General Motors is thinking small for its future crossover range. In an effort to increase its market share in regions that are more environmentally concerned, GM is considering producing a family of small fuel-efficient crossovers based on its global small-car architecture. According to Automotive News, GM is still deciding on which markets to sell the new models and whether to market the vehicles under different brands for each specific region. Key markets include America and Europe, but emerging markets such as Russia, China and India are also being considered.[Source: Motor Authority]
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“Variants could be configured with different exteriors for Opel and Chevrolet,” GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told reporters last month. The vehicles would be designed to seat five passengers and be built in low-cost centers in Thailand, India and Mexico with production expected to tip 200,000 units annually.
The crossovers would be significantly smaller than GM’s smallest SUV range, which is based on its Theta architecture and includes cars like the Chevrolet Equinox, Saturn Vue and Pontiac Torrent. According to sources, developers would use an extended wheelbase version of GM’s small-car platform, the same structure that underpins cars like the Opel Corsa.
