For some reason,I see that coming in the next few years

 

I don't.

There seems to more and more edging their way out.

 

I meant with GM

 

GM has tried this already and it didn't work, as they are finding out now. RWD will come back to GM in addition to the successful (ie: some FWD cars going away) FWD models.

 

I think the OEs are figguring out that we werent buying trucks just to look big and bad... Some of us actually enjoy driving something with the twist going to the proper end.

Far from the death of FWD, as FWD does have its place, but I think RWD is back, and here to stay.

 

Quite the opposite is happening...... RWD is making a strong comeback. It's best in 20+ years!

 

Care to share any evidence???? or is this just a random post?


RWD is coming back to GM.

A few years ago there was only 2 RWD cars at GM, now there is 6 (STS,CTS,XLR,GTO,C6,Solstice) with many more on the way (Saturn Sky, Camaro, Caddy ULS, Buick Park Ave., Grand Prix)

 

Actually, you are about 10 years too late. When Zarella came in with his management team from outside the car industry, they took a look at where the larger profits margins were, and took GM in that direction.

That meant Trucks, SUVs, and expensive cars (Cadillac & Corvette) and standardized FWD setups for automotive appliences. GM's B-bodies (Caprice, Roadmaster, Impala SS, DeVilles) could be replaced with existing FWD structures. F-bodies could be replaced with mid-sized FWD structures. Efforts to develop V-cars (Holden Commodores, etc...) for here were cancelled. Even developing a sigma based replacement for Camaro & Firebird were killed off.


Today, GM is moving in the opposite direction. There's at least 2 definate new RWD cars coming in the near future (no, I don't mean Solstice & Sky), and odds are they will form the basis of at least 2 more. To top this off, there's still plans to add even more models by decade's end.

If RWD is dying anywhere, I'd say it's Ford. The RWD Crown Vic's future still isn't guaranteed beyond this next restyling.

 

I have seven cars at home, six are RWD (one is 4WD), and six are American V8s.

Anyone that thinks RWD is dead, is completely out to lunch.

 

Especially considering that most if not all of Chrysler's mainstream models are going to RWD! (excluding the smaller cars ala Neon, Pt, etc)

 

Yep. The Challenger isn't going to be the only car built off a shortened LX.

 

Crown Vic as you know it is dead after '08 model year. Think D3...

 

I don't think RWD will ever die, just as FWD never will. There's room in the automotive universe for both.

What might come to an end in the next few years, though, are the horsepower wars. It's far from certain that this will happen so don't take off my head. Fuel prices are an obvious concern, but there's also plenty of nanny-state types on both sides of the aisle in Congress that are likely just itching to "save lives". Don't forget that about the insurance industry, either.

 

Know what will affect the future of FWD and RWD more than anything yet noted....

Alternative Fuels.

Mark my words... the future development of fuel cells, electric motivation, and refueling architecture will do more to decide FWD or RWD in the next 10 years than anything else. If space is needed for electric drive motors that are direct-coupled to the axle, then RWD will be here to stay unless we go to rear-wheel steering (which ain't likely IMO). The necessity of U-joints and suspension complications to front-steer a FWD vehicle is much more complicated and expensive than a straight-coupled shaft in a front-steer RWD setup.
Complexity = higher mfg. cost = higher sales price = undesireable.

Likewise, if a motive system is developed to allow economical FWD and the rear space is needed for batteries or generative devices, we could see FWD prevail as the prime choice.

For the near future, RWD will be around, as it is "cheap" and bulletproof, which a lot of manufacturers need to take advantage of right now to stay competitive and recall-free.

 

Yeah... friggin' do-gooders.
Don't you love people who know what is good for you better than you do...