Automotive News / Industry / Future Vehicle Discussion Automotive news and discussion about upcoming vehicles

Why All the Secrecy???

Old Aug 21, 2005 | 08:52 AM
  #1  
dfmoeller's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 47
Why All the Secrecy???

After all the debate about styling direction for the new Camaro, the wrangling over when is it coming, and what features it should have, I'm still left somewhat disturbed by GM's complete lock-down on any information whatsoever regarding the car.

I've heard plenty about the CAW tie-in on the name (although to be honest, I've heard several versions of it). I simply can't believe that GM could be so stupid as to tie-up a piece of property as valuable as the Camaro name in union negotiations. There MUST be more to this policy of avoiding mentioning the name at all costs. If the CAW thing is true, that problem isn't going to go away. GM will have to either deal with it later, OR we aren't getting a Camaro by that name.

But over and above the name, why all the secrecy on the platform? We have quite a few details about GTO and now the whole Zeta thing is back (as it should have been all along). Why the clampdown on the Camaro, but not the GTO - a clampdown not typically imposed on new platform development?

As much as I hate to think it, one reason for the clampdown that would make sense, is that the car isn't nearly as far down the approval cycle as we would hope. I really, really, really hope that's not the case. Another possibility would be that the car is truly revolutionary and competitive fears are driving the lockdown, but I kind of doubt this, that has never been the Camaro's character.

I'm hoping some others here can offer some insight. The secrecy on this platform really seems WAY in excess of others, and there must be some motivation that spurred GM management to curtail all info flow.
Old Aug 21, 2005 | 09:25 AM
  #2  
Z284ever's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: Why All the Secrecy???

Originally Posted by dfmoeller

As much as I hate to think it, one reason for the clampdown that would make sense, is that the car isn't nearly as far down the approval cycle as we would hope. I really, really, really hope that's not the case. Another possibility would be that the car is truly revolutionary and competitive fears are driving the lockdown, but I kind of doubt this, that has never been the Camaro's character.

Hmmmm... what could it be?
Old Aug 21, 2005 | 09:46 AM
  #3  
ckt101's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 385
From: Ontario, Canada
Re: Why All the Secrecy???

Well, if it does have anything to do with the CAW deal, we should hear something soon. The current CAW deal expires on Sept. 20th.
Old Aug 21, 2005 | 11:21 AM
  #4  
90 Z28SS's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,801
From: South Bend , IN
Re: Why All the Secrecy???

After the 06 auto show , youll probabaly start hearing GM comment more on a Camaro . If ya go back to when the new mustang was started popping up and the eventual lead to its release , Ford wasnt too gushing with info until after the concept debuted . I think the complete lockdown is drawing to an end .
Old Aug 21, 2005 | 03:13 PM
  #5  
Chrome383Z's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,043
From: Shelbyville, IN
Re: Why All the Secrecy???

Originally Posted by ckt101
Well, if it does have anything to do with the CAW deal, we should hear something soon. The current CAW deal expires on Sept. 20th.
I think guy said we might start getting some more info come September. This would make some sense...
Old Aug 21, 2005 | 04:18 PM
  #6  
guionM's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Re: Why All the Secrecy???

Originally Posted by dfmoeller
After all the debate about styling direction for the new Camaro, the wrangling over when is it coming, and what features it should have, I'm still left somewhat disturbed by GM's complete lock-down on any information whatsoever regarding the car.

I've heard plenty about the CAW tie-in on the name (although to be honest, I've heard several versions of it). I simply can't believe that GM could be so stupid as to tie-up a piece of property as valuable as the Camaro name in union negotiations. There MUST be more to this policy of avoiding mentioning the name at all costs. If the CAW thing is true, that problem isn't going to go away. GM will have to either deal with it later, OR we aren't getting a Camaro by that name.

But over and above the name, why all the secrecy on the platform? We have quite a few details about GTO and now the whole Zeta thing is back (as it should have been all along). Why the clampdown on the Camaro, but not the GTO - a clampdown not typically imposed on new platform development?

As much as I hate to think it, one reason for the clampdown that would make sense, is that the car isn't nearly as far down the approval cycle as we would hope. I really, really, really hope that's not the case. Another possibility would be that the car is truly revolutionary and competitive fears are driving the lockdown, but I kind of doubt this, that has never been the Camaro's character.

I'm hoping some others here can offer some insight. The secrecy on this platform really seems WAY in excess of others, and there must be some motivation that spurred GM management to curtail all info flow.
This post ought to answer your question:
http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=387146

As far as tying a name up like that, it was a theme that GM management up till the late 90s was doing. The Ste Therese plant is now leveled, so there is no plant that has "won" the Camaro.

Oshawa is the only place that can make Impalas and Grand Prixs, so Camaro/Firebird isn't alone.

BTW: MY version of the CAW & the Camaro name issue I did for PHR magazine was researched, had certain individuals from GM and the CAW point me in the right direction, and based on facts not rumors or internet chatter. That may help you decide what version of that story to believe.

Last edited by guionM; Aug 21, 2005 at 04:21 PM.
Old Aug 21, 2005 | 06:41 PM
  #7  
ckt101's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 385
From: Ontario, Canada
Re: Why All the Secrecy???

Originally Posted by Chrome383Z
I think guy said we might start getting some more info come September. This would make some sense...
Also, I think Doug Harden said, a few months ago, that we'd possibly start hearing something when the CAW contract expired.
Old Aug 21, 2005 | 09:26 PM
  #8  
MarineReconZ28's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 509
From: Modesto, CA
Re: Why All the Secrecy???

Not for sure, but the tight lips on anything might have something to do with the mustang being due for an upgrade around '07. So they know that ford will being trying to top whatever they come out with maybe even before chevy gets it out.


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:42 AM.