation Aveo 5-door started under $10,000 and these would be of similar size, perhaps even smaller. Someone wrote that GM is lagging behind Toyota and Honda, but you’re mistaken the Yaris and Fit are actually one size larger then these concepts and not direct competitors.

By: jonstew

jonstew — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:19:30 +0000

Lotusfire, did you read that before you hit the “Submit Comment” button? You certainly do not have to have your car brand or model as your user name to not be biased on here. He is not saying shit and neither are you by having it there other what he drives (or in your case wishes) and is opening himself to up insults, it doesn’t take balls just a lack of creativity.

By: CTS DRIVER

CTS DRIVER — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:08:46 +0000

eurospective, it has served me well, and the resale dont matter never has, when im done with it nextyear it will be a perfect gift for my neice to have as a first car. safe, 8 air bags, onstar, reliable and will be better than the some of the cavaliers her friends are getting. tell me eurospective what should i go buy next year, i was thinking a cts with awd but with your infinate wisdom i should ask you instead of shopping around i dont want to make another mistake.;)

By: Me

Me — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:04:27 +0000

Ricardo, not quite a statistical dead-heat! Shortly after LLN posted, the Trax was up by nearly 1000 over the other two. I chose the Beat.

This should be fun to watch…
Beat 35.2% 22958
Groove 31.6% 20592
Trax 33.1% 21595

By: CTS DRIVER

CTS DRIVER — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:02:09 +0000

thanks lotusfire.

By: CTS DRIVER

CTS DRIVER — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:56:18 +0000

john, if the new cts is good then i will still be cts, if not we will see.

By: roadmaster96

roadmaster96 — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:48:21 +0000

My name is in reference to my first car. I currently drive a 300C and $40-$50 in fuel every 2 weeks does not break my budget or that of anyone else that I know of. I just learned that these cars were all designed in Korea and are for overseas markets. They are a stupid waste of resources. GM can barely defend it’s own turf and with these cars it thinks it can go right into the heart of the home Asian markets of Toyota and the Koreans. It’s foolish. GM needs to focus on cars that the vast majority of middle and upper income Americans want (middle/ large crossovers, mid/large sedans coupes, muscle cars and full-size SUVs) before it embarks on foreign adventures.

P.S. Transportation accounts for only 20% of “greenhouse” gases, and of that, about 9% is attributable to personal transportation such as cars trucks and motorcycles. Buying an energy star appliance does far more for reducing resource consumption than riding around in a POS.

By: Ricardo Head

Ricardo Head — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:30:01 +0000

Results thus far look tight
.
… Beat 35.4% … 21,996
… Groove 31.9% … 19,827
… Trax 32.8% … 20,388

By: Ricardo Head

Ricardo Head — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:24:53 +0000

All three look great. That’s a tough choice. If pressed I’ll take the Groove.

By: europerspective

europerspective — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:15:47 +0000

Well said Impulsive – go and join your friends in the mountains Get Real

By: lotusfire

lotusfire — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:13:16 +0000

“CTS DRIVER, you ever noticed how many times people make derogatory remarks towards your user name and choice of car (I have), by using it people take pot shots at you and what you drive…” -jonstew
. . . . . . . . . Forgive me if I’m wrong…but isn’t that what he was trying to say in his last post. He’s trying to make a POINT. Instead of going with the flow and saying “oh yeah, those CTS’s…man, they suck”. You don’t have to agree with it, but that’s the point of free speech. To me, he (and other people with similar names) is saying a lot..especially if he isn’t biased.

By: Impulsive

Impulsive — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:09:48 +0000

“Get Real”, your two sentences could have been placed anywhere on any site regarding any topic. What exactly are you saying?

The market is dictating a shift to smaller cars, not the government. When gas eventually hits $4/gallon, how many will run to these cars?

By: europerspective

europerspective — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 18:09:20 +0000

CTSdriver, good on you for proudly displaying your dodgy choice. I hope those who have a problem with it will notice that you could have chosen a far more flashy name. Stay strong (at least until you sell it, take the depreciation hit, and buy more wisely).

By: Get Real

Get Real — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:57:07 +0000

We will turn into Europe soon, in politics, enviromental law, and car size.

The US Constitution is a dead piece of paper, we the people no longer control the government.

By: TOZO

TOZO — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:51:02 +0000

Scrap the Aveo for a Beat, GM. Put the Daewoo factory kids to meaningful work.

By: TOZO

TOZO — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:49:19 +0000

Roadmaster96, you should REALLY explain that last comment of yours.
As to these concepts here, oh good: Chevy tried.
Beat’s probably the best.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:33:41 +0000

Honda used to have a car named “Beat”.

By: megator

megator — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:26:48 +0000

First to roadmaster i have to say not all of us have the cash for the cars you mentioned. i love the beat if they can make it light nippy and fun to drive. a small city car makes a lot of sense for the daily comute you usally do with one or two ppl. also all the cars you mentioned roadmaster wont sell out of america, with these other cars gm could have a hit in europe america and asia.

By: F451

F451 — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:02:53 +0000

What I really like is the direction that GM is heading regarding lighting, and the three vehicles above demonstrate part of this direction. Here is an explanation of the second-generation CTS, by GM's John Howell, regarding lighting. I'm not big on the BMW angel eye circular lightpipe being done in vertical, but I guess GM is trying new avenues. The video is interesting.

By: jonstew

jonstew — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:56:57 +0000

CTS DRIVER, you ever noticed how many times people make derogatory remarks towards your user name and choice of car (I have), by using it people take pot shots at you and what you drive, and besides what are you going to do when you get a new car….open a new account? It’s stupid and coming up with something more creative is easy and you won’t have to change it.

By: CTS DRIVER

CTS DRIVER — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:54:46 +0000

^^lol^^

By: CTS DRIVER

CTS DRIVER — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:43:08 +0000

jonstew whats wrog with displaying what you drive pos or not? i use cts but it could be cts/frontier/vfr/ducati driver, displaying what you drive especially if it is something controversial lets us be judged my people like you, and that takes some balls on this site to do it. everybody bashes my car when i post, but at least some people here are open minded and dont mind being judged. and seroiusly what makes you so special you can judge roadmaster98?