Can the Chevrolet Beat drum up sales for GM?

Here’s a morbidly interesting fact: General Motors’ stock price has hit its lowest point since the Eisenhower administration. Looks like the company needs something big to help it recover.

Or perhaps something small could be a better idea.

For Europe and Asia, GM makes little fuel-sipping cars. The newest of these will be the Chevrolet Beat. This was a concept car last year that garnered an enthusiastic response, so it's going into production. And since American gasoline bills have become instruments of torture, the Beat is now slated to go on sale here.

So, can the front-drive, two-door, Beat budget hatchback help GM get its groove back? With a turbocharged 1.2-liter engine, it should have enough push to keep up with urban traffic. And when it’s off boost, consumption figures will provide some relief to anyone with a pulse and a job to get to. Word has it that GM will also fit a navigation system and a premium audio setup along with an automatic transmission.

Whether the Beat will get customers to, um, beat a path (that overgrown, weed-strewn path) to the Chevy showroom still remains to be seen.

-- Colin Ryan

Photo: General Motors

Comments

[xs3]

It was really informative. Bravo

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[Andy]

Let's hope it compares favorably in build quality and fuel economy to a Honda Fit. If so, it might have a chance. Can GM produce and sell such a small car profitably?

[Michael in LA]

Both GM and Ford have European models that would meet the current demand here in America for fuel efficent vehicles.

Instead of building and importing these models from overseas - ie, the Saturn Astra, and dealing with the high Euro - build them here (in the factories that built the Excursion or Suburban)...

Why both companies don't make more aggresive moves in that direction baffles me.

[LAWRENCE PREVITI]

GM needs to introduce the 0.8-liter Beat to the US market in
double time to overtake the avalanche of other foreign auto
company entries in a $7+ per dollar gasoline environment!

Also, I believe that the reason GM is shunning domestic factory output is to avoid paying into domestic worker pensions in order to be in a more competitive position (price per vehicle built), as Asian foreign auto companies are without such burdens.

[Ron]

If the quality level of the Beat is where it should be then I suspect that this micro rocket will be a major hit, certainly it would be in the running as a replacement transporter for my family when we pick up a new set of wheels next year.

One has to wonder, though, is GM still intent on pushing so called mandatory luxury options? I'm sure that an auto trans will be popular, but I would prefer a (6 speed) standard gearbox...will that be available? And what about other gas saving options like cruise control? I suppose we'll all just have to wait and see.

[Roger]

I'd buy one of those before I bought the over-priced Smart car!

[Frank K.]

Chevy. . . PLEASE bring the Beat to the United States and I will be the first in line with my deposit check! Automakers need to bring such cars to the U.S. and fast! - gasoline prices will only continue to rise so stop trying to unload your gigantic SUVs on us! And to save time, make mine in white, make it a manual trans, some funky aluminum wheels would be okay, but don't overload it with all of those silly high-tech gizmos. I want you to keep it simple; keep the price down. So no standard GPS nav systems (I'm fully able to read a map), no power windows/locks/mirrors (my arms work just fine), and no leather seats for me!

Thanks for listening, maybe?

[Dan]

Small cars need to have a manual to be any fun. Go to any european city, 95% of the cars have sticks. I agree with Ron about the 6 speed, not only would such an option improve mileage, it would also make it fun. I think it's an urban legend though that cruise will save you gas, a smart driver who is willing to modulate speed to save gas will do much better. The real option to save gas that every car in this country should be sold with as mandatory is a instant and average fuel economy readout.

[JJ]

This car is already on the road in Singapore!!!

[JJ]

There are so many small cars as the Beat here in Singapore! They all meet California emission because they mirors it. As for crash safety I am pretty sure it is the same as Singaporean government is smart enough to let Uncle Sam do all the hard work! >)

[Andrew]

Looks like the beat is a no-go after all :(