Homely
“Bigger is better,” or so went the traditional American mantra. Big houses, big meals and, of course, big cars, whether the finned Caddies of the 1960s, or today’s full-sized pickups and SUVs. But something seems to be changing. Maybe it’s a generational thing, or perhaps the result of global warming, but suddenly, “small is beautiful.”
Ugly
“Typically, we don’t have this size vehicle in the U.S. ,” acknowledged Courtney Moody, a marketing executive with Chevrolet. “But with gas prices where they are, we thought it was important to explore” the opportunities.
Really Ugly!
Will we see Trax, Beat, or Groove on the road any time soon? Define “soon,” the GM executives cautioned.
GM says small cars are only 5% of the world market. I think that’s a lie. But, aside from that, the big seller worldwide – still is the small diesel-powered pickup. Lots of companies make ’em. You just can’t get one in the U.S..
I have to disagree and say that I find those cars cool.
UGLY as sin and the aerodynamics of a shoe box.
Name a car that is in the same class but is not ugly.
#3 – Mini Cooper
Beauty is in fuel economy and reliability. These probably have the former but not the latter. That said, charge $100K for a bigger version with the same shape, a huge engine, and totally tricked out. The response will be that they are beautiful … and people will buy them.
We need to change our views of beauty. I think the prius is the most beautiful car on the road in the U.S. But, I’d love to see it with a diesel engine an HECE device, a plug, and solar panels.
For the HECE device info, and 20-30% improved fuel economy, check this link.
http://tinyurl.com/zkqo6
Your definition of ‘ugly’ is just plain ugly
They look similar to the Toyota Scion line.
The third model looks like the end result of some tragic anvil, hammer and naked blacksmithing accident.
Number 3 sorta looks like a cross between a Honda Fit and an Acura RSX. and sadly, the best looking one in the bunch.
Meanwhile Hundai has the only ISO 16949-certified auto plant in the USA. Why can they do it and we can’t?
I think you’ve missed the boat here, John.
To you they may be ugly, but how many Scions and Honda Elements have been sold? They’re damned ugly, but the kids love them…
Although nearly ALL newer cars fit the term ugly, these three are near the top of the list.
Chevrolet…..the new Pontiac!
That said, the HHR and Malibu of the last few years look fairly good. Don’t know about the HHR, but unfortunately, as is usually the case, the Malibu has the reliability of the proverbial FIAT. Of course a glance at the Consumer Reports fequency of repair records for MZB, BMW, Volvo, etc. is pretty dismal too. The only reliable cars appear to be from Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan. Anyone notice a theme there?????
The potholes in my city would beat that thing to a bloody pulp.
I think auto makers do this on purpose. Make all their fuel efficient cars ugly. No one buys, then they turn around and say there is no market and continue to pump out big, gas guzzling SUVs.
The only exception is the Prius (Japanese of course)
As for aerodynamics – they’re all probably better than you think. The last one is based on the box fish. If I recall, that shape had similar characteristics as an F1 car.
You guys forget that for many people what’s ugly is the blandness of sedans and SUVs. Kids love these “ugly” cars, because they don’t want to look like a soccer mom or the Dilbert next door.
Does anyone remember VW’s Rabbit diesel? My dad had one 25 years ago and got 50 MPG with it. Acceleration was crap, but it got up to highway speeds and had enough room. And diesel costed less than gasoline back then. Why is it more now?
WTF? are they crazy? I wouldn’t drive them even if they were free.
Fugly come to mind!
I think these are three really cool looking concepts. If they can get 28-32 mpg in the city (see: Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris), I’d buy one of these in a second! Besides, they look WAY better than their Japanese counterparts.
What’s bizzare about this posting is that it (1) ignores how these would be the best looking cars in their segment, and (2) ignores the fact that far uglier cars are selling like hotcakes simply because they are small and fuel-efficient (see: Yars, anything Scion, Fit, Versa, etc.)
GM copying Scion. Meh.
At least they’ve finally come up with styling for their trucks that I like.
Those road louse will be a nice mid afternoon snack for my BIG HONKIN SUV
also the prius is an unsuccessful abortion from a pregnant skate
#22 if you knew anything you would realize
Pontiac Vibe = Toyota Matrix
Pontiac = GM
Scion = Toyota
#19 – can I have yours then?
There are two types of car buyers. Those that know what they want, and those that have to be told what they want. I’d guess the population of each group is 20%/80%, respectively.
The decision for me has always been a trade off against the features I want (value (before and after sale), reliability, interior room (I’m huge), power, all-wheel drive, hatchback, efficiency, style). Looks are nice, but usually last on my list.
Say what you will, these are the most imaginative designs GM has conceived in years. I find them unique and amusing, which is more than can be said for most cars on the road today, particularly from Japanese automakers who seem to produce derivative cookie cutter designs.
And since US automakers fuel our economy (excuse the pun) you should all educate yourselves about the impact your purchase decision have on your own economy. I don’t want my money invested in foreign economies, it’s bad enough our very livelihoods are being outsourced. If buying one of these “ugly” vehicles helps GM’s bottom line, so much the better. Screw Toyota.
#5 – Ugh, the Prius? BEAUTIFUL?!?!
I believe Jeremy Clarkson said it best:
“I’d rather look at a baboon, in fact I’d rather look at the back of a baboon.”
As Clarkson also said, buy a Golf diesel. Be much much happier in the long run.
whoever Jeremy Clarkson is….
At any rate, these are very nice looking cars… I can’t say they are beautiful or ugly since a car is just a tool for transportation, and not objects of art.
If I had to be subjective, the Element used to be pretty sexy to me, but only the earlier two-tone models. I also happen to like the Prius quite a bit. While I generally disdain SUVs, the new Toyota Land Cruiser is a nice exception. But I’m pretty happy with my standard issue generic mini-van. It drives well, has plenty of cargo room, and doesn’t suck like most testosterone fueled machines.
But soon enough I’ll be out of this God-forsaken Redneck Wonderland and back in Chicago, where I can sell my car and take the train like a civilized person should.
But what I hate more than most SUVs is THESE MUTHER FREAKING CONTENT LINKS! They suck John! They suck to high Heaven. No matter how much you gear nuts disagree with me on cars, at least we can all agree that those content link pop-ups are an abomination! Make them go away!
That is all.
Ugly but still not as bad as the Aztek , was