Quote:
Originally Posted by Iron Lung Jimmy
Performance cars can only look like whatever cars upon which they are based.
A 1964 GTO looked like a lowly Tempest. Because that's what it was. Not the least bit special at the time.
A 1965 GTO also looked, for the most part, just like a Tempest. Because it was a Tempest
Eventually the GTO became it's own model, but it spent years being just an optioned up Tempest. Yet people loved them.
A 60's era Impala SS looked just like, well, a common Impala with a few badges and trim pieces. Yet people loved them.
The '04-'06 GTO's were fantastic cars that nobody bought. The Chevy SS was an even better car that even less people bought.
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Firebird/TA always looked much more aggressive and meaner than Camaro. Grand Prix W-Bodies looked far more performance oriented than any other W-Body cousin. The G8 looked more 3-Series-esque than any other sedan GM sold in America.
My point is Pontiac did a great job differentiating their style enough to make them stand out and be unique. There was enough differentiation in the original GTO after 1964 when it became its own model that even my Mom could tell the difference between a GTO and a Tempest by a simple quick glance.
GM did the 04-06 GTO wrong by simply making a “Pontiac” front clip on the Monaro. More aggressive and attention-grabbing design would have increased sales (as well as better advertising and promotion).
Makes cars that people want because they grab people’s attention. Cars that make people WANT to run out to their nearest dealer to look at a new car any time. Not just when they
need a new car. Not because they have 11 cup holders and a $299/mo lease special.
People are holding on to cars longer now be because they’re more reliable and last longer than they ever have.
Want to increase sales again? It’s not that hard: make cars people
want!