General Motors Co. is planning to change the name of its remodeled entry-level sedan, the Chevrolet Aveo, to Sonic next year, according to reports on an independent GM blog and in a newspaper.
The GM Inside News blog, which is not affiliated with the automaker, first reported the name change this week. Although GM officials refused to confirm the Sonic name choice, the Detroit Free Press reported that two unidentified sources familiar with the plan confirmed the blog report.
According to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office records, General Motors LCC filed for a trademark for the name “Chevrolet Sonic” on Oct. 5.
GM has been considering a name change for the subcompact sedan since October. GM North America President Mark Reuss confirmed that confusion over how to pronounce “Aveo” had sparked the desire for a change.
The redesigned vehicle, which will have hatchback and sedan versions, joins the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and the upcoming Chevrolet minicar in GM’s small-car segment.
GM introduced the Aveo in the United States in 2004. It is slated to be built in Orion Township, Mich. The plant had been scheduled to close until GM granted it the production of the Aveo in exchange for UAW concessions that stemmed from the automaker’s 2009 government-sponsored bankruptcy reorganization.
Sonic is the name of the third-largest dealership group in the United States, based on new-vehicle retail sales units. Sonic Automotive Inc., of Charlotte, N.C., has more than 100 dealerships selling 30 brands. It has Chevrolet dealerships in Alabama, Texas, South Carolina and Oklahoma.
According to the GM Inside News blog, the automaker could show the car during the next auto show circuit, possibly at the Detroit auto show in January.
The 2011 Aveo starts at $12,685, including delivery.
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