I think another way that GM is missing the boat (literally) is by not using the engines that they use in Europe (allthough they are coming). They new small car from GM (2010) that will actually be a Aveo replacement will actually be a Opel Vauxhaul) disigned car.
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/advisor/advisorsearch.do?method=getCurrentSearchCriteria&vehicleType=C&source=mini

GM is moving production around to help with this as well. The new small car will go into Lordstown, Detroit Hamtramick (sp?) will get the Volt. The Saturn plant has capacity with an entire assembly line down. They are moving the Solstice and Sky from DE to Bowling Green, KY leaving DE open to a new car. GM has the ability to get a lot of small cars out in production it is just the time it takes to convert a plant to build the cars. The plant building the Volt will be down for around a year getting retooled.

As far a tweaking. They did it with the Cobalt. The played with the computer and put different gears in it to get it ip to 36 mpg from 32 mpg. Now if they could do it to the Aveo it could be getting 38 or 40 mpg. The only issue with that is that Americans are lazy and want automatics., You want better gas milage, learn to drive a stick shift!

I agree. I have offered to do it in the past. No response.

#141 Joe:

I agree. I would be very interested to read about GM’s upcoming small car offerings. I think that it would be absolutely on point for GM-Volt. We need to know how GM is going to bridge over until e-flex becomes a viable economic platform. Didn’t Lutz or somebody say that they were going to bring out 15 hybrids in the next 3 years, or some such?

I doubt that I am going to wait until 2012/2013 to buy a Volt. If I could buy a 40 mpg GM car, I would do it today. It sems to me that they have the bits in the parts bin. Speedy said it a long time ago. Cobalt 1.4 turbo, 6 speed automatic, BAS (or, God send, dual mode), spiffed up aero. Or even a tweaked up Aveo. The Yaris hatchback is rated at 28 city/36 highway. The Cobalt xfe is rated at 36 highway/24 city, if memory serves. If both are under the current EPA formula, then it ought to be doable to close that gap.

If GM is coming with small cars with segment leading mileage, maybe they should publicize them as they are doing with the Volt, thus helping us to hold off from buying Japan, Inc. products out of frustration.

#150 dash944cw:

Amen.