2014 Chevrolet SS Priced at $44,470

[FenwickHockey65]

The market isn't supporting that. Commodore and Falcon sales have been losing ground to FWD compacts for years now.

[simon.w]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

The market isn't supporting that. Commodore and Falcon sales have been losing ground to FWD compacts for years now.

The reason the market isn't supporting the big RWD cars is because Ford and Holden haven't kept their models up to date like their import competition.

The VF has barely changed from the VE which was released in 2008 (first shown in 2006) and the Falcon remains almost identical visually to the BA, which was released in 2002.

How do you think Chev and Ford would be going against imports if their Impala and Taurus remained the same as they did over a decade ago?

Here's a reminder ...

[FenwickHockey65]

VE went through Series I and Series II changes over its lifetime. And VE started production in 2006, not 2008.

Plus, VF might not look too different at first glance but the vast majority of the car has been reworked.

[simon.w]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

VE went through Series I and Series II changes over its lifetime. And VE started production in 2006, not 2008.

Plus, VF might not look too different at first glance but the vast majority of the car has been reworked.

yep you're right ... my bad ... I bought mine in 2008 ... what I meant to say was that it went on display in 2004 as a prototype ... into production in 2006.

I know the VF has had a lot of changes ... BUT it still looks like a VE. Same goes for the Ford between the BA and FG Falcon.

The bottom line is the only reason people are still buying a car that looks over a decade old is because they (a) like large rear wheel drive cars and (b) have massive brand loyalty.

AND keep in mind ... it's not just the sedan ... they LOVE the utes and the wagons. Ford killed off its wagon and replaced it with the Territory a few years ago ... and while it was a good car, it sent the fleet car and taxi buyers over to holden in droves because the mileage was terrible.

GM are doing a great job of international platforming and seeing things globally. It won't stop the inevitable, but it is showing a good international conscious.

Ford don't care ... the world revolves around its shareholders getting their dividends and the top executives hitting their quarterly KPIs so they get their fat cat bonuses ... everyone else has to submit and comply.

[fielderLS3]

Originally Posted by simon.w

How do you think Chev and Ford would be going against imports if their Impala and Taurus remained the same as they did over a decade ago?

Ummmm...we actually don't have to theorize about that. Chevy and Ford basically did exactly that with those two cars. In the case of the Taurus, the 2006 was actually a regression from the 1996 model.

[fielderLS3]

Originally Posted by SS 376

That said, I think this SS is a one year offering until Chevy develops a RWD V8 offering on the new platform starting at something like $35K or whatever won't cut into the bulk of Impala sales. The size of the market depends on the price: at $45K, it's nonexistent. At $35K, I think it's a lot bigger.

I think we may have found the problem right here. They had to overprice the SS, because the Impala is overpriced. A base, 4-banger Impala starting in the high 20s, with V6 models going into the low 40s doesn't work in the same showroom as a RWD V8 car starting in the mid 30s. Either the plan is for both of these to be low volume cars, or there are going to be some very big incentives on the hoods of these cars in the not to distant future.

[King T]

Originally Posted by Stew

So, they are aiming at the Charger R/T with SRT pricing? I always love GMs targets for their cars.

Yeah that article was off on that one. The G8 GXP didn't even compete against the Charger R/T

[DRKS1D3]

It needs something done to the hood. Nothing ricey, just something to liven it up a bit. Small vents, a bulge...(???). The car looks bland overall. Nothing says performance about it until you pop the hood.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by King T

Yeah that article was off on that one. The G8 GXP didn't even compete against the Charger R/T

Newp, That was GT vs R/T, and GXP vs SRT, and 2 relatively pitful excuses for V6s on either side.

Funnier than the SS being an R/T competitor though was when GM cited the freaking Veloster as a Camaro competitor.

[MEDISIN]

Originally Posted by fielderLS3

I think we may have found the problem right here. They had to overprice the SS, because the Impala is overpriced. A base, 4-banger Impala starting in the high 20s, with V6 models going into the low 40s doesn't work in the same showroom as a RWD V8 car starting in the mid 30s. Either the plan is for both of these to be low volume cars, or there are going to be some very big incentives on the hoods of these cars in the not to distant future.

This is a limited production car. Limited production. They're not building a new sales strategy around this. It won't be in showrooms (maybe one waiting for pickup). It won't be piled up on the lot alongside the Cruze, Malibu, Impalla. Chevrolet sedans start at $17k. No one is going to cross shop this with the Impalla. Enthusiasts will seek these out because they know what it is. At $44k they will sell every darn one of them.

[FenwickHockey65]

They'll sell every single one because it's mostly a build-to-order car.

While GM won't have as much trouble moving Chevrolet-badged Commodores, I'm sure they're worried about a G8 situation again where inventory languished on BPG dealer lots for ages.

[Sweet Zness]

I actually like the car a lot. The question now becomes what is God's green earth make a loaded up auto camaro the same price basically? Ill take the LS3 and the refinement of the technology and nicer materials for about the same price.

I guess we could also say that at this price you are right up against a base Stingray.

[Sweet Zness]

Originally Posted by MEDISIN

This is a limited production car. Limited production. They're not building a new sales strategy around this. It won't be in showrooms (maybe one waiting for pickup). It won't be piled up on the lot alongside the Cruze, Malibu, Impalla. Chevrolet sedans start at $17k. No one is going to cross shop this with the Impalla. Enthusiasts will seek these out because they know what it is. At $44k they will sell every darn one of them.

They will struggle to sell anything that is going to touch 50K after tax, title, and GG Tax, without a customer being able to see it in person. After the few die hards who know about this car buy theirs, this will become an afterthought. Maybe if this is a one year run only they will sell all 10K units, but this car needs to bee seen to get the average customer to shop, buy it. Its not like it has drop dead sexy looks that will drive the masses to it like the Camaro did when it was released. Its not like it is at a great price point.

This car competes with the Charger r/t in specs, and the Charger SRT8 in price. Good luck with that.

It is a few grand away from a Stingray. Think about that for a second.

[Angrybird 12]

The new Stingray MSRP is just under $52K, if you add the same GG tax on the SS that the ZL1 has then the MSRP of the SS is going to be under $46K, that's still $6K difference. You can haul 5 people in the SS in Comfort and still have a good deal of performance. I don't think you can compare a SS to a Stingray because they serve two different purposes.