Follow us on TwitterIt’s Official: No Chevrolet G8 (Caprice)
Well, that’s that. It was nice while it lasted, eh? The Pontiac G8 is an excellent product, receiving critical acclaim for being a true performance vehicle for Pontiac. It could have opened a whole new chapter for the brand, but alas it was not to be. Blame the economy.
If the business case ever worked for Pontiac (which I never thought it did), it certainly should work for Chevrolet as a new Caprice. Bob Lutz, seemed to agree when he said the G8 was just “too good to waste.” Today though, he walked back on those comments.
Direct from GM’s product guy – no. Not maybe, not we’re considering it. He says it will not show up as a Caprice and now with his new “marketing hat” on that “upon further review and careful study, we simply cannot make a business case for such a program. Not in today’s market, in this economy, and with fuel regulations what they are and will be.”
Sadly, I probably have to agree with him after thinking about it. It probably wouldn’t have made much, if any, money. But, it would have kept revenue flowing to Holden and helped to build some more enthusiasm for the Chevrolet brand. Either way, it’s a no go. Get a G8 while you can!
WE’RE GONNA DO THIS!
–24hrs later–
“Upon further review and careful study, we simply cannot make a business case for such a program. Not in today’s market, in this economy, and with fuel regulations what they are and will be.”
Who is running the company now? Is it Lutz or Fritz? Are they going to actually offer “world class” products or just try to spin what they’ve got as being that way?
They can’t make a business case for the G8, but they can make a business case for replacing the immediately forgotten Pontiac Torrent with a brand new GMC version of their Equinox.
What with fuel regulations what they are and will be, they’re content to keep the Corvette as a six-figure car with a cheap, plastic interior, and find ways to de-tune and re-use the same engine in a number of Cadillac models.
Well, I guess GM really does build “world class” vehicles, well, gets kinda close, but if you’re not willing to spend upwards of $50-$60K, they’re content to keep on pushing crap rental cars your way.
Just when they show a glimmer of hope, they revert back to classic GM style – ignoring the market and doing whatever the hell they want, as if they’ve demonstrated themselves to be finger-on-the-pulse of the market.
Here’s to more badge engineered, mediocre rental cars.
Just look back to see how Pontiac failed. Fiero was cancelled after the bugs were worked out. Now the Solstice (and Sky) are history. Then, the G6 convertible is going to be discontinued “because the hard top convertible has run it’s course”. The G8 would have given GM a rear wheel sedan for police and taxi uses which would mean more units sold, but the volume isn’t there? Look back at the old style Caprice which they continued to build (tooling paid for a thousand time over) and was used by all police and taxi fleets in the U.S. so it was redesigned to look like a bath tub and sales plummeted. Oh yeah..the SSR truck. Nice vehicle, good styling; let’s price it at $50,000 to ensure that it will succeed. The list goes on and on. The executives (and the greedy UAW) has killed this once great company. What a shame. After spending 44 years of my life working at GM, I can see how it failed.
George, the unfortunate demise of General Motors is further proof positive that in the Free Enterprise Capitalistic system which has fostered the growth and development of General Motors, can provide an environment where corporations rise or fall largely based upon the leadership that the corporation provides. Unfortunately for several years GM’s leadership and the UAW have done a miserable job at providing the leadership needed to direct this corporation towards profitability.
The G8 as a Chevrolet would give GM something to sell to cops and also the general public. Ford had the Marauder for 2 years. If it was advertised I would have bought one. Nice car, big, V8, etc. Ford and GM suck at promoting their products. The G8 hopefully will be a Chevy (call it V8). Since bringing back the Camaro they have something to push as v8 rear wheel drive. Need the Sedan to go with it now. also all the development money spent already by Holden would be a great savings to GM US market. JUst bring it here like Pontiac did.
This is too easy! Tell me the 2013 Malibu would not be a hot car as a rear wheel, tuned suspension, 350+hp modern day muscle sedan. LOOK AT IT!!!> http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q2/2013_chevrolet_malibu_official_photos_and_info-auto_shows/gallery/2013_chevrolet_malibu_ltz_photo_17
This thing is starting to look like a 4dr camaro. I dont think thats a bad thing. Hit the town with the crew (wife + 3 kids) and not have to climb over a seat. DONE DEAL…SOLD!