Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet
Chevy to revive Nomad name for new crossover
We've heard these rumors before, but now, sources deep within the RenCen have made it clear to Inside Line that a Lambda-based crossover sporting a bow tie and a "Nomad" badge could be coming in 2009.Although the 50s nameplate doesn't carry the same cache as say, the Mustang, it's still somewhat recognizable to non-enthusiasts and with so many nameplate revivals, it certainly wouldn't be out of the question.
If the Nomad would come to fruition, it would be used to plug the hole currently left by the Chevrolet Uplander, whose sales have been less than noteworthy. Sporting seven seats and carrying many of the same lines as its GMC sibling, the Acadia, IL's sources say that although the name harkens back to times gone by, the styling won't. And it's doubtful that any cues will be taken from the 2004 concept that shares the same badge.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BLS 9:31AM (3/27/2007)
To bad it won't be the 2004 concept. A utilitarian sports car would be something I would be more interested in.
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DC_1 9:44AM (3/27/2007)
Typical GM..Making 4 copys of the same dame vehicle!!!
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felipe 9:50AM (3/27/2007)
freaking yea... another crossover, another new name.
try making 1 thing good, keep the name, and move on to the next (already produced) car and work on perfecting that.
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Brian Reid 9:56AM (3/27/2007)
Monte Carlo, Impala, Malibu...and now Nomad. I guess it won't be long now before GM is dredging up Vega and Corvair again.
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Maxzillian 10:16AM (3/27/2007)
At the rate they're ruining names, I'm waiting for them to badge a car as a Chevette and make it a winner.
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RevRick 10:31AM (3/27/2007)
I'm not suppose to bet, but I'll betcha' it does have styling reminisicent of the early Nomads. Hint, hint, that's the reason for a 2009 debut, plus it will have a front end closely resembling the new Impala, and did the early Nomads.
One reason for GM reviving the old nameplates is the ability to show heritage, something the foreign makers do not have.
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amp 10:34AM (3/27/2007)
The '04 concept would obviously be the enthusiest favorite, but I suspect this version would sell more. It's a shame that there are already three of them on the market.
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JB 10:36AM (3/27/2007)
Well, Chevy dealers needed something to replace the minivan, and there aren't a lot of Chevy/GMC dealers. Same thing happened for the Pontiac Torrent.
The Acadia was supposed to be a Pontiac, but the dealers couldn't wait, so GM gave them an Equinox instead.
This is a problem when you have franchise laws and a lot of dealers wanting the hottest product. It would be so much easier with only "GM" dealers, but that would be hard to achieve, unless GM declares bankruptcy and voids its franchise contracts.
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Jim 10:39AM (3/27/2007)
So, as a "Nomad" it'll be a two door, right?
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jgp 10:46AM (3/27/2007)
#8 - Agreed. With the Nomad, GM will have one mainstream Lambda per major dealer network: Chevrolet (Nomad), BPG (Acadia), and Saturn (Outlook). I said "mainstream" Lambda for a reason: the Enclave doesn't fit into the same category as the others.
And this still isn't nearly as bad as what the Japanese do. Not only do they have multiple dealer networks and massive rebadging to accomodate that, but it's all under the same marque. For example, Toyota currently sells three nearly-identical sedans in Japan (Premio, Allion, Avensis). They even used to have a quartet, back in the early '90s (Cressida, Cresta, Chaser, Mark II).
Nissan was even worse before Ghosn took over. You see, Nissan wouldn't rebadge much: they would develop multiple platforms to sell multiple cars in the same size, body style, and price, all under the Nissan marque, just under different dealer networks.
GM has nothing on the Japanese when it comes to badge engineering.
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geo.stewart 10:51AM (3/27/2007)
At the last Auto show, lots of interest still remains in the Nomad concept. Build it on the Solstice platform and price 2-3K under the Solstice.
Expanded use of the platform, niche vehicle,....much better use than adding another crossover to the dozen or so SUV/CUV offerings that GM already has in a crowded market.
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rhombus 10:54AM (3/27/2007)
"it will have a front end closely resembling the new Impala, and did the early Nomads."
In what parallel universe? The classic Nomads ran from 1955 to 1957. The Impala didn't appear until 1958.
There were later Nomads, but they were not two-door wagons with a unique roofline, just fully loaded run-of-the-mill wagons.
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AR 11:00AM (3/27/2007)
"Heritage" counts for squat RevRick. The Riviera, Bonneville, Eldorado, Toronado, etc have all died excruciating, embarassing deaths. Compare the last of these models to the first ones and see just how GM has pissed away it's "heritage". The last of these models were mere shadows of their former selves.
Such a shame GM has the rights to some of the best car names in the business, yet somehow manages to affix them to crappy, inferior vehicles.
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Bob-omb 11:02AM (3/27/2007)
"GM has nothing on the Japanese when it comes to badge engineering."
You should be struck by lightning for saying that.
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Tal 11:02AM (3/27/2007)
#3 Yes.
If it is right in the beginning then continue to improve,tweak etc each year or period of time as improved or superior technology becomes available. This becomes an evolutionary process that strives for perfection...kind of like some of the Asian and European auto builders do.
Ford realized their mistake after dropping the Tarus name and reaching back in time and using the 500 badge.
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HeavyArmsSix 11:21AM (3/27/2007)
The Nomad should be a Zeta wagon companion to the Impala. It wouldn't be completed historically (like #12 said, the Impala came later), but at least it would be similar and RWD.
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Josh Oliver 11:31AM (3/27/2007)
The Inside Line story is just not true.
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Tool 11:44AM (3/27/2007)
Great decision on the name.
I hope that the vehicle has a lot of personality and isn't simply a badge-engineered version of the Acadia or the Saturn.
I recently saw the Acadia and it is a great looking vehicle. With a butched-up Chevy front-end it might be even better looking.
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W L Simpson 11:50AM (3/27/2007)
after all--"What,s in a name?" especially if it,s dishonored
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Chet 12:41PM (3/27/2007)
We already knew Chevy would get an Outlook clone -- the Trailblazer isn't getting a redesign.
As for those who pine for the Kappa Nomad -- Chevy's already getting the Camaro, and GM can only afford to engineer so many specialty vehicles. Besides, the New still hasn't worn off the Solstice and Sky yet. Wait a couple years, I bet we see another Kappa.
As for the Nomad name on Chevy's new three-row mommywagon... it evokes exactly what Chevy needs to sell, a vague sense of heritage and coolness. Door-counters give it up -- if the Charger can be a four-door, so can the Nomad.
What other past Chevy name would work here? Biscayne? Delray? Bel Air? Caprice? Greenbrier? Townsman? Lumina? Venture? Yeoman? Cheyenne?
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