FenwickHockey65's Great Thread of GM Knowledge

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by Kyle2k

With the z28 coming out it could...but with that said the ZL1 still IS unique in that it is a luxury sort of model for the Camaro with the magnetic shocks - something the GT500 really doesn't match. My comment still stands though - quit rehashing a segment when you can create one. It isn't as safe but the potential for greater profit is there.

GM only does safe.

[Stew]

WHen they have tried to go different things have gone awry, the Aztec, the SSR, the GTO, the Envoy EXT, the Avalanche (though that one did ok for a while). I don't blame GM for playing it safe.

[FenwickHockey65]

Envoy XUV was a good idea IMO. It just needed some refining.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Envoy XUV was a good idea IMO. It just needed some refining.

XUV, knew EXT didn't sound right. Anyways, yes, neat idea, but execution didn't work out. Also, the extended trailblazers and Envoys, never saw many of those around.

[05stram]

Originally Posted by Stew

WHen they have tried to go different things have gone awry, the Aztec, the SSR, the GTO, the Envoy EXT, the Avalanche (though that one did ok for a while). I don't blame GM for playing it safe.

The Equinox was a sibling of the Aztec, and the Avalanche still is going . The SSR was just an exercise in design which spawned the HHR which for the life of me I never understood why they did away with.

[FenwickHockey65]

Avalanche is dead.

[05stram]

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

GM only does safe.

I disagree the new Vette is proof they are not playing safe but somewhat listening to the market. Let's hope that is a trend.

[05stram]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Avalanche is dead.

Just died but was still a great vehicle. From what I understand the reason it died is because we may be looking at a car based platform.

[FenwickHockey65]

Not really. It died because there honestly isn't much of a purpose for it anymore. It was introduced when GM was reluctant to do a crew cab 1500 pickup and its popularity convinced them to do so.

Now that we have Silverado and Sierra Crew Cabs it's kinda redundant.

[05stram]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Not really. It died because there honestly isn't much of a purpose for it anymore. It was introduced when GM was reluctant to do a crew cab 1500 pickup and its popularity convinced them to do so.

Now that we have Silverado and Sierra Crew Cabs it's kinda redundant.

AH never thought of that. I had two and there is nothing like them the 2500s were the bomb.

[KMPrenger]

As cool as a unique or niche vehicle is, all any company really needs is good designs. Not completely keen on the 14 Camaro in many aspects, but if the Malibu refresh, Impala, and Corvette are any indication, things are looking good.

(although I still feel the 14 Vette lights should have been reserved for the next Camaro or the 14 refresh, but I guess I just need to get over that)

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by 05stram

I disagree the new Vette is proof they are not playing safe but somewhat listening to the market. Let's hope that is a trend.

The Vette is one exception.

[FenwickHockey65]

Someone on GMI threw up this comparison, and I'd figure I'd expand it a little.

In the 80s and 90s, this was standard fare at General Motors. So much so that it became a magazine cover article.



Today...







These three cars are all on the same platform (albeit Impala and XTS are on a modified LWB Epsilon II).

GM has come a long way.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by 05stram

The Equinox was a sibling of the Aztec, and the Avalanche still is going . The SSR was just an exercise in design which spawned the HHR which for the life of me I never understood why they did away with.

Actually the replacement, the Torrent was an Equinox sibling. The Buick Rendezvous was the Aztec sibling and they were both based on the minivans. The Buick wasn't exactly a runaway success in and of itself. Another failed attempt was trying to give their last gen minivans a SUV appearance. That was also a massive failure.

No the SSR was a failure, not just an excercise. GM made 2 mistakes, first they far over estimated what people would pay for it, people were expecting something more akin of SVT Lightning pricing, not something into the 40s, second they initially ofered it only with the 5.3 V8/4 speed auto. Only when it was replaced with the LS2 and offered with a manual could it be taken even remotely seriously. Though the price I believe, and lack of utility, is basically what killed it.