GM bringing Chevy Beat?
 

Although the Chevrolet Beat concept made its debut a couple of years ago at the New York Auto Show, General Motors has stated on several occasions that the diminutive hatchback is not coming stateside. However, the Detroit automaker may have had a change of heart as an updated version of the Beat will make an appearance at the Detroit show.

On Thursday’s “Today Show” on NBC, GM design chief Ed Welburn revealed that an updated version of the Chevy Beat will be highlighting the automaker’s Detroit show lineup. Welburned stopped short of saying the Beat will be coming to the North American market, but he did say the hatch would be “very affordable”, indicating it could be part of GM’s U.S. plans.

GM chairman Bob Lutz stated last year that the Beat would not be coming to the U.S. because it was not designed to pass U.S. crash regulations, but it’s possible that $4 gas swayed GM to re-engineer the Beat to pass more stringent crash regulations. If the Beat does make it to the U.S. market, it would likely boast 40+ mpg fuel mileage ratings.

Welburn also revealed part of the Beat’s front end, showing a car that looks in line with the rest of Chevy’s U.S. lineup. We expect to hear plenty more on the Beat during the Detroit auto show, so check back for more details after the show kicks off.

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