Aveo's future uncertain. Will GM keep or drop the name for North America?

[MetroMPG]

"The small car formally known as...

Ha! That's good.

Maybe GM will have a design competition for the symbol we're supposed to use when we talk about it. No pronunciation issues there!

[AveoSS]

Hey, I had a 95 Accent, first year of it, it was great, never had a problem with it, the Excel btw had a Mitsubishi powertrain and Mitsubishi used to build some serious crap back than, we all remenber the Conquest!, the Accent had the first engine fully build by Hyundai. I also owned a VW Jetta Wolfsburg Edition with all the bells and wisols, all factory ground effects and etc, suposed to be top off line german enginering, it was the worst friking car I ever owned, awesome on the road! when it run...just all kinds of problems, starting with the vaccum operated locks!? I mean really, VACCUM? Just wanted to defend the Accent on this since I own one. Best car I ever owned? 1964 buick Electra 225 and my 95 Suburban, never put a penny on it for years and years... As far as the new Aveo, I don't care if they change the name as long the price is competitive.

[AveoSS]

I contacted Chevy customer service last week and they sayd no SPARK and Aveo RS in the works for now, Than the next day I get a email from the marketing division saying the Spark will be out next year and 'no comment' on the Aveo RS, I was llike f... marketing sayd lots of times customer service do not know what is in the works... I think we won't see the RS untill end of 2012 since if it came out to yearly would take some of the 'Boom' of the Cruze. The 'no comment' sounds like it will be caming out, otherwise they would just flat out say NO AVEO! I just hope they dont try to rip us off cose I buy a Honda instead...

[MetroMPG]

Here's the most concise coverage of the Aveo naming situation so far:

What’s In A Name – Apparently The Wrong Stuff For Aveo

A study group is now looking at alternatives, he tells TheDetroitBureau.com, declining to say when the new name will ready. However, time is running short for the name change. The GM assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan is getting ready to build pre-production vehicles, starting in March 2011, and the first production vehicles for sale to the public will roll off the line in August.

Meanwhile, advertising campaigns designed to build awareness around a vehicle often need to begin anywhere from six to 12 months before a launch, GM executives note.

Making the switch won’t be cheap. Jim Farley, marketing chief for GM’s rival, Ford Motor Co., recently told TheDetroitBureau.com that a branding campaign to launch an all-new nameplate can cost from $50 million to $100 million more than a marketing effort designed around a brand name that’s already established.

full article: http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2010...tuff-for-aveo/

[AveoJoe]

Aveo 3 will be out late 2011.

[AveoJoe]

GENTRA-N-GENTRA X GM.com must be new name for the Aveo GM Daewoo.

[MetroMPG]

One of the main arguments GM North American President Mark Reuss has against the name is its uncertain pronunciation.

Anybody else remember the lighthearted "pronunciation" marketing efforts Hyundai undertook when they were looking to raise their profile?

Nobody knew how to say "Hyundai". Most people probably still don't! (Rhymes with "Sunday!", said the ads.) Doesn't seem to have hurt sales.

So maybe GM should just save the coin and focus on product.

[AveoJoe]

Aveo,s replacement? lol

[Daox]

I definitely think the name should be kept. The car has been improving for years, no need to just drop all of that improvement.

[Z34guy]

I definitely think the name should be kept. The car has been improving for years, no need to just drop all of that improvement.

That's just it though. It's not a matter of whether the name SHOULD be kept. It has to do with the reputation behind the name. The Aveo name at the moment brings to mind budget-conscious cars that were and are severely underpowered.