Nearly Ex-Product VP for GM Bob Lutz may have revealed plans for a car called the 2011 Chevy Viva, a possible name swap for the Korean-built Aveo.
Yes, yes, GM filed for bankruptcy this morning, but such nonsense doesn't stop the march of new product, and competitive product is the only way GM is going to get out of the hole they've dug for themselves. In any case, Motor Trend noticed the name attached to a product chart revealed to the Automotive Press Association and they've begun speculation ending in a name change for the next Aveo. The 2011 Chevy Viva would hope to erase the memory of years, and years, and years of truly terrible compact cars from GM (Geo Metro, Pontiac Lemans, Chevy Vega...) with a platform flexible enough to be built anywhere in GM's shrinking empire and stylish enough to be more than an also-ran. The new car will have to take on the B-car segment, and the Ford Fiesta in particular, with a level of competency rarely seen from GM in this segment. If it comes to pass, the car could get a version of the Chevy Cruze's 1.4 liter inline-four, though probably turbo-free like the version in the Chevy Volt. This may also be the car pulled back from Chinese assembly to US production as part of negotiations for UAW concessions. [Motor Trend]