*NOTE: This is not a typical AutoFug post in that I don't think these cars are necessarily ugly (unless previously featured). Think of it more as an AutoRant.So Chevrolet is about to introduce a new Aveo. Yet, they've decided that for North America they're going to rename it. The reasoning?
"The Sonic represents a new beginning for Chevrolet in the small car segment and so we felt it was time to give it a new name. The new car is roomy, stylish and fun to drive, and Sonic is a youthful, energetic name that helps convey what this vehicle is about."
In other words: "The Aveo was so craptacular that we decided to rename it, hoping that the old feelings of hatred will stay with the Aveo name." Sound familiar?
Yes, Chevrolet has been down this road before. Twice actually. The first time it was the Cavalier, with the Cobalt being so groundbreaking that it deserved a rebranding. Yes it was a new car, but it proved itself to be hardly as revolutionary as GM hyped it as being. Sure, the SS will go down in the annals of automotive history as being a pretty solid cheap sports car, but the "cheap basic transportation" vibe through the rest of the lineup carried through, albeit in a better package. Regardless of how much better it was than the Cavalier, it also lacked the polish of it's Japanese competitors, still relegating it to the Cavalier's second tier status.
The second time this occurred was with the same car (in that it's a compact sedan for all you Chevrolet fanbois). Like history repeating, again the Cobalt is being rebranded as the groundbreaking Cruze. Again it's an entirely new car, but this time it's an entirely new concept: instead of going for the lowest common denominator (low price and subsequent lower than average quality teamed with above average American power), the Cruze is a bit more expensive (and better built) and a bit lower powered than some of it's competition. Only time will tell if it's received by the public as "just another Cavalier".
Basically,
I find it a bit lame to rename a car in hopes that people will forget the old one. For one it's basically implying that we're all stupid. And secondly, why not just make a quality car in the first place - one that people will actually want to buy and won't receive a tarnished reputation that you hope to erase from the public's memory? And I doubt this helps brand recognition either. I would think you would want people to remember the names of their cars, and hopefully remember them fondly.
In the case of the "Sonic", it looks pretty much exactly like a newer Aveo should. If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it's probably a duck.
