With Lordstown plant's renovation, company gears up for new models
The Cobalt offers a big package despite its small size, GM says.
By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
LOS ANGELES -- The new Chevrolet Cobalt already is being made, at least in parts.
As remodeling is completed within certain areas of the General Motors' Lordstown Assembly Plant, different sections of the Cobalt test models are produced there, said Lori Queen, GM's vehicle line executive for small cars.
By April or May, entire test models will be built at the plant.
GM is in the midst of a $550 million renovation of its assembly and fabrication plants to prepare for the Cobalt. The new car is to appear in showrooms next fall, but a date hasn't been set.
GM hasn't released sales goals for the Cobalt. It is replacing the Cavalier, which is GM's second-best selling car this year.
"We're going to keep Lordstown fully utilized," Queen said.
The plant also will produce the Cobalt's twin, the Pontiac Pursuit, which will be sold only in Canada.
Queen said the design and launch of the Cobalt are based on the success that GM is having with the Chevrolet Malibu, which was introduced with a new design last summer.
For the first time, GM brought together its designers, engineers and manufacturing officials to talk about what could be done to improve a new car launch, she said.
In the past, production executives came up with their plan and engineers devised their own plan. Both brought them to the designers, who were charged with coming up with something that satisfied both groups, she said.
The new method solicited each group's opinion up front and allowed more executives to collaborate. The result, in Queen's opinion, was a smooth launch and a car that's winning over buyers.
"Everything we learned from the Malibu, we're doing with the Cobalt, and more," she said.
An example is new production methods that are improving the finish on the sheet metal of the cars. Previously, GM aimed for gaps of 5 millimeters between the hood and side of the car. With the new cars, that gap is 3 millimeters.
Gary Cowger, president of GM North America, said the Cobalt is designed to exceed the expectation of discerning buyers.
Available features
The features available on the Cobalt prove that GM is serious, said Brent Dewar, Chevrolet general manager.
It will offer XM satellite radio, GM's OnStar safety and navigation system, MP3 player and power sunroof.
Dewar said a variety of wheel sizes, from 15-inch to 18-inch, are available depending on a buyer's taste. The 18-inch wheels are offered in the supercharged Cobalt and are designed to provide superior handling and performance, he said.
"It's the first time Chevy has offered that large a profile in a small car," he said.
The supercharged Cobalt also has an engine with more than 200 horsepower. An option on other models is a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with 170 horsepower, compared with the 140 horsepower produced by the 2.2-liter engine on the base model.
GM is calling the Cobalt a premium small car and doesn't intend for it to be seen as basic transportation.
"When we say premium, we mean premium in every sense of the word," Dewar said.