GM ponders small global crossovers

[Northstar]

Harald Hamprecht | Automotive News / May 22, 2006

General Motors is looking at low-cost production sites in Thailand, India and Mexico for a new global family of small crossover vehicles.

The five-passenger vehicles would be smaller than the Saturn Vue and Chevrolet Equinox, GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz said last week at a design event in Ruesselsheim, Germany. They would be marketed by Saturn, Opel and possibly GMC and Hummer.

"It won't be badge engineering," Lutz said. "We'll carefully protect the brand identities."

Still to be determined is the vehicle architecture. Once that and the assembly site are selected, production could begin in 37 months, Lutz said. The annual production target is 200,000 units.

Lutz said this new family of crossover vehicles cannot be assembled profitably in North America or western Europe. Also off the short list is South Korea, where the Chevrolet Aveo is assembled by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co.

"As a production site, there's only Thailand, Mexico or India," he said. "Even South Korea is getting too expensive for us."

Continue reading: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...B/60519042/1003

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So, apparantly the sub-Thetas may be back on track if they can find a good place to build them?

[sciguy_0504]

"Even South Korea is getting too expensive for us."

LMFAO!

[ShadowDog]

Sweat-shops making a comeback?

[V6powerr]

Let it be Mexico and bring back the Chevy Tracker!

[jbartley]

hmmm tiny 5 passenger sub-vue sized thetas? ok maybe.

I hope maybe the saturn is 2+2 coupe style, that would be sweeet.

[usa1]

"Even South Korea is getting too expensive for us."

No surprise really. South Korea has had strong and difficult to work with unions for years.

Mark

[VenSeattle]

I guess the Sub-Thetas have survived afterall...

[gerardo]

Bring them here, Bob!!

[stickmax]

How many Thetas are there any how?

Sub-Theta

Theta-Epsilion

Theta-short wheelbase (VUE)

Theta-long wheelbase (Equinox)

Any others?

[cavalier36]

LMFAO!

one of the reasons HEALTHCARE!!! ,, they will find another country to build them that will be cheap.. hell build them in Iraq, Iran or afghanistan.. then the only problem would be having to worry about the plant being blown up..

[SimonDavid]

LMFAO!

It's not surprising at all. Korea is exporting all over the world - eventually that pushes up the value of your currency.

Hyundai is countering this by building plants outside of Korea and to stay competitive GM/Daewoo will need to do the same.

[Imaj]

The five-passenger vehicles would be smaller than the Saturn Vue and Chevrolet Equinox, GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz said last week at a design event in Ruesselsheim, Germany. They would be marketed by Saturn, Opel and possibly GMC and Hummer.

"It won't be badge engineering," Lutz said. "We'll carefully protect the brand identities."

No! No Hummer ! Unless it is rigid and very well engineered, capable of overtaking any tough offroad route and can tow and haul. And no 3.4V6.

A Chevy would make more sense.

The GMC version could be called Typhoon. But should be more useful than the original Typhoon.

"As a production site, there's only Thailand, Mexico or India," he said. "Even South Korea is getting too expensive for us."

What about East Europe?

[ToniCipriani]

How many Thetas are there any how?

Sub-Theta

Theta-Epsilion

Theta-short wheelbase (VUE)

Theta-long wheelbase (Equinox)

Any others?

If you count the rumoured Premium Theta...

[David]

Why Bother. I for one at 275lb and 6'6" will never waste money on these auto's. Build a fuel efficent auto that fits real americans and stop trying to shove a big guy into a tiny death trap built for a small asian person.

If they want to sell coffins, then build them and sell them 3rd world, Europe or asia. No need to waste bringing it here.

[Northstar]

If you count the rumoured Premium Theta...

That's TE (Theta-Epsilon).