Fritz flops for sake of feasability, GM RWD gets dumped.

Okay buy them from the Germans.

I kept waiting for the 4.5L D-max for the half ton trucks

wow that is all i have to say. What a great platform of a car, with a hardcore following and sells great in the rest of the english speaking world. Smart move Mister Fritz, indeed your name is worth a pun.

Bobzilla wrote: I kept waiting for the 4.5L D-max for the half ton trucks

don't hold youur breath. All the programs are now dead.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20090618/ANA02/906189964/1128

Maximum Bob comes back, and he saves the G8!!!

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/bob_lutz_pontiac_g8_chevrolet_caprice/index.html

Only hours into his latest tenure at General Motors, Bob Lutz was back at what he does best, namely, slipping product information to the media and giving enthusiasts a reason to believe in the beleaguered auto company. Asked about the future of the Pontiac G8, slated to end production with the 2009 model year, Lutz told Automobile Magazine the car would find its way into Chevrolet showrooms under the Caprice name. "The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet," Lutz said. "It is kind of too good to waste." CEO Fritz Henderson has repeatedly denied that the G8 would survive as part of another brand, saying he's "not a fan of rebadging." But Lutz, citing export agreements with Australia and the fact that the Holden Commodore is already sold in many countries as a Chevrolet, assured us GM would not let the car die. Lutz also confirmed that the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe was still very much in the pipeline, and noted that members of the government taskforce took special interest in the super coupe. "When we went through design and looked at the future product, the procession stopped at the model of the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe," Lutz told us. "I think that some of these guys are personally going to buy CTS-V Coupes." Lutz also noted that a CTS-V Wagon is still a possibility, saying, "I think that'd be fun. I'm sure we'll build at least one."

BIG FAT YAY!!! I may have to buy me a caprice instead of a fiesta!!!

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-chevrolet-caprice-miiddle-east-market/2138117/

I like it!!!

But since Pontiac is going away, is it really badge engineering if they just move it too a different brand?

At least they could use the platform and rebody to make it appear to be a totally different car.

Appleseed wrote: GMC exists because the GMC guys would rather eat dirt than buy a Chevy.

Anybody stupid enough to thing a GMC is anything but a Chevy truck with a different grill needs to be beaten severely with rough-cut lumber.

wlkelley3 wrote: But since Pontiac is going away, is it really badge engineering if they just move it too a different brand? At least they could use the platform and rebody to make it appear to be a totally different car.

+1

While I am VERY happy to see that platform still has a heartbeat, I am reaaallly not a fan of what that caprice looks like. It could all too easily be confused with the Impala (I think Impala is greek for "appliance"?). Somewhere someone (John?) Photoshopped a bowtie onto the grill of a G8, and I say thats about all the "re-engineering" that vehicle needs. Still, Im glad to see not EVERYONE at GM elected for that free labotomy they were advertising on those executive pron website popups

wherethefmi wrote: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-chevrolet-caprice-miiddle-east-market/2138117/ I like it!!!

That makes one of us. A car that looks like that is destined to live out its life in an Avis parking lot. Boring, and I don't think the Caprice name will help its sales, as that car had become fodder for the retirement home demographic.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-chevy-lumina-ss-middle-east/

Okay then like this?

In reply to P71: They should fire all the Chevy designers. The GMC's look great. For example, look at an Acadia vs. a Traverse. Chris Bangle could not have screwed up the rear of the Traverse if he had penned it.

Don't be too hard on Gov Motors. Despite the looks, I was amazed when test driving a used Chevy truck that 1) the radio had an actual volume knob 2) the radio had an actual station dial 3) dualzone climate with real knobs, 4) fan speed on the steering wheel, 5) memory seats for him and her 6) heated side mirrors. And then I think of her Accord, and how I always have to take my eyes off the rode to find the HVAC mode and fan buttons. Sure, the dash looks pretty, but its not functional. Now, if all GM trucks would just come with a suspension from the late GM Performance group and an LS9....

TurboTodd,

I agree! The GMC's always look better!

Another thing I notice while searching for used yukons compared to Tahoes and suburbans is the yukons are always nicer, they have way more options and pretty much only come in leather. So if the public sees chevys as base trucks and gmcs as premium nice trucks, what sells sells. It's a way to make a premium name with out going to a luxury name like cadillac. GMC has credibility in trucks while also as a nice truck to be in. It doesn't bother me one bit.

I hope to see the middle eastern version of the chevy it looks wicked and will really boost the brand image i think.

wherethefmi wrote: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-chevy-lumina-ss-middle-east/ Okay then like this?

That one I can dig. It's much more aggressive looking. Build it!

As an aside, the Monaro/GTO was marketed in the Middle East as the Lumina SS as well.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-chevy-lumina-ss-middle-east/

Image 6...berkley YES please!!!

doesn't like badge engineering, eh? how about this steaming pile of rebadged crap:

hell, they even canned one of their unique bodied cars to switch to that, thing.

Personally I loathed the old SRX, and am glad it is dead. The Caprice should be built next to the CTS in Lansing.