Buick is not getting the G8. That's about as direct as it can be said.

If the G8 winds up anywhere, it's Chevrolet.

There is a plan currently in in GM's restructuring that calls for Buick RWD sedans (Holden Statesman & Holden Caprices sold as Buicks and Daewoos overseas) to be imported from Korea or China. However, we'll have to wait and see how that pans out with what GM is up against between now and June 1st.

 

If the G8 ended up becoming a Chevy, what do you think they will call it?

Chevelle?
Impala? (if current FWD car production ceases)
Bel Aire?
Could the canceled G8 wagon become the Chevy Nomad?

 

Caprice?

Maybe something new for us?
Commodore would work and it would make things easy enough. No plant union has exclusive rights to that name in North America and in reality, that is what it would probably be.

 

Lumina?

 

I certainly hope not. I think Lumina means flaccid in some other language. I'd prefer either the Caprice, or just call it the commodore.

 

I agree, Lumina wouldn't fit. That name reminds me of milktoast FWD'ers with 3100 V6s. A large RWD Chevy at least deserves an appropriate name.

 

Last I read from GMI is that it wasn't going to be either. Next Impala will come on the next Commodore chassis. Current version runs till 2012 or something. It will be gone for a few years and will be a 2015 model.

I am not sure it makes sense to do the investment into the G8 for Chevy as an Impala. The Impala sales aren't as good, but the platform is paid for. The G8 Impala would only be around for a short time as well from when they start. What would make GM more money, selling the old Impala, or selling a G8 Impala. I would think the volume of the G8 Impala would be far less. Although, I don't know how much they make on the current Impala which has turned into a rental car for lots of people.

 

I don't care what it is called, just make mine with a 6 speed manual and 2.0L turbo LNF with the 290HP tune. I'm sure it could get 32mpg which would make it a perfect commuter/family car for me.

The Camaro's 304HP 3.6L + A6 combo was supposed to be out for 2010. That would be nice too.

 

Most likely, Lumina.

Or Lumina for the police version, and Impala SS for a civilian Pontiac GXP-like version (the latter is speculation on my part... would explain killing the current Impala SS while keeping the rest of the Impala line, wouldn't it?)


Basically, the idea is to make up for the hole in the Elizabeth City production line (and the hole in North American Chevrolet's lineup) by increasing production of Middle Eastern Chevrolet Luminas and export them to the US.

No investment.

No development.

Primarily as a police vehicle, with a gaggle of G8 level vehicles for civilians.

Action would come very quickly after the actual decision is made... by quickly, I mean vehicles on boats in a matter of months, not years.


Impala SS is now dead.... despite having perhaps the highest concentration of retail sales of the Impala line.

Either that's an opening for the imported Zeta Chevrolet, or one hell of a coincidence.

Again, won't know for sure until GM submits their plans at the end of the month, but it's certainly on the board.


That Impala schedule (run the current version till 2012 then wait till 2015 and bring out a new one) is half truth and half fantasy.

True half: the current one will run till 2012.

False half: GM will wait till 2015 to bring out a replacement based on the next Commodore.

The car will be out well before 2015.

Possibly as early as late next year as a 2011 model, giving both the new and old "Impalas" a 1 year overlap... with the old being focused on fleet sales.

Just like what happened this decade with the Cobalt/Cavalier & Malibu at Chevrolet, and the old Taurus/Fivehundred at Ford.

 

I would love to pick up a Chevy badged G8 GXP.

 

I hesitate to ask Guy, but what about the Ute?

Have there been any whispers?

 

Lumina was an awful name used on a mediocre car, if Chevy re-badges the GB they need to use a cool classic Chevy nameplate.

I would love to see the following cars on a Chevy lot:

Camaro
Corvette
Corvair (imagine Saturn Sky coupe)
Chevelle (re-badged Pontiac g8)
Nomad (G8 Wagon)

 

What if the current Malibu became the Impala upon it's next redesign (since it is fairly big now), and then the G8 became the Malibu?

I would also not have an issue with Nova. If they named it a Chevelle, all the Chevelle fans would have a fit because it is a 4 door. If they were going to steal a 2 door name for the G8 I would rather see it be a Monte Carlo. I am not a fan of Caprice..it makes me think of bloated old people spaceships.

 

Bel Air would work nicely, I think.

Chevelle would be fine if a coupe was added to the lineup, but that just isn't going to happen.

 

There were more 4 door Chevelles sold than 2 doors.