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I'm trying to compile a list of the current and new designations for GM platforms ... so far I have: GMT800 - the current full size truck & SUV Epsilon - future mid-luxury FWD (Impala, Grand Prix) Sigma - future RWD (Catera + ??? Delta - future FWD (Cavalier + ??? G - current FWD (Bonneville, LeSabre, Aurora, etc F - current ... we all know this one ??? - new platform for the C6, whatever the Cadillac roadster will be and, I believe, the next Camaro (but not Firebird )
Anyone else have names / codes??
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by poSSum: ??? - new platform for the C6, whatever the Cadillac roadster will be and, I believe, the next Camaro (but not Firebird )
...well, the next Firebird may just be based upon the current Opel speedster platform...
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Steve-there is absolutely just about zero cross-over from F-car to vette. They are two different buyers. At least, that's the way it used to be. The one car didn't appeal to the other group for lots of reasons.
Posts: 1163 | From: Rochester Hills, Mi | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by JeffY: Steve-there is absolutely just about zero cross-over from F-car to vette. They are two different buyers. At least, that's the way it used to be. The one car didn't appeal to the other group for lots of reasons.
...that is, until the f-body is no more...
...then there may be a very large migration of f-owners to the y-car...
quote:Originally posted by jimb0: ...that is, until the f-body is no more...
...then there may be a very large migration of f-owners to the y-car...
Actually the point that Jeff makes is exactly what GM should be worried about. It is entirely possible that they could lose that market niche because F-Body owners may look for the criteria in another car company because they can't get what they want from GM anymore. I am sure their are people that know a lot more than me about markets but if I were GM I would be very careful in this area. Brand loyalty can not be underestimated either. I bought a Chevy pickup as my second vehicle instead of a Dodge or Ford for only one major reason. I own an F-body and have developed loyalty to GM. Actually, they can thank people like Scott Settlemire and JeffY for my loyalty. I know that JeffY and Dave H are SLP but they very definitly have influenced my GM brand loyalty. If I am looking for another car like the Camaro that I own and not looking for a Vette, I will be forced to look elsewhere and that could change my brand loyalty or leave me without any brand loyalty at all. I never was loyal to a brand before I owned my Camaro. The Camaro and the f-body experience is the key reason for a person like me to develop loyalty. I am in the age bracket and financial situation where I can buy these cars. Geez, did I ramble on enough yet?
So, how is that GP on Z06 going?? I have feelers out.
[This message has been edited by DanA_F99_1977 (edited 10 January 2001).]
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by White Lightning: Lets break it down a bit more. GMT330 Blazer/Bravada GMT360 Envoy GMT820 Escalade/Denali GMT830 Suburban GMT600 Large Van
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JeffY, I'm very surprised to hear that Y car buyers are not "stepping up" from F cars. Marketing surveys of Y car buyers' previous rides would be an interesting read.
DanA, I prefer GM's RWD vehicles over any FWD or any other manufacturer's RWD largely because I perceive better value in GM's offerings.
If some other maker produced a higher value (return on expense), I'd consider them. So far, no one has, in my view. If you know of any, please point them out.
In the past, I have owned Volkswagen, Ford, and Mazda. Each of these had their good points, but all in all, My Chevy vehicles ('69 Nova, '77 C10, '82 Z28, '96 K1500, '00 SS) have given me better value for my hard earned cash.
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I think that GM is probably pretty happy with the sales numbers on the Vette...and if I was a GM bean counter I wouldn't reasonably expect a large number of f-body owners to step up to the plate and make a Vette their next car purchase...still, if I were a GM bean counter (or stockholder) I would not want to lose the f-body customer base to another manufacturer...and if I understood the reasons why people bought f-bodies in the first place I'd want to make sure that GM was offering something to retain this customer base. Their thought process could be that they've leaked the possibility of a new rwd retro Camaro in two or three years...the f-bod owners will remain loyal and wait it out for another rwd GM musclecar. They also might be gambling on the fact that some current f-bod owners will in fact step up to the plate and purchase a Vette. If I were a GM bean counter (which thankfully I am not), I would push for a campaign to send owners of late model f-bodies (significant) customer loyalty discount vouchers to try to keep them in the family. As is the case with Chrysler, if MoPar brought out a rwd performance model, they'd probably get some of their old rwd performance car customers back...
White Lightning, do you have anything more on future platforms?
Love the discussion it raised.
Steve ... no ... other than assimilating rumors that make the most sense.
Jimbo ... wasn't implying any sort of upmanship (well, okay, a little) I think, again, with nothing to substantiate it, that Pontiac is going to do something on the Sigma platform, ala Grand Prix (GTO maybe).
The best news in all of this is that GM will have at least 2 RWD platforms to work from, plus the trucks, which will have at least 3 platforms?
I'm really looking forward to the next 5 years, especially if the price of gas goes up and the engineering emphasis gets directed away from the big trucks and SUV's to stuff that can actually be parked downtown.
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by White Lightning: Oh I for got one H2 the next generation Hummer. I do have some more for the 2003-2004 model years and beyond but I can't say anything though.
Robert
If you tell us, you gotta kill us??
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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