I've been carefully considering Bob Lutz's recent comments on Zeta and the GTO. What follows is part fact and part opinion. But it's my take.

I've doublechecked several sources over the past couple of days, and as of yet, there is simply NO indication that Pontiac's G8 and GTO programs have been restarted, since their cancellations over a year ago.

So what are these GTO comments really about? My opinion, the "Camaro Effect". Lutz saw how absolutely fervent, Camaro enthusiasts were about their car. That's me and you bub. He was able to effectively direct our intensity - in order to bludgeon bloody - the GM decision making process, until they finally acquiesced to a new Camaro.

Right now, as it appears to me, GM has started to back away from some of the previous Zeta programs that were being worked on or considered. The aforementioned Pontiac GP replacement and GTO, Velite, even the 'sure thing' RWD Impala is taking sniper fire regarding the wisdom of going RWD.

Guess which side of the fence Bob sits on, regarding this matter? He's one of us.

Soooo......

Go to Geneva. Tell the press that the GTO is not only back on...it wasn't ever really that cancelled. Get everyone waiting/expecting/demanding it, get the buzz going and sit back and let the energy coalesce. It sure makes it tougher for the Board to not cough up these programs now...or at least that's what I think.

Geeze, brilliant!

 

Go to Geneva? It was hard enough to get to Detroit

My belief? G8 and GTO will happen. I don't have the "inside" info like you or Guy, and I won't pretend to. But Pontiac needs product, and everyone knows it. Zeta needs as much volume as possible to be profitable. IMO, a Zeta-type vehicle benefits Pontiac more than Buick, far more than Saturn, and Caddy is all set with Sigma.

So unless Zeta is Chevy and Buick only, IMO Pontiac is a shoo-in. I keep thinking back to what Guy said about how styling mock ups were created, Holden is doing the chassis work, and Pontiac and Buick can come in in the 11th hour (or 6 months before debut, as he said), make the style fit the final chassis, get the Quiet Tuning or handling tweaks, and head out.

We're still talking 24 months away. A lot can change. I see what you're saying, and I see what Guy is saying. But GM knows it needs volume, and Pontiac is their #2 volume division. They won't back away...Oldsmobile taught them it costs a lot more to close a line than anyone imagined. That, and Pontiac has a relatively low average buyer age for GM...something they need now more than ever.

To me, Zeta is/will be the sales soul and heart & soul of Pontiac's revival. I would be shocked if Pontiac does NOT get Zeta. I know GM wants to pare down the BP offerings...but no one can say a Lucerne takes GP sales, and vice versa. GM only has 3 W car offerings now (Impala + MC = 1)...selling a Zeta Buick and a Zeta Pontiac in the same showroom is pretty good, not bad, IMO. Chevy will take the volume, BP takes the niche on a budget, and everyone including dealers is happy...

 

Not us Jason. Lutz.

 

And WHY at this point is GM still teetering about RWD?????????? Has the 300/Magnum/Charger not taught them most people couldn't care less, and that enthusiasts love it? Make AWD an option for $2k, and you're even better off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe FWD is still holding them back. Hell, I like FWD a lot...it benefits me this time of year a great deal. But, I'll lash some studded snows on and go for it...I can't believe the LX cars haven't taught GM a lesson. How sad...

 

Lutz also mentions a Buick Stateman. I missed it if it was already discussed:
Src: AutoWeek

Now obviously Holden has a Statesman, so I don't know if this implies a future replacement would be exported from NA and shared with Buick (ala next GTO) or if it's a coincidence in name.


2006 Holden Statesman

 

Crap, I need more coffee...I must have misread your post. Problem is, I don't drink coffee, and its barely the PM...not the best time for a beer, and my boss won't appreciate it...

Not that she probably appreciates me doing this instead of work, but hey, its lunch time. About that beer...

 

Holy schmoley, most people would be out on their butt if they pulled something like that at their job. I guess Wagoner really does have Bob's back.

Jason - You're right, you'd think the runaway success of Chrysler's LX would shake something up in the culture at GM. What's the deal???

 

From what he has posted, Guy seems to have sources that say the GTO (and friends) is definately being worked on right now.......

 

And he's entitled to his opinion....

 

We're gonna have to have a Cage Match between you two to settle this!

In all seriousness, though.... if he does have a source(s) that definately says work is being done... that's pretty good to me.

Could just mean that maybe the guys you are getting info from do not have info on the project?

Not trying to be smart, but I know every source out there does not have all the info on every project out there...

 

And you're entitled to your opinion as well, Darth.

 

I tried to make an effort to make that not sound like I am picking one of you over the other as far as validity of information goes.... that is not the case.

How can I show this in an example......???

Let's say you both have 10 radios. You both are listening to 10 stations. A few may be the same, and the others are different. Now, he may get some news on the Pittsburgh Steelers, because he is listening to a Pittsburgh station that you are not... now, just because you did not get that information on your other stations, doesn't mean that he is getting bad information....

Does that make any sense?

Eh, that's the way it runs through my head, anyway.

 

 

You know I used that example just for you.... right?

 

I guess if you're confident in your position, I could see someone burning up some political capitol to advance an agenda.