Ed Welburn gives Matt Lauer a sneak peek at the production Chevy Beat

It seems like General Motors likes to play games with its domestic market. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told us earlier this year that the production version of the Chevy Beat minicar will not make it to the U.S. Later we heard rumors that the Beat will in fact be offered to the U.S. customers.

We later heard that a version of the Groove or Trax would arrive in the U.S. by 2011. However that dream was killed by GM’s COO Fritz Henderson who said that GM is ruling out a mini GM car for the U.S. for now saying that he sees the majority of U.S. consumers sticking to compact cars that are the size of the Chevrolet Volt or Chevrolet Aveo.

Earlier this morning Chevrolet boss Ed Welburn gave Matt Lauer from the Today Show a sneak peek at the production Chevrolet Beat saying that it will be “the star of the show” next week in Detroit. Seems like plans have changed again.

We’re not going to say anything for now but join us next week to learn more on the production Chevy Beat. For now click here to watch the video from the Today Show.

Source: motive

Chevy Beat Concept Headed To Detroit, U.S.

Despite adamant statements to the contrary, the production verion of the Chevrolet Beat could be made available for sale in the U.S. On this morning’s Today Show, General Motors product guru Ed Welburn talked with Matt Lauer about the car, which will be on display at the Detroit Auto Show. Rumors of North American availability have persisted despite GM’s statement that the car couldn’t be made to meet federal safety standards without significant re-design. The car was always intended as an entry in Asian and other markets, however.

2011 Chevrolet Beat spy shots