beaverretriever
08-01-2007, 08:27 PM
What's Next for Chevrolet
Future products will expand, enhance line-up
AutoWeek | Published 07/30/07, 12:27 pm et
AT A GLANCE:
FUTURE PRODUCT PLANS
2008
Malibu restyled, re-engineered
2009
Camaro debuts (or 2010)
Higher-horsepower Corvette model debuts
HHR freshened
Mid-sized crossover debuts
Colorado freshened
2010
Aveo redesigned
Equinox restyled, re-engineered
Avalanche freshening likely
Silverado freshening likely
2011
Microcar likely
Cobalt redesign likely
Malibu redesigned (or 2012)
Impala redesigned
HHR redesigned
Unlike Pontiac, Buick or even Cadillac, Chevrolet is not a brand that needs to be reinvented. GM just wants to make it a little better.
Future tweaks will include a rear-wheel-drive Impala, a microcar, a Camaro and a crossover.
Microcar: GM introduced three microcar concepts at the New York auto show in April. The three- and five-door concepts are smaller than the 2007 Mini Cooper and 11.7 inches shorter than the smallest car Chevrolet sells today, the Aveo. The concepts were designed by GM's studio in South Korea.
Officially, GM says it has not decided whether to sell such a small car in the United States. But industry observers expect the company to import a microcar in 2010 for the 2011 model year.
Aveo: GM will redesign the Aveo for the 2010 model year. GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. will develop the new Aveo in South Korea with assistance from the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center in Shanghai. The redesigned Aveo will be longer and wider than the current model, which is based on the Daewoo Kalso.
Cobalt: GM is trying to negotiate UAW work rule changes at its Lords-town, Ohio, assembly plant. Until that is resolved, GM says, development is on hold for the redesigned 2011 Cobalt and the redesigned 2010 Saturn Astra. Both vehicles are slated for assembly at Lordstown.
If the UAW and GM reach an agreement, the Cobalt and Astra will share GM's new front-drive Delta 2 vehicle architecture. If no settlement is reached, GM may modify the current Cobalt or replace it with a different model.
Malibu, Malibu Maxx: The restyled, re-engineered 2008 Malibu sedan goes on sale late this year. It is larger than the 2007, and its exterior and interior styling gives it a premium appearance. A hybrid powertrain will be optional. The Malibu Maxx no longer will be offered.
The Malibu will be bigger when the redesigned model debuts for the 2011 or 2012 model year.
Volt: The Volt concept, which debuted in January at the Detroit auto show, is more than a means to showcase future technology - in this case, plug-in hybrid technology. The concept reveals styling cues for the redesigned Malibu, debuting in the 2011 or 2012 model year, and the redesigned 2011 Cobalt.
Impala: Despite concerns about a dramatic increase in corporate average fuel economy standards, GM's plans remain in place for a rear-drive successor to the Impala. The Impala name might be dropped. The redesigned car is expected to debut for the 2011 model year and will be built on GM's rwd global vehicle architecture, which will be shared with the upcoming Camaro. Both cars will be built at GM's Oshawa, Ontario, assembly plant.
Compared with the 2007 fwd Impala, the redesigned model will be a few inches longer, will have a longer wheelbase and shorter front and rear overhangs, and probably will be heavier.
GM has not decided whether to maintain the car as a mass-market sedan or move it upmarket, which would help avoid a possible overlap with the restyled and re-engineered 2008 Malibu.
Monte Carlo: The slow-selling Monte Carlo was dropped in June. The Camaro will target coupe buyers.
Camaro: The Camaro will be the second North American application of GM's global rwd vehicle architecture. Sales begin in January 2009. A convertible will debut several months later.
Corvette: GM will market a limited-edition 2009 Corvette producing about 650 hp. The model will have styling cues that separate it from other Corvettes. Pricing will approach $100,000, about a $30,000 step up from the highest-horsepower Vette today - the 2007, 505-hp Z06.
Production of the redesigned Corvette is to start in April 2012 for the 2013 model year. Three design proposals have been selected; the final decision is expected to be made this summer. Contrary to some reports, a mid-engine model is not planned; the front-engine layout will be maintained.
HHR: GM will add a turbocharged HHR SS for the 2008 model year, featuring a 260-hp four-cylinder engine.
The HHR will be freshened for the 2009 model year; a redesign is slated for the 2011 model year. Much, if not all, of the retro styling theme is expected to be abandoned.
Equinox: The 2010 model will be restyled and re-engineered.
Crossover: Chevrolet will add a mid-sized crossover for the 2009 model year based on GM's Lambda vehicle architecture. It will be assembled in Spring Hill, Tenn., where the Saturn Vue crossover had been produced. The vehicle will complement GM's other Lambda crossovers offered by Buick, GMC and Saturn.
The Chevy crossover will target TrailBlazer and minivan owners.
TrailBlazer: GM will phase out the SUV because of disappointing sales and high fuel prices.
Tahoe, Suburban: The Tahoe and Suburban will be restyled and re-engineered for the 2012 model year.
Avalanche: GM likely will freshen the pickup for the 2010 model year; a restyling and re-engineering is likely for the 2012 model year.
Colorado: A freshening of the small pickup is planned for the 2009 model year. A redesign is slated for the 2012 model year, based on GM's GMT700 platform.
Silverado: GM's hybrid pickups are due for the 2009 model year. They will have a Two Mode hybrid system GM will share with the 2009 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen and an unspecified BMW vehicle or vehicles.
GM likely will freshen the Silverado for the 2010 model year.
Uplander: Chevy's slow-selling minivan apparently still has a lot of life; GM is expected to continue production into 2009.
Express: No major changes are expected.
Future products will expand, enhance line-up
AutoWeek | Published 07/30/07, 12:27 pm et
AT A GLANCE:
FUTURE PRODUCT PLANS
2008
Malibu restyled, re-engineered
2009
Camaro debuts (or 2010)
Higher-horsepower Corvette model debuts
HHR freshened
Mid-sized crossover debuts
Colorado freshened
2010
Aveo redesigned
Equinox restyled, re-engineered
Avalanche freshening likely
Silverado freshening likely
2011
Microcar likely
Cobalt redesign likely
Malibu redesigned (or 2012)
Impala redesigned
HHR redesigned
Unlike Pontiac, Buick or even Cadillac, Chevrolet is not a brand that needs to be reinvented. GM just wants to make it a little better.
Future tweaks will include a rear-wheel-drive Impala, a microcar, a Camaro and a crossover.
Microcar: GM introduced three microcar concepts at the New York auto show in April. The three- and five-door concepts are smaller than the 2007 Mini Cooper and 11.7 inches shorter than the smallest car Chevrolet sells today, the Aveo. The concepts were designed by GM's studio in South Korea.
Officially, GM says it has not decided whether to sell such a small car in the United States. But industry observers expect the company to import a microcar in 2010 for the 2011 model year.
Aveo: GM will redesign the Aveo for the 2010 model year. GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. will develop the new Aveo in South Korea with assistance from the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center in Shanghai. The redesigned Aveo will be longer and wider than the current model, which is based on the Daewoo Kalso.
Cobalt: GM is trying to negotiate UAW work rule changes at its Lords-town, Ohio, assembly plant. Until that is resolved, GM says, development is on hold for the redesigned 2011 Cobalt and the redesigned 2010 Saturn Astra. Both vehicles are slated for assembly at Lordstown.
If the UAW and GM reach an agreement, the Cobalt and Astra will share GM's new front-drive Delta 2 vehicle architecture. If no settlement is reached, GM may modify the current Cobalt or replace it with a different model.
Malibu, Malibu Maxx: The restyled, re-engineered 2008 Malibu sedan goes on sale late this year. It is larger than the 2007, and its exterior and interior styling gives it a premium appearance. A hybrid powertrain will be optional. The Malibu Maxx no longer will be offered.
The Malibu will be bigger when the redesigned model debuts for the 2011 or 2012 model year.
Volt: The Volt concept, which debuted in January at the Detroit auto show, is more than a means to showcase future technology - in this case, plug-in hybrid technology. The concept reveals styling cues for the redesigned Malibu, debuting in the 2011 or 2012 model year, and the redesigned 2011 Cobalt.
Impala: Despite concerns about a dramatic increase in corporate average fuel economy standards, GM's plans remain in place for a rear-drive successor to the Impala. The Impala name might be dropped. The redesigned car is expected to debut for the 2011 model year and will be built on GM's rwd global vehicle architecture, which will be shared with the upcoming Camaro. Both cars will be built at GM's Oshawa, Ontario, assembly plant.
Compared with the 2007 fwd Impala, the redesigned model will be a few inches longer, will have a longer wheelbase and shorter front and rear overhangs, and probably will be heavier.
GM has not decided whether to maintain the car as a mass-market sedan or move it upmarket, which would help avoid a possible overlap with the restyled and re-engineered 2008 Malibu.
Monte Carlo: The slow-selling Monte Carlo was dropped in June. The Camaro will target coupe buyers.
Camaro: The Camaro will be the second North American application of GM's global rwd vehicle architecture. Sales begin in January 2009. A convertible will debut several months later.
Corvette: GM will market a limited-edition 2009 Corvette producing about 650 hp. The model will have styling cues that separate it from other Corvettes. Pricing will approach $100,000, about a $30,000 step up from the highest-horsepower Vette today - the 2007, 505-hp Z06.
Production of the redesigned Corvette is to start in April 2012 for the 2013 model year. Three design proposals have been selected; the final decision is expected to be made this summer. Contrary to some reports, a mid-engine model is not planned; the front-engine layout will be maintained.
HHR: GM will add a turbocharged HHR SS for the 2008 model year, featuring a 260-hp four-cylinder engine.
The HHR will be freshened for the 2009 model year; a redesign is slated for the 2011 model year. Much, if not all, of the retro styling theme is expected to be abandoned.
Equinox: The 2010 model will be restyled and re-engineered.
Crossover: Chevrolet will add a mid-sized crossover for the 2009 model year based on GM's Lambda vehicle architecture. It will be assembled in Spring Hill, Tenn., where the Saturn Vue crossover had been produced. The vehicle will complement GM's other Lambda crossovers offered by Buick, GMC and Saturn.
The Chevy crossover will target TrailBlazer and minivan owners.
TrailBlazer: GM will phase out the SUV because of disappointing sales and high fuel prices.
Tahoe, Suburban: The Tahoe and Suburban will be restyled and re-engineered for the 2012 model year.
Avalanche: GM likely will freshen the pickup for the 2010 model year; a restyling and re-engineering is likely for the 2012 model year.
Colorado: A freshening of the small pickup is planned for the 2009 model year. A redesign is slated for the 2012 model year, based on GM's GMT700 platform.
Silverado: GM's hybrid pickups are due for the 2009 model year. They will have a Two Mode hybrid system GM will share with the 2009 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen and an unspecified BMW vehicle or vehicles.
GM likely will freshen the Silverado for the 2010 model year.
Uplander: Chevy's slow-selling minivan apparently still has a lot of life; GM is expected to continue production into 2009.
Express: No major changes are expected.