Quote:
Originally Posted by The Flash
Au Contrair, DroptopZ!!!!
You got the point correctly. And your logic is sound too, although I beg to differ on the end result.
You are probably correct in that an LS7 engined Z28 will not draw too many buyers from the CORVETTE, however my point is: will GM dare to thread in such delicate ground???
As much as we, car enthusiasts, hate it, cars are manufactured as an enterprise product, profitability being at the core of each production cycle scheme.
While in better times I believe GM might have risked it and carry on the approach that you suggest, I believe that today's GM will not dare so.
The smell of bankruptcy is still pungent on its executive corridors and I'm sure more than one company director is secretly surprised, elated (and relieved) that during the economic debacle of the last 24 months, their flag sports car, CORVETTE and the new sport offering, CAMARO, made not only the black ink, but actually posted good returns and sustained sales figures.
Let's remember that these are dedicated platforms which share very, very little components with other cars produced by GM. Their figures have to make it on their own for them to continue being viable and to continue being a profit center for the company.
I do not know this for a fact but I will not be surprised if there is some corporate directive forbidding the Z28 to be developed at the expense of jeopardizing or affecting the market niche and the sales figures of the CORVETTE icon, which is making money in these hard times: the directive might be akin to "bring in more customers, not divide the ones we already have".
Then again perhaps I'm too locked in this train of tought and your proposal might make the best business model to follow for both model vehicles.
On one thing I'm certain though: there is still a debate within the powers that be at GM and until this is settled one way or another, we will have no real commitment to deliver the Z28.
Finally: my absolute respect to the businessmen and businesswomen of the car industry. My words towards them might sound harsh, however, without their focus on the business part of the equation required to manufacture, distribute and sell autos in a profitable manner, most of the automotive dreams that were once seated or are now awaiting inside our garages will have never seen the light of day.
I guess some boneheads have to do the dirty job...Ooopps!! Here I go again!
Best regards,
The Flash
p.d.: sorry about the previous incomplete posting... let's call it a botched gearshift..!
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Flash and Droptop:
You guys make very good points but are a few steps behind whats really happening! Get your LSA ( High HP Edition) Camaro now because in a couple years it's gone. Has nothing to do with Corvettes! The same thing that killed these cars in the late 60's and 1970 have doomed them again. Cafe standards (Govt fuel efficiency standards)
My bet is the 2012 wont be called a Z28 because the original Z28's had 302 cubes and were track cars (more about handling and SCCA), not 500 HP or 427 behemoths going stoplight to stoplight (read SS Camaro here). So with the 2012 having an LSA and 500 plus HP it will be called something else.
There wont be an LS7 to compete with the Laguna Seca Mustang, it will be a 5.5 liter, already in the Vette C6R when they moved to GT class. Maybe it will come out around the same time as the Camaro gets it's new redesigned platform and drops a few pounds (2014?)
Maybe the next iteration Camaro with a 5.5 liter will be called Z28, competing with Fords Coyote engines/ Laguna Seca etc.
BTW, There are two Chevy dealerships already producing the Camaro's you want; an LSX 454 Cube NA and a LS9 SC'd Camaro. These could be called todays COPO's....
Check out DeNooyer in NY and NeSmith in Georgia as mentioned in GM's performance parts catalogue
Whether factory or dealer COPO, get your baddest Camaro now, because in a few years, they're all gone, as histoty repeats itself
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/...e9#/0637c8e9/4
I know,
Best,
ZR1