You know....reading about the Chrysler 300C, really reminds me that Chevy needs a big, fast, glorious RWD V8 sedan.

The SRT-4 reminds me that Chevy needs a cheap, sizzling fast, FWD entry level car. ( OK, the Cobalt SS Supercharged.....but I'll bet it'll cost more and be way slower than the SRT-4).

The Ram and F-150 remind me that Chevy trucks have lost their edge.

And of course, Mustang reminds me that Chevy needs a totally a$$-kicking YOU-KNOW-WHAT.

OK, so we know that new products are in the pipeline, and trucks are ending their product cycle just when the others are beginning theirs.
But is Chevy so far behind that it risks irrelevancy?

 

I've thought about that same thing. GM has good stuff coming, we all know that, but if everyone else beats em to the punch, the public is gonna look at Chevy/GM as followers and not leaders. Either way, I can see GM playing major catchup in the sales catagory once these new products from other manufacturers start really taking off.

BTW, Chrysler's new 300 is ALL the reasons why GM (more specifically, Chevy) REALLY needs a full-size RWD sedan again. 300's have gotten nothing but rave reviews and with their starting price, they should sell like hotcakes. Zeta wont get here fast enough.......

 

Its image is plowing downward, certainly, at least as far as I'm concerned. And I'm the only demographic I care about.

- Malibu turned out just tacky looking in real life.
- Impala is aging and it shows. Actually, the Camry and Accord are in the same predicament (Camry especially so). Nissan really has the midsize market cornered stylewise.
- The Aveo does not convey a good image for Chevrolet, but looks better than the Malibu.
- The Colorado has a mild presence on the street, but looks too rugged for anyone to want to customize (big faced).
- The Chevy trucks are all extremely out of date, particularly interior-wise. Furthermore, WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO FIX THE ALWAYS BURNT-OUT RUNNING LIGHT?
- The Cobalt and the Journey/small SUV thing look the nicest out of all of them now. But I haven't actually seen a production Cobalt yet, or its option list.

It's not looking good for the bowtie today. Don't know what's coming, but today, forget it.

 

GM appears too big and fat to get things done in a timely fashion. It is plagued with disorganization and inflexibility. They really seem to be more of a holding or marketing company than a producer of automobiles these days. E.g. it's not their "core competency", or something.

Maybe I'm talking out of my ***, but I guess it's because of all the disappointment.

 

I guess we are still paying the price of the actions of GMs former management from back in the late 90s. But there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel, at least I hope.

I still think it was a big mistake ending the B-Bodies. I believe that line could have been continuely refined. And like with so many other GM programs it was getting on the right track when the plug was pulled.

 

True, once Lutz's creations start hitting the streets it will be easy to openly be a GM enthusiast. Right now though, its pretty grim.

Imagine what they could've done with the B-bodies? LS1 and possibly future LS2 powered RWD Caprices and Impalas. Oh the possibilities.......

 

WHAT!! So Chryster makes a large RWD sedan, so should we? I dont get that?
As for the Cobalt, why would it cost more? The Ion comes in at under 20k, I suspect the Cobalt to be right next to it.
The Chevy truck sells more then the Dodge trucks... what, we dont have a hemi, so we cant compete? Lost what edge? The 5.3 makes plenty of power, and gets great gas milage?
As for the Mustang....I dont think that the Camaro is going to save the image of Chevy

Impalla sales are up, despite what you guys say. Ending the Bbodies was a bad idea? So keeping large land boats is a good idea?

I dont see this irrelevancy that you guys speak of. I see nothing but clear skys for not only Chevy, but all of GM. Sales keep going up, profits keep rolling in, and better and better product is hitting the floors. Behind? I dont call 10 new cars in 20 months behind. I dont call that "slow". I think you guys are looking at irrelevant points, like not having a Camaro will hurt Chevy's brand image or not having a 300hp FWD compact will destroy Chevy's name.
The Colorado is a great truck. Everyone is upset that the 3.5 V8 I-5 doesnt make as much power as Dodges 4.7 V8? The Colorado is a great truck, try driving one.
The Aveo is getting a lot of press, and everyone, including Car and Driver, liked the car.
Motor Trend PRAISED the Malibu for its value. They said," The Malibu's sticker price screams 'value' like an all you can eat buffet at the International House of Filet Mignon." Sales are also increasing monthly for the Malibu. The Maxx offers something that no one offers a cool little hatch back with great handling and power, with more room then you can shake a stick at.
I dont see a need or a massive demand for a RWD sedan. It think its a good idea, but the draw for one isnt THAT great.
I dont see any problems with Chevy and its future. Its present products are doing fantastic, and there are still more coming out. I dont think that Chevy is losing any ground. And on top of all of this, the Corvette is coming out to be the baddest Corvette ever made. Y

 

Agreed with you guys. Chevy needs to pick it up, and fast.

 

Big Al - great post. I don't see why it's panic time for Chevy. You've got an "old-school" truck line that still outsells it's competition, an Impala that doesn't strike a cord with enthusiasts but does with a couple hundred thousand others every year (it's not always about us is it???) a Cobalt that should be so vastly superior to Cavalier it is sickening and will be the nicest small car on the market IMO....so the supercharged SS won't be quite as fast as the SRT-4, big deal....how many SRT-4 Neons are sold each year? The SS will outsell the SRT because it's a better car in all the other areas that people look at in a compact car. In short, if Chevy can keep the sales momentum going through these times now, just wait till they get to "the good stuff".

 

Tend to agree with Al & Wilson here.....I think you guys are using the wrong measuring stick....and some off the reasoning is actually pretty silly.

I've seen nothing but winners coming out in the "Revolution"....and there's more to come!

 

All of that, DESPITE the fact that the deep-pocketed GM is basically paying US to buy a Chevy...
Let's not forget about the rebates and financing issues.
GM is still king of the hill in that arena, whereas everyone else is selling more-or-less "ad-hoc", and exceeding expected profits (at least Ford did in Q1).

 

Right now Chevy is selling more cars than any other brand, I'd say that's not too bad.............and there is still more good stuff to come. Don't for get about the new C6 and Equinox and Cobalt comming out in the very short term, all of whih are key vehicles and look to be very promising. As far as the rebates, the prices are jacked up to compensate for this so I don't think that is really an issue. I'd say, Chevy is in a pretty good spot as long as they keep things moving, and I think they will.

 

Another point on the trucks:

Colorado destroys, um... Ranger. (Read: DINOSAUR! lol), and the Dakota's styling, IMO will be awkward if it follows the new Durango's styling.

The Silverado line is 'old' looking, because Dodge and Ford have recently re-done their full size lines.... Remember when Silverado debuted in 99, it was the fresh face, and WAS the freshest face alll the way until the new Ram came out, and then the F150.

Heck, Silverado even got a mild face lift (like it ot not, still got it) while the old Ram and F150 ran their whole life cycles basically unchanges visually.

I actually give CREDIT to GM for trucks and the way they've handled it to this point...

 

Purley bread and butter cars is all Chevy is maing right now. (excpet for the Corvette)
The words bland and boring come to mind. Too many powertrains with automatics only as well. Not drivers cars.

I do like the full size trucks and the Colorado seemed nice.
And of course the Cobalt looks like a winner but otherwise I would spend my money elsewhere.

But for the ignorant masses, Chevy is a possibility.

 

That's exactly the point was making.