G8 ST Dead
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From: Kansas City, MO
I feel for you, seriously. You were the first person I thought of when I saw this thread earlier today. Nothing sucks more than to have something you really wanted dangled in front of your face then having it taken away.
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From: Santa Clara, CA
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From: Berkley, MI
Don't count on it being gone forever. There are many prototypes of this car being validated at GM's powertrain suppliers in MI. The design is there and I have driven it, it is just a matter of getting GM to bless the car once they have more free cash flow. By the way, one of the prototype cars did have a manual trans as well.
Last edited by matLT1; Jan 6, 2009 at 04:34 PM.
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Posts: 929
Don't count on it being gone forever. There are many prototypes of this car being validated at GM's powertrain suppliers in MI. The design is there and I have driven it, it is just a matter of getting GM to bless the car once they have more free cash flow. By the way, one of the prototype cars did have a manual trans as well.
Thanks for that, I guess we'll see.
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From: Oakland, California
You guys DO realize that since GM expected to sell both the G8 ST and Z28 at roughly the same volume, and the Z28 more adversely affects CAFE (check out CTSv's numbers) we're almost certainly going to see that cancelled as well.
The press of GM coming out with a car like the Z28 would play alot worse than a sport truck would have.
The press of GM coming out with a car like the Z28 would play alot worse than a sport truck would have.
Had the G8 ST been a Chevy El Camino, I doubt we'd be having this conversation.
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From: All around
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From: Oakland, California
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From: Berkley, MI
Silly move. The work and spending is already done, and the ST would have done zilch to (if it sold in unexpected volume) been a positive influence on GM's truck CAFE rating
That one step has reduced the number of cars from GM I'm considering buying next year by 50%.
You guys DO realize that since GM expected to sell both the G8 ST and Z28 at roughly the same volume, and the Z28 more adversely affects CAFE (check out CTSv's numbers) we're almost certainly going to see that cancelled as well.
The press of GM coming out with a car like the Z28 would play alot worse than a sport truck would have.
Before you ask, the GT500 gets a pass because it's already been out for a couple of years and Ford isn't looking at immediately imploding without Federal help.
Rant all you want at this likelihood, but don't be shocked when you get the news.
That one step has reduced the number of cars from GM I'm considering buying next year by 50%.
You guys DO realize that since GM expected to sell both the G8 ST and Z28 at roughly the same volume, and the Z28 more adversely affects CAFE (check out CTSv's numbers) we're almost certainly going to see that cancelled as well.
The press of GM coming out with a car like the Z28 would play alot worse than a sport truck would have.
Before you ask, the GT500 gets a pass because it's already been out for a couple of years and Ford isn't looking at immediately imploding without Federal help.
Rant all you want at this likelihood, but don't be shocked when you get the news.
I really don't think it has anything to do with CAFE standards, but moreso to do with GM trying to free up more cash so they can survive these troubled times. Most every company stationed in Michigan is taking very similar measures right now in an attempt to remain affloat.
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From: The Golden State
But aren't they apples and oranges Guy? While they may have planned on similar volumes, the G8 ST is a Pontiac and for all intents and purposes we know that Pontiac is for the most part dead. (At least to product development.) Plus, the Ute (G8 ST) is essentially a truck on a car platform and based on how poorly trucks are selling these days, perhaps they couldn't convince the bean-counters it would sell.
Had the G8 ST been a Chevy El Camino, I doubt we'd be having this conversation.
Had the G8 ST been a Chevy El Camino, I doubt we'd be having this conversation.
GM isn't about to bring out a new, 500+ horsepower, roughly 190mph Camaro supercar after gaining hardfought taxpayer backed money.
On the ST, what you are missing (don't fret, you aren't the only one
), is that we are talking about a vehicle that is already in production and has not only already sold many many thousand models in at least 3 countries, but already is US import ready. All it needs is the boat ride over here.Regardless as to how many (or few) it sold, it's a success because it's added sales to an already existing vehicle.... not an investment on a all new one (ie: Camaro Z28).
I really don't think it has anything to do with CAFE standards, but moreso to do with GM trying to free up more cash so they can survive these troubled times. Most every company stationed in Michigan is taking very similar measures right now in an attempt to remain affloat.
Note I mentioned if it sold in sufficient numbers, it would actually help GM's truck CAFE.
However, it's hard to imagine how much money you'd save on a vehicle already in production with parts already used on the assembly line.
Last edited by guionM; Jan 6, 2009 at 05:11 PM.
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It has nothing to do with the badge other than GM is planning to scale back Pontiac to a niche performance brand sold at Buick/GMC dealerships, meanwhile they're publicly saying that Chevrolet is their volume brand. All I'm suggesting is that a North American Ute had a better chance in today's market as a Chevrolet than a Pontiac; not from the standpoint of the buyers, but from the standpoint of surviving the bean counters.