Chevrolet reinventing small-car strategy: Cruze, Aveo, Spark

[MetroMPG]

More evidence the Aveo is going to be moving up market (and up price)...

Chevrolet reinventing its small-car strategy with the Cruze, Aveo and Spark

Chevrolet wants people to throw out any perceptions they may have about small cars as it wants to reinvent this segment with the release of the Cruze, Aveo and Spark.

[...]

To deviate from their economy-car standing, the Cruze compact and Aveo subcompact are expected to be fitted with more standard equipment, including air conditioning and heated outside mirrors.

[Margaret Brooks, product director for Chevrolet’s small and compact cars] added that Chevrolet revised its list of standard equipment for the Cruze and Aveo so that they would attract to buyers who want to move down from bigger cars. Brooks said that these buyers aren’t merely looking for the lowest-priced vehicle; they seek a “richly contented vehicle.”

Full article: 4wheelsnews.com

It does raise the question though: why are they keeping the Aveo name? GM has been chucking out model names with abandon. If they want to move the Aveo upmarket, wouldn't they have an easier time marketing it with a new name?

[reddemonx92]

They are probably keeping the name for now since they announced they would be making the cars here in the U.S. to see if that changes sales of past to upcoming aveos.