2010 Detroit: Chevy gets small

By John LeBlanc DETROIT - Like Ford's presentation at this year's show, General Motors' mainstream Chevrolet has got small car religion—bad. First up, the Cobalt-replacing 2011 Cruze compact sedan will arrive about six months earlier (this fall) than Ford's new Focus. Then there's the extended-range plug-in hybrid Volt (you may have heard of it...) set to launch in U.S. markets this Fall, in Canada Spring 2011. 2011 will also see the Chevy Orlando, yet another mini-minivan; probably just in time to take on Ford's similar Grand C-Max. Chevy will also have the new Spark, a two-door city hatch that's looks ready to take on Fiat's 500. All nice, little cars. But the biggest leap may be the next Aveo5, foreshadowed by the Aveo RS concept, in the video above. The new Aveo will be longer, wider and more spacious inside than the existing Chevy subcompact that is also sold as a Pontiac Wave and Suzuki Swift+. And apparently quicker, too. GM said, the 140 hp, 1.4-litre from the larger Cruze will be available in the new Aveo, which would put it as far ahead as the current, woeful model is behind existing sporty small cars like the Honda Fit. Chevy? Ford? Small cars? Are you buying this pair of Detroit automakers' born-again, small car strategy? WILL you buy American-branded small cars, over established import offerings? [Source: General Motors]

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