In an Automotive News interview with Mark LaNeve discussing pricing strategies, a couple questions of Pontiac Firebird and competition with Camaro sprout up...

Source: http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../60130011/1041

 

"I'm not speculating on any of that, but a rear-drive performance-oriented product would be a good fit for Pontiac. "

Would be? Would be????!!! You have a rear-drive performance-oriented product... it's called GTO!

 

And solstice

 

But wont be wont be . 2006 is GTO's last year with no product plan for it at this time .

 

Don't be so quick to say that.

Remember, there's no plans to produce Camaro "at this time" either.

Anyone catch that he said "coupe or sedan, that remains to be seen" when asked about Firebird?

Yes, that's a clue.

 

I shoulda been more specific , no concrete plans . Wasnt implying they werent working on anything at all . Hell , I about believe anything anymore .

I did read a article that stated after the sucess of the "gorgeous" Mercedes 4 door coupe , car makers are scrambling to have their own . Mostly mentioned lux brands though with references to 4 door coupes coming from Audi and Austin Martin . I think something like this would be VERY Pontiac . Done right , read ....a mean , drop dead gorgeous 4 door coupe with RWD and a LS3 would be wildly sucessful for Pontiac . Even a all the style in a 6 cyl base would go well I think . It would give GM a direct competitor to the Charger and the 300c that would appeal to a broader range of people who are turned off by the look of a 4 door and the slab sided boxy LX twins . I would almost rather see that from Pontiac than a Firebird . Full effort into that 1 badass car that has broad appeal , rather than a 4 door G8 and a GTO or Firebird .

 

Nothing new.

The current & aging Grand Prix is already almost there. It's about the most coupe-like sedan out there.

 

I think the business case for the new Camaro probably makes a lot more sense with a Firebird twin thrown in...

 

Four door Firebird... that would be scary.

 

Whats wrong with the solstice?

 

its tiny...

Would a Zeta sedan be a good replacement for the GP? could we get a G8 out of the Zeta?

 

Guy, the response of "coupe or sedan" when asked about firebird, can you elaborate any more on it or is it hush hush? Because I'm thinking a few things, either the G8 will make an appearance replacing th Grand Prix, GTO comes in with the suicide doors, or maybe, just maybe Firebird has a shot of returning?? As a big Firebird fan myself, I would love that. Can you clear up the clue?

 

Wasn't the business plan a few years ago to make Pontiac nothing but sedans, or am I confusing that with Old's last hail-mary?

 

I don't think so, if it was Solstice really threw that out the window. I know Dodge's lineup was supposed to be all 5 doors at one point.

 

The common wisdom (including with me) was that the GTO was cancelled last year, and was folded in with Camaro. Now it seems like GTO will still be a separate car, or a model designation of a Pontiac coupe.

In theory this could make it easy for Firebird to return. But GM is cutting overlap, and I'm not sure how much they're willing to bring back Firebird. Especially since Pontiac hasn't given up their "Sophisticated performance" goal.

Stay tuned.