Quote of the Day: Maximum Bob's Capriciousness Edition

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

“The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet,” Lutz told Automobile magazine. “It is kind of too good to waste.”

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Runfromcheney Runfromcheney on Jul 12, 2009

    I have a feeling that this will be just as successful as when Ford rebadged the Five Hundred as the Taurus.....

  • Cpmanx Cpmanx on Jul 13, 2009
    A stronger US dollar should make the G8 more profitable (or less unprofitable,) because the corporate mothership has to pay fewer American dollars to buy the vehicle from the foreign subsidiary. Quite right--I got confused about the direction of the exchange rates. Sorry about that. But the wild gyrations in US-Australian exchange rates surely make a business plan difficult to execute. US assembly would eliminate that problem, but it would not address the more fundamental question: How does splitting up GM's large-car sales into two smaller segments on two totally unrelated platforms improve the profitability (or rather, reduce the unprofitability) of "New GM"?
  • Andrew van der Stock Andrew van der Stock on Jul 13, 2009

    There are LWB Holden Caprice and Statesman models of the Commodore. These have acres of rear leg room, and may suit the NA market as well. I personally think it should remain the G8 as it's started to develop a product identity of its own. It's certainly a step above the Impala rental PoS I hired a few times. Chevelle makes sense only if it has the performance end of the market. It's an old name with a muscle car (i.e. compact / mid size body + BIG engine). The G8 is a full size car with some decidedly not so big engines. I wouldn't call it that unless they keep the models to the very high end, which is not where Chevy needs to be. So, in short: * Keep the G8 name. It has market legs of its own. * Kill the Impala. The G8 is bigger in every sense and a better car * Bring in more models, including the LWB Caprice ... and keep calling it the Caprice. thanks, Andrew

  • SupaMan SupaMan on Jul 13, 2009

    Thanks for making me read more RF. After reading the entire article I have my doubts about this. Sure the G8 is considered a Chevy in other markets, but does that mean it will come HERE as a Caprice? Or will it be kept alive in those other markets as such? The Impala may be a great seller here, but it's no match for the much improved, all new Taurus...not even in V8 SS trim. A little tweaking of the Zeta platform would make the G8 a great next-gen Impala. The Zeta platform (along with the Kappa) is just too good a chassis to kill off.

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