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| Avanti Studebaker XUV at the Chicago Auto Show. (Photo: AP) |
Avanti has stated it plans to move forward despite a recent lawsuit. Avanti Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael E. Kelly stated this is a classic David and Goliath case. "There will not be any confusion on the part of the car-buying public," said Kelly. "Put both vehicles side-by-side, and there's no question that the Studebaker XUV is distinctly different."
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| Avanti Motor Corporation, the largest independent carmaker in the United States, is best known, ironically, for reproducing copies of the Studebaker Avanti sports GT. |
In further comments Kelly said that Avanti Motor Corporation never considered using General Motors, Hummer, or H2 designs for their new SUV. It was also noted that no General Motors parts were used to build it. "There are no parts of an H2 Hummer that fit on a Studebaker XUV," Kelly stated. "Furthermore, the Studebaker is based on original concepts and designs developed by Avanti Motor Corporation. The Studebaker XUV has a completely different body style, from the front end to the rear gate, and it has sliding rear side doors and a sliding rear roof, the same as a 1963 Studebaker Wagonaire." Avanti's Studebaker XUV is slated to go on sale in August for a retail price of US$75,000. The company expects to be able to sell 1,000 SUVs per year.
For the time being General Motors is seeking a preliminary injunction preventing Avanti Motors from manufacturing, advertising, and selling the Studebaker XUV.