Wasn’t the Cobalt supposed to save GM ??

Weren’t the redesigned full size trucks to save GM ?

You guys are so incompenent, just looking for the next new thing to keep your jobs.

I think GM should produce both the Beat and Groove. Offering 3-door and 5-door vehicles allows GM to completely cover this segment. As far as these cars replacing the Aveo, I believe they fall in the minicar class which is below the Aveo’s subcompact class. As much as I agree with many of you that the Aveo needs a fresh looking, attractive redesign (instead of the restyling it recently received), these cars will not serve that purpose.

For me, trading in for a fuel sipper doesn’t make financial sense even at $15/gallon or so. But I can save by cutting back on driving or consolidating trips. Problem is I have always consolidated trips so there is not a lot of room to save in that way either.

But still, when I see the soccer moms at work go out to their SUVs and drive, one by one, to the Starbucks 2 blocks away to get their overpriced coffee, all the while complaining about the price of gas, I really think they need a kick in their fat butts.

The problem is, is the public that SERIOUS about saving gas? I hear a lot of groaning and moaning about prices again, but since the last gas hike I don’t know too many who traded their gas pigs in for a better mileage vehicle. Americans are just too accustomed to their big cushy vehicles. We’ve moved from big land yacht Road Masters and Devilles to Enclaves and Escalades.

PLEASE!

About the rotary engine… they are supposedly more expensive to produce. An interesting footnote: Mazda is reportedly working on a hydrogen-powered Renesis engine.

The renesis engine does not consume oil as much as the typical rotary stereotype permits. I think a small displacement, high-revving engine and mini-mazda style would appeal to many more than a 3-cylinder or 4 cylinder diesel would. Mazda has been working with ceramic components for future generation rotaries which would greatly increase its reliability.

That’s because that motor isn’t as reliable as a 4 bangers. Have you heard of it using oil? People buying in this segment wants economy and reliability, not performance. If Mazda would have produce a mini-RX8 (or RX7) it would have been the MX5-Miata. What Mazda needs is the Mazda2 that looks a light year better than its competitor.

Back to GM, I like it, but it probably should replace the Aveo5 hatchback.

GM needs to do 3 things:

1. Either make this a next-gen Aveo or kill the Aveo entirely. GM is too good at cannabalizing its own sales.

2. Don’t badge this thing out. It does NOT need to be a Chevy, Pontiac, and Saturn all at once.

3. Follow through. Give it a European-sourced 3-cylinder, not an Ecotec 4-cylinder which are great engines on their own but not meant for true subcompact fuel-sipping. Build it well so it can’t be torn apart. Implement an inexpensive hybrid system if possible. And for the love of god, give it a 6 speed automatic, and maybe a 5-speed manual. Don’t saddle the poor thing with 4 inefficient gears.

And do this all within a reasonable price, but don’t make it so cheap you have to compromise integrity.