Podcast: MPH Votes Corvette Z06 No. 1 Spin

It's arguably the best (Cadillac STS-V comes to mind) the domestic industry has ever produced but it is NOT the best that they can do!

While I love the Vette and I want GM to do well...they still have more to improve upon...call it tough love!

Go GM Go !

The corvette is nice, but My wife will not let us buy one. It would be easier for me to convince my wife that a Solstice hatch is in our interest.. If it has a small back seat. AKA like the Mini Cooper. She would not think of us buying a Convertible or a useless coupe without a back seat. GM should consider a hatch
Why do you guys not build for us a two door solstice coupe with a back seat and small trunk space. Seriously.
Price it below $25,000.00
Will anyone support my suggestion?

Eddie and Edward yeah this Edward echos your sentiments exactly. When Motor Trend picks the Civic as car of the year, and an Xterra beats the Hummer H3 as truck of the year I am glad we finally got some wisdom coming from at least one magazine.

And Edward, kudos on wanting a 4 seat Solstice. Bob Lutz said himself something to that effect but added it would be complicated.

I will take the Solstice as it is. It is perfect, don't change a thing. A car like this comes around about once in a lifetime and may be just inconvenient enouph to keep this car exclusive to the 20-34 something croud that well can't get a Corvette yet. I just hope I can get it before I turn 35.

The Corvette is passion, the Solstice is love.

Edward, They did consider your suggestion...

http://www.gm.com/company/gm_exp_live/events/naias_2004/index_flash.html?navid=2.1.1

Check that link... it was a concept for 2004 I believe. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Lutz stated that the Kappa platform was too expensive to stretch and/or would not support the Nomad's design. In short... they just considered it.

Ed,

Agreed. I love the Corvette, and the Sky looks interesting, but we have a 3 person family and I would like to be able to enjoy the car with everyone. I currently drive a Firebird Firehawk because it was one way to get the LS1 V8 and still have a back seat...

If you are speaking about the need for a new Camaro, I agree. The Camaro has credibility with the younger set. GM should not wait too long. In fact, one way to revive GM's stock price might be to announce a new sporty Camaro program is on the way.

The Corvette deserves the praise. The Corvette is popular, and it sells. It has established Chevrolet as a world brand. But lets remind GM execs to keep up the momentum by luring the younger set with new products at the entry level. Hopefully, a new Camaro is on the way.

On the progressive side, the new Impala is much improved. The Impala SS with the DOD 300 HP V-8 is very appealing.

GM has best in class vehicles liket he Corvette. Agreed, they can do more.

NEW VISIONS

First, beyond the conservative market, GM needs an answer to the Scion very soon. It needs to be more car like, not wagon like. The crossover car market has potential.

Second, I believe a way for GM to really drive sales is to offer an even smaller V-8 option that can hit the magic number of 30 MPG and has about 265 HP. Can GM do it with DOD is the question? GM's base would jump all over this in both sedans and coupes.

Third, GM needs a really hot design for a Pontiac flagship sedan that has a sporty stance an attractive headlight, and offers a small V-8 with strong economy and decent power. These kinds of sedans were once GM's territory. GM's edge is style; GM can own the sedan market again.

Fourth, GM needs to offer a smaller entry level Cadillac to appeal to the younger set.

Fifth, GM needs to build a V-12 sedan and sports car to impress the public perception.

Sixth, GM needs a marketing strategy that impresses emerging customers, and includes lifestyle venues such as movies, fashion, internet, computer games, cell phones, school, sports, suburban life, and corporate culture. GM needs to locate some new dealerships in visible suburban locations to show off its cars and entice buyers who just have no idea who GM is. Right now, their only encounter with GM is from GM owners.

Seventh, GM's message needs to impress the public showing off GM style, innovation, technology, and put a face on the company. Let's hear about more than just safety.

Eighth, GM could offer a more affordable version of the current GTO as a Lemans with a smaller engine. Some people do like the car but don't need 400 HP. It's great to impress us with 400 HP cars, we love you, but offer something special that regular Joe can buy too.

Can't wait to see the Camaro pics from the Detroit Auto Show.

Please don't tell us it will be 3 years until production though.

By that time, you'll have lost most of your market to people who bought Mustangs or the upcoming Challenger instead.

Showing up several years late with a car that's not a benchmark for the class, is not a recipe for success.

How about showing up soon with the Camaro, and making it a class leader?

What GM and FMC need to do seems simple on the outside. What they need to do is come up with radically different designed cars (maybe revolutionary) that are very appealing and engineer and manufacture so quality hits new heights (like they never have before).

Is this possible? Absolutely! GM and FMC have designers and engineers that are the best in the world. Then what is the problem?

When a person gets into certain habits for sixty to sixty-five years it is almost impossible to break them. So goes GM and FMC. And secondly, taking chances with billions of dollars and tens of thousands of workers jobs on the line takes GUTS!

So what to do? I say take the chance and build them. You'll never know unless you take that grand step.

I think that the ZO6 Corvette is the best thing to happen for quite a long time in the Automotive world.

I think it's in a way taken people by storm, I think it has added the excitment back to Chevrolet's line up, and I love it.

The only drawback I see is the limited production run, I hope this will change when the next model year hits the showrooms.

I had all but given up on my favorite automotive munyfacture, after they discontinurd the Camaro I was very disappointed in them, and had no hope, being as how it was their last muscle car left.

But now that the new Corvette is out mt love for Chevrolet knows no bounds, and I think all of the people at Chevy for this great car.

I too think we need the Camaro back in the line up. But too make up for being out 2nd or 3rd, come right out of the gate with a version that would be bare bones and max HP for the chassis. Make it loud and fast as He--. Building hot rods on the side that is always the first thing to be replaced. True dual exhaust that rumbles under power. That's just one of the senses that spells FAST. Also lets the public know how to voice their opinion at the autoshow with a mail in post card. A lowered hot rod silverado would not hurt either. Not the $35,000 SS but a stripped truck for $25k with gears, exhaust and stick shift.

hmmm, more accolades for the C6 and well deserved I might add. I wonder how well it would have been recieved had it been crossbred with a Holden and given rental car looks with a designer price tag? Oh wait..that's been done. Can you say GTO?

I agree that GM should not wait too long to produce the new Camaro.

The Camaro gives GM crediblity with the emerging youth market. The style was just due for an update, not a prolonged furlow. Pop up headlights went of favor for the firebird.

Remember, as with the Corvette, the new styling trends are slimmer, smaller, less protrusive with the younger set.

Likewise with pick-ups the yonger suburban truck buyer has an eye for light trucks. If GM had a light truck with the Hummer styling, it would surely be a best seller.

The one proposed brand change floating around that makes sense is changing GMC into Hummer.

If GM is not planning a Pontiac flagship, that is a mistake. If Pontiac had to choose just two sedans instead of three, the choice should be for a G6 and a flagship sedan that is larger than the Grand Prix. Suburbanites tend to have young children. Another potential customer is realestate agents who prefer trendy sedans. That may explain why Chrysler 300 did so well, a stylish sedan that undercuts Nissan. GM can do better. This customer is not really the Avalon customer. If GM chooses not to participate in this market it missing great sales. You may say, we tried that with the GXP, but that style hadn't changed much, it has run its course. The G6 fits the style trend of the new Pontiac customer. The newest Impala has potential to undercut sales from the Altima, Accord, and Camry tradeups. The Lucerne and the LaCrosse can take take Lexus and Avalon customers. Pontiac has higher potential to take Nissan Maxima/Altima, Infiniti customers. The Maxima's design is too corny, it would be so easy for GM to design a better looking car. So what concept for this magic Pontiac Sedan? Use the Lambrogini Gallardo as a reference, the headlight is very Pontiac, it is vertical, yet angles in slightly like the Pontiac arrow. Put that type of headlight geometry on the Pontiac G8 concept and you will have a sedan that will clobber the competition. This sedan segment is huge, its just design oriented. Why do you think your competition and their pundits keep advising you to give it up. They haven't gotten it right many times either. The Gallardo and the Cien really are two of the best looking sports cars. A Gallardo type headlight would work for Pontiac and the GTO, while Cadillac has a narrower Cien type headlight. Somehow I bet your styling experts already know what I'm saying. Believe it, the new Cien and Cadillac scare the competition.

Okay I've seen the "sneaks" of the Camaro.

No need for focus groups.

Can we "please" build it?

PS, no gray interior.

A Necessity For GM

Here's what I think GM needs to do.

Cut in pay for all workers, that includes management. No more bonuses. And trim the ranks of excess management and excess labor.

A complete hands off policy by the management when it comes to engineering and manufacturing. Let the professionals in their respective departments do what they do best. They must have freedom, for if either department is hindered (even the slightest) the final product pays. Top quality and durability is the goal from these two departments!

Pick only the finest parts when purchasing from suppliers. Even if a part costs more, in the end it will pay off. Customers do not like changing parts every year or two as the car is just breaking in. Quality parts are a must!

In return GM will receive market share. It will take a while, but IT WILL HAPPEN. GM can easily make cars that are comparable to their rivals and much better looking!

If in the end GM does these difficult processes, it will flourish.

I just read the article at the New York Times and thought of you! I posted on my thoughts, and they are not complementary. Unfortunately, having driven in Vettes since I was a child, I could never actually pruchase one, nor would they actually help the company achieve an semblance of viability. As the post near the top states, "will you support my suggestion?"

We all love a Ferrari or any number of very fast cars, but building cars, whether they be Chevettes or Corvettes should be "Job 1." Hopefully, an American car company will actually build a car that I would buy before I can afford a Tucker which my grandfather built!

I don't get so much GM hating on the GM blog. It is really odd. Nicholas, have you driven a C6 vette? I think it will change your mind.
Does every GM product blow me away? no. But it is very hard to argue with the new vette and Z06.

I have a C-6,Corvette #10 and have had 3 C-5s. The corvettes just keep getting better and better. My wifes loves her 2004 Impala and hope to get a new Impala SS. Keep up the good work and do the same with all the brands and models. Merry Christmas to one and all

A Necessity for these companies is Management change.

If an article I read a few days past is correct, then GM and Ford are in for big changes.

Management must change its attitude. No more of the bean counting. And for now, much, much more of guiding their respective companies to durability, highest quality, fit and finish, finesse both in ride and interior look, AND superb looking autos. This is what management is to do, and it can accomplish this by giving this directive to the engineers and manufacturing, and then keeping their hands off those two departments. Management is also key to getting financing for the giant changes. Stockholders for now will have to do just that; hold. And of course Marketing will need some management, but if the cars are of the highest standard, they will market themselves somewhat (word of mouth, etc).

Management for now can just guide their companies, like a ship in the dark night, watching out for glaciers and other sea faring garbage, so they can get to their port of destination safely.

GM And Bankruptcy

GM is not going bankrupt. Already they have cut billions per year in costs and expect concessions from its UAW. The union does not want GM to go bankrupt, so they will be quite concilliatory when they are sitting at the bargaining table. Not only that GM has anywhere from 12 to 19 billion dollars in cash.

SO FORGET ALL THE TALK ABOUT GM GOING BANKRUPT!

GM & Ford Manufacturing

I have written quite a few articles stating that Manufacturing must follow Engineering's designs exactly. The reason I do this is because I have heard that Ford and GM's Manufacturing does not. This is not Manufacturing's fault as I have heard, but Management's fault.

Manufacturing receives the engineer's specifications and does not adhere to them. This I think is caused from a directive from Management to cut corners and save money. This, if true, is ludicrous!

Management has its work cut out for itself in order to make the best cars and in the long run regain market share. This inevitably will trigger confidence, boost stock price, make the customer happy, and inevitably take back a percentage of the auto market.

The Z06 is an awesome machine. There have been some internet rumors of a 600HP+ supercharged Z06. I would rather see more technology applied to the current 7.0L first like VVT,
3V per cylinder and direct gas injection before going the forced induction route.

I love the Camaro comcept. Please made a special model just for me with a L.S.7 500 m.p. engine. thanks,micky

Management for now can just guide their companies, like a ship in the dark night, watching out for glaciers and other sea faring garbage, so they can get to their port of destination safely.

All I can say is wow! I saw this car at the LA auto show and if chevy doesn't put this exact car on the market they are crazy. I am so excited about the LS2. this is a brilliant engine, the best I've ever seen.

The new camaro concept is amazing. I am sending this blog from the LA auto show and had the pleasure of seeing this car from about 5 feet away. This car at first sight reminds me of the 69 that it was made to look like. I am especially in love with the 400 HP LS2 corvette engine under the hood. It not only puts out 400 horses but it also has great gas mileage while cruising. 30 miles to the gallon on the highway. If this exact car does not go into production, chevrolet is crazy. I have been waiting for this car for 3 years looking at concepts and even drawing some of my own and this one thoroughly pleases me. look out Mustang because here comes the camaro.

I saw the 5th gen camaro and thought it was great as it is. Please put into production ASAP!!!!

The new Z06 is on the money, however I have heard rumors of a forced induction LS9 for 08. Just keep it simple with handling, brakes, balance, normally asperated hi- performance motors, good lines, and creature comforts at an un-beatable price, "oh wait thats the C6 Z06".

Another rumor that really has me going is that Chevy is considering putting an SS badge on the Vette? Don't degrade your star vehicle like that, Stingray I could see but please not a Corvette SS, it's not in good taste at all. How about just Z06...

i love the new camaro. everything about it is awesome. howewver, a few things i noticed are unrealistic or just plain dont look right. first, widen the grill a little, second, those side mirrors are too small, third, 21-22 inch rims on a camaro? how about a less pricy, less showy, steel, polished, iroc-like rim, 17 in front, 18 in back. fourth, i like the hood scoop, but how about a slightly larger cowl induction without the front facing scoop at the edge. now remember, you guys are competing with the challenger, mustang, charger, and maybe even a cougar and a cuda so you guys need something special. dodge did a daytona charger for '06, ford is talking about a gt500, i would like to see a camaro ss indy pace car. kris horton, the 20 year old designer that you guys had help with the ssr made a design of a pace car with the legendary slotted headlights like the rs/ss and the ss pace car had in '69. i enjoyed his drawing and would like to see (maybe even own) one for myself in the near future. (a baldwin-motion phase iv, and/or zl-1 wouldn't hurt either).

its '69 all over again!

i think the new corvette is the best pricing car out there. if you compare corvette with other sport car you are a winner. and the new tahoe is a beast, i saw 1994 with 250 thousand mile in it.