GM Will Not Pause Its RWD Programs, Says Executive

[JoeT]

No RWD Pause: GM

John Mellor
29 May 2007
www.goauto.com.au

General Motors had not paused its program to get a Pontiac G8 version of the Commodore SSV into the US for the 2008 model year.

The vice-president of communications for GM, Steve Harris, told a briefi ng of business writers in Melbourne this week that there was “no threat at all to the rear-wheel drive program” in the wake of new potentially onerous US fuel economy standards, and that GM had high hopes for the car that is projected to sell between 30,000 and 40,000 units a year.

“There is a lot of anticipation around that vehicle (within GM),” Mr Harris said. “I think people feel there is a segment for that and
that it will do well.”

Mr Harris said the global RWD program was not affected in the wake of US regulators flagging much more stringent fuel economy and CO2 standards. GM had reason to “reflect in our minds on what was happening from a fuel economy standpoint as it affected our total portfolio – not only rear-wheel drive”.

“We have not stopped and never did stop any work on any rear-wheel drive activity,” he said. “But it is a concern to us what is going on from a CAFE and CO2 discussion in the United States and some of the proposals look unbelievably difficult to achieve.”

Mr Harris said the proposals were a concern of all car-makers, not just GM, but at this stage GM had not altered its investment strategy.

“There is no slow-down and no putting any investment on hold.”

Pontiac Exec: "No Hold On G8 - Production Starts In October"

Pontiac G8

[Havasavana]

From Edmunds on 4-11:

NEW YORK CITY — For now, the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro sport coupe has apparently dodged a bullet. But General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz told the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday that the automaker has "pushed the pause button" on future rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

"It's no longer full speed ahead," Lutz said. He added that "it's too late to stop Camaro, but anything after that is questionable or on the bubble." Also safe is the Pontiac G8, Jim Hopson, manager of Pontiac Communications, told Inside Line. "There's no hold on the G8," said Hopson. "G8 production starts in October and the first units will be available after the first of the year." Still on the bubble are future Camaro derivatives, including a big Impala sedan.

Trouble is that rear-wheel-drive cars are bigger, heavier and thirstier than front-wheel-drive vehicles. Lutz notes that the corporation has yet to figure out "how to get 30 percent better mileage from" RWD cars.

[ctaylorzl1]

good to hear!

[mrgto]

Originally Posted by Havasavana

From Edmunds on 4-11:

NEW YORK CITY — For now, the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro sport coupe has apparently dodged a bullet. But General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz told the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday that the automaker has "pushed the pause button" on future rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

"It's no longer full speed ahead," Lutz said. He added that "it's too late to stop Camaro, but anything after that is questionable or on the bubble." Also safe is the Pontiac G8, Jim Hopson, manager of Pontiac Communications, told Inside Line. "There's no hold on the G8," said Hopson. "G8 production starts in October and the first units will be available after the first of the year." Still on the bubble are future Camaro derivatives, including a big Impala sedan.

Trouble is that rear-wheel-drive cars are bigger, heavier and thirstier than front-wheel-drive vehicles. Lutz notes that the corporation has yet to figure out "how to get 30 percent better mileage from" RWD cars.

Why are you posting something from almost 3 months ago?

[Caleb02]

The question is will GM be able to bring out the Cars AFTER Camaro/G8? Will they achieve the new STUPID Government requirements? IF the government wants the new requirements they they should pay for them and give every automaker a fully funded way to get the gole done.

[377Z]

...Trouble is that rear-wheel-drive cars are bigger, heavier and thirstier than front-wheel-drive vehicles. Lutz notes that the corporation has yet to figure out "how to get 30 percent better mileage from" RWD cars.

More proof that GM is still their own enemy. Way to think inside a very small box guys.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by tgagneguam

The leaders of this site do a great job making this a great site. So GMInsidenews rightfully is becoming more and more recognized on the web, but it rightfully will be held to higher standards.

Thank you! The spelling and grammar seems to be getting worse lately.

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Sounds like he was referring directly to the G8, not any other products. So Camaro and G8 are confirmed. But what about a RWD "heritage cued" Impala and RWD for Buick?

[mkaresh]

Mixed messages big time.

The key sentence:

“We have not stopped and never did stop any work on any rear-wheel drive activity,” he said.

Does this contradict Lutz, or is the truth buried in PR speak? What is the meaning of "activity"?

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

Mixed messages big time.

The key sentence:

“We have not stopped and never did stop any work on any rear-wheel drive activity,” he said.

Does this contradict Lutz, or is the truth buried in PR speak? What is the meaning of "activity"?

Yes, I would like to know what the truth is about this, because Harris clearly seems to be saying the opposite of what Lutz said.

[smk4565]

If GM could make a rear drive car that wasn't 200 inches long and weighed 4000 pounds, and built more than one hybrid sedan, they wouldn't need to worry about gas mileage so much. The 335i gets 20/29 mpg and is 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, they did performance and economy, why can't GM.

They need the Camaro out sooner, they are going to get more hype from Transformers, and they keep showing off the car, but people can't buy it. People won't wait forever to buy one, and by the time it comes out, the design will be 4 years old, it might be like the PT Cruiser or Mustang and start out hot, then sales fall apart after 2 years.

[LAMRONH]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

Mixed messages big time.

The key sentence:

“We have not stopped and never did stop any work on any rear-wheel drive activity,” he said.
Does this contradict Lutz, or is the truth buried in PR speak? What is the meaning of "activity"?

377Z, I agree. Yet another press conference by their own worst enemy: themselves.

GM needs to create one more top executive position. Someone needs to sit down the entire executive claque at lunchtime every Wednesday and read them some Grimm's Fairy Tales and assorted little truisms, like "One bad apple spoils the batch," and with particular emphasis on "The Boy Who Cried Wolf."

Is no one in charge at GM? Is the exec corps so enamored with their own egos--OK, yes, they are--that they don't see how foolish they look with their Press Conference Addiction Disorder? REHAB for the lot of them!

What is the meaning of "activity"? What is the meaning of IS?

[HEVguy]

Good news they didn't slow it down any. What I really hope is that the talk that came out was from a review of the powertrain options in the RWD platform and that they are now working on a hybrid version as well!

[rsbaker]

This is good to hear! I can't wait to see Impala. I'd also like to see G8 in some other colores than that dark gray color we keep seeing.

[tgagneguam]

Nothing about my previous post required it to be removed from this thread.