BMW has the Mini Cooper. Now GM (GM) plans to bring its own brand of mini into the US.
GM will probably import its Chevrolet Beat to America to offer a car which gets higher miles-per-gallon than any other vehicle the auto company markets here.
According to Bloomberg, "Besides the Beat, GM is weighing a list of options for refocusing its auto lineup on fuel efficiency rather than performance. They include the U.S. introduction of a small pickup popular in Latin America."
GM still faces the extremely difficult question of whether it will run out of time and money before it can overhaul most of its product line to make it attractive in the environment of $4 gas. It is unlikely. GM probably faces cash issues by the middle of next year.
It will take longer than a year to get the Beat and other fuel-efficient cars distributed throughout the US. The factories that make the products will also have to increase capacity, which could take several quarters.
Douglas A. McIntyre
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