Just wanted to share some observations on Chevy I've had this week.


"Foundation Brand":

At the LA intro for the Impala, MC, and HHR , Gary Cowger...GMNA President...described Chevy as GM's "foundation brand". I'm sure the word "foundation" was carefully crafted and chosen. And I hope it marks a new attitude at GM towards Chevy.

For too long GM has considered Chevy as GM's "cheap, androgenous, transportation appliance brand". Personally, I visualize Chevy as so much more...so I hope Cowger meant what he said.


"Smallblock":

It seems that GM has "smallblock" fever.....with the term "smallblock". I guess they want to get in on some of the same kind of engine nomenclature identity buzz, that DCX has created with the "Hemi" namebrand.

The term "smallblock" is in every speech or press release that has anything to do with the genIV V8 - whether it's Corvette (base or Z06) or the Impala/Monte Carlo SS. I say good. But who's gonna have the ***** to call it a "smallblock Chevy"?

Chevy's new face:

Has anyone seen any Chevy Uplanders on the road? Well, even if the vehicle itself is pretty unremarkable....check out the grill. It's Chevy's new face, now that the chrome spear appears dead.
Personally, I like it. It's simple, clean, uncontrived, handsome and muscular...all at once. To me, it really says "CHEVY".
You'll see this face on the Impala, Monte Carlo and Malibu's upcoming freshening......and who knows what else.

 

"That thang got a small block chevy?"

 

Agree on all counts. Now that the hideous spear is gone, Chevy's new noses arent looking too bad. I REALLY like the Cobalt's, and even though some here dont like the Monte Carlo's, I think its a nice clean, attractive design for that coupe. Not too aggressive and not too weird (like the last nose job)

 

 

Instead of the "Duster guys", they should get a couple of "Nova guys".

 

I guess Im in the horrible minority, but I liked the chrome bar on the trucks. The Silverado and Avalanche seemed more in-your-face than the F150 but not over the top like the Ram (again - in my opinion so if you like the other two better, great).

 

I surely hope Chevrolet has turned a corner. It sounds like Chevrolet is going back to it's past and skipping those superficial "Chevy" styling cues (courtesy of brand management) that attempeted to take the place of what Chevy actually used to be.

 

They all have kindof a "pug nose" look though....

The Camaro never has really followed Chevy sedan's current trends...
Is that still the case for the '07??

 

Who needs a Hemi when you have a Small Block Chevy?

I think that the Camaro will look a lot more like an agressive Cobalt. The small open grill with a little chevy bowtie in it.
And also, I looik at the Impala/Monte lights and then look at my Maxx's lights and I see that the Impy lights have been trimed up and cut down, but basicly the same shape. I can deffinatly see the future Malibu now.
personaly...I like the way it is now.