UPDATE: Over on FYI
Make sure to head over to FYI to see this month’s calendar, featuring Bob Lutz and the 2008 Pontiac G8 at the Chicago Auto Show. The calendar is available for download over on Flickr. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor
- Posted in Auto Shows, Bob Lutz
Edward Hayes
Speaking of calendars and dates…
There was one year in the early 80’s I believe and the astrologers and scientists were watching the planets. And all the planets they said, were going to line up the next day. All the planets from Mars to Saturn to Pluto would be in a line. Now some doomsayers were saying that the world would end as a result.
So I asked, “Mom, why do I have to vacuum the floor, the world is going to end tomorrow.”
Well, the planets finally lined up for GM. Sales up at GM Daewoo 75%. Sales up in Europe, sales up at Saturn 59%. Sales up for your crossovers 97%. And finally, sales up in North America 3.4%. With retail sales increasing 11% more than compensating for the fleet sales planned decline. Truck sales in NA? Up. Passenger car sales in NA? Up.
I am sure China and South America are still on fire as far as sales and this time they won’t have to pick up NA slack.
Well congratulations, we made it with a clean floor.
On top of all that the product momentum continues with the spectacular Opel GTC, Pontiac G8, Opel Astra and what’s that?? The Buick Super unveiled at New York in April?
On top of all this my sources tell me…You know Motor Trend, Car and Driver…one did say the Velite sedan was back on. (Of course I thought it was a coupe.)
Despite the doomsayers who said this day would not come we make plans and print calendars. And today we reward those who dreamed yesterday, and penalize those that did not.
Still, no one knows tomorrow so I give you a wing and a prayer and may your amazing success and turnaround continue.
In short?
Don’t worry about the planets lining up, just keep on cleaning that showroom floor. If we did not push the vacuum as hard as we did, maybe the world would have in fact, ended.
J
Bob - I speak on behalf of future G8 owners when I say, Please, please, please, put a HUD in this vehicle! I am hooked on the one in my GXP.
Ted H
Bob,
If this is true, please consider creating a G8-D. This way if gas prices spike before I buy my G8 I can get more fuel economy and still have some decent torque :-D.
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46284
Thx,
Ted
Jim Darrh
I like the new G8. Now make a G6 sedan and sport coupe on the CTS chassis with a 450 plus H.P. production XV8 engine and optional AWD, active shocks, leather seats that heat, cool, and massage, HUD, nav. system that doesn’t use on-star, remote start, 6 speed auto, and manual transmissions, tilt/telescopeing steering wheel, adjustable gas, brake and clutch pedals, and all the other options available on other G.M. vehicles. The G6 would be available as a low cost vehicle all the way up to a fully equiped high performance vehicles. The G6 should have sportier, and sleeker styling than the squared styling of the Caddy CTS. G.M. did a nice job with your new Silverado and Sierra. Now go one step better and offer new production XV8 engines with 300, 350, and 425 H.P.. Take any and all thunder away from Toyotas Tundra. How about a XV8 engine in the Corvette. I believe it could be smaller more powerfull than the current push rod engines while also being lighter and more compact than a DOHC engine with similar fuel efficiency. I think a XV8 engine would keep the Corvette light weight and with a low sleek hood. Other cars and trucks could also benefit from a XV8 engine as opposed to a DOHC engine. It would be a G.M. exclusive and demonstrate G.M.’s commitment to engineering excellence, and innovation. As far as Pontiac is concerned, I believe Pontiac needs a RWD/AWD suv that should be developed with Cadillac and be competitive with BMW’s X3 and X5. A RWD/AWD replacement for the G5, and Bonniville should also be developed with Cadillac. Give Pontiac a full ine of RWD/AWD cars that are different from what is offered at other divisions. Perhaps XV8 engines vs. DOHC engines at Cadillac. RWD/AWD vs. FWD/AWD at Chevrolet. Or, modern styling vs. retro styling at chevy(camaro). For example I would not offer a GTO of Firebird similar to the Camaro. Let the G6 coupe with 450+ H.P. be pontiac’s sport coupe. It wouldn’t directly compete with the Camaro. It would be different enough to attract other buyers. I hate rebadging and this would avoid it. Both divisions would have sport coups but they would be completely different, and both would use chassis already developed and in use at other G.M. divisions.
Robert
Since these cars, G8 RWD are apparently on hold because of environmental reasons, corporate average fuel economy I have a solution.
You ask for a guy who had a solution to be in your office, well invite me.
In statistics to raise the average the best way to do that is to remove the lowest numbers, i.e the lowest MPG trucks/cars. I know you would say thats our bread and butter and no way, but wait. Trucks can use hydraulic hybrid systems developed by the EPA that can return upwards of 60-70% better fuel economy. How much does it cost? Apparently only adds around $500 to the cost of a truck. That is much cheaper than an electric hybrid. You can keep the high profit margins and trucks and raise the average MPG. you could probably make a dual mode hybrid, but that costs 3-4k more and adds heavy batteries which in a car crash can spill acid everywhere and raise potential legal liability through the roof. Hydraulic hybrids can just use tanks under those huge truck beds to store energy like batteries and release it in a way just as efficient if not more.
So turn around those 8 mpg Hummers into 15 mpg and trucks from 15mpg to 25-30mpg vehicles.