Mark A:
I'm glad you said it so I don't have to. The GM haters will complain no matter what GM does to improve matters. There's just no suiting some people I guess.

http://www.caranddriver.com/autoshows/12781/lutz-us-not-a-frontrunner-to-get-a-new-chevy-minicar.html

Figures.

Quote from above (multiple posts) "GM needs to puch Volt production and roll out hybrids and E85 capable trucks/SUVs. Otherwise, they won't survive "

Agree on the Volt.

As for "E85 Compatible Trucks/SUV's" ??? For those who aren't up on E85 Compatible Vehicle List, let's review:

ALMOST ALL 5.3L V8 Pickups and SUV's made since 2002 (yes, last 5 years) by GM are E85 Compatible. This means the majority of the 1/2 ton Silverado Pickups, Sierra Pickups, Tahoe SUVs, Yukon SUVs, 1/2 Ton Suburban SUV and 1/2 Ton Yukon XL SUVs are E85 Compatible. Oh, I almost forgot, the Avalanche with 5.3L as well.

GM has, by far, the most E85 Vehilces on the road today - probably more than any other 2 mfg's combined. They have also added a bunch of cars since 2005 Model Year. Sure, I'd like to seem them expand thier offering even further - but give credit where credit is due...

I'd also like to see them bring back the true Saturns. The First and Second generation Saturn cars got great mileage- look them up. Want a 40MPG Freeway mileage car? Buy a used 1997-2002 Saturn SL or SL1, 5-speed manual, and ENJOY! They also get close to 30 in the city! Your looking at $4k to $6K.

Just hink if GM took the old Saturn Design, put a mild hybrid on that design, gave it some design updates, etc. 35 City and 45 Highway should be obtainable very easily, without making the vehicles too expensive.

Next Idea:
What GM Needs to do is put a Diesel in thier 1/2 Ton Pickups and SUV's, and bring a few of thier diesel car and mini-van power plants over from Europe (Vauxhall and Opel Brands).

Love or Hate Diesel, VW has been able to sell every one they put on the lots here in the US in the past few years. Many were "pre-sold" prior to delivery. When VW brings the POLO over in diesel form, there will be lines at the dealers to get them, at 60+ freeway MPG.

-SW

Spokane Walt:

I liked your comments.

I wanted to add that I have been dreaming of diesels in 1/2 ton pick-ups for years. It is not a new idea as it was tried and failed in the late 70's. But with a re-surgence of interest, bio-fuel production, better technology, and clean diesel apparatus, I think diesel is on it's way back for lighter vehicles. The diesels aren't like they used to be, and that's a good thing.

The European diesels by Opel and Vauxhall wont ever be introduced here because they are not clean enough to meet "Tier 2 Bin 5". Sorry about the VW. Mercedes is the only current carmaker able to meet that with their adblue urea injection system.

Saturn did make good small cars, and should go back to that. But as far as the E85 capable vehicles GM is touting, I do not see that as much of an advantage. If E85 gasohol would be at 50-60% the price of regular gas it may make sense. But gasohol mpg is at around 66% of regular gasoline. But the ethanol lobbyists in this country are strong, and apparently very persuasive.

But back on track, GM should push the Volt. And they are creating great publicity in the vote campaign for these mini concepts. Any efforts towards creating acceptance of these types of transport are going to reap great rewards in our near future. GM should be applauded for that, and for showing they can change focus as markets change. Lets see what happens.

128,000 votes and counting,(over 60,000/day!) How the hell can GM not bring these cars to the US? 50 MPG when gas is headed to $4-gallon,(in 1-2 years), and they say, "no thanks"! The market is there, otherwise Chrysler wouldn't bring over the SMART car!

God GM sucks.

I'm sorry but I neet to rant some more and explain my rage at GM. They have made available 3 stylish small cars. 1 of them has a 1 liter diesel engine! A 1 liter gas engine will get 45 mpg combined real world mileage! A diesel at least 55! Properly driven 60 mpg! That is Prius and insight numbers! And the damn things would cost like $12.5K!

In an age of peak oil, high gas and global warming these things would fly off the lots faster than GM could make them!

GM will probably get 250,000 votes total on vote4chevrolet.com and they still don't see a market?!

Lutz should be fired today for his absolute idiocy!

And people wonder why GM is in trouble? Perhaps because they can't see what's staring them in the face! Americans want, and will want more, small, stylish, efficient cars! Not v-8 toting bethmouths that get 15 MPG when gas is $4-5/gallon!

Why couldn't I get the Beat with the diesel engine? I don't like the transmission choice, either. How about a 5 speed manual, with the option for an automated manual?

As for Chevy's E85 offerings in their trucks and SUV's, I think they have a lot of room for improvement. Why not substantially downsize the engines and add turbos, and add BAS at minimum across the entire lineup, with optional two-mode hybrid. The SUV's could certainly afford to lose some weight and lower their drag coefficient as well.

As for Saturns, they were nice offerings in the 1997-2002 timeframe, but I think they were victims of low gas prices. With cheap gas, everyone went out and bought a pickup or SUV for their daily drivers, and the resale value for the saturns was terrible. Someone mentioned that that era saturn can be had for $4-6,000, but I've seen them sold for substantially less than that.

Adam:
When did GM announce that they ARE NOT importing one of these cars? It seems to me that they are approaching this the right way in that they are guaging interest in the designs, and pursuing the most sought after. What is wrong with that? You seem adament that they won't ever make these cars. How do you know that?

As for the Smart, well, according to DCX, it always looked good on paper, but never made them any money. They really don't know what to do with the Smarts. I think the Smarts will sell in small numbers here in the U.S., but only in the large cities.

Bizarre, but GM stock value has moved from $20.00 to $35.00 in four months since their VOLT announcement. Maybe this voting business is a security pump. Apparently the polling IS making a difference - Lutz has been vocal in support of Volt buildout.

So it would seem of good worth to keep hitting their web pages and pushing them forward with votes. If you don't vote - complaints ring hollow.

haha - these are Scion knockoffs. Can't make good cars yourself - copy others.

Please read this article in the Detroit news. We need these cars here in the U.S. It does not look like G.M will sell them here.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/AUTO04/704040451/1364

From article "In an interview with reporters after revealing the three concept cars, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said it currently was unlikely that GM will build any of the triplet concepts for sale in the United States, unless there was a dramatic prolonged increase in fuel prices or an "unforeseen" change in fashion for small cars here. He also said the vehicles could be priced starting at $10,000 and could be built in either China or India. All of the triplets would get in the high 40 or 50 mile per gallon fuel economy range.
Lutz noted that the vehicles aren't currently being designed to meet rigorous U.S. safety requirements, another sign the company isn't likely to bring any of the three vehicles designed at GM's South Korean design studio to the U.S. market."

For G.M. to change it's image these are exctly the cars they neen to sell in the U.S. Please help publicize this.

You can also vote here:
http://info.detnews.com/autostalk/lettersindex.cfm?topic=Mini_Chevys&forum=autostalk

Bob Bastard :
"As for the Smart, well, according to DCX, it always looked good on paper, but never made them any money. They really don't know what to do with the Smarts. I think the Smarts will sell in small numbers here in the U.S., but only in the large cities."

They said the same thing about MINI's and they just made the 1,000,000 new one!

The Smart is produced in France. To high of labor costs. Only seats 2 people. All of the Triplets (these cars) seat 4-5 people.

Bob, I didn't mention the Smart. I think you are referring to Schmeltz. Personally, I like the Smart. If I lived in a more urban area, I would strongly consider buying one.

Wow, sooo...the Fit, the xB, and the Compass, right? Priceless! I like the idea of a contest in place of actual market research. Oh, I adore you and your desperation, GM. It makes me feel so much smarter for buying a Scion.

As if anyone interested in the minicar segment a) doesn't already drive an xB, or b) would even CONSIDER buying from GM after the nightmarish little monstrosity that was the Aveo.

Nice try, though. This might actually have bailed them out...if they'd done it in 2004.

A 1 liter turbo bio diesel sounds good. What Lutz had to say about the increase in prices to increase fuel economy might apply to hybrids but not these.

As soon as the echo of "Americans will never by small cars" fades, you might see them sell small cars. Small cars mean small profit margins, shareholder to not like to hear smaller profits.

The only thing shareholders hate more than small profits is worthless stock because the company went out of business.

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Hi Bob L.:
I posted the reference to the Smart cars you were talking about. I personally think the Smarts are nice cars too. They make a lot of sense in big Cities like NYC, Chicago, and LA especially. Even for short runabout purposes around town. Perhaps the U.S. Mail could be a good candidate. The 3 cars shown here seem a little more practical for the rest of the population. I hope GM produces at least one, if not all 3 of these. In an age of extensive platform sharing, I don't think that it would be that difficult to produce all 3 versions.

The Trax looks like it belongs in the Chevy family, and
don't ask me why, it just does and thats a good thing if
it's going to have a bow-tie on it, right?

I think GM will do better if thay sales all 3 of the cars!I THINK GM SHOULD RELLY DO THAT YOU RELLY SHOULD TAK ME ADVIS PLEAS

I think Americans are ready for these cars. I like the AWD version as I live in the North East and have to contend with snow, sleet and slippery conditions. I would buy the AWD in a heartbeat! We need these small cars badly. Another thing, if we would all slow down on the highway we would save lots of gasoline. I slowed down from 73-74 (I know don't bother telling me that is speeding) to 60-62 and get 2-3 miles to the gallon better fuel economy! If everyone would do this now we could save a lot of gasoline right now and not have to wait! Has anyone figured out what to do with all of the batteries that will be replaced if we all go to hybrids?