Cars GM needs now

GM's Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealers could probably use an ultra-efficient subcompact like the Chevrolet Aveo. And they're likely to get one. But it could come at a brand-damaging price.

In Canada, GM sells a thinly-reworked version of the Korean-built Aveo as the Pontiac Wave. Expect that car to come here soon.

There's been no announcement from GM, but the EPA's Fueleconomy.gov Website, where consumers can compare fuel economy ratings, already lists the Pontiac G3 Wave as a 2009 model.

Whether GM really needs the Wave is debatable. GM has promised to reinstall Pontiac's performance mojo with more cars like the Solstice convertible and the well-regarded G8 sedan.

The Aveo/Wave gets good fuel economy and it's even a fairly handsome little car but, from a performance standpoint, the tank is empty. This quick fix could mean a return to Pontiac's identity crisis of old.

NEXT: Buick