GM beginning to backpedal on Lutz' G8-turning-Caprice comments?
2009 Chevy Caprice SS (Middle East) - Click above for high-res photo gallery
When General Motors' Bob Lutz talks, we listen. The reason, of course, is that he always gives us something good to write. Over the weekend, we told you about an interview Lutz had with Automobile Magazine where the Maximum One said that the G8 will live on as a Chevrolet Caprice. Lutz's comments looked like a sure thing to us, as it's hard to misinterpret these words.
"The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet. It is kind of too good to waste."Just a few days later, Blogger Bob sounded a bit less certain about the future of the G8 as Chevrolet. On the company's Fast Lane Blog, Lutz simply said "we're studying the feasibility of bringing (the G8) in as a Caprice for both law enforcement and the public." That doesn't sound nearly as certain as the Automobile interview.
Kicking Tires reportedly received a similar statement from GM brass, saying "As part of its reinvention, General Motors is exploring every opportunity of effectively utilizing its global portfolio of vehicles, facilities and talent. While this exploration includes the possibility of extending imports of Holden vehicles (such as the recent Pontiac G8) to North America, no decision has been made at this time."
We're hoping this is corporate speak for 'We're going to do what Bob says, but we just don't want to promise anything just yet.' Turning the G8 into a Chevrolet model looks to us like the cheapest possible way to keep a terrific vehicle available in the States, and with the Bowtie's significantly larger dealer network, maybe GM can finally figure out how to turn a profit with with the awesome Aussie.
Gallery: 2009 Chevrolet Caprice (Middle East)
[Sources: Automobile Magazine; Kicking Tires; Auto Observer]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Steve Lopez 2:14PM (7/14/2009)
Just do this project now and then build the car here in the states. Name it the Impala and the V8 version the SS.
Simple. No problems and sell a lot them.
Just do it!!!!
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Torrent 1:39PM (7/14/2009)
If this doesn't happen.....
Yeah I'm gonna be pissed.
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tuxchown 2:16PM (7/14/2009)
I hope it happens as well. I'd really like to see them produce it here in the US so it can be more truly American. I think at this point, with the elimination of brands, Chevrolet needs a bit of premium polish. It needs to be viewed as a brand with some upscale models.
Nixapatfan 2:18PM (7/14/2009)
It's not going to happen until around 2011-12. The media just likes to keep speculating so they get some traffic on their site. GM isn't going to waste time and effort to rebadge and market the current VE sedan in the USA. They will take the smart route and wait until the VF version is ready. No point bringing in a model that will be close to 4 years old and then replacing it in a year when Holden replaces the Commodore, if they do they are just asking to be blasted by the media for bringing in a "new" car that doesn't have NAV or a an interior up to the new GM standards in 2010.
Ligor 2:32PM (7/14/2009)
all they need to do it take the G8 and slap a chevy badge on it and not even bother to change anything right now - the only cost I can see is changing the steering wheel airbag cover and possibly the grill.
I'm perfectly fine with a Chevy G8. it's not a big deal if they don't call it impalla or caprice - I gues either will be a cost his since they have to place more decals on the trunk to spell out the name
then in 2011-2012 when a new model is due they can decide how to move the car forward or even possibly cancel it
besides cadillac CTS/STS, this is the best car GM has - and for the performance and what you get there just isn't a good competitor out there - I mean a G37 sedan would fit, but it's likely $3-4k higher in cost
Patrick 4:12PM (7/14/2009)
I want the G8 to live on but renaming it Caprice is a huge mistake, GM. The name Caprice evokes bad images of bloated, floaty cars designed for 80 year olds. If you want new market share, you need to move away from heritage names of your previously crappy cars.
How using a name from the past that evokes good memories, like Bel Air? Or just use an entirely new name.
Serge 4:43PM (7/14/2009)
@Patrick
I would buy the a Zeta Impala... if it had a 6speed and a good interpretation of current Chevy styling, different than the pictures shown above...
Aki 5:12PM (7/14/2009)
Nixapatfan: So much wrong with your posts.
1) Quoting GM execs isn't called speculation. There's a new quote, which sheds light upon how committed they are to bringing the G8 as a Chevy. Speculation would be Autoblog saying "we have no idea what they're up to, but here's what we think." So stop your BS flagging and differentiate the two.
2) Considering they already have a G8 here, why would they need to wait for the next model? Changing the grill and badges requires very little retooling. It'd make more sense to release the existing car and measure its success to determine whether you'd want to bring the next-gen one stateside. That costs less money and is more practical.
the4thheat 11:55PM (7/14/2009)
Time for a new name. Or if not a new name an old name that's old enough that nobody has awful memories of 80's and 90's GM vehicles that shared the name.
i.e., Chevelle=good, Chevette=no you idiots.
Come to think of it, maybe it's high time Chevy resurrected the Chevelle name with something (not the G8 though just doesn't feel right).
Hell make it the first hybrid with enough torque to do burnouts on the fattest rubber ever or something. Now that's an american revolution hahaha.
Taglane 12:06AM (7/15/2009)
How about commodore???
tuxchown 5:04PM (7/15/2009)
Call the current Impala the Caprice and give the Impala name to the G8. Then you can have a really good Impala SS version.
Taglane 5:18PM (7/15/2009)
Or... Call the current Impala the Impala classic and have this be the new Impala.
tuxchown 10:32PM (7/15/2009)
I think using the name on two different vehicles cheapens it. The old Malibu Classic comes to mind. Dunno, just my opinion.
StanleyVanBuren 1:39PM (7/14/2009)
Posting the photos of the middle east Caprice is really quite misleading seeing as the car GM would import as the US Caprice would be the Holden Commodore (ie, what the Pontiac G8 was based upon), not the longer-wheelbase Holden Statesman.
The middle east Chevrolet Lumina that was posted on the prior topics is a much better indication of what a possible US Caprice might look like.
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Torrent 1:59PM (7/14/2009)
I understand what you're saying, but it doesnt really matter that much.
imo
dazl.91 3:47PM (7/14/2009)
Yeah actually, it does.
220v 1:44PM (7/14/2009)
While you're at it, bring the Ute over as an El Camino. And while you're at that, put the 300HP Ecotec turbo in every car with a bowtie. Start with the Camaro and Caprice and go down the line.
Why stop there. Put the LSA in a lowered GMC Canyon and Call it, oh, I dunno... Syclone?
If you need any more product advice, Bob, give me a ring; we'll talk.
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LMBVette 2:26PM (7/14/2009)
Don't forget about the wagon version!
Thunderbuck 11:49PM (7/15/2009)
You're on to something. The Ute makes infinitely more sense as a resurrected El Camino than it did as a... Pontiac pickup?
Calling it the Caprice is a BAAAAD idea, though it could work on a rebadged Statesman (ie like the Mid-East market car in the photos). Re-do the Commodore as the Impala (and the GXP as the Impala SS *grin*)
Farmboy 4:01PM (7/14/2009)
GM needs to think like Ford for a second. Globalization is an excellent way to save money over the long run. Sharing vehicles across the area will reduce some costs.
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