GM to seek another shared Toyota model to replace Vibe

[DainBramaged]

Even as it shrinks its North American product portfolio, General Motors is negotiating with Toyota Motor Corp. to determine a new GM product to be jointly produced at the automakers' 50-50 joint venture, New United Motor Manufacturing Inc

A GM spokesman said that, if successful, the negotiations would result in a new model for one of GM's surviving brands -- Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac.

Earlier today, GM revealed that it will end production of its Pontiac line, including the Vibe crossover.

The Vibe is currently GM's sole yield from the NUMMI partnership -- meaning the Pontiac decision effectively leaves GM without a need for NUMMI as it cuts factory production plans around the country.

But Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson said GM is in talks with Toyota and NUMMI itself to determine another vehicle to be produced there.

"We're negotiating to see how best to utilize that facility going forward," Hopson said. "We're clearly not backing away from our partnership at NUMMI. There's no issue of us backing away from NUMMI."

GM and Toyota began building small cars together at the former GM plant in Fremont, Calif., in 1984. Toyota also obtains its Tacoma pickup from a separate line there.

Over the years, GM has obtained models all related to the Toyota Corolla platform.

The venture was supposed to supply the cars on a 50-50 basis to Toyota and GM, with each side receiving 100,000 to 120,000 cars a year. But in recent years, GM's take from the plant has fallen. Last year Pontiac sold 46,551 Vibes, a gain of 25 percent over 2007.

Toyota combines Matrix sales reports with the Corolla, so no data exist comparing Matrix to Vibe sales.

GM has little else in its portfolio like the Vibe. Like the Vibe, the Korean-built Chevy Aveo 5 and Pontiac G3 are five-door hatchbacks. But they are smaller than the Vibe.

"There's really nothing wrong with the Vibe," Hopson said. "Its only problem right now is that it is a Pontiac."

Asked whether the company is considering continuing production of the Vibe with a different GM badge, Hopson flatly said no.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20090427/ANA02/904279953/1176 (subscription only, posted in full)

[flvegan]

1. Cobalt SS hatchback.

You read it here first. That would sell like mad if the interior compares with the competition.

[tabasco]

2. That sounds good to me.

I think I would like it.

[madrchsod]

3. looks like the car gets better each year...

they really should make this car world class....

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/chevrolet/cobalt/

[musette_sf]

11. really? R U SRIUS?

i'm driving a rental Cobalt right now while my car is in the shop. i hate it. since i have at least two more days with this dog, can you please tell me why you guys like it so much?

[NYMountaineer]

4. Any quality compact would help.

How about a Cobalt hybrid, or a Cobalt diesel? Or a Cobalt Hybrid-Diesel?

[we can do it]

5. I'd Buy One In a Minute if they made a stick version

I loved all 3 z24's I had.....now I drive a mazda 3 hatchback great as long as there is no snow- but in NE Ohio its not so good.

[DainBramaged]

6. You can buy an SS Cobalt 4 door Turbo with a 5-speed @260 HP

And there is this little known kit available from Chevy parts (bolt on upgrade) that pops it up to 320 in the Cobalt, 300 in the HHR. And that;s before an exhaust kit, high flow air filter kit, or mass air flow sensor from one of the Aftermarket suppliers. Oh and don't forget the computer tuner which adds oh 25 more HP easy. You could be somewhere between 375-400 HP and STILL be fully warranted by GM.

[flvegan]

8. That's what I'm sayin' DB

use that platform for a hatch version. Damn that would be a brilliant car!

You like my idea?

[DainBramaged]

9. Cobalt dead after 2010, replaced by the Cruze, which isn't a performance car.

[flvegan]

10. Oh, come on. Really?

[flvegan]

7. It would HAVE to be a stick.

I have a Mazdaspeed 3, and I'd happily consider a Cobalt SS hatch as a replacement one day.