World Keeps Getting Bigger for Chevrolet
The Captiva compact SUV is new to the European, Asian, Latin American and Australian markets this year.
By Dee Allen
Staff Director
Global Product & Brand Communications Integration
Say “Chevrolet” in the United States, and people think of everything from a turquoise and white 1957 Bel Air to a 2006 Corvette Z06; from a heavy duty Silverado to an Aveo. What most people don’t think of is Chevrolet’s global expansion: in China (up 180 percent in first-quarter 2006), Venezuela (up 57 percent), Italy (up 33 percent) and Brazil (up 26.8 percent).
How is Chevrolet doing it? With great cars and trucks designed and manufactured around the world – in Canada, Brazil, Thailand, Russia, Mexico, the United States and elsewhere. An especially big boost has come from Chevrolets manufactured in South Korea at GM Daewoo. There, Chevrolets such as the Aveo, Matiz and Epica have made GM Daewoo the second-largest Korean auto manufacturer in April and contributed to a 27 percent increase in production in 2005.
We’re looking forward to continuing this positive trend with new or redesigned Chevrolets, including the new Spark, the new Captiva (pictured here) and the updated Aveo – all scheduled to be introduced in a variety of markets this year.
Chevrolet has stood for expressive value since the 1912 model year, when some 2,999 (couldn’t they have sold just one more?) were sold in the U.S. Today, a Chevrolet is sold every 7.5 seconds somewhere in the world, and every three days Chevrolet wins another award. Oh, and they also race to victory lane from NASCAR in Daytona to the 24 Hours of LeMans.
America’s brand has gone global. Who woulda thunk it just a few years ago?
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I have a few Questions for you guys at Chevy.
1. When is the New Malibu coming out?
2. When are they going to replace the Equinox or upgrade it?
3. Is Chevy ever going to get a single Global product Like the Toyota Corolla or 4 runners?
4. Are we going to see a trailblazer replacement yet?
5. Why are the Chevy’s of Europe soo different from North American Chevy’s?
So… when are we going to get the Spark over here?
Sales of Chevrolet in North America will also increase significantly if Equinox, and base models of Malibu and Impala will be powered with OHC V6 instead of V6 pushrod. Sales volume of Trailblazer proves that OHC engine is attractive to consumers. Sales will also increase if GM can produce V6 pushrods that are as efficient as their V8s. Glory days of Oldsmobile V6 is already gone!
Its great to see GM grow globally, and its great to see that GM isnt all bad news these days… but here on the front line… here at our dealership, one of GM’s biggest… our sales have been down… We havent vehicles that would be considered good value. To think GM is advertising its great value, and we are starting to sell a few of their cars and trucks on 7 8 and even 9 year loans? good lord… now thats value? although the suburban and tahoe are great vehicles… we need some other great value. the aveo is an alright car, but the rest of the vehicles need to be superior cars. people will pay 5-10 bucks more a month for the better car heck even 50$. and that ranges anywhere from 500-2500 extra that customers are really willing to spend to get the best that their money can buy.
I really hope GM can become a global company, and 5 or 6 different devisions that dont talk to eachother. even if chevrolet is global, the products need to be shared. if 10,000 vehicles can be sold here in states that wouldnt be sold otherwise, to me it seems like a good business case.
GM must become smarter as a whole otherwise all the doomslayers will be correct…
Dee,
GM has gone global, but why can’t we get some of these global cars here in the US? Most of what is produced at Holden in Australia is head and shoulders above what is offered in the US. I know that not every global car is right for the US market, but maybe GM should look to import the winners here to fill current gaps in the model line. I know that I’d rather buy the Holden offerings than the Malibu or the sorry FWD Impala.
Nathan
I am a happy owner of Opel Astra GTC,I want my next car to be the new Camaro convertible!
Will my dreams come true or I will have to look at Daewoovrolets till death?
Dee, I’m having trouble with trackbacks, but I thought you’d like this ad I picked up on my last visit to China:
Corvettes in China
http://www.yoest.org/2006/04/corvettes_in_china.html
Best,
Jack
I would buy a US version of the Holden Adventra
Since GM basically gave up on the minivan segment and let the other companies carve up that automotive pie, hopefully they’ll see that not all people want a CUV/crossover. While the Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook are exciting I would like a more normal car to replace my 2003 Saturn LW300 wagon.
How come you guys don’t realize the fact that you are doing so well overseas and so poorly in the US is that your vehicles produced in other markets are WAY better looking inside and out?
Take the Captiva for instance-great looking vehicle, it would blow away the RAV4 and CRV and Santa Fe-so why aren’t you selling it here?
Just one of many questions, I will include the fact that your Ecotec engines arent up to world standards. Also, your vehicles are usually so heavy. That needs to be rectified as well.
Just bring your American quality up to your worldwide quality standards and you will be in much better shape.
Also, please increase your warranties!
I agree with Nathan. Holden has some fantastic vehicles, especially those “Utes” and similar cars. Maybe its time for a new GMC Caballero or Chev El Camino, based on one of these? You could have many variants, 2 doors, crew cabs, V-6’s, V-8’s, on-road, off-road, the works! If Pontiac can do it with the GTO, why not? Have a look at their web-site and dream!!
I don’t know what gaps in the model line GM should be filling.
What is the purpose of the Malibu?
They should just compete with the Civic/Corolla and the Accord/Camry. Read: Cobalt and Impala.
Save the money and upgrade both models. Fix rear-seat room, upgrade the interioirs and add more features.
Can’t you use quiet steel and Active Noise Cancellation?
When will we see Chevrolet in the Caribbean?
We are longing for new options here. All we see are Japanese cars.
I say try the Aveo, Cobalt and Impala. Try to make them cheap enough. Down here, government taxes make cars cost twice as much as they do in the states, creating the strange effect of making a Honda Accord a LUXURY car!
Also, make them Right-hand drive.
Also, please, please consider the Certified Pre-Owned market.
There is a huge Caribbean market for Japanese Foreign Used vehicles.
You can extract much more value from your current line-up if you are willing to sell Chevrolets as certified used (most of the Japansese cars are not certified).
We cannot help it if the governments here tax the skin off of vehicles, and they are unlikely to change that soon. But please, give us some relief from Japanese models!!
Trinidad and Tobago, rich in oil and natural gas is a great place to begin sales.
Guys,
What’s up with Chevy Aveo? According to the specs on the web site the city fuel economy for the 1.6 liter engine in 25 mpg city on manual transmission. Toyota Yaris that is offered for almost the same price has a fuel economy of 32 mpg city on manual. And Toyota has more horsepower. Base price of hatchbacks has just a $1000 dollar difference.
How’s that possible??? I never thought I would say this to Chevy, but you need to start building better engines.
“America’s brand has gone global. Who woulda thunk it just a few years ago?”
Seems to me if someone did, you wouldn’t be in the predicament you are in now.
Every car manufacturer on earth has known this for decades. As usual Chevy trails the pack. Fortunately for its robust sales in its home market, Chevy has survived.
I am glad Chevy has gone global. It has been long overdue. Now you can make better use of international assembly facilities. Furthermore you should consolidate your international Chevy offerings more-so to reduce expenses and profit from common products worldwide.
Sell only the best of what you’ve got, and can the rest.
“Sales of Chevrolet in North America will also increase significantly if Equinox, and base models of Malibu and Impala will be powered with OHC V6 instead of V6 pushrod. Sales volume of Trailblazer proves that OHC engine is attractive to consumers. Sales will also increase if GM can produce V6 pushrods that are as efficient as their V8s. Glory days of Oldsmobile V6 is already gone!”
Once again, because you haven’t been paying attention…
In nearly every measurable way USING REAL DATA, a higher displacement OHV motor is more efficient when the total impact to the vehicle is considered (engine mass, fuel economy, size, packaging, power, cost, part count, manufacturing complexity) than a lower displacement OHC design.
Proof?
The 3.5L.
200hp, 32mpg highway.
GET THIS THROUGH YOUR COLLECTIVE HEADS, and quit reading the usual cast of characters from the usual cast of misinformation sources spouting the usual misinformation (known collectively as the US Automotive Press).
I don’t know what gaps in the model line GM should be filling.
What is the purpose of the Malibu?
They should just compete with the Civic/Corolla and the Accord/Camry. Read: Cobalt and Impala.
Frank, the Malibu IS supposed to be the Accord/Camry fighter. The Impala is technically a large car whereas the Malibu, Accord, and Camry are mid-sized automobiles. That being said, GM still doesn’t have a car in it’s lineup that can compete with the Accord or Camry within 10k of their price. The closest they’ve got are the SAAB products, and the 9-5 is one of the ugliest offerings in the history of SAAB (and that’s saying a lot given that brand’s design history). If you want to see the real Camry/Accord fighters, take a look at the Holden homepage. The cars (for the most part) look great and vastly outperform what GM currently sells in the US.
Nathan
Hay Good Job Chevrolet! What took you so long?
I got some good news and some bad news.
First the good news…
Toyota was watching GM’s success with Chevrolet’s worldwide launch into the value segment. Now it wants to imitate it and launch its own value brand worldwide. ; )
Now here is the bad news…
Toyota was watching GM’s success with Chevrolet’s worldwide launch into the value segment. Now it wants to imitate it and launch its own value brand worldwide. : (
For a company that is “moving us forward”, you been doing a lot of following lately. Yup been there, done that, just keep following GM.
Toyota, Hino Trucks, Subaru, Daihatsu, Scion, Lexus and now Chevroletwannabe. Yup still one brand.
Even Sloan would be proud. One strata, two strata, three strata four…
WONDERFULL!!Hope Chevy keeps it up!!Also have a IDEA for your dealers.Today Supermarkets are putting in Banks,Donkin Donuts,ect.Why not launch an experiment with some of your dealers in introducing a Dunkin Donuts,Banks(GMAC)into your dealership to increase traffic.Alot of people want to kill 3 birds with one stone today.Heck even some supermarkets have Pump stations to fill your car up!!Also looking forward to Sept unvieling of the (KING!!) of pickup trucks THE 2007 SILVERADO!!!GO CHEVY!!!!
PacerX, this is the fact: my current ride is an ‘05 Equinox 3.4L AWD (185hp, 18/24mpg), and I’m only getting an average of 18.5mpg (for a combination of 20% city and 80% highway). My very close friend is getting and average of 16mpg in his ‘05 Uplander 3.5L AWD (196hp, 17/23mpg). Is it fuel efficient compared to 3.5L OHC of Nissan, Honda and Toyota (250hp average, 20/26mpg average)? I can only agree with you if you will say that GM’s V8 is efficient in almost every aspect.
I totally agree with Eugene, May 9, 11:40 AM. I would buy an Aveo today if it got the same mileage as a Yaris or a Fit or, watch out, a Versa.
There has to be a way to lighten it up, improve the engine management system, or something. How about putting the C6-R guys on the case?
Can anyone say “CVT”?
Bob/Dee,
Congratulations on gaining a greater share of the world market, but aside from GM stockholders, I’ll bet most of the US consumers do not care. Particularly, those who are hugely disappointed in Chevrolet’s North American passenger car line-up.
I for one do not understand what has happen to this division’s cars–They certainly haven’t “stood for expressive value” in years. Whoever is responsible for their styling decline should step aside–They have hurt the product line.
I’m in the market to replace the family car and have always gone to Chevrolet first. This is what I found at my local dealership yesterday:
- # 1 consideration — Impala SS (jury still out)
– Certain it drives great, but could not get past mediocre looks to open the door. Styling totally engineered out of the car (evokes zero emotion)–”Expressive”?
– A $9K mark-up for a V8 is “Value”?
– The $31K SS had door panels second to a 1972 Vega; what does that say about other cost cutting measures made on the car that I can’t see.
– Why is this car not offered in an AWD version?
- #2 — Monte Carlo (same; jury still out)
– Afraid of resale, because program cars have killed the market and the car is grossly overdue re-styling. Where is the “Value” when you take a greater than average hit at trade-in?
– A 3LT with bare metal exhaust tips on bogus duals? Same issue as Impala door panels
– And why isn’t this car offered in an AWD version? Dust off the pearl lime green performace shop 5th generation Monte Carlo.
Dee–Brag points comparing any production piece with it’s race car derivative in either NASCAR or NHRA is beyond a stretch.
- Malibu (Didn’t bother walking up to the car–Too offensive looking at 50 feet away)
– From all angles, it has to be the worst looking car ever to sport a bowtie.
- HHR (test drove and reluctantly walked away)
– It was the best deal on the lot and does fit the “expressive value” category; however the vehicle is an anemic performer. It desperately needs a 3.8 V6.
What brings us back to GM every time? The company always backs the product. If we ever had a problem, regardless where we lived (30 years in the military), the service department always took care of us. Dee–Can’t imagine a better marketing brag point.
I know you say the company has gone global but you must make cars in the US to be an American car company. Building cars overseas and putting bowties on them does not cut it. I have stuck with Chevy through thick and thin. No I dont work for GM but I will only buy US built cars. Please dont ship all of your good models overseas.
Well, Chevrolet is expanding in Brazil and it’s a good parameter for managing this brand outside North America, because it’s the only division that we have here, covering a lot of niches, from the small Celta to the executive Aussie Omega (a rebadged Holden Commodore). Yes, Chevrolet acts in Brazil as if you combined American Chevy, Pontiac, Buick and Saturn in just one brand. For my country, it’s great. You tried to separate the trucks introducing the GMC brand here and all of us know how big the failure was.
Well, maybe you have the most diversified lineup of Brazilian automakers, but there’s also some gaps to be covered and others to be better explored. Here we go to the list:
GAPS
- The huge size and price gap between our Vectra (in reality, a sedan version of the Astra C) and the Aussie Omega (which will go to the Zeta platform in the next-gen, as it’s just a rebadged Commodore. So, it will be bigger than the current one). Ford is importing the Fusion from Mexico, Honda also doing it with the 2.0 version of the Accord. Soon, Kia will launch the Magentis, which will cost less than some Civic-sized rides. What does it means? It means that we have space for affordable big cars (midsize in American standards) and other brands realized that Brazilian people who liked them were left in the dust, after the demise of the Omega A, in 1998. The Omega A, born in 1992 and phased out in 1998, was the successor to the million-copies Opala (1968 to 1992. It was a combination between the Rekord C body and the Chevy II/Nova drivetrains, and outsold both the Ford Maverick, which lasted from 1973 to 1979, and the Dodge Dart, which lasted from 1969 to 1981)
But these orphaned-by-GMB guys won’t be totally fulfilled by Fusion, Accord and Magentis, because these are FWD cars. The cheaper RWD car in Brazil now is the 1-Series Bimmer, which is Golf-sized and priced like bigger non-luxury brands big cars, so, very far from the reality of the mid and upper-mid-class Brazilian.
So, combine the size of a Fusion or Accord with RWD, make it in Brazil, name it Opala and you have a strong competitor. You will also solve a problem in the world GM portfolio: a RWD platform smaller than Zeta and bigger (and more viable in mass-production) than Kappa, that could be shared with other divisions: stretch a bit and you have a Buick below the Lacrosse and very away from any geriatric fame (it could also be the body for the ressurrection of the Grand Sport level); shorten a bit and you have an excellent successor to the future rebadged Cobalt called Pontiac G5 (and maybe an excellent basis for a new Firebird, that wouldn’t be a rebadged Camaro and wouldn’t collide with the Zeta one). In Australia, it would be and excellent basis for a real-world version of the Torana TT 36.
- When you will have a cute-ute to compete with Ford Ecosport? Will Brazil have the Captiva?
- When you will come back to the SW segment? Hey, the brand that made the Caravan (SW version of the Opala, derived from the Rekord C Caravan), Suprema (Omega A SW), Ipanema (Kadett E wagon), Maraj√≥ (the SW from Chevette) and Corsa Wagon is owing something in this market. You only have two minivans (Meriva and Zafira), that isn’t so useful, comfy and driveable as SWs. Hey, Toyota lauched the Fielder (derived from Corolla), VW recently debuted the Spacefox and Renault soon will release the Megane Grand Tourer, not to mention the almost-dead Fiat Marea Weekend. Other successful wagons: VW Parati (for Americans, it’s the evolved version of the Fox Wagon that you had in the 1980s and first half of the 90s), Fiat Palio Weekend and Peugeot 206 SW. So, as you can see, we love the SWs. Develop one very spacious and best-value and you will be back in a very strong way to this market.
NEED TO BE BETTER EXPLORED
- Engines: hey, the Family I and II engines are good engines, but they had their time. Cars with them mounted are the gas-guzzlers of their classes. Isn’t it time to bring the Ecotecs to replace them?
- Pick-up trucks: replace as soon as you can the aging S10. Bring the Colorado! Hey, in the full-size race, we have the Mexican Dodge Ram and the Brazilian F-250. Isn’t it time to come back to this niche, that had in other times the 10-Series, 20-Series and the Silverado?
- SUVs: replace the Blazer as soon as you can. It’s becoming aging, it’s discomfortable and not so spacious as its external dimensions suggest.
- When you will replace the Astra B?
OHC vs. OHV….
The Equinox starts at a price of $21,990.
The Xterra is equipped with the 4.0 liter at $20,500… but if you want the automatic trans and the power windows/locks and RKE the Equinox comes standard with, the price jumps to $22,555.
So we’re talking about a $600 price difference right off the bat. Then couple that fact with the fact that the Xterra is FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS heavier and only gets 16/22mpg vs. the Equinox’s 19/24 and you want to espouse the efficiency of the OHC architecture???
If you really are looking for power, then Chevrolet offers the 5.3 liter @ 300hp in the Trailblazer… which not only out-powers anything Nissan offers for the Xterra or Pathfinder… but @ 16/21 matches the fuel economy in the Xterra @ 16/22 and the Pathfinder (16/23), but also crushes both of them in the power department (265-270hp vs 300hp… 291 lbs.-ft. vs. 330lbs.-ft.).
We won’t even mention the available 395hp 6.0 liter… which out-powers any motor in any Nissan, Toyota or Honduh sold anywhere in North America… including their *ahem* “sports” cars (I use the term “sports” VERY loosely).
As per usual, the Japanese give you expensive, heavy, complicated OHC V6’s, while Chevrolet gives you light, small, efficient and thunderously powerful V8’s.
RIGHT ON!! PACERX!!
I am so sick and tired of hearing all the crybabies complain about interior trim!! i have never seen anything american made or otherwise that is truly elegant that is in the price range of a working stiff. Pacerx’s comment on OHC being complicated is right on the mark. As a former greasehead I did not enjoy working on OHC engines. I think that all the HYPE over OHC performance is BOGUS!
Just build what people want and you will sell cars. There is still alot of brand loyalty fo GM vehicles in the good ol US of A!!!!!!!!
Besides, how many hours a year does the average driver spend in their car? They are like lemmings, just following the hype, just because someone said something is so, they swallow it hook, line and sinker. Give me Dependability, value and comfort and I will be happy.
Mr. Allen: When will we see a new version of that Turquoise and White Bel Air?
A 2009 Bel Air styled in the “Retro Modern” way the new Camaro was will be a blockbuster hit. This vehicle could easily be made off of the next Trailblazer Architecture and with the Trailblazer SS tuning would make it a “Must Have” vehicle. Make them available in:
Hardtop Coupe
Nomad Wagon
4 Door Sedan
Hardtop Convertible
When you build this car don’t forget the details:
Large overstuffed front Bench Seat standard (Split 60/40) with Passenger Fold Flat Seat Back
Large overstuffed rear seat; again split 60/40
Lots of rear leg room
Standard 4.2L I-6
Optional 5.3L (327) V8
SS Model with 396 Small Block and 6-Speed Manual
396 Engine (a 3.83″ crank in 4.06 bore Escalade block)
The interior will sell this car as much as the exterior styling, these large seats will surprise buyers with their comfort and with modern power adjusters the seats would hold you in place just fine.
This car could be developed for next to nothing and for return on investment may set a modern automotive industry record.
Don’t believe me, make one for the LA Auto Show in December, the response to this car will rival the New Camaro.
Speaking of Hardtop cars why not offer a Chevy Cobalt Hardtop coupe from the Astra Twin-Top? This is a gorgeous car and by making a fixed roof model the price would be competitive. Put a 3500 V6 in it and you would have what Chevy has been known for in the U.S. Great styling with high performance at a low cost, that’s why it was America’s Number 1 car for decades.
The 3500 V6 needs to be put into the HHR for an SS version as well as the Equinox and Uplander. The 3800 or 3900 V6 needs put into the Colorado attached to the 5L40-E.
Chevy used to do things like this (even in the 80’s the 2.8L V6 was offered in the Cavalier). This is what makes the OHV V6 a world class solution for FWD cars. It is a smaller, lighter package than an OHC, is much cheaper to produce, has great throttle response and low end torque AND delivers 4-cylinder MPG.
As a note to onell, give up on the OHC V6 in family cars – they are heavier (too many cams); a larger package (too many cams), more expensive (too many cams) and get less MPG (too much friction from too many cams).
Why has BMW never made one? Inline OHC engines are fine, only one more cam and very little friction penalty. “V” type engines should only be used on high performance cars where the engine will spend a lot of time at high RPM and MPG is not a priority or luxury cars where buyers insist on having “high tech” engines (even if they really don’t need them). Even here an OHV engine can make up the power with VVT, S/C or Turbo and still be competitive on price/weight/packaging.
The comments on the Aveo are spot on, this is good small car and the new one is much better with a more expensive look to it. But the MPG is abysmal; a Malibu with the 2.2L gets better in the real world (up to 40 MPG at 75 MPH cruise). Why isn’t the 1.6L Twin port or new 1.8L Ecotec from the Corsa/Astra used in this car. From what I can extrapolate from the Opel website these engines would deliver the 32/40 MPG that the competitors do. The 140 HP 1.8L would make the Aveo attractive to young buyers.
Will the next Equinox be styled like the Captiva? Hope so, just make sure the interior is updated – outside of the fold flat passenger seat back and adjustable rear seat the current Equinox is horrible.
As far as the Matiz in the U.S.; you would need the 1.4L ecotec with an automatic for an option. U.S. buyers demand a car that has an automatic and is able to keep up with traffic with the A/C on.
Are there any plans on offering the 1.9L Turbo Diesel in the Cobalt or HHR?
It is good news that the Chevrolet brand is popular in overseas markets, and the new U.S. models are doing well. If the rumors of the new Malibu and Impala are true, there are exciting times ahead.
Dee-
I admire your work.
That Captiva captovates me.
Why, oh why can’t GM wake up and give the US a small SUV like this?? They’d sell like crazy!!
as a chinese designer,I am very fond of USA car’s brand and marketing stratages,but in CHINA your company doing a little about car culture ad.
if just a car is OK,but it’s a life, so I wish your company doing more in car culture!
Over here in Holland we’ve had a select number of Chevy models available for many years. They never sold – weren’t right for our market. Because of this, I can see why you ditched the U.S. models and rebadged the Daewoos. Since then, I think the Korean carmaker’s sales went up about 30%. Good news for GM.
Still, I am a Chevy fan and I loathe these econoboxes wearing a bowtie. I can go off on a ten-minute rant if someone gets out of their Matiz and tells me they drive a Chevy. Last time I checked, a Chevrolet was built in the U.S. and had at least twice as many cylinders. Like the Corvette, which has incidentally been robbed of its Chevy name in Europe.
It’s happening to Cadillac too, but at least you made an effort to make the SaaBLS look the part. And that car’s got my support because I would love to see Caddy get in the picture here.
Of course this is nothing new. I remember the Catera (or the Cimarron). Hell, GM has one full-size SUV, which is really eight full-size SUVs and a bunch of pickup trucks. And now you guys in the U.S. will get Opels with Saturn badges. It looks like in a while, there will be no more brands, just ‘GM cars.’ Forget heritage.
Alfa Romeo is planning to return to the U.S. in 2007, despite the crappy reputation they earned themselves last time. Do they rebadge their cars? No, they have faith in their products, which have come a long, long way over the last decade (as I’m sure you know from the brief collaboration with Fiat). Alfa lets their cars speak for themselves. And I’m confident they will come out on top.
Now, I’m not being constructive at all, I basically just wanted to vent. I know these are hard times for GM and you have to do whatever needs to be done. But rather than shifting products around in total disregard of their brand names, how about working on the essence of these cars – make them stand for something again?
I want to see a Chevy that can’t be mistaken for anything but a Chevy – with the looks, the ride, the appropriate power – even if its underpinnings are German and shared with Opel.
And while you’re at it, let Daewoo be Daewoo. That’s almost 100 years of history that Koreo-Aveo is wearing on its grille.
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Posted by: PacerX at May 11, 2006 11:22 AM……
OHC vs OHV……
PacerX, and everyone else who thinks pushrods are superior to OHC and DOHC, perhaps some engineering insight may change your mind (unlikely, but possible)….
Firstly, I’d like to kindly point out that the Xtera/Equinox comparison is pretty lame (but then, if that’s all Chevy has to go up against it in that class, I guess that’s GM’s fault). The Xtera has 265 horsepower as opposed to the Equinox’s meesly 185 (my 2000 Honda Prelude has 200 – and it’s a 4 cylinder
). A friend of mine has a 2003 Xtera, and it will eat that Equinox for lunch, all while hauling a full load of music equipment – I know first hand.
Overhead cam engines have a more broad powerband. Pushrods loose their power over 4000 RPM. OHCs also rev more quickly – not only do they have a higher rev limit, but they can rev to their peak power point faster than a pushrod design can.
Fuel efficiency, on the other hand, is a whole other subject. To compare these two engine designs for the sake of a fuel economy arguement is not very accurate. Fuel efficiency has many, many more factors built in than just engine design. Weight of the vehicle, aerodynamics, and transmission gear ratios and number of gears.
The bottom line is that OHC engines are super smooth, and I like engines I can rev without worry of blowing them up. Pushrods are archaic and production of them should have stoped 5 years ago.
Mr. Allen: Chevrolet should revive it’s old ad “a Six for the price of a Four” and market it as what differentiates Chevrolet from the competition. The 3.5L VVT V6 with AFM and E-85 capability should be offered in every Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, Impala and Monte Carlo model.
It is time GM took full advantage of the 3.5L OHV V6 superior features of smaller size, lower weight, and lower manufacturing costs with high MPG.
GM will also have to add better 4-cylinder offerings on the Cobalt and Malibu, this is not to contradict the previous V6 statement but to satisfy a need for a higher mileage Cobalt and a market perception on the Malibu.
Chevrolet needs to do three things with the Cobalt, first it needs a 40 MPG version and GM has the 1.8L VVT engine and 5-speed Easytronic to do it with. The Easytronic would be popular with buyers who like to shift when they can but the option to go automatic is always there.
Second, put the 3.5L VVT V6 with AFM and E-85 into the Cobalt. Even mated to a 4-speed automatic this car would perform well and deliver 4-cylinder MPG since the lighter weight Cobalt would have the AFM in the 3 cylinder mode most of the time. Add the 6-speed automatic and it might even get that 40 MPG.
With a 6-speed manual, the car would deliver great performance and deliver the same or better MPG than any other small 4-cylinder performance car in its class. This is how Chevrolet made a name for itself in the 60’s.
Third, content like the 8-way power seat from the HHR needs added to the Cobalt. These three additions would boost Cobalt sales by adding the MPG economy buyers want; power for the sport buyer and features luxury buyers demand.
The HHR could use the 3.5L VVT V6 with AFM and E-85 with 6 speed auto with paddle shift and 4 wheel discs. This segment first would probably get better real world MPG than the 2.2L or 2.4L.
The Malibu must have a separately defined 2.4L 4-Cylinder model. A direct injection gas 2.4L with 180 HP and 6-speed automatic with equipment comparable the Accord LX or Camry LE would narrow the sales gap between the Malibu and the Accord/Camry.
GM needs to face the fact that 60% of Accord/Camry buyers opt for the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, and until it offers a comparable model it will never catch them. Make the 2.4L E-85 capable and GM would have an advantage. Start by offering a Malibu CS (California Special) with heated seats, fog lights, alloy wheels, body color/chrome mirrors and 4 wheel discs.
I know that for most drivers the 3.5L V6 models deliver MPG comparable to the 2.4L for about the same price (the unbeatable advantages of lower cost OHV V6 engine) but buyer perception is not easily changed.
The Malibu could use an interior makeover and some upgraded options like 10 way power seats with memory, backup sensors and navigation/rear camera. The outside mirrors need to lose the rental car two tone black/body color look, how about going all the way with body color/chrome with integral turn signals.
The Impala/Monte Carlo models also come up short in the lack of 6-speed automatic option, no adjustable pedals and better seats with memory.
GM has these cars sized right and should keep offering the Cobalt, HHR, Malibu and Impala (Caprice) as they are. A new 2 door personal luxury coupe could be derived from Malibu and given a separate name similar to the Solara.
The Monte Carlo needs to go RWD along with the Impala name. The current Impala could possibly be renamed Caprice or something else, because Chevrolet enthusiasts want a new RWD Impala SS.
The original 1970 Monte Carlo could be used for some Heritage styling cues, with some modern attitude added to a very clean design make a winning combination. Just don’t forget the great interior and the 400 HP.
Afew years ago, while in Florida, I rented a Chevy Tracker. It looked great, got pretty good fuel economy, was a good size, had a true 4×4 set up, and handled the road pretty well. The only problem I had with car was that it was so very uncomfortable. The seats were too small and hard as rocks. It seemed to me to be a small problem, easily fixable. It would have been a great competitor for the Honda CRV or RAV4. Instead, GM replaced it with the Equinox, a big bulky fuel pig, that won’t fit in most parking spaces in the North East. How silly, I thought. Someone probably got a bonus for this move also. GM needs to keep a step ahead of the needs of the market, and to stop paying so much attention to style (which isn’t great) and marketing gimmicks, which will only get you so far.
where is the confermation on the camaro concept? Everyone know that it will be sold out! Instead you guy’s are letting ford make an extra 30to40k on the new cobra, that don’t make you guy’s any money from the people who want a fast car they just have to settle for a mustang and watch gm sink further into finanial trouble! wake up soon gm! give this post to some one who can do something about it a.s.a.p.!
The bottom line is that OHC engines are super smooth, and I like engines I can rev without worry of blowing them up. Pushrods are archaic and production of them should have stoped 5 years ago.
Dear GM:
Finally, you’ve come up with a unique, well-designed midsize car. I’m talking about my ‘04 Malibu Maxx, which I’ve grown to love.
People can say what they will about the styling, but the space utilization and all-around thoughtfulness of this design make it one of the best cars I’ve owned.
Now I read rumors that you’re discontinuing it with the 08 model year. Say it ain’t so!
Regards,
Tom
P.S. The HHR looks cool, but it doesn’t have the 3.5 V-6 like my Maxx. Mine got over 36 MPG on a 325 mile trip last week @ 65 MPH with air conditioning on.
It’s good to see Chevy on the up and up.
We’ve rented a Cobalt recently – 30-32 mpg. Not impressed.
HOWEVER, the Impala with the 3.5 vvt returned a solid 32-34 mpg over two 1800 mile trips.
At 55 and 65 mph, on two lane roads, with cruise control on, the mpg was 38-42 and 35-38 according to the computer.
This is excellent for a vehicle of this size, weight, and power. Chevrolet should aggressively market this in their advertising!
I wonder what the mpg would be like if the car had the 6 speed or cylinder deactivation like the 3.9. I’m going to test drive the 3.9 AFM Impala soon and see how it does at steady speeds.
I think this engine should be put into other products as another poster listed above. In the HHR it would be great!
Now put that Stabilitrak into the Impala and maybe I’ll consider buying one.
I recently read in a buisness magazine that Sparc reminds people of Daewoo’s Matiz. It was said as if it’s a handicap. On the contray, it’s am asset. I am yet to find one Matiz owner who was unhappy with the car (I myself own one). The failure was not of car but of company. Yes, now problems of spares started raising head but association with Matiz is an asset for GM! Offered an exchange, many would jump at the opportunity of having a Sparc i.e. new “Matiz”
Chandra Mohan (India)
When will I be able to buy a Chevy Volt ?
In the spirit of my earlier post, I went and bought a Spark,ignoring some advice from friends (I still have the Matiz bought in 2000). Iam wondering if I was right!
I am, however, disappointed by the average which is on the wrong side of 10 kms/ L (AC on).
I approached the workshop but they said wait for the first service which is still a few months away.
Any advice?
CMN