Give the People What They Want
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
Ever since we launched this blog over a year and a half ago, a few recurring themes have peppered your comments and feedback, and perhaps one more than any other. For a while there, it seemed like Fast Lane would turn into "All Camaro, All the Time."
We'd post something about fuel economy; someone would respond by telling us to build a new Camaro. We'd write about the latest J.D. Power Dependability Study; someone posts about missing Camaro. Our revamped value pricing system? Camaro. A brand-new GM rollover testing facility? Camaro.
And this was before the 2006 Detroit show when we unveiled the new Camaro concept! That just intensified the drumbeat.
As you probably know by now, the Camaro program has been approved for production, as Chairman/CEO Rick Wagoner announced at the annual industry Management Briefing Seminar in Traverse City, Mich., this morning.
I'm not going to tell you that Camaro is happening because the blogosphere demanded it; that would be disingenuous. But I will tell you that the enthusiasm shown for Camaro in this forum is a shining and prominent example of the passion that exists for this automobile, and we thank you for sharing it with us.
I'll also tell you that we're going to deliver a car worthy of that passion. We'll follow the formula for providing a beautiful and compellingly styled car that, depending upon which engine and what options are chosen, will also be extremely affordable. No matter what the combination, Camaro will absolutely offer tremendous value for the money.
While this is indeed the return of an American icon, I think what sets us apart is that we didn't slavishly go back to the old 1969 Camaro styling. We took the essence of that — its DNA — and styled a completely modern car around it. In other words, it looks like a '69, but it doesn't look like a '69.
Its appeal will go well beyond just those people who are fans of the '69. We love those people and their enthusiasm, and we want the car to appeal to them, but also to a broader audience. It has to appeal to people who have never even heard of a Camaro. Outside certain age groups, and outside the United States, people have to look at it and see a beautiful car, period. If we are too literal in our interpretation, then we would fail to be relevant to a lot of people.
Camaro's beauty will apply to its performance as well. It will be a sensational chassis, a variant of our all-new global rear-drive architecture engineered in Australia, our center of large RWD expertise. (Design work will be done in the U.S., making Camaro a product of our now truly global product development organization.) The new RWD architecture is designed for optimum steering, ride and handling, vehicle dynamics and safety. In terms of chassis excellence, we will be completely "no-compromises."
It will be an absolutely premium-feeling RWD muscle car at a very attractive price, and I predict it will drive huge volume for Chevrolet, and be a big image boost for the brand and for GM.
I also predict that you will tell me in no uncertain terms whether you agree with that assessment, and I further predict I will read a lot of posts with the word "Firebird" in them. Love that enthusiasm!
EDITOR'S NOTE: For more on the Camaro announcement, take a look at the official press release. To see more photos from the official announcement, check out our Flickr galleries as well as our FYI blog for some special Photos of the Day. And see photos from today's Camaro rally at the Vehicle Engineering Center in Warren, Mich., at Flickr.
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THANK YOU BOB AND RICK!!!
FINALLY!!! OUR FRIEND IS BACK!!! WE KEPT THE FAITH!!!
Thank you!
Thank you GM (Rick, Bob, RedPlanet, et all.)for igniting our passion and then bringing it to life!
Bob,
I hope that you deliver on your promise of 30+ MPG for at least one of the V8s. I also hope that one of the V8s doesn’t require Premium. That is exactly the reason why I didn’t buy the Grand Prix GXP,GTP or the GTO. Even though I am a huge fan of all of them. Please tell us you have a Pontiac up your sleeve!
WOW… never thought I’d actually see it, even though I kiss my die-cast 69SS almost every morning in hopes that the car would return.
Thanks for making SOOOO many of us fans’ dreams and wishes come to fruition. I’ve heard quite a few people clammoring for the F-bird as well….. It’s alll going to snowball from here out.
Is it 2008 yet???
How about now??
NOw????????????
man, where’s the time machine!
Godspeed. Two things: make it light and get it right.
One more thing… make sure we can actually buy one in Canada. I’m still upset over the GTO.
Bob and Rick,
Looks like my new ‘06 Mustang will be headed to one of your Chevrolet home used lots!
Thanks guys!!! I was not sure you would bring it. I can’t wait to do the deal!
As the past owner of two Firebirds, one Turbo Trans Am & one Z28, all I can say is THANK YOU for listening and bringing back one of your most popular cars!
Good choice.
However, make sure you do this right. “Muscle car” does not mean “low tech”. This car needs independant rear suspension, a very nice interior and small panel gaps. The muscle car heritage that everyone is fond of recalling is not due to a live axel, etc, but in spite of these characteristics.
Congrats on the choice to build this. Just do it right.
Chris
FIREBIRD. Congratulations Camaro enthusiasts! I believe Camaro will be a huge success. However, consider this-and I’m sure you have- although the cars had obvious similarities, Camaro buyers and Firebird buyers are not the same. You can not assume that a Firebird personality will be compelled to drop 25k-35k on a car that doesn’t quite suit them…
Your brands are your strength and some of the recent product is demonstrating that the ‘ol General is fully capable of differentiating platform sharing product and DOMINATING a segment (Solstice/Sky anyone?) The new trucks are also a good example of this progress.
So, BRING IT BACK. Give us a Firebird with bold PONTIAC styling and the performance to back it up.
For 35 years these cars fought side by side, brothers in arms. You’ve given Pontiac a Sol, now give it it’s SOUL back!
Trans Am. Superduty 455. WS6. There’s equity there-and plenty of it. If those don’t send a chill down you’re spine, then you probably drive a Camry. Don’t be scared of Mustang. You can not just compete, but DOMINATE with Camaro and Firebird. The time has come again…
THANK YOU BOB AND RICK!
WOW 2009 is FAR!! Help!!
THANK YOU Bob!!!
I didn’t cry as I did during the unveiling, but I am alomst literally speechless.
Thanks again.
And yes, I will buy one.
Aria
Mr. Lutz,
You have made me proud to be a GM supporter and long time proponent of a new Camaro. I knew you, and all involved (Scott Settlemire, Ed Welburn, Tom Peters, Sangyup Lee, Steve Kim, Vladimir Kapitonov, Ann Asensio, Michael Simcoe, Jeff Perkins, David Rand, Rick Wagoner etc etc) would not let us down. I congratulate all involved.
And now, taking your bait…
Firebird.
Keep up the good work.
Mr Lutz,
Thank you for bringing back my car !!!
Please make sure a convertible will follow shortly after the launch of the hard top !
Please make sure the dealer do not price gouge,
I NEED to add one to my portfolio !!
Great news for sure!!!
So what’s the chance of having a very late 2007 model? 1967/2007/40 years.
I already have a 2001 Camaro SS M6 and once the new Camaro comes out and you guys offer a BIG engine (LS7), I will be buying one. I already have approval from my wife! lol
Build it here in the good ol USA and offer many options. Having more choices/options will sell more cars.
Why 2009??? Since the Autoshow, you’re telling me its going to take 3 years to get this on sale? By then, the market might have moved on to something else. It needs to come out sooner than this GM. Even the Challenger is coming out before the Camaro, gees!
Very exciting!! The Camaro isn’t for me, but I think GM should build it and it will be a huge success.
For others who need a different kind of coupe, how about the Buick Velite???
Build it, please!
I love you Bob!!!!
BTW….Firebird!!!!
To Bob, Scott, Rick, Tom, and everyone else at GM:
THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for bringing our car back!
We can’t wait for 2009!
What a GREAT DAY for us enthusiasts!!!!!!
Love the Camaro, more each time I see it. Please make a beautiful interior that doesn’t look like it came from Kmart’s bargain shelf, and give it class leading fuel efficiency…..or better.
And I agree with the previous post: no live axles! Performance in the 21st century can’t be only about big engines.
good to see the Camaro brought back too life and your commitment to making it an excellent driving car. I hope it will have some Corvette blood in it (hydroformed rails?). Please try to keep it on the lighter side say no more than 3400lbs.
Go for it! Please, please do not change the body design. Even the rearview mirrors. It looks fantastic.
It must be fuel efficient for it to be successful.
2009 is a long time to wait. I hope the car isn’t as big or heavy as today’s GTO. Something a little smaller and lighter would be nice. In my opinion, the concept that fit the Camaro size better was the rwd coupe/sedan platform of Holden Torana. Cadillac could have a true 3-series fighter and it could spread to give Pontiac something to replace the rebadge G5. This smaller chassis would probably be better suited to a Camaro and possible Firebird, while the Zeta/VE would be suited for midsize/fullsize cars.
Good job, this is just what Chevy dealers need to have on their lots. Any chance of bringing it to market sooner?
While I am happy for anyone who is passionate about Camaro’s, how about giving those of us that drive Fiero GT’s, Grand National’s and Bel Air’s what we want? No doubt that GM can build kick *** cars when they want to. How about it?
Excellent!
My only concern is the weight, please keep it under 3500 pounds. I will be in the market for a new ride in just about two and a half years; and there is a reason for that!
Good Job.
GTO.
That’s great news!
GTO.
Now if the GTO would be restyled, but keep the interior and great handling, GM would have two sales winners.
That’s great news for Chevrolet and Camaro fans. What do you have for Buick fans? Hurry up with Enclave! Where’s a “halo car” for Buick? How about a smaller Buick?
Bob and Rick,
This truly is a great day GM and Camaro enthusiasts, and hopefully NEW Camaro buyers! I would like to see the Firebird/TA also. But more then that the car needs to come sooner. Please fast track it to production! We’re loosing sales to the Rustang as we speak!
Wow I had been wondering if this was actually ever gonna happen and it finally has thank you Bob Lutz and GM for making this happen. Oh and…Firebird…hahah while I am looking foward to buying the new Camaro the thought of a new Firebird would have me first in line for orders, I agree with what another poster added that Camaro and Firebird were brothers in arms, indeed they were so now its time to start the Firebird rants. BRING BACK THE FIREBIRD!
FIREBIRD,FIREBRD,FIREBRD,FIREBRD,FIREBRD,FIREBRD,FIREBRD!
Okay, now that that is over with…..HALELUA!!!! and to think I was telling everyone that it was going to happen, got discouraged at the lack of any word from GM, and ended up spending my “camaro” savings on a torrid red on red m6 ls2 GTO!! now I love that car so much I know I won’t trade it for a camaro. unless the camaro is everything the GTO is and more!
Also, what’s this I hear about a new 08-09 GTO?!?!? while I thought I’d never outgrow my T/A, camaro fantasies, I find that after living with the GTO, I rather love the idea of a big manual low 13sec well appointed “true” 4 person coupe. I have a kid now, and though I figured he could suffer in the back of an f-body in his younger years; after shuttling him around in the relatively spacious and comfortable rear of my GTO, a traditional 2+2 just won’t do. I hope the new GTO is at least as spacious as the current one! because that’ll probably be my next ride, or the new RWD Impala, or the RWD G8, or maybe a used CTS-V!! WOW!! I NEVER thought that I’d have the dilemma of choosing what new and exciting GM v8 performance car to buy next!!
Awesome. It’s great to see that the Camaro is finally going back into production.
Have you decided where it’s going to be built yet?
FIREBIRD!!
Well, you asked for it. Please help revive Pontiac with a new Firebird as well. I currently own a 99 Z28, but have owned hardly anything but Fbodies since I started driving 18 years ago. Since then I’ve owned 3 Camaros and 4 Firebirds. That’s one thing I’ve always liked about the Fbodies. I had a choice between the Camaro and Firebird.
Either way, I’ll be one of the first in line when the new Camaro comes out in my area. Thanks for bringing it back!!
Congratulations on the Camaro! It is going to be a great car! don’t change a thing except get it to market faster!!! The Holden
VE Commadore is out in AUS already. You need a “Skunk Works” type enviornment to push the production development.
Thanks again
Doug
2000 Camaro SS conv.
Did you guys read the press release? They clearly state it will have an IRS. As for the interior, I dont think GM does dime store interiors anymore. You shouldnt have to worry, they have plenty of time to get it right.
Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Please, take your time. Do it right. I’m willing to wait a while longer to ensure the car is perfect in every way. It isn’t worth rushing to market if it means it’s not just right, so please take the time to do it right.
Once again–and I can’t say it enough–THANK YOU.
I to would like to thank you.
No Firebird. We need a standout knockout performance car call GTO for Pontiac. But this time DO IT RIGHT!
Fantastic news! Good for GM!
This is a car that I will buy for sure, I hope you decide to offer a pumped up version to compete with the Shelby GT500.
Only concern is the timeline, 2009???? That is a long ways away! Is it really going to take 3 full years from concept to production? Here’s hoping that we will see it sometime much sooner!
thank you bob
We need this car in 2007 not 2009. 3 years after seeing the car is just way to long. I was hoping to by a 40 anniversary model………well thanks for finally bringing this iconic car back for us to enjoy, just wish it was sooner.
Great news Bob, Thanks for listening! Keep up the good work!
All I can say to you Bob is thank you. It’s guys like you, Ed Cole, Jim Perkins and the likes that make me proud to drive Chevys and, as a 4 time Camaro owner, really for #5!
THANK YOU SO MUCH
IF
there is a Firebird version (I have owned two)
THEN
please please please please please please please show some taste and restraint. Pontiac was recently cured of plastic cladding etc. The Firebird should not look like those so-called ‘rice burners’ – it will need to be restrained while hinting at the beast within – not screaming it out. Think adult, not teenager.
This all fits into the category of enhancing the brand vs. diminishing it. This is important in the long term.
Chris
IT’S ABOUT TIME. THANKS.
EUGENE MAMMOSER
Thank you.
Did you say Firebird!?! Now that would be a dream come true. I miss my 1987 Firebird Trans Am. I’ll make sure that start saving now for the upcoming Firebird.
Love the car, a dream come true. I have been looking forward to this as many of you for a long time. Now that being said It is totally absurd were going to have to wait 2 1/2 years if not more for this. I don’t know if many of you have done the math but that is how long it will be. That’s way more than 3 years from initial concept work to production. So much for Mr. Lutz saying the camaro is too special to take 3 years to bring to market, and that they would expedite the cars release. Now I do want a quality job but what will it take to maintain that and still move up production more than a year? Double , tripple the work force on it? Just do it. So much for pleasing the customer. That’s also hoping there won’t be a shortage due to the high demand or holding off due to dealer markup trying to ream you. I guess it is bitter sweet and GM does not care about the emotional tug-of-war they have put many if not all of us thru. Thanks for bringing it back now I’ll go cry my tears of joy and disappointment, I’ll take turns.
It’s not your DADDY’s OLDSMOBILE. Bring back my 442. I am getting in line for the Camaro if it is priced right. I own a 1992 Camaro and bought it brand new. I have been waiting until GM started this concept in order to “Save my Pennies and Save my Dimes”. now I want to giddey up, like a 409……. Although I still love my 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442….. I would race it against my Camaro any day.
Your the man bob! I ve been waiting since 2002 to hear this…but I never lost faith. Long live GM, Chevy, And the Camaro.
P.S. Ill be first in line at the dealer to get my shiny new Camaro…Thanks Again BOB!!
I agree with Chris above, regarding taste and restraint. Above and beyond that, however is the need to resist the temptation to ‘badge engineer’ a version for Pontiac. IF, I say IF, there is a Firebird in the future, make sure it is a distinct vehicle. Shared components are fine, but clones with vaguely different cosmetic differences will only beg the question – ‘why bother?’
Take your time and do it right.
Way to go GM congrats, now lets get real on the date, you are talking over 2 years away – some of us ‘OLD’ folks cant wait that long…
Really, two and a half years from now isn’t that far off.
If I could ask one favor from you guys though–could you please put a little pressure on your dealer network to sell the car at list instead of tacking on $3-5,000 in “additional dealer markup” and pricing it out of the market? I don’t mind paying full sticker for a car if it’s worth it (and I’m certain the Camaro will be) but if your dealers are going to overcharge some heinous amount, you’ll turn off as many people as you’ve got turned on.
How about sneaking in a Nova
SS
Great news, Bob! Just one piece of advice: Get a demanding Chief Engineer and do it right, like the Corvette !!
You da Man, Bob!
Please. No Coleman cooler plastics on the dashboard.
I’ll be in the market for a car in the next couple of years and I’d be very interested in the Camaro provided it’s not chintzed out.
Make sure the 2 mode hybird fits and it can take E-85.
Too bad the Firebird won’t be coming back, though with the GTO coming I can understand why it won’t be built.
Great news on the Camaro.
Now lets see a commitment on a new GTO and a concept car at Detroit NAIAS 2007.
GTO
GTO
GTO
GTO
GTO
Please keep it light as possible. I will be in the market in about 3 or 4 years. Thank you.
ferraris are cooler
Better late than never! Now, to echo the sentiments around here, THANK YOU!!! Just make sure that you have an SS version with the LS7. My fiance used to drag race her boyfriend’s 69SS in high school, and I want to make sure the SS I get her could leave his in the dust. Targets:
3400 lbs
450 bhp
6 speed sequential manual (6th being an overdrive only)
19 city/ 27 highway
I’m getting married in November. If you meet this, you’ll make my 2 year anniversary present to my wife an easy one!!!
Nathan Lawless
Indianapolis, IN
Don’t forget the T-Tops.
YAY!!!!
Ahhhh the wait is finally over! I can now go to sleep
Thank you VERY MUCH for deciding to build the CAMARO!!!!! As you can tell, I’m excited. Very excited! So excited that I would love to buy the first Camaro
Bob, when you say attractive price….is that like $25,000CDN kind of attractive??? If so, I’m in line first
Thanks once again!!!!!!!!
Mr. Lutz:
Great job!! We at Chevrolet need cars with this level of excitement. Your right about the Firebird. Pontiac has such a rich past, could the same design process be used for other new Pontiac’s? (ie a Bonneville, Catalina, Tempest ect.) Can you use the same mounting points, but with exaggerated body panels? I think such a direction for Pontiac would provide huge profits for GM and Dealers.
Thanks again.
WOW!!!!! I’m trying hard to hold back the tears (seriously). This is the car I’ve said would be the one and only vehicle GM could build to bring me back to the blue square from the imports, and by God you’re doing it! I’m a bit dissappointed it’s going to be 3 years, but that gives:
1. You (Bob Lutz et al) time to get it right….. i.e. quality interior, tight fit and finish, and no rattles after 50k miles. Also, let’s make this one top notch reliable so I can spend more time on the road with her than in the shop with a mechanic
2. Us (customers) time to save to pay cash for this baby. And if interest rates stay reasonably high, I see that should be rather easy. In fact, Saturday I’m going to look for the best long term CD rates, open an account, and call this account “C5″.
Thank you GM. You’ve given all of us a goal to work for. In fact, you may just help increase our Nation’s GDP by doing this. Think of all the overtime people will be willing to work over the next 3 years!!!!
I’ll take a Z28 in silver with black leather and that svelte orange stitching just like the prototype. Make mine a 6 speed manual with a moonroof (I doubt you’ll have T-tops with curtian airbags standard). You have my order, I’ll take delivery in 3 years.
Hooray for the Camaro lovers, press on Firebird lovers. The Camaro is a well designed car and destined to become another legacy for GM, please don’t forget about the Firebird/Trans Am lovers. The two brands are like red and white wine, both are similar, both have a rabid following and both spanned generations. It comes down to taste. Pulling up next to a 2009 Camaro in my 2010 Trans Am….Be still my heart.
Mr. Lutz,
As a moderator on one of the premier late model GM sites (www.ls1tech.com), nothing give us greater pleasure than to see GM have a new flagship for the performance minded enthusiast.
The excitement has been growing ever since the inital sketches of the concept began to circulate.
The early scuttlebutt was “when you see it, you’re going to love it”. I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment.
As has already been said, but I will re-interate here.
Make it light.
Let the Australians build the interior. The GTO has the best interior of any Gm product I’ve seen, and is head and shoulders above even the Cadillacs. Those guys know how to build an interior.
Did I mention making the car light
Lots of powertrain options, and please let us get our hands on the L92.
I’m still up in the air over the IRS. All the GM IRS units will not take any power without spilling their guys on the starting line. So, if you are going to use IRS in the name of handling, either make it simple for us to retrofit a stronger rear, or build a rear strong enough to stay together.
Thanks to everyone at GM who made this possible.
I have a red ‘95 Z28 Soft-top that just turned 50,000 miles. Would love a new red Z28 “SOFT-TOP”, not a retractable top. I need to be able to put my clubs in the trunk. Make it so you can drop the top, AND KEEP IT SOFT.
This is excellent news and yes, I think you should bring back the Firebird also. There is really no reason not to.
There are people who will only buy Chevys and there are people who will only buy Pontiacs. Give ‘em what they want!
And it wouldnt cost much more to do.
In fact, advertising costs can be minimal if you bring out TV and print ads featuring both cars with the tag line:
“American Muscle is back at GM. Now, pick your poisin”
Thank you, Bob! You’ve just committed to the one vehicle that would get me out of a used GTO or C5.
Rick and Bob and all those involved in the Camaro project,
THANK YOU!
I have waited for this day ever since I saw the concept roll down the red carpet. But, give the ‘bird a chance too! Early 2009 is a typo right? I dont know if I can maintain my fever that long!
I am wondering where it will be built? If it comes from down under like the GTO, the wait to get one will be to long. I know several who were upset at having to wait many months for a dealer to get one GTO they were allotted. IMO, thats part of the reason it did not sell and is not discontinued.
Both dealers in my area had no luck selling them after nearly a year and dealer traded them away. Past of the reason, no XM radio or OnStar.
I guess I’ll rain on everyone’s parade…I’m sure the Camero will sell well. However, like it or not, GM as a whole will continue to struggle until they can build a car that can be better (in every sense) than the Camry/Accord/Corolla/Civic.
Now the Camaro, how about the Nomad?
Nice! My 69 was V8 2bbl and 98 V6 so I hope like hell I can swing an LS3. No B Pillar please.
5thgen69camaro
I sincerely hope you aren’t contemplating that Firebird Lovers are going to jump ship to the Camaro, OR the GTO.
I’ll be Honest, I Dislike everything Gm has to Offer, Save for the new C6. But I’ve always loved Firebird/Trans Ams.
But if my only option is a Relic GTO with no Heritage or a Camaro, Count me out. Heres to hoping that if there is no new Bird that Chrysler revives the ‘Cuda. Cheers.
The Toyota and Honda cars, besides their perceived quality, look great. The Malilbu, Colbalt, and Opel/ Vauxhall sedans could use a bit of style. They remind me of that stoogy old car that gramma drove.
Please bring back a 1st generation inspired Firebird, I own a 68 Firebird 400 and a 97 Trans Am WS-6. I might give both of them up for a new awesome 2009 Firebird. Uh nevermind I wouldnt give them up but I would definitely buy a new Firebird, please build it.
Mr. Lutz
I must say I love the new Camaro, all involved did a great job.
But I think its time to focus in on the “Excitement Division” yeah its not exciting anymore. Pontiac needs its attitude back. GTO didnt cut it. niether will another one. Please consider bringing back the Firebird .
Firebird .
As a car fanatic I’m glad to see the Camaro back. Just do it right. As a die hard Trans Am lover I can not fathom why this is not being built along side the Camaro. The two belong together and the GTO is not the answer. Its a nice car with a great interior but it lacks the style of a Trans Am. PLEASE give us the Trans Am back too. We are waiting with money in hand to buy it and done right Chevy and Pontiac will be on top of the pony car wars once and for all.
THANK YOU!!!
Thank You!!Rick,Bob and crew!!!!??Firebird I dont know Id prefer a GTO based on the 1970 Model or the 1970 Chevelle.
Thank you Mr. Lutz and GM. This is almost a dream come true. After I purchased my f-body and found out they will no longer be produced my heart fell. Reading the articles about the Camaro coming back reminds me of the anticipation of x-mas morning as a child. Its a feeling I haven’t had in quite sometime and it feels good!
Can you guess what I’m saving to buy next?
Bob and Rick,
Great news for all. Regarding the Pontiac version, when you rolled out the GTO in 2004, Motor Trend compared it in a road test to a MERCEDES CL AMG! I though that was great. The styling was bland, but the engineering was there.
I think the next GTO should be based on this platform, but its target audience should be Pontiac purists and those who are considering high-priced foreign coupes. It doesnt have to be a Americana-clone of the Camaro
As for the Firebird, as much as I loved that car, it may be a bit of overkill to introduce it as well. If you do, make it so different than the Camaro. Make it modern or make it Smokey-and-the-bandit 1970s retro. Just dont change the front and back like was done for so many years. It dilutes the two brands.
And PLEASE dont call the next Grand Prix G8. There is too much positive heritage in the GP name.
Anyways, congrats! GM will get even stronger!
Thank you! I now have a new car to look forward to in a couple years.
This blog: “While this is indeed the return of an American icon…”
Another blog: “…classic American automobile…”
Not Canadian! (No offense ment to the neighbors up north)
Oh, yeah….. One more thing:
BOB LUTZ FOR PRESIDENT IN 2008!!!!!!
Great News!
This styling approach is what should have been done with the GTO. I am glad that the designers nailed this one 100%!!!
Gimme one in deep blue with alot of flip-flop, chrome rims, 30MPG V8, automatic (for the missus), and under 30 Grand!
Thank you GM for reviving THE ULTIMATE american automobile. I’m proud to have been a GM supporter since I was young
GO CAMARO AND GO GM!
Excellent news! Wish I’d been at the Tech Center to see the announcement event – looks like a lot of fun. I am encouraged by the comments on styling – please DO NOT go nuts on the retro, since by 2009 when Camaro debuts, Ford will be busy trying to come up with the new 2010 1970 Boss and Chrysler will have devalued all of those $1 Million Barrett-Jackson Hemi ‘Cudas by building new old ones. They have nowhere fresh to go with the styling of either car, even if they look cool now.
I own two 2nd Gen. Firebirds (’73 Formula 455 & ‘77 W72 Trans Am), and will assure you that Firebird fans will not be as receptive of a 1st Gen. clone as will the Camaro afficianados. Shaker hood, fender extractors and turned aluminum dash are cool touches, but they may not play well on a repeat ‘69. I fear the bloodline has been broken, and that any new Firebird will lack the soul and panache of the original – please prove me wrong as I would love to buy a brand-new Trans Am in my lifetime.
Thank you for offering this forum for us to voice our rants & raves about GM products. The fact that you have taken the time to read these posts and allow our input to influence the direction of new GM models demonstrates the genuine commitment you have to your most loyal customers. Thank you, Mr. Lutz!
Big Bob and Mean Rick,
Congratulations. Stock is on it’s way up. Some profit has been gained and your vehicles are starting to look beautiful and go fast again.
Keep doing what you are doing. Some incredible things have been done lately and I see there more coming.
Quality is up, design directions have been executed well, profits have started climbing and customer concerns have been answered.
Thank you.
Thank you so much!!!!! I am already the proud owner of an 81 Z28 and 91 Z28…I’m anxious to add this to my Camaro family!!!!!!!
Oh YES, when can I pick up my order form.
Please go big power!!!!!
Finally!
I’ve missed my old Camaro for the 4 years that I haven’t had it. I also want to add that I got sent back to the states (Service Member stationed over seas) and I’ve had the pleasure of cruising around in a GM vehicle. The interior is “LIGHT YEARS” ahead of my 99 Z-28 and the fit and finish is second to none. I say this after riding in NUMEROUS BMW products including the insanely overpriced M3. I can’t wait to get my Camaro and show it off to all of my comrades that have blown double the price on less of a car.
-Tim
P.S. Where do I send my check?
FIREBIRD. Please bring back the Camaro’s cousin… wouldn’t be the same without it!! Please!
GM please bring back a Firebird / Trans Am!! This link here shows what a 5th generation Trans Am could look like!!
http://www.transamcountry.com/what_if.htm
Thank you!
Mark
I haven’t had a ticket in the last six years. Finally something worthy of getting one in. Oh, and it’s going to be a doozie!!!
How soon before production can I order one? I want to be the first one in my town to drive one down the street. I only hope that the hype hasn’t died by the time it reaches the showroom floor. Any chance of stepping up the production so you can introduce it as a 40 year anniversary edition? Just a thought… Thanks for bringing back a legend.
Bob and Rick, since you are granting wishes such as bringing the Camaro back, I wish for an e85 Camaro. The Camaro has created a lot of buzz and e85 has so much potential, by putting both together the Camaro could shine even more against the Mustang & Challenger. Since e85 is said to have a higher octane rating than gasoline I have always thought that a performance vehicle should be developed for e85. Hint Hint… an e85 Camaro would be a nice show piece for the 2007 NAIAS.
Make it a convertible under 3500# that seats 5.
Too bad its always been catch up since the LeMans/GTO.
Hey Bob,
The Camaro looks awesome, but GM still has a big gap between the 30K’ish Camaro and the 50K’ish Corvette. A 40K’ish GTO would fit nicely between the two and would be great opportunity to show the BMW lemmings an irresistable alternative. An American “Ultimate Driving Machine” with that unmistakable V8 growl. Consider the last GTO as a test run to shake out the problems. You know better than I that you can make a better car than BMW for less. Their most valuable asset is their reputation. Beat them technologically, ergonomically, aesthetically, and financially, and the market will eventually follow.
Dear Mr. Lutz,
in the meantime there are also reports about your decision over here. I am sure the Camaro would be a winner in Europe, too, at least if there’ll be the right promotion. When I look around here, the competition has absolutely nothing to offer like that. In comparison to the new Camaro the products of your competitors are the same “exciting” like watching a melting ice cube!
PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD BRING BACK THE FIREBIRD
To add to my above comments:
- Offer some HOT colors (bright yellow, bright orange, etc), nothing boring. I’d wait an extra 1-3 months to get the color I want when “I” order my car.
- Offer better stereo upgrades with a real subwoofer.
- If no T-Tops, then offer a nice big moonroof that slides back into the roof, not outside it.
- Don’t offer any tires/rims bigger than 18″
- Offer the C6 Active Handling
- Offer a big brake option
- Don’t forget about that LS7 option! Or even the “Blue Devil” detuned engine
In case your keeping score …
72 posts so far.
“Camaro” is mentioned 45 times.
“Firebird” is mentioned 38 times.
“Trans Am” or “TA” is mentioned 6 times.
“GTO” is mentioend 20 times.
Bob, the people asked for a Camaro and we thank you for listening to us. But it looks like there is also a lot of interest in adding a “Bird” to the stables.
The “New GM” is going to finally achieve parity with Ford and Dodge, after seven model years of lost sales? Yippee! Trailer parks rejoice! The Camaro is returning! For something that didn’t sell worth a darn, or drive very well as late as 2002, there certainly has been an uproar. Maybe Camaro enthusiasts outsourced their rage to India’s phone centers to blanket the media.
Where will this legendary ‘All American Muscle Car’ be made? Korea? Subcontracted to Sony?? I can hear it now: “Those fenders were made prior to the Chairman Mao uprising of 2011.”
I’ll bet it will have the numb, dead, electric steering, lethargic feel, and huge tires that flop like dead fish on less than smooth roads. The only thing better then driving one of the NotBig-3’s ‘muscle cars’ is beating it’s pant off in a V6 Accord or VW GTI on a twisty road.
Although I’m taking a risk of raising the hackles of performance purists, GM should plan on offering a less expensive V-6 model of the new Camaro as well. The sales numbers for the Mustang reflect that Ford sells more lower models of the Mustang than full-out GT models, because buyers can get the look of the Mustang and still be able to afford it. Same thing goes for the Dodge Charger. The GTO sales numbers are low in part because there’s only a top-line model, who’s price of entry is steep.
Great Job Bob & Rick,
But wasn’t it last year you guys were touting your new vehicle development process? Saying that you had the process down to 18 to 24 months? Now were looking at around 30 months for the Camaro? So much for your great new global process.
I have worked in the industry I know how these projects proceed. Simply put, people are most productive in the last minute. It won’t matter if you give them 20 months or 30 months, you will get the same results. There seems to be an unwritten rule in the auto industry (and many others) that all critical decisions are only made at the deadline. If the deadline is today the decision is made today, if its next week then its made next week, etc.
Get a project manger that will set some aggressive deadlines and be amazed at what your staff is truly capable of accomplishing.
The Camaro faithful will line up to buy them…that is a given. But if the Chevy Dealers do the usual car dealer thing and bump the price way over MSRP, they will just infuriate the conquest customers that this amazing car will bring into the showrooms. Do yourself a favor and let the orders from the price gouging dealers get “lost” for a while. The dealers can turn a lot of the excitement and energy of this great new car in to, “Detroit, business as usual” if you are not careful.
well, now that we got our camaro its time for us pontiac fans to get our beloved firebird (or a better GTO) why cant we have both???? shit we can even pull a chrysler on it, make the GTO a 4 door (charger) and make the firebird the icon it has been for the past 30+ years
Camaro Man: Lutz Gives People What They Want
Here’s what’s smart about Bob Lutz’s blogging. After establishing his blogging bona fides, chops, or street cred as we call it today, Lutz can now drop into the ’sphere periodically to make big points. He did so again today when
This is terrific (if utterly expected) news. However I would urge you to rethink your policy of “not slavishly adhering to the ‘69 Camaro.” In theory, this is a good idea, but in striving to distance GM from that exquisite automobile desingers have strayed too far into the realm of sci-fi (just as they did with the last generation F cars, especially the Firebirds, which now look like grotesque charicatures of muscle cars).
The new car isn’t nearly as far off the mark as the last Camaro. With a bit of toning down, especially a Jenny Craig-style reduction of the car’s bloated derriere (like the C6 Corvette, the new Camaro is emascualted by thunderous child-bearing hips) the new Camaro could be spot-on.
Don’t slavishly ape the ‘69 Camaro. But look to it’s lithe proportions for inspiration when cleaning up the show-car design for production. Pay special attention to the shapely behind on the original and you’ll have a car that outsells Mustangs out of the box.
As it now stands, my money will either go towards a Challenger or what I expect to be a new Boss 330 Mustang. My wife, who will be a partner in this purchase so her input matters, summed it up the other day while looking at photos of the Camaro concept: “The Challenger looks like a Challenger. The Mustang looks like a Mustang. This doesn’t look like a Camaro.”
[NOTE TO EDITOR: I posted the following instead of previewing it and it went out with several typos. The following has been corrected. I apologize. Lobotomy Boy]
This is terrific (if utterly expected) news. However I would urge you to rethink your policy of “not slavishly adhering to the ‘69 Camaro.” In theory, this is a good idea, but in striving to distance GM from that exquisite automobile designers have strayed too far into the realm of sci-fi (just as they did with the last generation F cars, especially the Firebirds, which now look like grotesque caricatures of muscle cars).
The new car isn’t nearly as far off the mark as the last Camaro. With a bit of toning down, especially a Jenny Craig-style reduction of the car’s bloated derriere (like the C6 Corvette, the new Camaro is emasculated by thunderous child-bearing hips) the new Camaro could be spot-on.
Don’t slavishly ape the ‘69 Camaro. But look to its lithe proportions for inspiration when cleaning up the show-car design for production. Pay special attention to the shapely behind on the original and you’ll have a car that outsells Mustangs out of the box.
As it now stands, my money will either go towards a Challenger or what I expect to be a new Boss 330 Mustang. My wife, who will be a partner in this purchase so her input matters, summed it up the other day while looking at photos of the Camaro concept: “The Challenger looks like a Challenger. The Mustang looks like a Mustang. This doesn’t look like a Camaro.”
Bob and Gang,
Hey lets cut to the chase, why not just put a platform together where I can order the body style and interior I want on the same platform. Like a chevelle, nova, camero, firebird, GTO or ? Then we could satisfy all these folks wants right ?
oh I know I forgot the GNX too sorry. Anyway point is for the most part people like to see the body style they like, why could we build a bullet-proof suspension/with engine options and body/interior options, like we used to do only a little more.
YAH BABY!
GOOD NEWS WEEK!
Make mine a fully loaded red convertible with white leather interior.
Now what is with this 2009 delivery? Any auto manufacturer worth its salt today can get the job done in 18 months or less. No fuss. No muss. Just do it.
It takes GM far too long to recognize a trend and latch onto it (viz. minivans, cross overs, RWD, DOHC engines, 6 speed trannies, etc.) Get with the program and let’s run circles around the other car companies.
Great!
This car won’t need any advertising at launch time. Make the advertising budget zero and plow the funds into engineering the car for performance and value.
Rick and Bob, a big “Thumbs Up” for the decision to build the new Camaro! Now please build this Gem at the Spring Hill TN Plant in the USA. As a 28 year GM employee on the assembly line, I would love to build and buy one of these cars in my last few years at GM….We need at product announcment at Spring Hill, Could this product line be it? Again, thanks for bringing the Camaro back to life and any other RWD vehicles that come off this new platform!
Get your dealers under control. Reports are now surfacing that they are auctioning off first vehicle rights on EBay.
Stupidity that will keep the naysayers stomping on GM’s head.
GM, PLEASE bring back the FIREBIRD!!! My favorite car ever. I am on my third one, a 2000 WS6 Trans Am, the hottest looking vehicle ever! Build a new Firebird I will be one of the first in line at my local pontiac dealership! The firebird is my passion and would love to buy another new one! I’ll never forget the emotions of buying my brand new 2002 several years ago, would like to experience that again! Long live the firebird!
Great looks and sounds like a real winner. My big fear though is the series of groups that must approve a production bodystyle. I’ve seen so many fantastic concept cars blanded down for production. The SSR is one example. My advice is to lose the design-by-committee approach and let GM cars have some personality!
Thanks for the comeback! Looking forward to 2009….
First of all, congratulations for the decision of turning the Camaro concept a reality. Well, it wasn´t anything unexpectable, because of the still good sales of the Mustang and the confirmed comeback of the Challenger. What we can expect is a new standard for pony-cars and maybe it will force Ford to get rid of the live axle in the Mustang. Let´s wait for 2008 to see what will happen.
As I perceived here, there´s a lot of people who want a new Firebird, but we have to think about this: isn´t it time to make the sibling of Camaro more different than used to be? Of course the ‘Bird lovers will say no, but you have to think that there isn’t a Pontiac engine anymore to convince a crowd to buy Pontiac. Not everyone will buy a Trans Am or anything with a LS(up to 7) in the hood. A lot will look for the V6 ordinary ones, because of style, price and less consumption. Unfortunately, even the project of passionate rides must take in count the opinion of the people who don’t know about cars, even where the traction is. In part, it isn’t bad, because today’s cars are thought to be idiotproof and, if you’re not an idiot, it´s possible to push your set of wheels to the limit and still be very safe and enjoyable.
So, the solution, if using the Zeta platform, is to give it another style. If Camaro shows the heritage of the first-gen model, maybe Firebird can resemble the ones from second to fourth incarnations. It’s fully possible: let’s see the wide variety of bodies worn by Epsilon chassis and even Zeta, known for now as the home of VE Commodore and WL Statesman.
You can also put other engines in the bay: if Camaro will use a 3,9 OHV V6 in its basic trim, why can’t the cheapest Firebird use the HF V6, maybe in 2,8 l displacement?
Other solution to make a Firebird very away from a simple Camaro clone is to put on the Kappa basis. As said other times, Mallett Cars put the LS2 into the Solstice bay and this car is only a bit heavier than the original one with the four-banger Ecotec. Stretch Kappa’s wheelbase to 2,7 m (106 in) and you can seat four people. It would also keep costs down. Even with the V6 and V8 engines, there would be a good amount of parts in common with Solstice and Sky. Let’s remember that the second-gen ‘Birds ride on a 2,74 m wheelbase (108 in).
And if you’re giving people what they want, isn’t it time to think about a RWD platform bigger than Kappa and smaller than Zeta? It would be a perfect fit for a lot of rides in every part of the world. It could be used for a range from the size of a Civic to anything below any SWB Zeta. As said in other times in this blog, here in my country (Brazil), you could, on a basis like that, make a car sized and priced between our Vectra (which, in reality, uses the stretched Astra’s basis) and the Australian Omega, which price is far away from the average mid-class Brazilian, even if financed.
As said another times also, the reality here is showing that, besides most people can only buy small cars, there’s a lot of people who used to buy Opalas and Omegas A that, with the demise of the last large Brazilian-made and RWD car, were orphaned by GMB. They stayed a lot of time dealing with what they had in hand: at most, Focus and Civic-sized rides. But first, Honda started to import from Mexico the 2-liter version of the Accord and it had good reception by the people sick of overpriced compact cars. Even better reception had Ford with the Fusion SEL 2.3 16 v, that is even cheaper than the most sophisticated Civic, but offers a lot more for what you pay. But both Accord and Fusion don’t offer something that Opala and omega A had: RWD by an affordable price. It would be here a hit like it was the original Opala in late 60s and 70s and as are being the LX cars there in the US. So, isn’t it time to a better look in some opportunities that are being lost because of narrow vision? An intermediate sized RWD platform could also used in other purposes, like:
- if shortened in its wheelbase, compact Pontiac sedan and coupé, both very away from any badge-engineered thing as is the G5, and matching the “excitement” theme of the brand. And also offering better accomodations than any four-seater Kappa, because of a lower center tunnel.
- if stretched, a Buick below Lacrosse and very away from any geriathric fame, even being the perfect house for the return of the Grand Sport trim.
- the hypothetic Firebird very away from simply being a Camaro clone (maybe using the same wheelbase of the hypothetical Buick)
- The next-gen Cadillac BLS
- In Australia, a real-world version of the Torana TT36 concept
If Brazil was designed as responsible for the architechture of the midsize trucks of the group for 2012, why can’t we project a RWD basis to be between the Zetas and the Kappas? You gave the project of a subcompact and compact basis for Daewoo to develop, so GMB still has some idle capacity to build the architechture of something like I suggested.
Mr. Lutz,
Let me start by saying thank you!
I have an ‘01 SS M6. I knew that the performance between an SS and Z28 wasn’t a huge difference but it was just love at first sight, this was my car.
My only concern with the 5th gen Camaro is that I’m going to wait one more year for the SS to come out and
then I’m going to find out that the SS is a Z28 with better exhaust and cold air induction. Please don’t let this happen, make the LS7 available in a Camaro.
It seems that in the past, GM would not build a car faster than the base Corvette. I’m sure the average enthusiast would agree that it doesn’t make much sense to handicap the performance of the SS to fall under the base model Corvette. I’m sure the Z06 would be faster than an LS7 SS, and the Corvette will be faster than the Z28. So everything is in it’s place.
The title of this post is “Give the People What They Want”. Mr. Lutz, we want an LS7 option.
1) Get it out faster.
2) Make this the first car that can be ordered directly from Chevy, delivered to a local dealer. That way you can bypass the price gouging bull$$$$ and try direct online purchasing and financing on a vehicle that you know people are excited about. People normally would have a hard time buying a car they haven’t driven, but in this case the dealers aren’t going to allow test drives until papers are signed anyway. So might as well let people order online exactly what they want, and if they aren’t happy with the test drive they lost a $250 deposit and then the dealer gets to keep the car and mark it up all they want.
Pontiac Firebird TransAm Please.
I love the gen 1 inspired Camaro.
Please remember:
SS = big engine & huge torque(6.0-7.0L V8)
Z28 = Hi-tech Hi-output V8(4.6-5.0L V8) w/ suspension/handeling upgrades
I would love even more to see a gen 2 inspired Firebird.(Formula & TA)
It’s the 70s body styles that mean the most to my heart.
P.S.
T-TOPS!!!
Thanks for hearing me out.
Great, now lets be sure to keep it bold and retain the Concept look. Please do not “Refine” it as was done to the Aura. We want the big fender flares, bold grill and shoulders etc. Put in a good dash with WHITE gauges and a real speedo with 10 mph increments. Whats up with all this 20 mph increments, is there a shortage of printing ink. Its easier to glance and get relative position without having to look and decipher which hash mark Im on. Think AUTOMETER here, with big RED needles.
Keep up the good work, just dont refine it to much. Its not a refined vehicle. Its loud, roughh , tumble etc. We dont need a Pink version.
Forget the Firebird. Stick with the GTO.
I currently own a 2004 GTO and absolutely love the car. What I’m really looking forward to though is the midsize (fullsize) Pontiac 4-door based on the new RWD platform with an LS2 or LS7 V-8 and either a manual or the two-mode hybrid 6L80E transmission.
Glad to see it official. Hope it beats my current 5.7L manual 2000 Camaro SS. 13.9/106mph at the track on regular fuel and no mods, pulls a trailer and gets 29mpg on highway, drove thruogh 6 MI winters every day (traction control/ACR) I average 23-24mpg commuting. Can’t imagine what the new one will do.
Firebird!
That Camaro has Firebird written all over it.
Dynamic duo!
I really do hope that this time around the price range from top to bottom of the Camaro line is a top priority. You have to get out a quality product, but if the low end v6 versions and base v8 versions don’t come in priced competitively verses both direct competition (Mustang) and indirect competition(WRX/Evo/350z/Sport Compacts) problems WILL arise.
One of the big reasons the origional version began to falter is that even the V6 versions were out of step when compared to the competition. However the marketplace for cheap yet sporty vehicles has only grown considerably since the Camaro left the market with the burgeoning market for WRX’s, Evo’s, 350z’s / Infiniti G35’s. Now there is also competition in the form of cheap sport compacts, which while in a different class (FWD/4 cylinders), do not doubt the consumer will cross-shop these models and perhaps go for one of them if the price and perceived value of the Camaro are not in step with the market.
Firebird
Camaro
Impala
Monte Carlo
Buick Bengal
All on the same platform. Thats the way to make money off it.
My 1969 Z28 in my garage is waiting for a younger brother – 2008 Camaro Z28, I hope.
I wasnt going to add fuel to the fire, but that Black Trans Am on the website Mark posted, would be pretty sick! If it comes down to Firebird or GTO…Firebird all the way!!
Well, unless the Bengal is smaller than the LaCrosse, then it won’t work. Buick is supposedly going to get a version of the Holden Statesman to fit in above the Lucerne. Maybe the Bengal is the rumored kappa sedan that Buick is or was supposed to get?
Anyway, with the arival of the Camaro, I’d guess the Monte is dead. Particularly if the new Camaro just squeaks by and is classed as a mid size car. If that happens, then the Camaro can take over Nascar duties, and there is also the possibility that the Camaro could take over road racing duties in place of the GTO.R if Pontiac is for some reason unable to get a version of this car.
I’m amazed at the positive response the Camaro concept has caused. The front of the car is so bad looking it’s amazing! The flavor of a ‘69? Hardly. It looks like a sophomore design project.
I saw the car on the Power Tour. That confirmed my opinion. The car is but a caricature of a ‘69. It looks like something Ed Roth would have air-brushed on a T shirt – the wheels are too big, the wheel arches are too big and that front end……
GM obviously doesn’t understand how to bring back a previously successful form; how to keep the character of the previous design.
The ‘97 Camaro was a beautiful car. If you can’t do an attractive retro design of the ‘69, you shouldn’t try. You didn’t do a retro Sting Ray for the 2006 Corvette and see how nice it turned out?
But by all means, if you’re insistent on producing this thing, let Pontiac have at it. Maybe they can make a nice Firebird out of it!
I am so glad to hear that you will be releasing the camaro in 09′. I will be in to order mine as soon as it is available at the dealers… That is unless the FIREBIRD is sitting next door at the pontiac dealer (hint, hint).
Build the firebird too please… don’t make me beg, because I will.
Please stick closely to the concept, as this is the deciding factor for many people which can make or break their love for this car.
Best of luck in GM’s recovery to success, even if it’s being #2 in the world.
PiCASSO
Bob and Rick:
Thanks for listening to the people. I have no doubt the styling will be impeccable. Now about the mechanicals… a 6-speed auto is a must, as well as active fuel managment (not just in the V8’s, but the V6’s as well). And how about a powerful V6, not just 200 hp like the old 3800 Camaro. How about 250hp and over 30 mpg highway?
I’m a little concerned when you say that the Camaro will be very affordable. I do like all the goodies on the upper level models (heated seats, heads-up display, sun roof, tire pressure monitor, telescoping wheel, etc). I hope these options will be available and this thing won’t be stripped out like the Mustang. And don’t sacrifice fit and finish to get the price down – I’d rather pay more if it means having better materials.
Hurray, the Camaro is back, albeit more than 3 years after the release of the retro mustang.
Now, don’t screw it up by making another “GTO.” The Camaro’s Pontiac counterpart is the Firebird.
The Pontiac LeMans/GTO has its own identity. It should not be a Monaro or Camaro. (I really wouldn’t have minded a Pontiac Monaro, especially when it meant not blaspheming the GTO’s namesake)
It’s better than ever! Thank you for bringing back on the market.
Hi,
Congratulations on your decision to put the Camaro back into production. One of my concerns is that GM will remove the elements of the concept car that make it such a good-looking car.
I was at the Detroit Auto show in the 90’s, and GM had a red Grand Prix concept car that “pointed” to the future of the car. It had twin scoops on the hood, flared wheel arches, and good-looking wheels. None of these features made it to the production car, and so, for me, the production car was very bland. I know that the Camaro’s roof has to be raised for production, but lets hope that the great styling elements remain.
One more point that I would like to raise is in regards to the engine shown in the concept car. Wow, I like what you have done! I have a Corvette ZR-1, and when I raise the hood, I see more than an engine, I see an engine that has form and function. When I look at a new Corvette engine, I see black plastic covers. The engine has a lot of function, but not a lot of form. Can you at least make the concepts engine covers an option?
It will be interesting to see which manufacture, GM, or Chrysler, is able to move their concept car from show, to production, without losing too much of the “show”.
Thanks,
Ken
Munich, Germany
Wonderful, first we blow up our production schedule with SUVs and Big Trucks, then we come out with the Camaro 4 -5 years after the Mustang has proven great for its fans. And for mid size Hi-Brids??? Lets get with the Fuel Headlines…People want Hi-Brids, not 30 MPG but 50 plus.
I am very pleased to see the Camaro making a comeback. You have done an awesome job on this car! I have owned two Camaro’s and two Firebird’s. I currently own a 04 Corvette. Do NOT forget your loyal Firebird fans! Bring back the Firebird Trans Am also. Build it and they will come! Best of luck to GM on this new project. Dan
This is good news. I own a 2002 Trailblazer now, and when I graduate from college in 2009 I’ll be definantly purchasing the 09 Camaro. Good timing for me, because I wasn’t planning on getting my next car untill 09. Thank God I don’t have to get a rear wheel drive Dodge, the Camaro is my car savior. Thank you for bringing the American car back!
Make it light under 3500# (not a fat pig)
“Give the people what they want” -Bob Lutz
Hmmmm…
Interesting concept.
What were you doing before?
Haha! Just messin’ with ya Bobby. Thanks for getting GM back on track.
Thanks for finally bring the Camaro back. I personally have owned 3 Camaro’s over the years (1969 Indy SS/RS pace car, 1982 Z28, 1994 Z28).
My only 2 complaints :
1. The rear is just a tad too boxy looking. I’m not a designer, so I can’t say what it needs, but it needs something.
2. Can’t you all get this thing out the door sooner than 2009?!
Other than that, I’m glad it’s back, and can’t wait to have one parked next to my C5 Vette.
Thanks so much. Now ford has something to worry about. I’m hoping to trade my SS in on a new one. As you predicted the pontiac half will cry out for their forebird to.
Mr. Lutz: Thanks for getting the new Camaro on the market it will be a huge success as will the derivates of this architecture.
GTO
Grand Prix (4 Door)
Trans Am (see transamcountry link from Mark)
Monte Carlo
Impala
Velite
Electra (Statesman)
GM should offer a Trans Am for Pontiac from the Camaro but the Firebird should be derived from the Solstice.
This is the next product GM must build: A 5 passenger Sedan the size of a BMW 3-series from the Solstice; hopefully this model is already in the pipeline. Pontiac must expand the Solstice lineup quickly to take advantage of the buzz the convertible has generated.
GM has never offered a model like this on the U.S. market. This could be the most critical model that Pontiac would introduce; it would define Pontiac as a legitimate player in the high performance sedan market and lay the foundation for other mass market offerings. GM must have a vehicle in this segment and one that delivers a balanced combination of power, handling and economy.
Power choices range from 2.4L up to the 7.0L V-8 and the new line of 6-speed automatics will be available to complement the 6-speed manual.
The interior must be world class offering legitimate 4 adult passenger comfort with the ability to carry the occasional 5th passenger. Luggage space and utility should spacious and versatile.
A 5 passenger coupe (Firebird) would be an obvious addition with the Coupe and Sedan starting in the low $20K range with top performance models priced competitively with the BMW 3-series.
Using the Firebird name on the coupe is easy; maybe the Sedan could use the Grand Am name and be the 3-series model to the Grand Prix Sedan 5-series sized model.
And please only use the G-series numbers on FWD cars – give all RWD Pontiacs real names, there are plenty of good ones to choose from. Thanks for your time and keep those hits coming.
The best car I ever owned was a 1984 Trans Am. I bought it new and miss it still. Having said that, I would buy the new Camaro in a “heartbeat.”
If a new Firebird is introduced, wait a year or two after the Camaro introduction so that the two don’t compete and so that Pontiac can properly focus on the new GTO.
Regarding the Camaro, please offer one all-out, ball-busting, full bore performance version. For this model don’t worry about fuel economy or insurance premiums. Just make it a monster. AND make it available in a convertible version.
Thanks,
Bruce Sherman
Mr. Lutz, et. al,
Thanks, for the new Camaro, thanks for your devotion.
Your loyal enthusiasts tried to tell you all at GM why the Camaro is such an important car. Beginning with the 1993 Camaro something very special started to happen on the streets. The younger set started to notice the Camaro, and little by little GM earned the respect of the younger set with the Camaro. The high schoolers say “American muscle,” even if they aren’t quite sure what it means. The import Joes are jealous of the Camaro. It has been so important on the streets for GM amidst all the tuner imports that have been luring younger males away from GM. Then, just as the tide was turning on the streets, GM cancelled the Camaro, it was such a devastating blow to us on the frontlines for you. We couldn’t believe it, we were finally winning, we just needed a new style, and the big boys in corporate cancelled our car, the news media exploited the issue, and the people were losing hope. BTW, We had wished the headlight update would have been a little better, perhaps a little slimmer to match the tail lights. But such is life.
GM needs rod shops to generate new enthusiasm among the younger set and nice new Pontiac, Buick, and Cadillac dealers near the upscale neighborhoods of rising professionals.
We are excited about the new Camaro, its modern like we’d hoped, yet a bit retro to capture the imagination. Let’s hope the engine offerings are diverse enough to satisfy both economy and performance.
For the cloth seat offering, make it a tighter feel, and not so much like loose corduroy.
The enthusiasm for the Camaro is much like the discovery of the Lucerne. Its all about style, image, commanding presence, AND clarity of the corporate message. Somewhere along the line GM’s corporate brass forgot about image. GM’s engineers made some beautiful cars, but GM’s brass let the image falter, GM’s brass were too silent as your adversaries started a guerrilla marketing campaign against you. Maybe you don’t like to hear that.
GM needs to continue making beautiful cars, maybe thats what all the Camaro buzz is about, but this time back them up at the corporate level, the general public didn’t hear GM before, the message wasn’t clear. Many times GM’s loyal base has had to carry the day when GM’s brass didn’t market the products or seem to care.
All you have to do is to look at Cadillac to see what can be done when GM’s brass is behind the product, and supports it in public. The Matrix Reloaded really worked, how about some more like that. A clear message with a technology focus and some pizzaz really works to overcome the competition.
Its not enough to say, well, those were what we thought were great products, and just set them out and hope they sell themselves.
GM has made many beautiful cars and mismarketed them to the wrong customer, placed them in a lower brand when they could have sold for a higher price as a Cadillac, or overpriced a particular style that appealed to the young.
The Trofeo should have been an entry level Cadillac to sell for the list price, instead of the Cimaron that wasn’t as nice for example. Alternatively, the Trofeo style could have been a lower priced Cutlass Supreme or Grand Prix. The younger customer loved it, they just couldn’t quite afford the price tag, and the Torondo customer wanted a bigger car. The Aurora was/is magnificent. GM should still be making it, just like the Camaro, the Aurora has a following. The later color combos for the Aurora could have been better to compete with Lexus. And the Aurora should have been an entry level Cadillac. The Intrigue should have had the 3800 engine and been called a Cutlass Supreme and it would have sold like hot cakes, that was the customer who wanted it.
And incidentally, what did GM brass try to offer the million plus Cutlass Supreme customers that they ran off with the 1988 egg shaped design? Where did they go and where are they now?
Why did it take you so long to offer the XLR when GM had been making the Corvette for such a long time?
Likewise GM could be making a Cadillac roadster on the Solstice platform at the entry level luxury and be making even more money. Why don’t you?
Sometimes GM plain misses why people like your products. You act like you’ve given up on the Pontiac flag ship, maybe you thought the Bonneville was enough. Well, at the start it was, but the exterior Bonneville style became passe as others went after your market and outstyled you. You can’t just stick a minivan headlight on a sedan and hope the critical eye of the sedan buyer won’t notice. The interior was superior.
Some GM managers commenting in these blogs say GM has sex appeal, well for the CTS, STS the G6, the Solstice, the Lucerne, yes. Yet you are not listening to what we are saying. Have you been to the club scene in areas where your market share is struggling? Look what is in the parking lots, we are starting to see CTS-V’s along with those Escalades. If GM wants to break the foreign competition, hit the high priced club scene with some flash coupes and sedans like the Escalade and CTS-V. GM brass got behind the Escalade with some star power, some flash, bling, bling, sex appeal. That needs to happen across the line-up, from the country club to the night club. Some people like sculpted look of the Aurora and some like the bold lines of the CTS, personally, I like both. What the hot and heavy buyers want is one of those styles in something expensive. My friends ask, is it expensive? Cadillac has a lot of potential. The market has moved toward luxury in a big way, GM can get the business, your cars are actually the best, lets just get a couple more styles out there.
We are telling you that Mr. and Mrs America trust GM V-8 engines, you’ve earned that trust, people would really buy a smaller fuel efficient V-8, can you make it 30 mpg? GM V-8’s are selling well even with the high gas prices, what does that say to you? Are you hearing us?
In the same way, people trust GM’s VVT, the Northstar has led the way.
We still like the 3800 engine, its so reliable and so smooth, it is economical, plenty of torque and passing power, its easy to maintain, it is very durable, it has many advantages over the foreign competition. Likewise GM trasmissions, 4 speeds, are very very reliable. Corporate brass should be defending GM engines and transmissions. Defend every engine, every product. Tell the press your loyal customers trust GM products as the best. Advertise GM’s certified used as a trusted product before the foreign competition steals the thought. Why do millions trust GM certified used instead of buying a new throw away car from the foreign competition? The public knows GM quality is real, thats why. GM certified used buyers are fending off the imports, say it proudly. When the US economy rebounds, GM will soar, your adversariers know it, and they tremble at the thought.
Our priceless defense of GM as such a wonderful, caring, highly advanced company translates to our friends and family. We’ve countered the ugly bias against you from your adversaries at every turn, we’d just like you to help us out, stick up for yourselves, do give up or give in, and you will win. You are already seeing a difference. Your adversaries fear most a competitive resilient GM. Many Americans are counting on you. What we want is pure GM products, without alliances.
Good to hear the Camaro is a go, but I’m sad that y’all will probably screw it up again. It doesn’t matter if the new V8 Camaro can run circles around a Mustang GT if it’s $5k more than a similarly equipped ‘Stang. And by the specs that have been touted, it sounds like that’s where it’s headed.
And a related note, y’all really need to get a clue on the interior. I read a quote from Ed Welburn about how his favorite part of the Camaro concept car was the ‘67-style [sic, actually 68-69 style] gauges on the console under the dash. I really hope that came from some marketing person and was bogusly attributed to Mr Welburn. That’s something that any of us 1st-generation hot-rodders and racers HATE about our 1st gens.. Gauges are worthless if you have to take your eyes off the road to look at them, and it’s why people cut up their dashes in 67-69’s to install aftermarket gauges where you can actually read them. Real car guys get that. The HSV guys in Australia get it. Hau Tai-Tang gets it.
Without a 427 option, I’ll be a target for every boy-racer with a beatup 5-oh Mustang and a bottle of nitous.
I don’t want to rain on the parade, because I’m truly glad it’s back. But I have to ask why was it shelved in the first place?
Thanks for the camaro!!! I currently drive an 01 firebird and it is the best car i have ever had! Please please bring back the firebird!!!!
The new Camaro, making Pontiac all RWD, much improved quality inside and out shows GM is listening. I agree with the arguments against making a GTO or Firebird that is a copy of the Camaro. While Chevy goes retro perhaps Pontiac should offer a modern styled coupe. I also would like to see Pontiac get a car to compete with the BMW 3 series sedan and coupe. Perhaps the next gen. G6. Of course the coupe should continue to have its sporty styling even compaired to the sport sedan. Top engine options should include a 300hp DOHC V6 with VVT and direct injection, and that engine with twin turbos for 400+hp. I would also like to see an AWD option as well. How about a Grand Prix sedan and coupe based on the Cadillac STS chassis. A 500hp V8 as the top engine option and AWD also offered as an option. Both cars G6 and GP should also offer your magnetic selective ride control as an option. How about a hard top solstice with a 300hp V6 engine and magnetic selective ride control to compete with Nissan’s 350Z. This car should be a Pontiac exclusive, and not shared with Saturn. It is time to inject Pontiac with some renewed excitement. I like your new full size Pickups. I still think a full line of production XV8 and XV6 engines would steal away any thunder from Toyotas Tundra as well as Ford and Dodge pickups. On the SUV front I have read that the Trailblazer and Envoy are due to be dropped. I think that would be a mistake. I believe RWD/4WD and body on full frame SUVs to be better at towing and have better traction off road. Basically better at the utility side of the equation. You have not done a good job at exploiting these benifits. Redsign these SUVs with sportier yet more rugged styling that isn’t boxy. Give it a new front suspension simillar to that of the new full size P-ups, and a new independant rear suspension that keeps all the components as high as possible to keep ground clearance as high as possible. Offer an off road model and a sporty 2 door. How about an updated 4WD system which also could be offered throughout your line of trucks and RWD/4WD SUVs that allow the front, middle and rear differentials to lock to provide true 4WD. This would provide maximum traction and maximum traction flexibility by being able to select free wheeling 2WD, auto 4WD, part time 4WD and 4WD/low which transfers power from wheel to wheel, and 4WD lock and 4WD low lock. All this with a new 300hp and 350hp XV8 engine and new interiors that are not cheap looking will give Chevy and GMC SUVs that will be better at attracting buyers than todays boring SUVs which seems to be marketed to soccer moms more than to sportsmen and others who need the utility of RWD/4WD SUVs. Try putting a snow plow on a GMC Acadia. It is a nice vehicle but falls short of some SUV duties.If you want to sell more Colorados, Canyons, and H3s then offer an optional 300hp XV8 or 285hp XV6 and new interriors that are impressive and not cheap looking. I also think Chevy and GMC should offer a compact RWD/4WD SUV including a sporty 2 door. Anyway thats what think; since you were listening. Thank you for listening. I have a feeling I will be buying GM long into the future.
“Give the People What They Want”
Well I guess gm is working now!!!
Ok forget the Nissan thingy,Lets do american stuff.Camaro so far so so good.If it would be done ASAp I would even be more happy.You guys are starting to work.
Here is the point “Give the People What They Want”you will not please everyone but if a lot of them cry for the same thing over and over again “Give the People What They Want”.
you are are working. thank thank “Give the People What They Want”
Mr. Lutz,
Great news about the Camaro, and I sincerely hope it will be like the concept version – if so, I too believe it will be a long term success. It will be a Camaro that not only attracts the faithful, but succeeds in conquesting as well. My European auto friends are enamoured with the new Camaro and if it’s produced like the concept, they are ready to buy as am I.
Again, kudo’s to you and your team for making it happen, especially in lieu of todays auto industry climate; however, I believe that despite this, you and your team will prove them wrong.
Speaking of proving them wrong, I sincerely hope you find a moment to read this months Car and Driver editorial: Corvette Z06 vs. Porsche 911 Turbo vs. Ferrari F430.
Someone in GM needs to provide commentary regarding this “road test”. The Corvette Z06 out performs both the Porsche and Ferrari handily but still places THIRD!
Any objective person reading this “road test” would agree that the Corvette Z06 should have been the clear winner but no, Car and Driver instead gave the nod to two vehicles costing tens of thousands more while delivering performance results less than the Corvette Z06.
This is the kind of “journalism” that GM needs to address. GM can no longer take these “road tests” on the chin, something needs to be said/done – something preferably from you. In the fight to establish awareness, preception is reality and editorials like this does not do GM nor Chevrolet nor Corvette nor YOU any good.
Again, congratulations on the new Camaro, and sincere thanks to you Mr. Lutz for keeping this dialogue authentic and credible, unlike Car and Driver and their ilk.
Regards,
SKT
Let me start by saying that I am not a diehard domestic automobile fan. I love cars, but like a good parent, I love them all the same. When I first set eyes on the Camaro concept, I fell in love with it. To confirm that GM is actually on the right track, I will more than likely purchase the Camaro when it goes on sell in early 2009. However, like the many others who had voiced their opinion about the quality, please take the time to do it right this time around. Although muscle cars are uniquely American, and no other imports can build one; but don’t take that reason for granted. A sports coupe packing a high power v6 or v8, import or not, still has the ability to challenge any muscle car. That’s not to mention that all modern imports sports coupes have decent to great handling. To level the playing field, the new Camaro must be able to offer great handling along with the near 400hp for the v8s. Bottom line is, don’t let the bean counters ruin a good thing or you’ll end up shooting yourself in the foot again. BTW, I’ve owned an ‘83 Mustang, and a ‘97 Firebird. However, I am currently a owner of a Nissan Altima. Why? Reliability, Quality, and Affordability, and dear I say performance.
Thats great news about the Camaro butI would like to know what is going on with the next generation GTO.
Hey Bob,
I hope you aren’t listening to those who still sing the praises of 4 speed automatics and the ancient 3800. The 3.6 VVT is the best V6 engine GM has ever produced. Smooth, refined, powerfull, and economical. All the while being just as reliable as the old 3800s (pre- ’93s…. before you started using cheap plastic gaskets on the manifolds). It’s 2006 and will be 2008 when this baby comes out. Let’s let those ancient engines rest where they belong – right next to the Berlin Wall, mullets, and the Go-Go’s!
GM has an excellent opportunity here. So, don’t screw it up.
Don’t overprice the V-8 cars and don’t try to replace a moderate output V-8 with a hi-output V-6.
If the Camaro becomes a bloated, over-priced, over-optioned, over-weight neo-GTO, then GM will surely feel the impact.
V-8 cars shouldn’t be expensive and overloaded with junk. That stuff can be options, or in packages. GM needs a sub 30k V-8 Camaro that can spank a Mustang GT, Charger, Challenger, or Import.
It won’t take much to beat the Mustang, so make a base V-8 Mustang slayer affordable. You know, so people can afford them!
V-8s belong in more than just top of the line SS cars!
It is exciting to see the Camaro again, and it is indeed a great car.
Too bad that we have to wait so long. The Chinese and Japanese competition will come out with something similar to our ideas and design and take our customers by selling a ripoff in late 2007 or early 2008. So better hurry up…..
Please make a sedan version at the same time! Three levels from chevy to buick would be great. Big car, big v8 period. Don’t care about mileage, I care about being as big, powerful and comfortable as possible for 30-40K. currently have an 03-DTS, love it BUT the tiny 4.6L and really hate the FWD with all it’s negatives on performance with the only positive of being better in weather.
One of the reasons the later Camaros and Firebirds did not sell as well as the Mustang was the feeling of being down and inside rather than being up and in control. This driving sensation was reported in almost every comparison review in the automobile magazines. From the pictures of the new Camaro, it looks like the feeling of encapsulation might be even more present in the new model with its chopped top, shaker hood, and high front fenders. No doubt this car will be a big money maker for the dealers as they rip-off the existing Camaro enthusiast base, but for the car to gain new GM customers, it will have to appeal to people who have owned Audis, Acuras, and BMWs. Will the driving experience be as good?
Dear GM team,
Hell yeah.
You’ve made me a happy man, and you’v emade my wife even happier, as the Camaro we inevitably buy will be, technically, “hers”.
She has wanted a Camaro since she was 15, but could never afford one. I’ve had a 1969 Camaro since I was 14, and it’s only fair that my wife gets the car of her dreams! She’s had a printout from a website online of a sketch of a Blue Convertible with White Z28 stripes on the fridge for about 3 months now.
Thanks for this…you’ve made alot of people happy…including this little married couple from North Carolina.
Thanks again,
-Lyle Pollard
FIREBIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Make mine with a BIG screaming chicken right on the hood! Just like the guy w/ Photoshop in Hot Rod made it!
Oh, yeah, paint the engine block blue too!
MIKE
My cars (by year):
1996 Formula (LT1 / M6)
1975 Lemans Sport Coupe
1973 GTO
1966 Bonnie
1966 2+2
1961 Ventura / Bobcat Edition
Thanks Bob and Rick? Really now, I’d rather accord the credit where’s it attributable versus some figurehead(s), and that’s to the people, the teams, the consumer who wanted it. Since when has one or two people been responsible for such an undertaking? We Americans are so indoctrinated with figureheads…nothing more than glorified hood ornaments. And we all know where hood ornaments are these days? Out of fashion. Will we ever learn?
Congratulations to the Camaro fans. To bad us Firebird fans are left out in the cold again. Here’s an idea. Pay Kevin Morgan for his design, put a 400 hp engine in it, and sell the Trans Am model for under $30,000
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
It’s time for my 9th Camaro!
Firebird, Firebird, Firebird
OK, hope I’m able to come up something new too.
For this car to go beyond Camaro enthusiast land a couple of sugestion:
This 6/7/8 litre V8 is God’s wish, has to either be restricted to the USA, or go all togheter.
Mr Lutz you know very well the outside the USA (europe in particulary) there severe taxes of engine displacement, cylinders, emissions and there
are even anti-noise polution laws.
And fuel is also highly taxated.
So fuel eficiency and low emissions, next to performance, is a must.
So my suggestion is engines like BMWs 3 litre inline 6 twin turbo petrol and more importantly the 3 litre inline 6 twin turbo diesel.
Build them or buy, cause if not, sales outside the USA won’t be much.
And ofcourse weight and aerodynamics sould help too.
Also equip the Caros with every type of transmision there is, from the standard manuals, to automatics and fancy/special ones like DSG, SMG.
You should also consider AWD (RWD biased) versions too for the people in alpine and scandinavian countries.
Also, please take car of the driving dynamics and feeling.
Consider BMWs, Porsches, Ferraris as the benchmark(s) and not the 60s/70s Camaros.
I sincerely wish GM well with this born again car, which is definitely more refined than the old F body ever could be. Let us hope young and old flock to it and set sales records!
Please make sure to have good service support for it, as these will probably be driven a long time!
Glade to see the camaro return. Please do not make the mistake of the ssr. Keep it in the 30k for a Z28. Will there be a ss in the works? Can a 6′2 man fit?(looks a little tight for us tall ones)
Mr. Lutz, I have to say thank you. The Camaro has been an icon for me for Chevrolet performance for as long as I can remember. I couldn’t wait to buy one when I got out of college. I still own and drive my 94 Z28 every summer and love every minute of it. This car has become a part of our family.
When the Camaro was cancelled in 2002, it affected me more than I thought it should. I still wore my bow tie hats to races and car shows but that seemed to represent the past. What car did Chevy have for me to get excited about in the present? I love the C6, especially the Z06, but the kids are still in college and I haven’t won the lottery.
I vowed in 2001 on savethecamaro.com that I would never buy another GM product until the Camaro returned. I have stayed true to this and have purchased Nissans, Toyotas and Hondas ever since.
You will have won back my business with this car. I feel like an old friend has returned and I don’t think I am alone. My son is infected with the Camaro bug too and thought that his only option was going to be a used Camaro–not any more.
So once again, thank you Mr Lutz for really listening to your customers. Chevy fans are born, not made. All you have to do is give us the right car.
Long Live the small block!
Joe
P.S. The LS7 would look mighty fine under that hood. Shelby owners would really have to squint to see those new tail-lights.
Make a 2 door wagon variant.
Camaro Nomad?
Unorthodox but incredible. Beat the magnum at it’s own game.
When does it come to the UK?
I’ll take mine in a Z28 package using the C6 Z06 as a benchmark for performance and function. Lemans Blue please.
Please Bob, please don’t have the only misguided direction to your teams to “make it cheap”. You owe it to your legacy to step in and take control. Top down and bottom up – create the halo car that this Camaro COULD AND SHOULD be. Your first stop should be down under – set the direction yourself.
Thank you. For 15 years I’ve loved this car and after 2002 passed a void in my heart was created. Thanks for giving us Camaro owners another model to love.
Hopefully I can get in the front of the line when models hit the showroom!!
Dear Mr. Lutz,
is there any chance, we will see the Camaro officially imported to Europe / Germany? I guess there would be many people love hearing that
Thanks and
keep on cruisin’
Simon
http://www.us-car-blog.de
Thank you for the Camaro! Those of us that appreciate muscle cars applaud you! Now if you really want to give us what we want, give us a GTO that lives up to the original ground breaking vehicle! We’re waiting!
SO HOW MUCH WILL THE NEW CAMARO BE AND WILL AN SS VERSION BE IN OUR FUTURE? WHEN CAN WE BE PUT ON THE ORDER LIST?
Thanks so much, Bob and Rick! My hopes of owning my dream car will soon be a reality.
It’s great that the Camaro is now approved.
The problem is it won’t be available for another TWO years? You had a great idea, but the execution is still the old GM, day late and a dollar short. The only reason I will give you any leaniancy is the fact the car is slated to have a great powerplant, LSx based, and drivetrain. I currently own a 2000 Firebird Formula that I purchased new. It’s still one of the best bang for the buck cars of the last decade.
Rick, that concept Camaro wannabe car is ugly. It looks like it came out of the Cadillac studio instead of the Chevy studio. Make it look like a REAL ‘69 or don’t waste the company money on this pig. Don’t believe all the suckups on this board. They would buy anything with the letters C-A-M-A-R-0 written on it. Chrysler has the correct idea with it’s Challenger. At least it looks like what it is supposed to. Just my .02
I think what is written here is only a reflection of what GM does on their current and future models.
The ones who make changes are inside the walls of GM, and are paid for it.
Rick and Bob,
It looks like the people have spoken, time to get cracking on the Firebird/TA. Dont forget the T-Tops!!
Great job on the Camaro guys!!! Keep up the good work!
Bob,
First, let me warn you not to give the Camaro a live axle. An independent suspension will be key to reviews noting greater sophistication than the Mustang to which it will inevitably be compared.
Thats said, here is how GM will blow it anyway with the new Camaro. First, let me illustrate probably the only example of where GM has truly gotten it right, the Corvette. The reason that car has done so well is that, much like the Cadillac brand (note brand not so much platforms used within), it is highly focused and very distinctive. Until recently with the XLR, the platform was really not shared with other cars. This is what car buyers want: style, value and distinction. If there must be sharing, limit it to no more than one other car and make them, as with the Corvette/XLR, quite distinct.
The Pontiac Solstice could have gone on to become a stellar car and could have really helped distinguish the Pontiac brand while presenting a legitimate challenger to the Miata’s iconic status. Instead the design will be cheapened with no less than four (Pontiac, Saturn, Opel and now I gather an upcoming Saab variant) versions.
How many versions of the Miata does Mazda sell? That’s why it is an icon. How many rebadged versions of the Vette do you sell? That’s why it is an icon. How many rebadged versions of the rear-engined 911 does Porsche sell? That’s why it is an icon. Icons have strong, loyal followers who are less price conscious than any other buyers.
So now, let me guess, the Camaro will soon surface as a largely rebadged Pontiac GTO, Firebird, Holden something-or-other and possibly an Opel right?
Nice. You guys never learn.
Bob:
I have read that Cadillac is planning a car that is down market from the CTS in the North American market. In fact, Cadillac has already introduced the BTS in Europe that is based on a front wheel drive, popular-priced car platform. History has told us this is a mistake. The 110 and 120 did harm to Packard’s image. The Cimmaron and X-Type did harm to Cadillac’s and Jaguar’s images. GM has spent billions of dollars trying to make Cadillac the Standard of the World once again. It would be foolish to corrupt this image with a car down market of the CTS. One of the reasons Mercedes Benz and BMW over took Packard and Cadillac is that they managed their brand images better, never comprising their brands with front wheel drive cars. A better use of Cadillac’s development money is product extensions off Cadillac’s rear wheel drive line up. I know a CTS coupe is in the future product plan. A CTS convertible would be a great image car and potentially profitable. A rear wheel drive car larger than the STS would greatly add to Cadillac’s prestige.
Respectfully,
Eric Matthew Vest
I agree with the last person. I love Pontiac and Pontiac heritage, but in today’s world, I don’t think there are enough resources and customers to support a Camaro and a Firebird. I think you should concentrate on making the Camaro the best it can be, an icon and a class leader. As great as some of the Firebirds were, it was always very close in concept and design to the Camaro. Ford isn’t rushing out a Cougar clone — so GM shouldn’t do the same thing with Camaro. Maybe a GTO with a different chassis would work, but even that would might cannibalize sales of the new Camaro. Keep up the good work and make the Camaro a milestone car!
I agree with the last person who posted. Although I love Pontiac and Pontiac heritage, I think GM should concentrate on the Camaro right now. The Camaro and the Firebird were always very similar in design and concept anyway, so don’t be redundant by bringing out a new Firebird that is similar to the new Camaro. Ford could have brought out a Cougar to sell alongside the Mustang, but it didn’t. That worked in the 1960s, but it won’t work now — there is too much competition out there and too few resources. Concentrate on making the Camaro the best it can be — an icon and a class leader! Pontiac can do something different — maybe a new GTO or some other entirely new vehicle. Good work and good luck with the new Camaro!
I agree with the last person. I love Pontiac and Pontiac heritage, but in today’s
world, I don’t think there are enough resources and customers to support a Camaro
and a Firebird. I think you should concentrate on making the Camaro the best it
can be, an icon and a class leader. As great as some of the Firebirds were, it was
always very close in concept and design to the Camaro. Ford isn’t rushing out
a Cougar clone — so GM shouldn’t do the same thing with Camaro. Maybe a GTO
with a different chassis would work, but even that would might cannibalize sales
of the new Camaro. Keep up the good work and make the Camaro a milestone car!
In the last 20 years the center of GM’s RWD expertise has moved to Australia?
That’s just sad. I would never make that public statement, no matter how true it may be.
If you guys screw the Camaro up like you over-priced the GTO or kept the IFS in the HD GMT900 trucks, I’m going to buy another couple DCX products.
Bob
After a 15-20 year slump the American car is finally coming back. When GM dropped rwd and built the horrible Roger Smith line starting in the late 80s GM had 40-50% of the market. Thanks to a lineup of stodgy sedans the American car almost died and GMs market share went to 25%. What really makes me happy is that GM is planning a full line of cars on a simalir drivetrains. RWD Pontiancs, Impalas and
Buicks are the formula for sucess. I believe there is an inverse relationship between SUVs and coupes. Specialty coupes will revitalize GMs image and take the sting out of the SUV decline. I have always felt that sedans are stodgy and that coupes are personal and sexy. I could never love a sedan. In the 1990s I felt that the Ford Thunderbird should become Mustang like, a big Mustang so to speak. I think the next Monte Carlo should be Camaro like on a stretched wheelbase. GM needs to change the image of the American car. Great styling, RWD and more coupes will do this. Your bringing back a great icon in the Camaro, how about an Eldorado.
Holden has been pumping out outstanding cars for years now, especially the HSV versions. I was overjoyed to see the Monaro come here as the GTO, and sincerely hope the new E-series (and especially the HSV version)come here as a RWD Grand Prix/G8. My plans for a 2003 M5 would evaporate overnight. I wish the Torana concept had been seen by a wider audience–we might have gotten a 3-series killing sedan instead of the Civic competitor G6. The kind of car Pontiac really should be building.
I love what GM has done lately–the C6 and Z06, the new SUVs and trucks, the Camaro, and the distant rumblings of RWD V8 thunder from Down Under.
Again, I applaud the decision to build the Camaro, but I think GM needs to sell a sedan version of the Camaro too (a la 3 series). Holden and HSV cut loose to build awesome cars (that get brought to the states) would certainly divert attention from the RWD German performance sedans. There’s a significant subsection of the market that buys not for the luxury, but for the RWD sport driving experience. The fact that the LS2 has more power and better mileage than anything else out there in the performance ballpark could really give GM a leg up if the cars look cool enough to buy–and the latest round of photos from down under suggest they are.
Bring them here–the Camaro (and Firebird maybe?) need the help fighting the imports.
Thats the kind of company I look for – give us what we want and we will pay for it. I was spooked by a problem a friend of mine is having with the saturn sky. In a nut shell – he returned it within the 30 day policy for a new – upgraded model. However it won’t be delivered for months, in the mean time the dealer says they keep the trade in – while he still must make payments and insurance on it. Now that scares me. He is going thru hell with this dealer and its policy. what gives here ?
PS – that camaro is one of the best auto designs to show up in years.
This is excellent. Will our favorite damaged brand, Pontiac, be getting a Firebird version of this vehicle? If not, what about a next-gen GTO? And what about the beauty on the cover of this month’s Motor Trend – the Holden-sourced RWD V8 Grand Prix? GM’s “performance division” (remember “We Build Excitement”, anyone?) certainly can’t exist on Solstice alone. As a 6′2″ male with a few extra pounds, this awesome roadster is a little too tight for me. Trust me, I tried. Broke my heart when I realized I couldn’t wedge myself comfortably into it. Almost cried, like the time I realized the same thing about the Viper.
How about it, Bob? Some RWD excitement for Pontiac?
Thanks alot alot alot.But wait,waiting to 2009 ?Do it sooner please ! One last thing: why dont you make a turbo v6 version for better gas miliage and to save some weight ? 3000 lb. could be very nice for all of us youngers, this camaro could become a import killer!!!!!
The Camaro is a great concept. The long distance time from concept to production is not. We at GM have missed out on a lot of opportunities by ignoring our competitors in terms of styling and the revival of older ideas, like the convertable and the two seater. By playing catch-up we tend to come in at the end of a styling period. Hopefully we’ve learned the lesson and can change from follower to leader in design.
Those of us who have investments in small businesses are also aware how much the price of gas has effected business. It has been a long time since our fuel economy numbers have increased. Its time to change that before the government requires it. Maybe we need to rethink the transportation business and take some serious study of other opportunities.
Keep up the good work and continue to shorten the delivery time.
Interesting. I’d buy it!
You need a Heritage package with stripes, and I want a 427 with no power windows & houndstooth interior like they had in the 60’s
Great looker! Now about the 50mpg diesel, 3door B segment addition for the the Saturn line….
Mr Lutz,
You made the comment about year ago about Plastic Body Panels. “We need to move away from Plastic Panels so we can narrow door gaps for better appearance” I ask what looks worse after the car is a year old, a wider door gap or this big ding someone left you with? I have a 04 Saturn Ion. Its the best car I have ever owned and I bought it because of the plastic Panels. Sorry to hear it going to be discontinued. I wanted to buy another one next year sometime.
Dave Hribar
When you make this car affordable for the masses with engine options that are not focused on performance, you will make this car less attractable to the enthusiasts. Why plop down $30+K on the high end version when the kid parked next to me has a $18K version with small tires and a 4 cyl engine? If you’re making a sports car make a sports car. If you’re making a Cavalier make a cavalier. You can’t do both well.
I bought a 2002 RS right out of the showroom when I heard of the Camaro’s demise. I figured I would keep that car forever (one of only 443!). But now, I will be waiting at my local dealership in 2009 ready to trade ‘er in with the keys in one hand and my GM Card Earnings and savings account balance in the other. You’ll definitely make some coin off of me! (Although I will miss my T-TOPS, any chance that’ll be an option for this generation?)
MR LUTZ.
you said something about probably hearin a lot of the firebird in here.
The camaro needs a little brother to share his chassis with, and for the sake of negative hoopla, his little bro’s name probably shouldnt be GTO.
than again, dodge got away with a four door charger. so i guess its possible. from a business stand, it would be much cheaper to boost lagging gto sales using camaro components. Perhaps you could go with the zetalite platform on the camaro, and then use the expensive zeta and a 500 hp something on a shiny GTO to turn pontiac into a luxo-performance brand like ive heard a lot about. even then, a camaro-based chicken in pontiac with upgraded trim and such would help with the pontiac transformation while keeping production of both in the same factory and manageable. this would prove a valuable arguement when comparing the two side-by-side.
to take market from the other luxo-performance brands and put it back into american hands would require competitive luxury, top quality, and an edge over their performance.
a commercial showing a the beauty and tranquility of an interior in a gto while driving, where the camera pans out and one hears a roaring v8 and sees that its doing doughnuts, would be interesting. you could show that it has all the luxury of an expensive foreign luxury car, with a twist of american atttitude. than again im probably wrong, because here in southern cali, all i hear is rich people bragging about gas mileage in their prius. (though they pay 600 a month for it)
Firebird, firebird, firebird. There are quite a few of us that are waiting on pins and needles for every bit of information we can get on it. We want the firebird back, we want the old rivalry back. The firebird needs to rise from ashes and enlighten, us enthusiasts. Thank you very much keeping the consumer in mind.
what engine is it going to have i know it will be nice no matter what but a ls7 would be great
I’m really excited about the new Concept and would like to have a definite release date and price. Even though Ford brags about the Mustang, the Concept has more hp, rpm, and is much more sleek and good looking
OK, I want a new Firebird. My personal opinion is this:
give us a new GTO on the Camaro Platform (2+2 coupe)
give us a Kappa Coupe Firebird, add a 300+hp turbo direct injected V-6 (remember the 20th anniversary TA?) play up the resemblence of the Solstice to the 70 Firebirds.
Pontiac would then have two classic names that could actually co-exist this time.
all I want is a 427 and a 6 speed.
FIREBIRD PLEASE !!!!!!!!!
I love Firebirds and though I would be tempted to buy a new camaro I have had 3 Firebirds and would probably wait till the next Firebird comes out .
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=51999
Build this and I will be the first in line to trade in my 2005 Dodge ram.
Thanks
Ron H
Well, I am relieved now. The camaro is going to solve all GM’s problems. And here I thought its because people want cars that get gas mileage, and executives who work for Ford, GM and Dodge to start telling the TRUTH!
Tom Loy
I love the new Camaro and to sweeten the pot you should bring bact the Firebird/Trans-am. That would be sweet.
Please bring back the Trans Am
History repeats itself. Retro is in. The one thing GM should recognize is the Camaro can appeal to everyone from gas saving consumers to folks like myself who want the “king of the road”. Please don’t force me to buy a Hemi, it just won’t right sitting next to my 69 ZL-1
Please don’t give the Camaro any V6. People have trouble balancing off the operating costs of a guzzling big V8 against the fact that the car is neutered with a V6. You make a great and affordable V8, so just make a little 3.8 liter V8 for the masses and make it sound good so it plays it’s music while delivering the V6 level of performance and economy that most customers would be happy with. I don’t know why Ford hasn’t figured this out yet, but you could be first.
I went to see “Transformers” on July 4 and witnessed something absolutely phenomenal; when Bumblebee transformed from the 70-something Camaro into the 2008 Camaro, the audience cheered. They cheered for the car. People are ready to love this car.
GM and Chevy are going to have a hit on their hands if they feed this beast the right way – a la Apple and the iPhone. If done right, and if the car delivers what it promises, you might just have people lining up outside Chevy dealerships to be the first to sign on the line for their ‘08 Camaro. Wouldn’t that be a nice change?
Like everyone else on this forum I too am very happy to see the Camaro’s return. I am saddened to hear that firebird is not coming along with it. I have read alot of interviews with Mr.Lutz (Car and Driver) that suggest a new GTO instead of the firebird. First of all the GTO is not the firebird, never was and never will be. Secondly the Camaro will be an astounding success with the entire American Public ecstatic over it’s return, just imagine how great Pontiac’s sales would boost if you give us back our beloved Trans AM.
I currently own a 2000 Trans AM Firehawk and I will never sell it. I have had the car for four years, drag raced it and modified it alot, and even today bought more parts to make it faster. Ever since I was 10 yrs old I have dreamed of owning this car and I love every inch of it. Since the sudden death of the F-body back in 2002 I along with GM fans everywhere have been perplexed at such a decision. I can remember hearing things such as “slumping sales were the reason”? Come on lets face it you can’t get in you’re car and not see a firebird or camaro on your daily drive to work. One day I tested that theory and counted how many I saw on the way to work, 12 f-bodies in 16 miles.
I am putting so much effort into signing petitions to bring back the bird, posting on this site, and reading every bit of information out there to find out if my dream of buying a new Trans am when I graduate college will become a reality. It would be a complete tradgedy to revive the Camaro and not the firebird.
My last roommate bought a brand new 2006 6.0 GTO and he thought his car was so awesome. Well I can remember him changing his mind when I blew past him on the freeway in my firehawk @135mph, he could not even catch me. When we got back to the house I could see the dissapointment in his eyes and when he looked at my car he was highly intimidated. But you guys already know that just look at the commercial for the ws6 in 1998 of the car getting eaten by the trans am. Just like the Camaro the firebird fans will speak out until you give it back to us.
GM “Give the people what they want”
Then do it!!!! It is plain clear and obvious, releasing the camaro and not releasing the firebird is a bad idea.
My wife has already stated after I took her to see Transformers that she wants a camaro just like bumblebee. Which means that I will have a new Camaro sitting next to my beautiful Firehawk. Please allow me to put a new Trans Am next to her new camaro, and the firehawk will turn into my restoration project.
Also as far as the camaro clone issue is concerned the two cars have always looked alike, but the firebird has always had a more distinctive look. It has always been more aggressive and much better looking. There are many portrayals on the internet of the concept firebird and in my opinion Kevin Morgan has hit the nail on the head. Maybe you guys at GM should think about hiring him.
In conclusion I cannot emphasize enough that you should bring back the firebird. You know just as well as we do that your sales will flourish from it. You already have over 200 cars sold just from the bloggers on this page, so respond to it. The mustang is a piece of crap always was and always will be, but the f-body has been a pinnacle of power and quality.
Even if I have to import it to New Zealand myself, I am getting myself one of these.
I love American muscle cars, but you had lost your way for such a long time, I was wondering whether you’d ever rediscover the essence of what made your cars great, so much of your previous line-up felt uninspired and dull, and lacking the raw aggression a muscle car is supposed to have, especially in the styling department.
But all I can say about this new Camaro is, don’t change a goddamn thing. It’s perfect. You’ve done everything right. I don’t know if you realize how much of a home run you are going to have on your hands.
This is the first car the family unanimously wants to get, from my little guy to the wife
Can’t bloody wait mate!
As the current owner of 6 GM Vehicles, including a ‘67 and a ‘69 Camaro, I was absolutely stunned, shellshocked and mortified when GM actually killed the Camaro in 2002. Then the anger phase kicked in for the next 4 years until I first saw the new Camaro concept on 2006. Bob, thanks to you being positioned at the helm, I am looking forward to purchasing this very well executed masterpiece in the upcoming Camaro. I will definitely go with the SS LS3/6 Speed manual, but even the LT/LS V6 is a true performance car in its own right and with 300HP, can no way be considered a “penalty box”. You should be able to sell several hundreds of thousands of these a year. With IRS and even decent fuel economy with the V8’s GM can’t lose!
All it takes for GM to take the lead again in the world marketplace is to make products that people can get excited about and want to buy. I think you’ve succeeded. I can’t remember getting this excited about a new car introduction – ever! And that includes the C6 Corvette, which almost had me foaming at the mouth!
Leveraging off international platforms (Holden, Open/Vauxhall, etc.) in general to supplant the US divisions was a long needed philosophy that, finally realized , GM North America will have full lines of products that we all can be proud of.
As far as the Camaro is concerned, I am going to jump on that thing like a drunken sailor on shore leave!!!
Regards,
Dan
camaro looks great! now lets get a firebird/trans am on the road!