SIZE DOESN’T MATTER: THREE CHEVROLET GLOBAL MINICAR CONCEPTS PACK A LOT OF PERSONALITY AND STYLE PER MILE

NEW YORK – Three Chevrolet minicar global concepts designed to appeal to young car buyers in urban markets prove that art needn’t take a back seat just because the canvas is small. Revealed today at the New York Auto Show, the highly creative Chevrolet Beat, Chevrolet Groove and Chevrolet Trax concepts drive the energy, diversity and excitement of urban life into cars that deliver good-looking fun, fuel economy and value.

Democracy lovers will even get the chance to pick their favorite by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com and casting their vote for the Beat, Groove or Trax. The results will help Chevrolet determine U.S. market interest in the minicar segment, and which design/capability package resonates best with potential buyers.

All three concepts were designed at GM’s Design Studio in Inchon , South Korea . One of GM’s 11 Global Design Studios, the designers in the Korean center are experts in small car product development.

Built on GM’s global mini architecture, these concepts demonstrate the flexibility, creativity and innovative focus of design in GM’s Asia Pacific region. The Chevrolet Beat concept, a running prototype of a micro import tuner, was built in India ; while the Chevrolet Groove and Trax micro urban crossover concepts were built at the GM Tech Center in Warren , Mich.

“The Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts highlight the strength and diversity of GM’s Global Design capabilities, as well as the ability of our Global Product Development team to anticipate and quickly meet the evolving needs of our diverse markets around the world,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design.

"The design team was so enthused about being given the assignment to develop the perfect small car for urban commuters that they created not one, but three interpretations of how this car may be developed for Chevrolet customers around the world."

Chevrolet is one of four GM global brands, meeting diverse customer needs in 120 countries with vehicles that range from subcompacts and family sedans to full-size pickups and SUVs and iconic sports cars such as the Corvette. The concepts revealed in New York , for example, offer three different fuel-efficient engines, including a diesel.

“The Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts have the potential to expand the reach of Chevrolet – already a beloved brand around the world – even further, connecting with young buyers on multiple continents who desire fun-yet-efficient transportation,” said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper. “These are the same brand attributes that made Chevrolet a household name in the U.S. ”

Here’s a look at Chevrolet’s three minicar concepts:

* Chevrolet Beat : Designed to evoke the mood of a speedy micro import tuner, the Beat is a front-wheel-drive, three-door hatchback concept built to be personalized, and powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to an automatic transmission. It’s loaded with technology, including a navigation system and premium stereo.

* Chevrolet Groove: A “funkastalgia”-themed vehicle too tough-looking to be “cute,” the Groove concept is a retro-inspired vehicle with bodacious fender flares and an upright windshield. It looks much longer than it is, thanks to its short hood and long cabin. The front-drive Groove is powered by a small, efficient 1-liter diesel engine.

* Chevrolet Trax: An urban crossover concept that’s equally at home on the trails or in traffic, it gets a low-cost all-wheel-drive system and looks the part of a rugged SUV many times its size, thanks to a voluminous one-piece bumper and fender system in the front and back, a rear-mounted spare tire and a roof rack. Trax is powered by a 1-liter gas engine.

GM’s Global Product Development process

The Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts were designed and built leveraging GM’s Global Product Development process, created from best practices around the world that integrate design, engineering, powertrain and manufacturing organizations to ensure each vehicle program meets its quality, timing and business targets, yet is responsive to the needs in regional markets.

As part of its global product development process, GM is growing the skills and capabilities of its design and engineering centers in several emerging markets, using key tools and technologies, such as a global virtual design and engineering network, that allows engineers and designers to collaborate with each other around the world.

Chevrolet’s global footprint

Chevrolet is one of the fastest-growing brands in the world, with a sales increase of 158 percent outside North America since 2001. Chevrolet sold 4.3 million vehicles worldwide in 2006, 2.8 million – or 65 percent – in the United States . From 2005 to 2006, Chevrolet’s sales grew 19 percent in the Latin America, Africa and the Middle East region; 19 percent in the Asia/Pacific region; and 15 percent in Europe .

The Chevrolet Aveo sedan and five-door subcompact, engineered and built in South Korea , is a strong contender in the very competitive global small car market.



Beat:
http://www.j-body.org/gallery/gallery.php?eid=714&sdir=Chevrolet+Beat



Groove:
http://www.j-body.org/gallery/gallery.php?eid=714&sdir=Chevrolet+Groove



Trax:
http://www.j-body.org/gallery/gallery.php?eid=714&sdir=Chevrolet+Trax






"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about
the former." - Albert Einstein

beat FTW!!! build it gm!

the trax is just nasty looking...
its kinda funny that the better looking of the 3 wasn't built in the states, while the other two were built in mich. lol

I want the Beat so bad! That's adorable.



DISCLAIMER
I'm a bitch. Look out. I'm here to start drama.
Please take everything I say seriously.

the groove is the only decent 1

and its not the best looking

So, GM is making Scions now? Cool, lol.

I like the Beat. The Groove is okay, but no inside shots. And the Trax just isnt for me. Reminds me of the little robots from Batteries Not Included (great movie, btw, lol). I think the Beat would be a winner. Great competitor to the Yaris and even better replacement to the Aveo. Either way, none of these designs would make it to the streets for another 10 years. So, cool, but "show me the money".

Also, I think its interesting that the one built in India will probably get the green-light from consumers.

Matt Teske wrote: And the Trax just isnt for me. Reminds me of the little robots from Batteries Not Included (great movie, btw, lol).

One of my favourite movies. Great reference!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Wednesday, April 04, 2007 12:45 PM


DISCLAIMER
I'm a bitch. Look out. I'm here to start drama.
Please take everything I say seriously.

Wake up and smell the coffee, GM!

It totally looks like that copper colored one though, lol:

I think my brain just exploded. That is too effin cute. GM, make these now, please.



DISCLAIMER
I'm a bitch. Look out. I'm here to start drama.
Please take everything I say seriously.

i want that beat

Alexis wrote:I think my brain just exploded. That is too effin cute. GM, make these now, please.

Check here and vote for it.



>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

Matt Teske wrote:It totally looks like that copper colored one though, lol:

That's just scary...even before i scrolled down and saw you say it. I thought the same thing.



"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net

Mr.Goodwrench-G.T. wrote:

Alexis wrote:I think my brain just exploded. That is too effin cute. GM, make these now, please.

Check here and vote for it.

I will continue to vote for it. The Groove is winning.



DISCLAIMER
I'm a bitch. Look out. I'm here to start drama.
Please take everything I say seriously.

I personaly think the beat is awesome.. Yaris, Fit, and Xa competition
BUT GM will probably tone down the styling until it is boring and not as attractive as it is now.


On the other hand....you have other fingers.

KevinP (Stabby McShankyou) wrote:not funny... i just can't find that funny... not with 2 copies of the Candyland board game on your shelf.

Jookycola wrote:

Matt Teske wrote:It totally looks like that copper colored one though, lol:

That's just scary...even before i scrolled down and saw you say it. I thought the same thing.

I guess living in Valencia, CA makes people see things the same way, lol.

I see:

Beat: Smartcar for2
Groove: Scion Xb
Trax: Cutely copper bot from *batteries not included. (which was a cool movie in its own rite)

Maybe GM should make a new brand and market these as... nahhh.. it'll never work.

Matt Teske wrote:

Jookycola wrote:

Matt Teske wrote:It totally looks like that copper colored one though, lol:

That's just scary...even before i scrolled down and saw you say it. I thought the same thing.

I guess living in Valencia, CA makes people see things the same way, lol.

Yeah, it's all the hard water
LOL



"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net

I would drive the Trax





..................Which car will hit 400 whp first???..................

they gt a tough market to enter, but for GM's sake I hope they make it



LE61T PTE6262 Powered

it would be hot if the Beat was AWD.


<img src="http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/jiggaman/personal_pic.jpg">

I think they all look goofy as hell. I couldn't really see myself driving in it.

Am I the only one who thinks all 3 of those look like absolute abominations???


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe Im just pissed, pissed that my freinds are spineless, What else would you
call abandoment some night, when you're in a fight, and they could make things right?
Spineless. I miss some of my old friends, the ones who you could count on,
bet a huge amount on, the fact that they'd always have your back... Its like a kick in
the sack, just knowing, you've got nothing to fall back on. @!#$ this, Im done.

Lutz, U.S. not a frontrunner to get a new Chevy minicar. Unless something drastic changes, like gas prices going through the roof for more than a month, or a sudden fashion shift to tiny cars, General Motors likely won’t sell its newest Chevy minicar in the U.S.
Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman-product development said the U.S. is not likely to get one, based on current conditions. The public is being asked to vote on which of the three hatches they prefer. The public’s whims will be "considered" as part of GM’s decision as to which one goes into production, something Lutz said will happen in the “relatively near future,” which he defines as within normal development time.
Judging by needs and the capital budget, probably only one will get the green light, but styling cues from the also-rans may make it into future small cars, Lutz said. The triplets were designed and engineered in the South Korea global design studio. They are not engineered to meet U.S. safety requirements, but Lutz said if GM does think North American needs a Chevy minicar, the chosen one can be homologated relatively quickly. It could enjoy a simultaneous launch with markets where it fits best, such as China, India, other parts of Asia, and Europe. It would be badged Chevy for every market but Korea where it would wear a Daewoo nameplate. Essentially, the triplets are the next-generation of the Daewoo Matiz, known as the Chevy Spark in China.
Lutz said the car would have to be priced about $10,000 for sale in the U.S. Whether that is possible will depend on where it is made, currency exchange and a host of other variables. It would be GM’s smallest offering in the U.S., an A-segment car, one size smaller than the Chevy Aveo which is classified as a B-segment. Expect fuel economy in the 48- to 50-mpg range.




>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

So basically we get to choose from a copy of a jeep compass, a scion xB or a scion xA?

fun!

Chevrolet xA
Chevrolet xB
Chevrolet FJ Cruiser

Must've been some Toyota resin left in the Chevrolet designers' bong.




1989 Z24 Convertible - Dust Covered
2006 tC - Dust Covered, but driven more