guionM
06-15-2002, 11:30 AM
As I'm sure that anyone here who keeps track of what's going on in the industry will tell you, there is alot of things going on. There seems to have been a rediscovery of the automobile & suddenly everyone is in a race to bring out new models, but with a twist.
Cars like the Thunderbird, PT Cruizer, & Beetle may make it seem like the retro style is in, but the Cadillac CTS and Ford Focus are selling quickly as well. Seems the public still wants cars, but wants style and well made cars as well... and performance!
Cars are without a doubt quicker today than they have ever been, with even economy cars running as fast as many ledgendary muscle cars of the 1960's. But even that will be eclipsed soon. Damiler-Chrysler will soon produce a Neon that will run 0-60 well under 6 seconds & a 345hp RWD sedan, Cadillac's CTS will soon boast Corvette's LS1 with at least 400 horsepower, Lincoln will have a supercharged V8 also with 400 hp, and GM is known to be working on a class of rear-drive sedans and coupes known internally as the "mid-lux" chassis, which no doubt will be competitive with Chrysler's rear-drive mid-price LHX derivitives. Ford's RWD program (previously described as cancelled) is simply on hold till finances improve, though it currently appears that instead of a new chassis, it will be a variation of Lincoln's LS car, and instead of a 2004 introduction, it may be a year or two later.
But, one of the areas that is showing shocking activity (an area seemingly all but given up for dead not long ago) is the mid-price sporty coupe market. Ford Mustang's strong sales show that if done right, it is still a viable market, and competition is comming in droves.
Nissan brings back their 350Z soon, price? under $30,000. Mazda's next rotary RX coupe will be a 4 passenger sub $30,000 car. Even Infinity, normally a luxury carline, will be bringing over a version of the Skyline with V6 power for about $30,000.
But, so you don't think it's only Japan getting involved, Daimler-Chrysler recently approved a RWD sports coupe based on the upcomming LHX chassis to be called Charger. It's starting price will be in the $25,000 range. Pontiac's imported, but still GM made GTO will come in around 30 grand as well. And finally, the worse kept secret in the industry, the market leading Ford Mustang will be all new for it's 40th anniversairy as a 2004 model Possible introduction? Fall of next year!
That leaves the question of Camaro.
I think along with RP, no one in GM wants Camaro to return more than Bob Lutz & Chevy's General Manager (can't think of his name at the moment, but he's also all but said Chevy was going to get a version of "mid-lux" as well). Make no mistake about it. It seems the entire Chevrolet Motor Division WANT'S Camaro!!
However, GM's top priority is to sucessfully get the big hitters out. This includes next years Grand Prix & Malibu, the next Regal & the Cavilier/Sunfire (currently GM's biggest selling car), the new Grand Am in less than 2 years (Pontiac's current best seller), and finally GM's RWD "mid-lux" chassis. All with much higher volume and potential profit than a low priced, low volume sports coupe.
Just to show you how full General Motors plate is at the moment, all of this and more (GM intends to replace or redesign all their carslines) is going to happen within the next 3 1/2 years! http://web.camaross.com/bb/eek.gif To make sure it all happens without a hitch, GM hired the best product person they could find, Bob Lutz. Most all of GM's programs were set before he arrived there, however, cars developed completely under his direction won't appear before the 2006 model year.
Cadillac is in the middle of a tremendous remake, Buick is NEXT, Pontiac's remake is more of a fine tune, & Chevrolet (believe it or not) will have AT LEAST 1 new car in their showroom for at least the next 4-5 years, starting next year.
Finally, the word I'm getting is that barring a national ressession or further collaspse of the sporty coupe market, bank on Camaro comming back, just not right away.
There IS alot of really good things happening in the industry, especially at GM. The problem is they're late to the party, but I think they're going to make a big splash. http://web.camaross.com/bb/wink.gif
Cars like the Thunderbird, PT Cruizer, & Beetle may make it seem like the retro style is in, but the Cadillac CTS and Ford Focus are selling quickly as well. Seems the public still wants cars, but wants style and well made cars as well... and performance!
Cars are without a doubt quicker today than they have ever been, with even economy cars running as fast as many ledgendary muscle cars of the 1960's. But even that will be eclipsed soon. Damiler-Chrysler will soon produce a Neon that will run 0-60 well under 6 seconds & a 345hp RWD sedan, Cadillac's CTS will soon boast Corvette's LS1 with at least 400 horsepower, Lincoln will have a supercharged V8 also with 400 hp, and GM is known to be working on a class of rear-drive sedans and coupes known internally as the "mid-lux" chassis, which no doubt will be competitive with Chrysler's rear-drive mid-price LHX derivitives. Ford's RWD program (previously described as cancelled) is simply on hold till finances improve, though it currently appears that instead of a new chassis, it will be a variation of Lincoln's LS car, and instead of a 2004 introduction, it may be a year or two later.
But, one of the areas that is showing shocking activity (an area seemingly all but given up for dead not long ago) is the mid-price sporty coupe market. Ford Mustang's strong sales show that if done right, it is still a viable market, and competition is comming in droves.
Nissan brings back their 350Z soon, price? under $30,000. Mazda's next rotary RX coupe will be a 4 passenger sub $30,000 car. Even Infinity, normally a luxury carline, will be bringing over a version of the Skyline with V6 power for about $30,000.
But, so you don't think it's only Japan getting involved, Daimler-Chrysler recently approved a RWD sports coupe based on the upcomming LHX chassis to be called Charger. It's starting price will be in the $25,000 range. Pontiac's imported, but still GM made GTO will come in around 30 grand as well. And finally, the worse kept secret in the industry, the market leading Ford Mustang will be all new for it's 40th anniversairy as a 2004 model Possible introduction? Fall of next year!
That leaves the question of Camaro.
I think along with RP, no one in GM wants Camaro to return more than Bob Lutz & Chevy's General Manager (can't think of his name at the moment, but he's also all but said Chevy was going to get a version of "mid-lux" as well). Make no mistake about it. It seems the entire Chevrolet Motor Division WANT'S Camaro!!
However, GM's top priority is to sucessfully get the big hitters out. This includes next years Grand Prix & Malibu, the next Regal & the Cavilier/Sunfire (currently GM's biggest selling car), the new Grand Am in less than 2 years (Pontiac's current best seller), and finally GM's RWD "mid-lux" chassis. All with much higher volume and potential profit than a low priced, low volume sports coupe.
Just to show you how full General Motors plate is at the moment, all of this and more (GM intends to replace or redesign all their carslines) is going to happen within the next 3 1/2 years! http://web.camaross.com/bb/eek.gif To make sure it all happens without a hitch, GM hired the best product person they could find, Bob Lutz. Most all of GM's programs were set before he arrived there, however, cars developed completely under his direction won't appear before the 2006 model year.
Cadillac is in the middle of a tremendous remake, Buick is NEXT, Pontiac's remake is more of a fine tune, & Chevrolet (believe it or not) will have AT LEAST 1 new car in their showroom for at least the next 4-5 years, starting next year.
Finally, the word I'm getting is that barring a national ressession or further collaspse of the sporty coupe market, bank on Camaro comming back, just not right away.
There IS alot of really good things happening in the industry, especially at GM. The problem is they're late to the party, but I think they're going to make a big splash. http://web.camaross.com/bb/wink.gif