Subcompact Viva To Slot Below Cruze

When the Chevrolet Cruze rolls out in North America by Summer 2010, it will be the second smallest car line sold by the bowtied brand, replacing the Chevy Cobalt. Right now, the entry level slot is occupied by the Aveo, the subcompact car built by GM Daewoo of South Korea.  Despite a recent redesign, the Aveo hasn’t ever lived up to GM’s expectations as a subcompact line.

An All New Subcompact For Chevrolet

Now, word is coming forth that GM has fresh plans for an all new entry level Chevrolet thanks in part to Ford’s soon introduction of the subcompact Fiesta as well as the federal government’s mandate that higher fuel economy numbers be reached over the coming years.

GM’s plans are for it to build an all new subcompact in the US, one that is already being called the Chevrolet Viva, with spy shots of heavily camouflaged models appearing all over the internet. Not a whole lot is known about the car, but some suspect that it is based on the Beat concept, a vehicle that has traveled the auto show circuit over the past few years.

Chevy Viva: Based On Which Concept(s)?

The Beat, along with the Groove and the Trax are a trio of concept cars developed by the Chevy design team, youth oriented cars with a budget price. The Beat may also replace the Chevrolet Spark, a South Korean city car while the Viva itself may actually take some of its design cues from the other two concepts as well.

Some analysts believe that the Viva may be enlarged slightly in order to place an even smaller model below it. Thus, the Chevrolet Cruze could end up occupying the third slot in the Chevrolet line up after the unnamed mini compact and subcompact lines. With the Malibu and Impala continuing on as planned, Chevrolet may soon have five full lines of passenger cars to sell in addition to several crossover, SUV and pickup truck models.

Staying Tight Lipped, For Now

GM is being uncharisterically mum about its small car plans perhaps learning that making too much noise about what is coming down plays into the hands of its competitors. As the company works through bankruptcy and restructures, GM hopes that the Chevrolet line will have what it takes to compete against Ford, Toyota and Honda while still being able to sell vehicles that are profitable and desirable.

See Also — Hatchback Cruze In The Works