Chevy Cruze Coupe likely (potential for new RWD Zeta sedan)

[DGthe3]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/12/g...e-may-show-up/

Originally Posted by Mark Rues via Autoblog

Check out this little nugget General Motor's North American president Mark Reuss let slip during a recent web chat:

"[...] 2 door cruze is a nice idea, and it may show up in the global market. As we have 2 door Cobalts currently, [North America] would naturally look at a Cruze 2 door, but I believe our small car portfolio will be WAY beyond what it is now, so a 2 door something still is needed."

Quite interesting, no? Especially as the Cruze will eventually replace the Cobalt as Chevy's C-segment car. We suspect there will be a bit of overlap between the two cars (GM's high-volume models die hard), but the idea of a Cruze SS Coupe is quite tantalizing. To us at any rate.

Also lip smacking is another bit of info Reuss let slip when a man named Pete asked the following question, "Can you tell us if the plans for a ZETA RWD sedan in one of the core brands is moving forward?" Mr. Reuss' response, "quite possibly Pete......." That's not the Lutzian answer we're used to ("RWD, twin-turbo wagons with manuals for all!") but it's not a "no," either. Also of note, Reuss, a competition-license carrying "car guy" at one time owned Buick GNX #446. Good to know, and stay tuned....

also not the last bit about RWD zeta sedan

[MikesZ]

With Cobalt going away, a coupe version of Cruze makes total sense...especially with an RS or SS option.

They can kill any plan for a Zeta RWD sedan, IMO.

Chevy bread & butter vehicles that should get major attention going forward:

Cruze
Malibu
Equinox
Silverado

The 2012 Malibu will render Impala obsolete, so GM will not need two mid-sized sedans under the Chevy label.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

With Cobalt going away, a coupe version of Cruze makes total sense...especially with an RS or SS option.

They can kill any plan for a Zeta RWD sedan, IMO.

Chevy bread & butter vehicles that should get major attention going forward:

Cruze
Malibu
Equinox
Silverado

The 2012 Malibu will render Impala obsolete, so GM will not need two mid-sized sedans under the Chevy label.

Impala isn't midsize, its full size.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Impala isn't midsize, its full size.

But since the new 'Bu will be slightly larger (interior, trunk), the Impala will still be obsolete...good opportunity to eliminate product overlap.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

But since the new 'Bu will be slightly larger, the Impala will still be obsolete...good opportunity to eliminate product overlap.

Well, in that case it would be the perfect time to introduce a RWD full size sedan.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Well, in that case it would be the perfect time to introduce a RWD full size sedan.

But, as we already know from the Pontiac G8 and the low Aussie sales numbers for the Holden RWD sedans, they do not sell. I don't think GM needs to be investing resources into products that do not sell.

[THUMPER20X]

I love lil 2 door cars, I wish the new Fiesta was a dr hatch here and especially the new Focus. Europe has it but not here. Lame

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

But, as we already know from the Pontiac G8 and the low Aussie sales numbers for the Holden RWD sedans, they do not sell. I don't think GM needs to be investing resources into products that do not sell.

The G8 was poorly advertised and the only people who knew about them were enthusiasts.

And the Commodore is Australia's best selling car.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

The G8 was poorly advertised and the only people who knew about them were enthusiasts.

And the Commodore is Australia's best selling car.

Yeah, right, a whopping 3241 Commodores sold in January. They're really on fire.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

But, as we already know from the Pontiac G8 and the low Aussie sales numbers for the Holden RWD sedans, they do not sell. I don't think GM needs to be investing resources into products that do not sell.

It would be augmented by police fleet sales which will be massive since the Crown Vic is going away and the Taurus is a less than idea replacement. Plus, most of the resources have already been spend. There are Chevrolet Caprices rolling around in other markets. All that is needed is to bring them to US standards. And the Charger and 300 have shown that there is quite a lot of demand for affordable, RWD, large sedans in the US. The problem with the G8 was a combination of styling, naming, and marketing.

I don't know where you get the idea that the Holdens don't sell well. Given the size of their market they do very well, then add in the export sales to China, the Middle east, and other areas, there is a very strong case for them. Plus, if it weren't for those sedans, there wouldn't be a 5th gen Camaro.

[2000v6]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

With Cobalt going away, a coupe version of Cruze makes total sense...especially with an RS or SS option.

They can kill any plan for a Zeta RWD sedan, IMO.

Chevy bread & butter vehicles that should get major attention going forward:

Cruze
Malibu
Equinox
Silverado

The 2012 Malibu will render Impala obsolete, so GM will not need two mid-sized sedans under the Chevy label.

The new equinox was just released into the general market.

The cruze hasn't even been released yet.

A new gen. malibu is going to come out pretty soon. Impala is fullsize

A new gen. silverado is going to come out, relative to time, pretty soon.

So your point doesn't even make sense.

[2000v6]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

Yeah, right, a whopping 3241 Commodores sold in January. They're really on fire.

Apparently, you're trying to be a smart ass or really need to go take a look at a globe.

Hopefully it's the latter and if so I feel bad for you

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

It would be augmented by police fleet sales which will be massive since the Crown Vic is going away and the Taurus is a less than idea replacement. Plus, most of the resources have already been spend. There are Chevrolet Caprices rolling around in other markets. All that is needed is to bring them to US standards. And the Charger and 300 have shown that there is quite a lot of demand for affordable, RWD, large sedans in the US. The problem with the G8 was a combination of styling, naming, and marketing.

I don't know where you get the idea that the Holdens don't sell well. Given the size of their market they do very well, then add in the export sales to China, the Middle east, and other areas, there is a very strong case for them. Plus, if it weren't for those sedans, there wouldn't be a 5th gen Camaro.

But since the 6th gen Camaro will be on the Alpha platform, they could kill Zeta. Zeta will be a waste of resources. The four Chevy models I listed above could easily yield combined sales of over a million units a year, if they get the right attention going forward. Outside of Cadillac, a large RWD sedan is simply a waste of resources.

[seeknay2000]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

The G8 was poorly advertised and the only people who knew about them were enthusiasts.

Exactly! The first time I really looked at a Pontiac G8 was when they were selling them $6K below MSRP a couple months ago! I never noticed them before. I've never once seen a commerical or ad with Pontiac G8, I've never seen one in person...

If chevy built something similar to a pontaic G8 I'd definitely consider buying one.