New Chevy subcompact styling looks great compared to the outgoing Aveo, and this new car could give the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit a run for their money! 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Subcompacts - Detroit Auto Show - NYTimes.com
They need to change more than the Aveo's styling and name. Maybe they will, the Cruze is a big improvement over the Cobalt
I've seen a couple here in WA state, including one at my apartment complex. Ford's 2010 Sales Up 19 Percent - Largest Increase of Any Full-Line Automaker; Foundation Set for Growth in 2011 lists US sales.
Looks like a Holden Barina Spark, or another Daewoo. (pos) Exterior - Exterior - Barina Spark - Vehicles - Holden. Go better. Ford's Fiesta is quite popular here given it hasn't been on the market all that long.
GM Daewoo Reaffirms Importance to Global Success of GM and Chevrolet at 2011 North American Intl. Auto Show | seems to affirm that GM Daewoo led the design. However, it seems US models will be built in the US, unlike the Aveo.
That's my view but I thought it might have been styled especially for the US market and meet with your particular requirements and decided to keep quiet. Personally it looks like a car that has had the front end chosen as an after thought and transplanted from a much larger car. It looks like a dog with a cows head.
It reminds me of the latest Mitsubishi Colt. I see more Pagani Zondas on the roads than this. A small car needs more than styling in order to sell. The current Aveo is a penalty box on wheels, so they better start all over.
I think the Cruze is much better looking. But again, overpriced in my opinion. You woulld think GM could turn a profit with those prices.