NEWS: Ed Peper on Volt and Camaro

By Bill Betts GM Blogs Manager

The Chevrolet Volt "...is not hype...we're going to get there...," says Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper at the Chicago Auto Show. Peper talks optimistically about plans to develop the Volt concept vehicle into a production vehicle during an interview with Matt Kelly of Podtech.net. Peper also explains why he thinks customers are going to be surprised by the affordability of the stylish next generation Chevrolet Camaro.

More... (http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2007/02/ed_peper_on_vol.html)

Here's a link to the video clip of the interview:

http://www.podtech.net/home/technology/2129/chevys-ed-peper-on-the-volt-and-camaro

You'd be surprised how many people I've met (non-enthusiasts) think it will cost $40k just from looking at it.

You'd be surprised how many people I've met (non-enthusiasts) think it will cost $40k just from looking at it.


Lol... I wouldn't be suprised because I have encountered a fair number as well. People ask me when i plan on getting rid of my truck and I tell them that I am holding out until the new Camaro is released. They all say the same thing... are you sure you want to spend over $40,000 on a car?


I just laugh.

Lol... I wouldn't be suprised because I have encountered a fair number as well. People ask me when i plan on getting rid of my truck and I tell them that I am holding out until the new Camaro is released. They all say the same thing... are you sure you want to spend over $40,000 on a car?


I just laugh.

Same here. People always comment how expensive it's going to be.

I just don't understand why. Most people know Mustang and Camaro are in the same 'market'. Why would they assume the Camaro's going to start over $30,000 while the Mustang can be affordable???

...like this douche (http://blog.cardomain.com/blog/2007/02/the_big_threes_.html)
Skip to about 3:10 remaining if you wanna listen to his thoughts on pricing.
:rolleyes:

...like this douche

:lol: Wow, you hit the nail right on the head.... someone needs to teach him a little something about credibility.... Its called use sourced for your "data".... :confused:

...like this douche (http://blog.cardomain.com/blog/2007/02/the_big_threes_.html)
Skip to about 3:10 remaining if you wanna listen to his thoughts on pricing.
:rolleyes:

Wow. I don't think any of my friends can afford 40K plus for a car. Maybe the top dog car will cost that much fully optioned. But, since when is the market for these cars for drivers 16-24?

But yes, all opinions based on opinions. No sources or facts.

...like this douche (http://blog.cardomain.com/blog/2007/02/the_big_threes_.html)
Skip to about 3:10 remaining if you wanna listen to his thoughts on pricing.
:rolleyes:

Wow the ignorance of that video is appalling. I mean I can find something wrong with just about every statement he made. I mean everything……I don’t even know where to start. My head hurts now……. :no:

I watched that clip just posted.

It is nice to see someone who is seemingly concerned about things, but I think he needs to do some research before he spouts off like that.

He should also turn off the fish tank or waterfall or whatever was running the background...I wanted to take a leak through the whole clip. ;)

But back to the first post...I met Ed Peper a couple of times and I can't say enough nice things about him. He's a real enthusiast and a damn straight shooter from what I can tell. At the convertible unveiling, he was visibly more amped up than a lot of the hardcore enthusiasts there and that is no exaggeration. If he says the price will be surprisingly affordable, then I believe him. I have posted many times that it will be within $500 of a similarly equipped Mustang and this fortifies my thoughts on it. Anyone who says that the Camaro will be 50 grand needs to look up because the sky is falling.

The douche Kid makes a good point. Consider a decent Impala goes out the door for about $22,000. Why would a Camaro not sell for under $25,000? See Mustangs with stickers over $27,000. Sure don't see the kids working at Pizza Hut buying them.

The douche Kid makes a good point. Consider a decent Impala goes out the door for about $22,000. Why would a Camaro not sell for under $25,000? See Mustangs with stickers over $27,000. Sure don't see the kids working at Pizza Hut buying them.

Very true, however you don't see kids working at Pizza Hut buying the $22,000 Impala (I am sorry to say) and you surely won't see a $40k or $50k Camaro.

The douche Kid makes a good point. Consider a decent Impala goes out the door for about $22,000. Why would a Camaro not sell for under $25,000? See Mustangs with stickers over $27,000. Sure don't see the kids working at Pizza Hut buying them.

You will be able to get a V6 for that kind of price. Base Mustang is $19995. You will be able to get one for under 25k. You will also see the top dog car for north of 30k. I am not sure what the kids at Pizza Hut refers to. Kids at Pizza Hut would also like Corvettes. Not going to happen. But they could an entry V6 if they saved every penny.

You will be able to get a V6 for that kind of price. Base Mustang is $19995. You will be able to get one for under 25k. You will also see the top dog car for north of 30k. I am not sure what the kids at Pizza Hut refers to. Kids at Pizza Hut would also like Corvettes. Not going to happen. But they could an entry V6 if they saved every penny.

Sorry, thinking of the old days when young guys with about any job could buy a Camaro or Chevelle with a real engine. Actually a really nice musclecar was cheaper than an Impala back then. Today you see a new Mustang GT, SSR pickup or such, some gray haired guy like me behind the wheel. Thank goodness for used Camaros.

Sorry, thinking of the old days when young guys with about any job could buy a Camaro or Chevelle with a real engine. Actually a really nice musclecar was cheaper than an Impala back then.

Ain't that the truth and a crying shame at the same time. Now it is unfortunately an entirely different world. :(

you surely won't see a $40k or $50k Camaro.

you think the Z28 will come in at 35k?

you think the Z28 will come in at 35k?

Maybe base price

Ain't that the truth and a crying shame at the same time. Now it is unfortunately an entirely different world. :(

Exactly. This IS an entirely different world in comparison with the sixties. But hey, why would anyone blame this on the big three? Can any other car company produce a Camaro like car at a better price? Hell, the other companies cant even produce a Corvette like car at a better price. That kid in the video was hell-bent on American cars, not even stopping to give all of the big three credit for their current turnaround in quality.

I only wish that I lived in the sixties, when anyone could have a cool car. I hear things about "the kid who works at Pizza Hut". Market a Camaro to this demographic? Come on, there arent many brand new cars that you CAN market to a teenager. Even the little Civics or Jettas are able to suck a kids earnings dry, so I dont want to hear about the Camaro recieving a bad rep for being out of reach for the younger market because just about everything is out of their/my reach. I work at a Dairy Queen currently paying my way through college. Do you know what my peers drive? A 2006 Civic? Nope. A 2001 Civic? Nope. How about a 1989 Civic? Yep. Occasionally I will see a kid roll in driving something a little higher 1990s if his or her daddy bought it for them. I saved up for two years to buy a 1965 Mustang (dont hate me, 1967 Camaros are impossible to buy with $8000, so I had to settle for the Camaros bitch...but I am currently selling it with hopes for a 2009 Camaro down payment).

Besides that, how many of you have read an article on either the Vette or Mustang where there are the words "you wont find a better performance vehicle for the money" involved? In this world, where there is much more resources that go into making a car than most people think, you cant get much better of a performance bargain than the American Pony cars. Seriouslly, making a car is not as easy as it used to be, especially with Unions sucking GM dry, and the million other standards that all car companies must undergo to produce a quality automobile...please people (and Im not refering to CamaroZ28.com users) have some sympathy for the automotive industry.

Okay, I just listened to this toolbag's video. I'm sitting here and trying not to rage.

"Blahblahblah misinformed rant about the Aveo blahblahblah misguided rant about the Charger, which is one of Dodge's best sellers blah blah blah prices."


Dear lord. This is the problem about the internet. I bet there are quite a few people who take all this douchenozzle's idiocy as fact.

In regards to facts, he's said in 7 minutes what car magazines have been able to say in a paragraph in every issue over the last 10 years.

Sorry, thinking of the old days when young guys with about any job could buy a Camaro or Chevelle with a real engine. Actually a really nice musclecar was cheaper than an Impala back then. Today you see a new Mustang GT, SSR pickup or such, some gray haired guy like me behind the wheel. Thank goodness for used Camaros.I'm sorry but how long has it been since a young guy with any job could buy a new Camaro? :rolleyes:

Back in 1989 as a engineer and a recent college graduate, I couldn't afford to buy a new Camaro, even though I had a good paying job and was still living at home rent free. (This was because I couldn't afford the insurance.) I had to wait until I turned 30 before I could afford to buy a new Z/28 and even then I had to lease it for the first 3 years and then finance it for the next 5. (Biggest mistake of my life, I should have financed it from day one and ate cat food for the next 5 years.) That was almost 20 years ago, and its gotten progressively worse ever since.

Be it a Mustang, Camaro or Charger, if you're under 30, you need to be making some serious coin if you expect to be able to buy a brand new V8 performance version straight off the showroom floor. There is very good reason why this Camaro has heritage styling. Its to appeal to gray haired guys like us. :D

Be it a Mustang, Camaro or Charger, if you're under 30, you need to be making some serious coin if you expect to be able to buy a brand new V8 performance version straight off the showroom floor. There is very good reason why this Camaro has heritage styling. Its to appeal to gray haired guys like us. :D

I disagree a bit here.

I'm 23 and will be starting work in May when I finish school.

I'm a bit of a nerd for my age and do a lot of financial planning. Currently I have a 2 year plan roughed out with one of my main goals to buy the new Camaro as my weekend car! :shock:

Given I will be living in Corpus Christi which has a very low cost of living, but I’m not going to be pulling in any huge amounts of cash. I’ll say I’ll be making fewer than 50k.

However over the next two years I’m going to be stretching that amount of cash over
-one of the nicest gated apartment complexes in the area,
-new furniture,
-a new computer,
-a new LCD HDTV,
-paying off all of my current debt,
-buying a used GTO as a daily driver,
-taking a vacation
-and of course buying a brand new V8 convertible Camaro.:cool:

I’ve run the numbers with taxes, all other living cost, insurance (both car and life) and maxing out my 401k …………and…….well……. it works.

It can be done. ;)

Now will the average kid my age be able to afford one at age 25? Maybe not, but most kids coming out of college should be able to.

So I wouldn’t say under 30 is too much of an extreme.

I disagree a bit here.

I'm 23 and will be starting work in May when I finish school.

I'm a bit of a nerd for my age and do a lot of financial planning. Currently I have a 2 year plan roughed out with one of my main goals to buy the new Camaro as my weekend car! :shock:

Given I will be living in Corpus Christi which has a very low cost of living, but I’m not going to be pulling in any huge amounts of cash. I’ll say I’ll be making fewer than 50k.

However over the next two years I’m going to be stretching that amount of cash over
-one of the nicest gated apartment complexes in the area,
-new furniture,
-a new computer,
-a new LCD HDTV,
-paying off all of my current debt,
-buying a used GTO as a daily driver,
-taking a vacation
-and of course buying a brand new V8 convertible Camaro.:cool:

I’ve run the numbers with taxes, all other living cost, insurance (both car and life) and maxing out my 401k …………and…….well……. it works.

It can be done. ;)

Now will the average kid my age be able to afford one at age 25? Maybe not, but most kids coming out of college should be able to.

So I wouldn’t say under 30 is too much of an extreme.

I agree with you Stars. I will be turning 25 in March and have every intention to buy a new Camaro within the first year they come out. If it came out this year, I would buy one now. It all comes down to how well you manage your money. Personally, I don't live the life of a typical 25 year old that I know. I have a good handle on my finances and don't spend money on unneccessary things (I am a bit of a cheap ass).

I think it also depends a lot on where you live as well. I just moved to Indianapolis from Chicago and just the difference in my monthly rent is the equivilant of a car payment. If i still lived up there it would probably be a few years after the Caamro came out that I would even consider purchasing one.

It does depend heavily on where you live. Here in NJ, 1200 a month for an apartment gets you something bigger then a closet, smaller then a crawl space.

It does depend heavily on where you live. Here in NJ, 1200 a month for an apartment gets you something bigger then a closet, smaller then a crawl space.

Oh wow......$745 a month gets me a brand new 760 sqft apartment across the street from the country club in the Corpus area.

$75 more a month to rent a garage for my new Camaro :D

I agree with you Stars. I will be turning 25 in March and have every intention to buy a new Camaro within the first year they come out. If it came out this year, I would buy one now. It all comes down to how well you manage your money. Personally, I don't live the life of a typical 25 year old that I know. I have a good handle on my finances and don't spend money on unneccessary things (I am a bit of a cheap ass).

I think it also depends a lot on where you live as well. I just moved to Indianapolis from Chicago and just the difference in my monthly rent is the equivilant of a car payment. If i still lived up there it would probably be a few years after the Caamro came out that I would even consider purchasing one.

I concur with you guys. I'm 28, studying for my Professional Engineer's license, just got married, having a townhome built in suburban chicago as we speak, and paying off my Blazer this year. If the cards fall right, I can get a used '05 GTO next year (or maybe the '08 G8) as a daily driver. My wife's eclipse will be paid off at the end of '08, just in time to save up a down payment for the '09 Camaro. Now, based upon where I live, it took me about 3 years worth of raises to make enough to buy a 30+ thousand dollar car. If I was living in other places, e.g. Iowa, I could have have gotten that car right out of college.

The issue about the Pizza Hut delivery guy being able to afford a Z28 new, hmmm, most likely not. A V6, maybe. But where is the justification for a pizza hut delivery guy demanding the salary for an expensive muscle car. Is pizza delivery a high demand job with a stringent education requirement and a low supply of potential employees.

This isn't the 60's and 70's. That was an abberation in purchasing power versus performance vehicles. Compare the safety requirements then and now. Compare the price of steel. Compare union wages. Compare litigation costs. What hasn't gotten more expensive?

I am not against pizza hut delivery guys being able to buy those kinds of vehicles. I would love for some political reform in this country to benefit and expand the middle class again and increase their purchasing power. How do we get there? Tort reform, Tax reform, Trade Agreement Reform, etc. But I do not see it as realistic right now, or in the past 25 years, for a pizza delivery guy to afford any 30+ thousand dollar car (muscle car, luxury car, import or whatever).

I bought my '91 Z28 new..I'm now 37. :p I too hope that this "surprisingly affordable" pricing is true.:bow:

I still think, overall, you guys are exceptions to the rule rather than the norm.

There seems to be some kind of wacky legend out there that 80% of high school seniors in the late 60's were buying brand new Z28s, or 396 Chevelles, or Boss Mustangs. That doofus in the video only helps propel that legend.

It does depend heavily on where you live. Here in NJ, 1200 a month for an apartment gets you something bigger then a closet, smaller then a crawl space.

That also depends on what PART of NJ you live in.

My mortgage is $1250 on an 1850sq ft house. But, I got lucky on that. LOL

The 2 nice apartment complexes nearby to me are less than $800 a month for a 2 bedroom, nice sized apartment (one of them is 2 bedroom w/a den).

I still think, overall, you guys are exceptions to the rule rather than the norm.

I agree. Most 20somethings I know couldn't afford a $30,000 car.

I take that back, quite a few 20something's I know can, BUT they are an exception because they got high paying jobs with the NJ Dept. or Corrections where I work.

No non-NJDOC 20something's I have ever met can afford a $30,000 car.

Gonna have to watch that video when I get home. :)

That also depends on what PART of NJ you live in.

My mortgage is $1250 on an 1850sq ft house. But, I got lucky on that. LOL

The 2 nice apartment complexes nearby to me are less than $800 a month for a 2 bedroom, nice sized apartment (one of them is 2 bedroom w/a den).

Well, you do live in "southern" New Jersey..... ;)

Less then 800 a month? I gotta move...that, or brave the mean streets of Asbury Park, Long Branch or Neptune for a cheap apartment.

Well, you do live in "southern" New Jersey..... ;)

Less then 800 a month? I gotta move...that, or brave the mean streets of Asbury Park, Long Branch or Neptune for a cheap apartment.

Got that right. LOL Everything in Central and Northern NJ is just plain ridiculous when it comes to prices. Heck, they're crazy enough down here.

Furthest 'north' I'd go would be Haddonfield, Cherry Hill or Hammonton. All still in 'southern' NJ.

I'm 25, living in Boston, one of the most expensive cities in the country, and I currently daily drive a $29k evo as well as have a 99 TA for sunny days. So it is possible for "kids" to afford a V-8 camaro. I have a good job, but not ridiculous, and college loans and rent and insurance and everything else that all adults pay. But I knew what I wanted and made the sacrifices necessary to afford it, just as every 20 something has the ability to do. Whether or not the average mid 20's understands sacrifice is another story, but the camaro will not be out of their reach.

You guys should check out SC. I pay 575 for a 1350 sq. ft. 2 bed 2 bath condo with a screened porch.

You guys should check out SC. I pay 575 for a 1350 sq. ft. 2 bed 2 bath condo with a screened porch.

In Chicago, you can't even rent a room in a ghetto crack house for that.

You guys should check out SC. I pay 575 for a 1350 sq. ft. 2 bed 2 bath condo with a screened porch.

:eek: !

heh.. i pay 600/mo for a ****ty 650 sqft 1bedroom apt, has a dishwasher.. water, heat, air... only think they don't pay for is the electricity...

Villa park, IL