Chevrolet announced December 9th that they will be saying goodbye to not only a model, but a Chevrolet nameplate. General Motors expects to replace its subcompact Chevrolet Aveo with the a brand new model named Chevrolet Sonic. Both The Detroit Free Press and GM Inside News blog said various GM executives "have been unhappy with the Aveo name," partially because of confusion over how to pronounce it.

According to GM trademark records, the Chevrolet Sonic name was trademarked on October 5th. The Detroit Free Press said the new car "will be built at GM's Orion Township plant starting August 1st. Like the Cruze, Sonic will be a global name."

Sonic will represent one more step in the US automakers' effort to regain a footing in the small car market. Based on the Aveo, the all new Sonic will deliver 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Power comes from a new 1.6 liter DOHC engine with variable valve timing that produces more power 107 hp and 106 pound-feet of torque. Sonic may have a range of over 400 miles on a single tank of gas, much like Aveo.

The US version of the Sonic is expected to be unveiled over the next few months, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Stay tuned with more on Chevrolet at Mills Chevrolet - 1610 39th Ave in Moline, IL 61265.