2013: The Year of the Legends

[nsap]

Next year the excuses stop at GM for having a disjointed portfolio.
www.GMInsideNews.com
November 6, 2012
By: Nick Saporito

Over the last few decades we’ve all come accustom to hearing General Motors kick the can down the road when faced with inquires about a questionable product lineup. “Wait until next year” has been a common theme; first to justify lackluster products, and more recently to justify a product lineup peppered with increasingly uncompetitive vehicles. Next year, however, justification for excuses cease, because the company is overhauling the rest of the lineup, including the legends.

Names like Silverado, Sierra, Suburban, Impala and Corvette are iconic products. With nearly each of them being intertwined into the fabric of the country that birthed them decades ago, it’s only natural that as they decline, so do their perceptions with the public that is expected to buy them. Today some of those very legends of the GM product portfolio constitute a remaining legion of vehicles that serve as a constant reminder of a GM that was less focused and less concerned about product excellence.

GM’s entire full-size truck and SUV lineup—about one-third of their entire product portfolio—has been on the market since 2007 in most cases. The aging Impala has been on the market since 2006, while the iconic Corvette has managed to stay with the same core design since 2004. By today’s standards, each one of those product lines are ancient, and they end up forming a large swath of GM’s portfolio in North America.

The interesting aspect of GM’s current lineup is that it’s so split. On one side the company has products like the Cadillac ATS, Buick Verano and Chevrolet Sonic; all well received by the press and public, with sales figures (so far) agreeing. Then on the other end of the spectrum, the company is still making excuses with products like a rental-grade Impala that should have been retired before the company went bankrupt.

But the days of GM’s polarizing lineup are coming to an end in 2013. Nearly every remaining stale product is being replaced within the next calendar year, including the majority of the company’s full-size truck and SUV lineup. By January 2014 GM will have no more excuses to make and only opinions to win over by applying the company’s newfound product sense to the other half of their portfolio.

When you think about it, 2013 is going to be an interesting year. Not only are legends of GM’s lineup getting replaced, but also 2013 will really mark the first time since the company began restructuring in 2005 that they will have a full lineup of products that are at least competitive.

For years GM has had a mix and match lineup of products. Back in 2004 the company launched several good products, such as the Malibu, Equinox and C6 Corvette. But at the same time the company had cars like the Aveo, G6 and others.

With the replacement of the legends, next year every GM product from the Chevrolet Spark to the Cadillac XTS will be injected with the New GM perspective. This perspective isn’t perfect, but has been proven to at least net competitive vehicles, and in some cases, segment leaders.

The doubt held within industry watchers toward GM has never been about their ability to produce a good product. If anything, GM always seems to be able to churn out at least one decent product even during their darkest hour. No, the doubt has always been in their ability to renew the entire product portfolio and keep it fresh.

GM’s renewed legends begin launching no later than January of next year, starting with the new Impala. The rollout will continue with the truck and SUV lineup, with the Corvette sprinkled in sometime toward mid-2013. To top it all off, perhaps the biggest legend of all launches next year as well, and it isn’t a vehicle at all…the Gen V Small Block V-8.

There’s no question about it: 2013 will go down in the GM history books. Yes, the massive product cadence brings plenty of reasons to pop the cork on the bubbly, but it isn’t all glorious. With such a lofty product rollout comes lofty expectations. These are the legends, after all. Anything short of spectacular from any of the upcoming launches next year will cause great scrutiny.

GM’s mission statement is to “design, build, and sell the world’s best vehicles.” Next year will likely be the first fair barometer to just how deeply that statement has oozed into the cracks of New GM.

Projected Launch timing:

• 2014 Chevrolet Impala - Q1 2013
• 2014 Chevrolet Silverado / 2014 GMC Sierra - Q2-Q4 2013 (crew cab, extended cab, then regular cab)
• 2014 Chevrolet Corvette - Summer 2013
• 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe / 2014 GMC Yukon - Q4 2013
• 2014 Chevrolet Suburban / 2014 GMC Yukon XL - Q4 2013
• 2014 Cadillac Escalade - Q1 2014

[caddycruiser]

Interesting.

Aside from "next year...or 2 years" in regards to pending powertrains, and transmission swap outs, that are out of sync with the new products. 8-speeds, turbo V6's, etc. That continues, and one day I hope powertrain catches up with product. Both are amazing, they just need to work at the same time.

Impala and new trucks will be a great swap at Chevy, and interesting to see with Impala pricing and size, what cars people come out of an into them, aside from older Impalas, Malibus and Lacrosses, etc.

The trucks I just hope are different enough, and not odd refreshes. Fingers crossed.

Now, let me go enjoy my Regal GS and hope GM starts to market it more like the Verano and Lacrosse soon...and see how its future goes.

[buick59]

another legend that I hope we'll see soon....Riviera.

[PHAT-JAY]

Has Chevrolet announced when the Performance Sedan going to be released...the Chevy SS...since no new Avalanche I am sure I will be getting a new C7 next year, and possibly the SS, but Silverado or Tahoe for sure...I am excited...

[buick59]

Interesting.

Aside from "next year...or 2 years" in regards to pending powertrains, and transmission swap outs, that are out of sync with the new products. 8-speeds, turbo V6's, etc. That continues, and one day I hope powertrain catches up with product. Both are amazing, they just need to work at the same time.

Impala and new trucks will be a great swap at Chevy, and interesting to see with Impala pricing and size, what cars people come out of an into them, aside from older Impalas, Malibus and Lacrosses, etc.

The trucks I just hope are different enough, and not odd refreshes. Fingers crossed.

Now, let me go enjoy my Regal GS and hope GM starts to market it more like the Verano and Lacrosse soon...and see how its future goes.

I love my GS too.....the more I drive it the more I like it.

[ZHDesign57]

What the heck is the car in the picture?

[FenwickHockey65]

The '04 Malibu was...decent. It wasn't good.

[FenwickHockey65]

What the heck is the car in the picture?

2014 Silverado.

[knack0125]

This is awesome to hear, can't wait to go to the NY Auto show and see some of the new line up that will be out then. Just for comparison with how old the tucks and suvs are in the tooth... whens the last time Ford did anything to the Expidetion or the Navigator?? They seem to make changes to the trucks like they are mustangs over there.. lol

Either way can't wait, would love to put dad in a Sierra 3500 Denali and give him some luxury. Love my Terrain and moms HHR is still running strong but so see she needs an Encore ^^. Just hope all the hype will live up to how great the new line up will be. As of 2014 MY, the Equinox will be the oldest model. Thats awesome!!

[joemac]

Is the cadence for the release of the HD trucks the same as the timeline indicated for Silverado/Sierra or something different?

[blaksabb]

We should see 2014 CTS Sedan as well.

[Break80]

Is the cadence for the release of the HD trucks the same as the timeline indicated for Silverado/Sierra or something different?

I think the HD crews were estimated around Q3, but I"m not an "insider"..

[All Star]

The year of the legends? Dramatics much?

[spd98]

I think GM already has a lot of good product but for sure 2013 through 16 should be good for them.

[megeebee]

I don't see the CTS on that list.