And, uh, since when is this GM policy? Certainly not with the SSR, HHR, or Solstice. Apparently it's OK to talk something up when it's the answer to the question no one was asking, but a vehicle that's got a great chance of creating some marketplace buzz needs to be cloaked in mixed signals and maybe-we-will-maybe-we-won't BS? I mean, it's not like they're getting a jump on their rivals by staying quiet.

If indeed there's something at NAIAS, I'll be absolutely delighted. GM needs to get solid information to prospective buyers right-f*ckin'-now, because every day that goes by is another 1,500 buyers who've gone to Chrysler or Ford for their RWD needs.

 

Meh, whatever. Close enough.

My uncle is happy with the way it handles, thats the important thing.

 

I agree 100%.

 

GM gives the impression that RWD is such a foreign concept. How hard is it to make a RWD car? Didn't they used to make them?

 

GM does tend to pick and choose when to ignore this policy, but there is a few things that's different that I've noticed:

1. The SSR and Solstice started out as design concepts, not particular new models. They weren't the replacements for anything, and weren't intended for production.

2. The HHR wasn't unveiled until it went into final approval. The HHR was initated about 5 years ago, and a few people in the know 1st mentioned it over on TheCarConnection threads when I 1st started getting into this hobby back in 2000.

Camaro & GM's RWD sedans are more along the lines of Impala's redesign, the LeCrosse & LeCerne, and the C6 Corvette. They are models that will compete in hotly contested markets, GM want's to keep quiet on them till it's locked in, and we'll hear about them 18 months or so before they hit the streets.



Reality Check.
I have to disagree about the benefits of letting prospective buyers know about a modest priced car 2 years plus away. Personally, I think it's pretty silly because it's not going to affect 99% of anyone's decision. If I want a car NOW, I'm simply going to buy one now. If I want nothing but a Camaro, I'll wait for another Camaro.

We AREN'T the car buying public. Enthusiasts make up no more than 10% of all new car buyers. Despite the claim of many, the next car the huge majority on this site will buy [i]won't be a Camaro, even though the most hard core enthusiasts post here. People have families, needs change, the competition comes out with must have cars.

GM isn't going to blow their surprise factor for the 1 or 2 of every hundred 5th gen buyers who would actually sit and wait 2 or 3 years to pay $5-10K over sticker for a car that's going to go for $3-5K below original sticker 12 months later.

 

"I wake up every day knowing that I am spotting Ford 150,000 to 200,000 units




Thank the mustang again for speeding up a camaro intro.

 

Amen to that...I don't even know any enthusiasts who have bought new cars for that matter. If they do, it's for work or family which means it probably a FWD family sedan/truck/SUV/van and they buy their toys used. I'd say the enthusiast community represents well below 10% of intended new car purchases.

 

I am an entusiast and I buy new cars almost exclusively. But on top of being an enthusiast I am a realist and know that for the majority of people you are right.

 

But what happend with GM talking about the Camaro in summer?

Now they will keep it quiet for the "Surprise Factor Sales"?

 

I mentioned this a month or so ago here and was told that if a person was a true enthusiast he would wait no matter what

 

It depends on how much money and / or how crazy the people are. I know plenty of folks that buy brand new cars and mod them, myself being one of them. Which is why i;m following these 5th gen threads, because in a couple years i might need to trade in the goat.

Of course, most of the ideas i'm seeing kicked around, especially the ones posted by the people who seem to have inside knowledge, would guarantee i WON'T be buying a 5th gen.

As long as it has SOME version of an LSx engine it i would be happy, what matters to me is that they concentrate on the rest of the car instead. I don't care if i have to slap a blower on to keep up with dick and the SRT8 or jane and her rustnag, i want a car that i can ride to lunch with coworkers and customers that drive BMW/MB/Lexus/etc and have them say 'wow this is really a pontiac/GM'.

Not saying i want a ridiculously high sticker car either. My 04 GTO bought late in the year with rebates was the perfect value, and even if it only had a 300hp 4.8 in it i probably would have bought it. Which is why i think GM should concentrate on the overall package to build value, rather than building another engine in a box like 4th gen. If HP has become secondary to a guy like me, then i can see why the public at large doesn't care that much. It seems most of the folks posting here are still stuck in puberty and enjoy bench racing more than comfort and style though.

 

No one's going to say anything till they are sure it'll happen. Then some GM higher up will mention it off the record, and it will end up in the press in the way that Dodge Challenger story happened.

BTW, Summer's not over till September 21st.

Ask your question September 22nd.

 

Ok...just to make sure...you DO know Chevy makes the Corvette right?
If you had hard feelings, they couldnt be that hard to buy a 50k car.

 

I can't believe GM is still "talking about a RWD car". The Mustang has been a smash hit for nearly a year. Oh well. At least they'll have their new full size SUV's out in time for the next gas crunch.

 

Does no one see that he thinks that Chevy can steal ALL of the Mustang sales? I think this is a pretty bold statement.

BTW, outside of the Mustang what does GM have to answer to concerning Ford? I think the real threat is coming from Chrysler, not Ford. The Mustang maybe opening some eyes, but like Guy said, it won't make a brand/company.