Automotive News / Industry / Future Vehicle Discussion Automotive news and discussion about upcoming vehicles

G8 sedan "might survive with another GM badge." Wait, what?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 10:32 AM
  #1  
95redLT1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,505
From: Charleston, WV
G8 sedan "might survive with another GM badge." Wait, what?

Its also worth noting that GM Arabia has 3 sedans with the Epica(189"), Lumina(192"), & Caprice
(200")

Automotive News: Pontiac G8 Might Survive?

Despite GM CEO Fritz Henderson saying "no chance" at a Pontiac G8 rebranded for Chevy, Buick or any other GM brand, Automotive News today reports GM's Tom Stephens claiming the G8 sedan "might survive with another GM badge." Wait, what?

Despite a denial of the possibility by GM CEO Fritz Henderson, Automotive News reports this morning Tom Stephens, GM's vice-chairman of global product development is claiming there's still the possibility the Pontiac G8 will show up in another GM brand. The things is he doesn't actually say that. But his quote in the report? It doesn't so much say that:

"I know there's still discussions on it," says Stephens. "But Chevrolet already has several sedans. How many sedans do you need to cover the waterfront?"
Hmm, that reads more to us like "I know enthusiasts are discussing this, but we're not going to be doing it." There aren't any more sources they're quoting in today's piece.

We're glad to see Automotive News has shed the shackles of reporting constructs of the "mainstream" media and now has the same — if not worse — reporting standards than us mere bloggers. [Automotive News]
http://jalopnik.com/5282913/automoti...-might-survive

Last edited by 95redLT1; Jun 8, 2009 at 10:36 AM.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 10:36 AM
  #2  
Josh452's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,496
From: Roseville, MI, USA
Here's the answer to your question, Tom.

Yes Chevrolet has several sedans already, however Chevrolet does not have a rear-wheel-drive sedan.

End of dicusssion.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 10:46 AM
  #3  
Z28x's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Chevy has enough FWD sedans is what he should have said.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 10:46 AM
  #4  
Koz2's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 200
I don't see anything in the OP that even hints that the G8 might survive.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 10:52 AM
  #5  
95redLT1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,505
From: Charleston, WV
Originally Posted by Koz2
I don't see anything in the OP that even hints that the G8 might survive.
The only thing is he says "there are still discussions on it". Nothing major, but atleast they are talking about it. Hopefully G8 sales will continue to be high. Anyone know if they are still making them?
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 11:52 AM
  #6  
Geoff Chadwick's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,154
From: All around
I thought I read that the G8 had stopped rolling off the line in Oz and no more were shipping, but I could be wrong. People have said the G8 was a smash hit and a great car - and they are partly right - but we do not know the profit margins or the bottom line. If the G8 does not make profit, it cannot be sold with GMNA's current scheme. It may be, it may not be.

Tom's words speak virtually nothing about the G8's future, but Henderson's words were better - Henderson said the G8 GXP was toast - Specifically the GXP and not the G8 itself. In a day where CAFE numbers and the govt are king, a snarling 415hp rockship is politically incorrect, so that makes sense to me.

But even then the G8 is a target. Why bring it to the US as a Chevy when a leaner, better, Alpha could potentially be here in late 2011, a scant 2 years away?

If Zeta does live on, it would need the DI V6 with 6spd auto or manual and mpg numbers to pretty much match the Camaro and they'd need to keep the price in line at a Chevy dealer.

...Or they bring in the Buick Zeta that they already sell in China...
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 12:01 PM
  #7  
JakeRobb's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
Originally Posted by 95redLT1
The only thing is he says "there are still discussions on it". Nothing major, but atleast they are talking about it. Hopefully G8 sales will continue to be high. Anyone know if they are still making them?
He doesn't say that the discussions are occurring within GM. We're discussing it here; he could be referring to us.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 12:18 PM
  #8  
97QuasarBlue3.8's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,018
Goodbye Impala. Hello reborn "Super Sport" born from unobtainum. No, in my world it wouldn't have an SS badge, it would literally be called the Chevrolet Super Sport. I think it might be useful for GM to spin off that platform as a one-off model unique to Chevrolet as a limited production performance sedan.

It would be for those with a bad-boy streak who are too grown up to deal with the Camaro's cheeky looks, but not willing do dump money on an upscale car for the brand factor. It would operate in the same niche that the Taurus SHO will, but it will have to make up for itself in good looks and performance over the SHO's turbo'd AWD configuration.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 02:55 PM
  #9  
jg95z28's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,705
From: Oakland, California
"I know there's still discussions on it," says Stephens. "But Chevrolet already has several sedans. How many sedans do you need to cover the waterfront?"
That's pretty scary IMHO. What he's really saying is, "We don't need a RWD Chevy sedan because our customers are happy with our FWD products."

After all that has happened, GM is still clueless about their own products and customers.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 03:03 PM
  #10  
Aaron91RS's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 162
From: St. Louis, MO
What they are really saying is they have no clue about anything.

This from the 'bankruptcy is not an option' people.

maybe penske-saturn will import some holdens for us.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 04:03 PM
  #11  
poSSum's Avatar
Disciple
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,479
An observation from my world.

A fellow showed up for autocross yesterday for his first time in a black G8 GT. My wife isn't a "car person" and made no connection between the G8 GT and the G8 GXP I insisted would be the car we'd buy if a car with a metal roof was what we drove when she registered him for the event.

Today she asked me what the "tubby black 4 door" was that attracted so much attention. One of our local hot shoes took it for a fun run and was impressed. There's not a lot of GM, or for that matter domestic, product that catches the attention of our autoXers.

All this verbiage to say that GM is, IMO, making a big mistake if this car doesn't stay in the NA line-up one way or another.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 04:58 PM
  #12  
eagleknight97's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,495
From: Westmont, IL
Originally Posted by 97QuasarBlue3.8
Goodbye Impala. Hello reborn "Super Sport" born from unobtainum.
So Oakley is making it
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 05:39 PM
  #13  
Z28x's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
If they keep selling 3000+ a month under the Chevy badge for an average price of $26,000 that is about $1 Billion a year of revenue. Seems like they would be crazy not to keep this car going as a Chevy. Development is paid for though Holden sales. How much longer until the new Commodore comes out? MY2012?
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 06:08 PM
  #14  
crYnOid's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 384
From: Australia
Originally Posted by Z28x
If they keep selling 3000+ a month under the Chevy badge for an average price of $26,000 that is about $1 Billion a year of revenue. Seems like they would be crazy not to keep this car going as a Chevy. Development is paid for though Holden sales. How much longer until the new Commodore comes out? MY2012?
There is a minor update coming in a few months. Exterior updates, 3L + 3.6L DI V6, 6 speed auto on all engines. No word on interior.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 09:03 PM
  #15  
El Duce's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 429
How is this even a matter of debate? Kill that awful thing that is currently pretending be an Impala and PRESTO!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:05 PM.