General Motors is planning to launch its entry level sedan model in a new avatar donning a new name as well. The future model of Chevrolet Aveo is expected to carry the new brand name as Chevrolet Sonic. The new model is expected in 2012 starting from the US market.
GM has struggled with the Aveo’s name for the last two years. According to sources former U.S. marketing chief Mark LaNeve originally wanted to rename the Aveo to “Viva.” Then–following GM’s bankruptcy filing last year–Bob Lutz ordered the Aveo name to stay put. The lackluster image of the current Aveo has left GM’s new marketing chief, Joel Ewanick, to conclude that the car needs to be renamed. Although GM has not formally announced the new name, GMI sources are stating that GM has signed off on the name “Chevrolet Sonic.” According to U.S. Trademark records General Motors LLC filed for a trademark on the name “Chevrolet Sonic” on October 5th.
The new name will also go global which means the same model can be expected in the Indian market as well by 2012. The Sonic name will be standard across the globe starting with the U.S. and Europe though Australia's is expected to maintain status quo. So far there are no new images of Chevrolet Sonic but the new Chevy Aveo 2011 revealed during the Moscow Auto Show looking like a sedan variant of the Chevrolet Beat in India.
