GM Plans New Minicar, Electric Cadillac

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

January 12, 2009

Chevy Equinox Chevy Spark

For a carmaker that nearly declared bankruptcy last month, General Motors is talking with a lot more confidence this month.

GM opened the North American International Auto Show in Detroit with a road rally of 17 new and upcoming cars and crossovers — including four global premieres — that it says underscores the company's ongoing commitment to emotionally compelling design, leading fuel efficiency and advanced technology.

In addition to the four world premieres — the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 2010 Cadillac SRX, 2010 Buick LaCross, and Cadillac Converj, Chevrolet announced it will produce and bring to the U.S. the fuel-efficient Spark four-door mini car and seven-seat Orlando multi-purpose vehicle.

The production version of the Spark will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Sales of Spark will begin in early 2010 in Europe, followed by other global regions.

Originally seen as the Chevrolet Beat concept, the car drew nearly 2 million consumer votes asking GM to build it, according to the company. Spark will hit U.S. showrooms in 2011.

A production version of the Orlando show car, introduced last fall at the Paris Motor Show, will also join Chevrolet showrooms in the U.S. in 2011.

The Cadillac Converj seeks to reverse Cadillac's image as a gas guzzler. GM says it has all the luxury you would expect from Cadillac, but will be powered by an all electric power train. The four-passenger Converj concept is intended to show how GM's Voltec electric propulsion system can meet the desires of luxury consumers.

"In many ways, today marks a new beginning for General Motors, as we dramatically accelerate and expand the restructuring that we've been driving in North America, and around the globe, for the past several years," said GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner. "Buried in all the financial news of recent months, is that we've made tremendous progress in recent years in making cars and trucks that consumers really want to buy. At the same time, we're committed to leading the industry on the most important issue we face over the next generation: the development of alternative-fuel propulsion."