As most of the regulars know, Cobalt's Lordstown Assembly is located in my area... so I hear things now and then...

This one wasn't from some great secret source, but local radio reported it at lunch.

Supposedly local government officials and the local UAW are pressing for talks with GM about allocating a product to Lordstown after 2008 when they said "Cobalt production is scheduled to end".

Now, this obviously could mean a freshening or even an all-new car (that would be awful fast, though)... but it sounds as though Lordstown has nothing scheduled beyond 2008.

Anyone have any input on this?

 

I would assume that's in reference to the current exact car.
Cobalt MCE is due in MY08 or MY09 probably.

 

Cobalt isn't going anywhere (as far as Chevy's lineup goes).

Cobalt is scheduled for a refresh in 2008, which could mean anything from a new nose to all new sheetmetal.

My guess is that the UAW & Lordstown plant contract with GM to make Cobalts expires in 2008, and they need to decide if they want to keep Cobalt there or not. Unlike Oshawa, Ste. Therese, and a maybe a couple of other GM plants, there is no "mandate" to continue making Cobalt at Lordstown & they're free to move Cobalt to another plant when the contract expires.

It's also entirely possible that GM may even add another product to the line, though I doubt it since Saturn is getting their "Delta" from Opel in Europe, and Pontiac won't be keeping their G5 coupe past 2008 last I heard.

 

Even though the Cobalt is a girly looking car...I think it has what it takes to last for a while.

 

The Cobalt SS is pretty cool, though.

The only "girly car" I've ever heard of that had it's suspension tuned at Nurbringing.

 

maybe in 2008 they can give it a good transmission. the current ss/sc has a terrible 5 speed and is the biggest reason that i stopped looking at them after i test drove one. i wont own a new car thats going to be in the shop several months at a time only to patch the problem and not really fix it.

 

Hmmmm , in 42,000 hard driving miles mine has been at the dealer for 0 mechanical problems . I have my own opinions I wont go into hear about the gear ratio's , but the trans itself is pretty strong . The weakness is the clutch , I nipped that in the butt early on with a spec 2+ and an aluminum flywheel ...nuthin but smiles since

The only up is a F-40 6speed . Ive not driven a Saab or a GTP G6 with this trans so I have no input .

 

ive heard people use that MCE before, what is it?

 

Mid-Cycle Enhancement. Its generally used to refer to cosmetic changes done in the middle of the lifecycle of a car. The '98 Fbods are an example of an MCE. They weren't all new, but had significant changes.

 

Has the mustang been on the ring?

 

Nope.

All the more reason I respect the Cobalt SS.

 

And the Cobalt beat the Mustang around Virginia International Speedway!!

I guess suspension tuning has its advantages??

Edit: ... and so does having more power at the wheels than you advertise at the flywheel!!!

(typical GM style! )

 

Actually in Car and Drivers Lightning Lap road test , the Cobalt was 3 tenths qwiker around the track than the mustang GT .....despite the fact the stanger was qwicker in the straights .

 

Not a girl car, but girly looking for sure.
If I drove a mustang GT, I'd be ashamed that something this femine looking took it around a track.

(But it has to be femine to sell well)

 

Speaking of lordstown is the pontiac G5 also made there?