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Possible 5th gen news from a very reliable source

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Old Jun 18, 2002 | 09:41 PM
  #1  
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Exclamation Possible 5th gen news from a very reliable source

Okay, I have it from my most accurate source that GM is studying the possiblility of producing the GTO, the Holden Ute (As an El Camino) and another Chevrolet CAR at the Linden New Jersey plant beginning in 2006. This would both help the strained Elizabeth City plant in Austrailia, and appease the UAW at the same time.

Think about it, 2006ish is supposed to be the debut of the new affordable RWD platform, and all of these vehicles would be RWD and 2 door. Not to count this would allow the Camaro to go back to more of a 1st gen like configuration.

This is ample time for a Camaro to be approved and designed.... The hard engineering work only takes 12-18 months.

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[This message has been edited by FUTURE_OF_GM (edited June 18, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by FUTURE_OF_GM (edited June 18, 2002).]
Old Jun 18, 2002 | 09:52 PM
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It could also be a Monte Carlo (sigh).

But I suppose if this is true and a Camaro doesn't make it to the plant, then the future Camaro outlook is not good at all.

Who knows... at least it's a new rumor.

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Old Jun 18, 2002 | 09:56 PM
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BUT The Monte Carlo is currently still supposed to be built on a modified W-body, and since the Quebec plant is so efficient I don't see the Monte relocating any time soon.

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"THE F_O_G HAS RISEN, AND WITH IT BEGINS THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA."

1967-2002, Thanks for 35 years of prestige and performance...... We look forward to the FUTURE.
Old Jun 18, 2002 | 10:49 PM
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Any word on which platform would be used?
Old Jun 18, 2002 | 11:01 PM
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I think I am going to drive by to Linden tomorrow and check it out. =)

Wow, will be nice to know, well, It would be nice if Camaro's would be made 30 mins from where I live!

go chevy! go chevy! It's your birthday, its your birthday, hehe.

Ok, getting too excited.

But actually, this would make sense, because the people in NJ have petitioned to GM to keep that plant alive because it was to be closed in 2005 or 2006.

This was in the paper, I want to find the article.

Because this plant, and also a Ford plant in a nearby town were going to close.

I really hope this is true.

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Old Jun 18, 2002 | 11:07 PM
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I assume it would use the same "Value" version of the Sigma that Commodore is going to use.
Old Jun 19, 2002 | 07:40 AM
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Well, this would make a lot of sense... definatly an 'eyebrow lifter' to say the least
Old Jun 19, 2002 | 10:33 AM
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Yeah, assuming the GTO would be on the new sigma-lite platform by then (current Holden platform will be quite old by 2006), then there's no reason the plant could not produce Camaros, which we pretty much already know will be on sigma-lite if built at all.

And taking a leap here, if the blurb from a few weeks ago that if the GTO name flops, Firebird could return, then we'd have Camaro and Firebird back in 06 or 07, both on a modified sigma chassis.

Sounds great, but the 5 year wait is going to be excruciating.
Old Jun 19, 2002 | 11:59 AM
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Ford has the market on Police cars. If Chevy was smart it would bring back a full size RWD car.

The Impala is a discgrace to the name and the idea of the Wrong-Wheel-Drive Impala SS makes my stomach turn.

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Old Jun 19, 2002 | 12:13 PM
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**********UPDATE**********

Okay, the source that broke this news said he would lean towards Monte Carlo BUT he also said they would likely use the VE chassis for this venture. If this prove true, then another plant could come online to produce a Camaro, and a RWD sedan for possibly 2 GM divisions. He also said North America production of the VE could easily surpass 500,000 units annually. I'm assuming that what he means by this is the Camaro could have more sales flexibility, as costs would be spread around a lot better.

Other theories have the said vehicle being a limited production Chevelle or something of that nature, or maybe a Caprice, with alternative fuel capabilities, for fleet sales.

Even though this may just prove to be another rumor, it is GOOD NEWS because it is news about the move to RWD any many doors opening for the new Camaro program.

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"THE F_O_G HAS RISEN, AND WITH IT BEGINS THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA."

1967-2002, Thanks for 35 years of prestige and performance...... We look forward to the FUTURE.

[This message has been edited by FUTURE_OF_GM (edited June 19, 2002).]
Old Jun 19, 2002 | 04:07 PM
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Whatever comes out of this rumor is promising because of the RWD angle. Let's hope that GM gets it's a$$ in gear and starts turning out some affordable RWD performance cars. How cool would an American built Chevelle and GTO be?

And F.O.G., nice post. It's nice to be getting back to the original intent of this board.
Old Jun 19, 2002 | 07:00 PM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by FUTURE_OF_GM:
... and since the Quebec plant is so efficient I don't see the Monte relocating any time soon.</font>
Oshawa is in Ontario, eh ?



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Old Jun 19, 2002 | 07:17 PM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by HuJass:
...And F.O.G., nice post. It's nice to be getting back to the original intent of this board...</font>

My thoughts exactly!! Thanks for the post F.O.G.!

Old Jun 19, 2002 | 09:27 PM
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Just a side note about Monte Carlo. Bob Lutz cancelled the next generation FWD W-chassis Monte Carlo some time ago. I read this to mean only 2 things. Either Monte Carlo will be cancelled after 2006, or it will be on a RWD version of the "mid-lux" (it's not called "sigma lite") chassis due aroud that time.

Also another side note. There is no basis to the "if GTO fails Firebird will come back" senario. This is like saying if Monte Carlo fails, then Camaro will come back. Sounds pretty silly doesn't it?

We are talking about 2 separate market segments here. Besides, as Pontiac moves toward being the "American BMW", a hot handling, hot performing GTO is the perfect competitor to BMW's M3 coupe. There is very little support in Pontiac for another Firebird (in contrast to Chevrolet chomping at the bit!), though just like the 1st Firebirds, it can still join the program after all the work is done for very little cost.
Old Jun 19, 2002 | 10:46 PM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by guionM:
. Either Monte Carlo will be cancelled after 2006, or it will be on a RWD version of the "mid-lux" (it's not called "sigma lite") chassis due aroud that time.

</font>
Hey Guion,
Isn't the Mid-Lux based on the updated FWD W-body...or have things changed?




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