VH_Supra26
01-08-2009, 10:11 AM
by Nelson Ireson
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The sub-compact Beat had previously been ruled out for American sale
Despite adamant statements to the contrary, the production verion of the Chevrolet Beat could be made available for sale in the U.S. On this morning's Today Show, General Motors product guru Ed Welburn talked with Matt Lauer about the car, which will be on display at the Detroit Auto Show.
Rumors of North American availability have persisted despite GM's statement that the car couldn't be made to meet federal safety standards without significant re-design. The car was always intended as an entry in Asian and other markets, however.
Though the Beat was the subject of discussion, only a corner of the vehicle was shown. Welburn and Lauer lifted the edge of the vehicle's cover, and Welburn even refused to specifically name the concept, though it was made clear that this is the Beat. With an atmosphere of austerity and business-like determination already pervading the 2009 Detroit show, it seems unlikely that GM would show a car that's already been shown in concept form without a purpose.
What little was revealed of the vehicle showed a design very close to the concept's, down to the same vibrant lime-green paint. Spy shots of the Beat as it progresses toward more definite retail sale in other markets have thus far indicated it will hew closely to the concept's lines, including the oversized headlights and dramatically-styled grille, though camouflage does obscure the details.
[I][All Content Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority/I]
http://www.motorauthority.com/chevy-beat-concept-headed-to-detroit-us-production-possible.html
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/2/0/2007_gm_chevrolet_beat_concept_001-0917-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/2/0/2007_gm_chevrolet_beat_concept_002-0917-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/2/0/2007_gm_chevrolet_beat_concept_007-0917-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/2/0/2007_gm_chevrolet_beat_concept_008-0917-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/2/0/2007_gm_chevrolet_beat_concept_009-0917-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/2/0/2007_gm_chevrolet_beat_concept_012-0917-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/2/0/2007_gm_chevrolet_beat_concept_015-0917-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/2/0/2007_gm_chevrolet_beat_concept_016-0917-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/2/0/2007_gm_chevrolet_beat_concept_017-0917-950x673.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/content/thumbs/2/0/2007_gm_chevrolet_beat_concept_018-0917-950x673.jpg
The sub-compact Beat had previously been ruled out for American sale
Despite adamant statements to the contrary, the production verion of the Chevrolet Beat could be made available for sale in the U.S. On this morning's Today Show, General Motors product guru Ed Welburn talked with Matt Lauer about the car, which will be on display at the Detroit Auto Show.
Rumors of North American availability have persisted despite GM's statement that the car couldn't be made to meet federal safety standards without significant re-design. The car was always intended as an entry in Asian and other markets, however.
Though the Beat was the subject of discussion, only a corner of the vehicle was shown. Welburn and Lauer lifted the edge of the vehicle's cover, and Welburn even refused to specifically name the concept, though it was made clear that this is the Beat. With an atmosphere of austerity and business-like determination already pervading the 2009 Detroit show, it seems unlikely that GM would show a car that's already been shown in concept form without a purpose.
What little was revealed of the vehicle showed a design very close to the concept's, down to the same vibrant lime-green paint. Spy shots of the Beat as it progresses toward more definite retail sale in other markets have thus far indicated it will hew closely to the concept's lines, including the oversized headlights and dramatically-styled grille, though camouflage does obscure the details.
[I][All Content Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority/I]
http://www.motorauthority.com/chevy-beat-concept-headed-to-detroit-us-production-possible.html