Chevrolet Beat, the most popular of a trio of minicar concepts that has swept auto shows around the globe and the Internet this year, is the inspiration for a new, production model to be sold globally. Chevrolet made the announcement at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 14.

An online poll that attracted almost 1.9 million voters helped influence the decision to build a distinctively styled minicar based on the Beat concept. Initial production will be targeted to markets outside of North America, starting in mid-2009.

“The people have spoken. The vote count tripled all previous GM online consumer surveys, telling us Beat resonated with customers all around the world,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Chevrolet was overwhelmed by the positive reaction to each of the three Mini concept cars, but Beat was a sound winner.”

The production model will carry the spirit of the expressive Beat concept, offering compact, city-friendly dimensions and a small-displacement engine that delivers excellent fuel economy. It adds further depth and breadth to Chevrolet’s global lineup, which is sold in more than 120 countries, giving the brand a leadership position in the minicar segment – the fastest-growing automotive segment in many countries around the world.

“Fuel solutions and great-looking cars are at the core of Chevrolet’s values and this new production model will align perfectly with those tenets,” said Peper. “It will be a globally sold car, built around the globe for a variety of diverse markets.”

The Beat and the other concepts highlighted in the online survey were developed primarily at GM’s Design Studio in Bupyeong, South Korea, with input from GM’s global network of designers and GM’s Korean partner, GM Daewoo. As South Korea is a primary market for this exciting new minicar, production will begin there.

Beat beginnings

Conceived to evoke the mood of a speedy micro import tuner, the Beat concept debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show, along with two other minicar concepts, Groove and Trax. All were designed to appeal to young car buyers in urban markets, infusing the energy, diversity and excitement of urban life into cars that delivered good-looking fun, fuel economy and value.

The Beat concept was designed and built leveraging GM’s Global Product Development process, created from best practices around the world that integrate design, engineering, powertrain and manufacturing organizations to ensure each vehicle program meets its quality, timing and business targets, yet is responsive to the needs of regional markets.

As part of its global product development process, GM is maximising the skills and capabilities of its design and engineering centers around the world using key tools and technologies such as a virtual design and engineering network, that allow engineers and designers to collaborate around the world.

The production car based on the Beat concept incorporates these resources, bringing to market quickly a right-sized car, with a right-sized ecological footprint at the right time.