Even if the average selling price isn't "cheap", a great trend that I see developing at GM and around the auto industry is offering a "reverse sticker shock" model in a car lineup. If you look at the car lines that have done this they are hugely successful

Chrysler 300 $23K
Magnum $22K
Solstice $19,995
Mustang V6 & GT
Corvette C6 $43K

Then look at cars that have done the opposite and only offered the high end models

SSR $43K
GTO $33K
T-bird $38K
Silverado SS $40K

Now on the "reverse sticker shock" list must people don't buy that model, the spring for more expensive models in that lineup like the $33K 300C (same price as GTO) which can top out at $41K. I priced out a Solstice and with the minimum features that I'd want the car was $23K. Base package Vettes will account for less than 10% of production. While the base models don't sell as well or make that much profit they create huge buzz for the car and make it feel like a better value.

Just think how much better the SSR would have been received with a cloth seat hardtop for $33,000 (same price as the out going Lightning), or the Silverado SS based on a well equipped LS instead of a loaded LT for $8,000 less.

The Solstice gives a lot of hope for a "stripper" Camaro and hopefully a lightly equipped GTO for $27-$28K. I love the performance coming from the big 3 but I hate having to buy every option on the list just to get that sweet powertrain. The automotive press seams to fall for these "reverse sticker shock" models too which is always good