What could be behind the Beretta's disappearance?

[pces2008thomas]

What could be the reason behind the vehicle's disappearance?

In 1988 Chevrolet unleashed a more fuel efficient vehicle through a small two door coupe - the Chevy Beretta. There were 6 different models that Chevrolet made throughout the Beretta's life cycle: the base model, GT, GTU, GTZ, Z26, and the very rare Indy.

On its first existence, the Chevy Beretta has two engines. There was the 4 cylinder 2.0L engine. For better acceleration, the Beretta has an optional a 2.8L V6 with a manual transmission.

As the traditional era evolved into a high tech one, the exterior of the coupe changed. But was what greatly noticed was the huge improvement in the vehicle's under car parts. From 2.0 to 2.2, the cheaper 4 cylinders even grew more in size to 2.3. The V6 lines of engines used the popular 3.1L that delivered over 140hp.

From 1988-89, the GTU special Beretta Model went on sale. With the colors black, white, and red, the GTU had stiffer suspension and was capable of 0.92 G on the skid pad.

Produced from 1990-1993, the GTZ was the high-performance Beretta. Standard on this vehicle was the Oldsmobile's 2.3L High Output Quad 4. This produced 180 hp (134 kW) and 160 ft&bulllbf (217 N&bullm) of torque. The Getrag 5-speed manual transmission and GM's FE7 performance suspension were also included in the list of standard equipments.

With more refined Chevy Beretta parts, the vehicle in 1994 came with an optional 3100 series engine, a more powerful one. Though the said engine seemed to be enough for such a light car, it was not still enough for the Beretta manufacturing team. They manufactured the Quad Four which had 4 cylinders that pumps out over 210hp. However, the Chevy fans were in dismay because the innovation was made only in limited quantity.

In 1990, the Indy was manufactured. It featured excellent looking ground effects, more eye appealing style with striking exteriors. It was generally a good looking sports car. It had the colors of bright Sun Fire Yellow and Turquoise, and it offered a convertible as an option. However, the Chevy fans, for the second time, were kept hanging. Only 3 convertible yellow Indy's were produced and sold in the market.

Due to two major factors, in 1996, Chevrolet halted the production of the Beretta. The first reason was that the competition for rights over the name brand 'Beretta' was being lost to a gun corporation in Germany. The second reason was that the Beretta definitely cost high due to the limited quantities, short lifespan with rare models and Quad 4 option.

About Chevrolet Beretta

A front wheel drive coupe, the Chevrolet Beretta was produced from 1987 through 1996 by the General Motors' Chevrolet division. It was built based on the GM L platform in Wilmington, Delaware and Linden, New Jersey. Among its family members based on the platform are the Chevrolet Corsica and the Pontiac Tempest sedan, which was only sold in Canada. The Beretta was engineered in the same design studio as the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette Chevrolet - in Exterior Studio 3.

The sales of the Berettas continuously declined every year of production as its fans did not seem to appreciate the two-door models anymore. And in 1996, Chevrolet ended production of both the Beretta and Corsica.

The Corsica would be replaced by the 1997 Chevrolet Malibu. But the Beretta had no replacement.

[Asylum]

By 1996 a Beretta Z26 cost more than a base Camaro.

And an expensive re-design was needed on the doors to pass the crash tests.

And people stopped buying two door cars.

Nice cut and paste from Wikipedia, LOL!

[3X00-Modified]

Never mind the legal battle between GM and the Beretta gun company over the usage of the name.

The lawsuit was settled in 89, but I don't know how long they were happy with the settlement.

DETROIT — General Motors Corp. will contribute $500,000 to cancer research as part of a settlement announced Wednesday in a trademark infringement case brought by an Italian gun maker against GM's Beretta model. The auto maker also will pay unspecified legal and administrative fees associated with the lawsuit filed by Fabrica D'Armi Pietro Beretta SpA, Beretta said in a statement.

The 500-year-old Italian company, which has registered trademarks in this country for the Beretta name starting in 1954, sued GM in federal court in New York last July, seeking $250 million in damages.

The settlement calls for GM to donate $500,000 to the Beretta Foundation for Cancer Research, Beretta spokesman Ralph Cole said in a statement.

Under the agreement, GM will be permitted to continue to use the Beretta name for its car line. The auto maker also must acknowledge in its sale catalogues and Beretta owner's manuals that the name is being used with the permission of the Italian company, the Beretta statement said.


"We believe that this settlement provides an adequate, conciliatory resolution to both parties of the litigation," Beretta President Pier Giuseppe Beretta said in the statement.

GM spokesmen did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment.

The gun maker went after GM when the auto maker unveiled the Chevrolet Beretta in 1987, despite warning letters from Beretta lawyers the previous year.

The conflict between the two companies was parodied last month by Car & Driver magazine, which did a "road test" comparing the GM sports car with the handgun whose name it shares.

The Italian company makes luggage, clothing, cutlery and optical equipment as well as target, hunting and military guns.

[ifixalot]

I had read GM didn't want to pay to use the name Beretta anymore.

[weba]

There was plenty of market for 2-door coupes in late 80's, every brand had at least one or more. That market died with time, mostly to SUV's and other junk like that.

[1988GTU]

Reintroduce it now as the cavalier "m9" edition...

[SuperLbody]

I don't think the market died really, lots of Honda two doors are roaming around. What killed it was a combination of GM kind of letting the car get too aged/stagnant and the wonderful government rewriting the rules to "save" the common man from those horrible automotive death traps.

[Asylum]

All this research and opinion is quite interesting and could well be a part of the issue, however I have it on very good authority that the truth is they simply ran out of gas door hinges.

Now I do have a spare one that I have set aside for a rainy day, however I seldom drive my car anymore, and certainly not in the rain, so if they give me a call and ask nicely, I suppose they could build one more.

[Red_Bra_Black_GTZ]

Beretta guns, Italian, not German