XLR dead, CTS coupe delayed.
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
CTS coupe delay is a huge mistake.
XLR cancellation is acceptable since there is no replacement in site and that car has been out for 6 years. Canceled product is better than dated products that are a generation behind the competition. CTS-V coupe would probably out sell the XLR anyways.
XLR cancellation is acceptable since there is no replacement in site and that car has been out for 6 years. Canceled product is better than dated products that are a generation behind the competition. CTS-V coupe would probably out sell the XLR anyways.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 388
From: Racine, WI
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
I mean Chrysler was left for dead a week ago, and now they've announced that the next gen 300, Charger and Durango will move forward. Their deal to use Fiat platforms and engines to rebuild Chrysler's small and mid-sizes car portfolio, 7 cars in all, shows some promise.
Ford has announced it will not require any loans and is moving full speed ahead with it's product plans.
GM on the other hand, is paralyzed. Paralyzed by fear. GM is acting like a deer in headlights, or someone who freezes in a crisis. Where's the leadership here? Time to commit to future products and start moving forward.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,604
From: Milton, FL
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,698
From: USA
To be a success, the XLR needed to be a super car that could go toe to toe with the best the world had to throw at it. Something in the mold of the Cein that people know and lust for. The reality however is that the XLR is nothing but an overpriced, rebadged Corvette. And the killer is, even the top of the like $125K XLR-V would have trouble with a base $40K LS3 Corvette. Aside from the heavy folding hard top it really was not that much more comfortable, or easy to live with than a Vette either.
Also don't forget that a Corvette is a Corvette..people work their whole lives to have one. An XLR is a really expensive car most people don't know the name of. I mean...lets see..spend $100K on a XLR...or $100K on a ZR1? A step further who choses an XLR over a $70K Z06? You would have to be brain dead and have one foot in the grave to make a decision like that.
Also don't forget that a Corvette is a Corvette..people work their whole lives to have one. An XLR is a really expensive car most people don't know the name of. I mean...lets see..spend $100K on a XLR...or $100K on a ZR1? A step further who choses an XLR over a $70K Z06? You would have to be brain dead and have one foot in the grave to make a decision like that.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 222
as was said above, the XLR's major failing is its tired design. this category is about fashion as much and more as any coupe segment, and GM let the car age without much of any kind of enhancements. it's performance was not its major failing, but it's lack of attention-getting anything failed to attract status conscious buyers. GM's poor attention to surface elements is what leads its designs to look dated within a couple of years, and leave them with the most tired, despite handsome fascias, feel. take last gen silverado which looks older than the first gen ram, and the last gen CTS which is rapidly starting to look cheap like the 2000 era impala, though in part due to poor cosmetic eqipment such as the base wheels and plasticy grille, obviously easily enhanced.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
The XLR could never be a supercar, Corvette would never let it. The XLR was a sales loser, so no surprises about it getting the axe.
The issue here, is this is GM's operating method...
Make a vehicle. If it doesn't live up to sales expectations, don't fix it or improve it - just nuke it. Talk about pi$$ing away billions.
Or even if something does sell, change the name anyway, you wouldn't want to risk building brand equity now.
Cruze---->Cobalt---->Cavalier----->Monza.
The issue here, is this is GM's operating method...
Make a vehicle. If it doesn't live up to sales expectations, don't fix it or improve it - just nuke it. Talk about pi$$ing away billions.
Or even if something does sell, change the name anyway, you wouldn't want to risk building brand equity now.
Cruze---->Cobalt---->Cavalier----->Monza.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
The word is that they are looking into building ZR1's on the XLR line, from what I've been told, it is more cost effective to run the smaller XLR line than the full Corvette line when they have too many LS3 and Z06 Corvettes in inventory right now.
Since there is a waiting list for the high-dollar ZR1, this would help them catch up where the product is needed.
At least that's what I've been told is being talked about... thought I don't have the super-sources that others here have.
