Yep it's a rebadge. You wouldn't think certification would be an issue - G8 is already federalized, what differences would be involved in a using the Lumina version sold in the mid-east - different grille/bumper cover and badges? Same structure, interior and powertrain.

 

More than a learning curve. The Zeta 1 G8/Commodore CANNOT be built at the Zeta 2 Oshawa plant.

 

I wonder what the marketing costs would be to do something like that successfully?

 

Well I suppose the only good thing is that we won't have to look at any Chevified bland or ugly versions of G8's.

 

Sounds like they're getting ready to sever the relationship between Holden and GM.

 

The LLN story is misleading.

That's not what he said. He was asked if the Solstice or Vibe will be moved to any other GM brand, he said "Solstice no, Vibe we're talking to Toyota about to keep building through 2010."

He was never asked, nor mentioned the G8. He said that the working relationship with Holden would end with the G8 ending production shortly.

The Impala name belongs to Oshawa, GM can't continue to build the rebadged version of the G8 (as the Impala) in Australia.

 

Not that i necessarily think they would, but is that not written on a piece of paper that could go into the shredder during bankruptcy?

I mean, if the viability plan says malibu and impala on the same chassis = lose, but malibu + high style/content impala = win, why couldn't they make it happen?

I'd actually prefer that holden does somehow split from GM though. Maybe they could buy the pontiac badge from bad GM and keep using NA as a volume driver.

 

You're assuming GM Canada seeks bankruptcy protection, which I don't believe will happen if GM seeks protection for its United States Operations. The CAW gave Chrysler alot. Something that GM will also expect the CAW to give to them.

 

I'm more hoping than assuming. I admittedly don't know a lot about how bankruptcy of giant international corporations works. Nor do i even understand exactly the function of GM canada vs. GMNA, especailly as it pertains to, if GMNA wants to sell a holden impala, exactly why would they have to source it from GM canada?

 

I believe that to be correct Charlie.

It's a great car but it isn't selling. If anyone wants one, they should buy it "now".

I'm a fan of some of the Holdens, no doubt. I only suggest that I haven't bought one. Neither have many of the Holden "Tifosi" here...

Deliveries at profit, tattoo it on the insides of your eyelids... This is what matters.

It's nice if people want a car, but it's really about how many BUY a car that matters. Deliveries at a profit... capice? Yes... I know you get it Charlie. Some do NOT.

 

AFAIK, it should just need to be crash-tested with the new bumper covers.

I have a hard time believing that a plant can be flexible enough to build a FWD W-body and a RWD Zeta 2, and yet not be flexible enough to also build pretty much anything else. Do you have any details regarding what is the roadblock really is?

I suspect that the truth is that GM simply cant / doesn't want to allocate enough money to make whatever changes might be necessary. You'd be hard-pressed to convince me that no amount of money could do it.

Ah, the old quotations-marks-for-emphasis routine. Come on, Paul.

I'm not really quoting you so that I can nitpick your punctuation. I really want point out that G8s should also be available used.

 

This guy has a bit of a vested interest in the future of the G8

 

I was trying to be generous here (maybe too much). I knew there are incompatibilities, like I said. In fact, after thinking on it, it comes down to production methodologies more than anything, if I'm not too far off the mark. It's not so much assembly per se, but the way Holden integrates the whole process. IIRC, in the past, for example, interior assemblies are actually produced within the Holden plant - here it's outsourced.

There's just no setup here in NA for GM to do things the way they do in Australia.

 

Actully the quotation marks were to emphasize "now" as best price at the time.

Sadly, I think many of the G8 fans are just that... fans. Not owners.

I suppose I reflect far too much of this against what I spent many hours doing when Oldsmibile was discontinued. IOW, talking to a good soul who was horribly uspest that GM had ceased Olds as division.

Without fail I would ask the person what was their last Oldsmobile new vehicle purchase... Always it was 15-20 years ago purchase. Often times the concerned party bought their car used or inherited it from a relative. GM spent lots of dollars trying to keep Olds alive. We can all be Captain Obvious and agree it was not done right, but the truth is they got very good product. In hindsight it was money that would be better spent elsewhere.

I understand that trade in value is a big component for some folks... but GM nor any other manufacturer builds used cars...

Resale matters when you sell or if you are under insured.The only way to get your money's worth from a car or truck is to drive it out. Yes, there are other factors tha come into play. Intangibles that are justified because of changes in circumstances or due to judging an expense as being acceptible because other things are important too.

The sort of cars I like are iffy if used. Not as a result of who made them, but who drove them.

All of the money in retail vehicles is in the used market. If all the profit is in the secondary market, then I offer that the deal is somewhere else.

In order to clarify my intended point, if the G8 does it for you, buy one at the best possible price you can live with.

It's a wise buy and a great car.

 

Its a shame the G8 GT never got a manual gearbox. That would have been a sweet ride. The GXP is cool, but overkill for some.