GM: Resurrect Cobalt LTZ

[GReekBoy]

Originally Posted by nsap

GM: Resurrect Cobalt LTZ
www.gminsidenews.com
August 6, 2008
By: Nsap

Back when the Chevrolet Cobalt was fresh out of the door it launched with a LTZ trim on the sedan. That, of course, was back in 2004 when gas prices were not a problem and everyone plus their dog had a $50,000 Tahoe or Suburban. Who wants a loaded Cobalt right? Well, that has changed and in typical GM fashion, they have not adapted. I applauded GM for having an LTZ Cobalt when it was available; the car was very nicely equipped and just looked like a small car you would not be ashamed of. Naturally, GM killed the LTZ level Cobalt in the 2006 model-year. Obviously all of the equipment the LTZ had is still available on the Cobalt (and some), but that is not the point. Since it sounds like we are stuck with the Cobalt for at least another year and a half (or more), GM really needs to bring back the Cobalt LTZ.

Now that gas prices are at [insert over $3.00 price here], it is only a natural progression that the market is going to migrate to smaller cars. Most customers that are downsizing are not going to want to give up their goodies and luxuries. However that is not the important thing to note in this situation for GM. No, the important point here is that GM needs to capitalize on the changing market. As of mid July the average selling price for a Cobalt was around $12,000. The Honda Civic has a average transaction price of slightly over $19,000. There is a problem there for GM. The Cobalt is not a bad car and the powdered-up 2009 model is really not a bad sale at all for Chevrolet. GM will never see transaction prices averaging $19,000 on the Cobalt, but somewhere along $16,000-$17,000 is not impossible. The market is changing (even if oil does go down for awhile), so it only makes sense to bring back the LTZ Cobalt. Especially considering the profit margin on loaded trim levels is high and, well, GM needs all of the profit they can get.

Chevrolet has just recently seen some very good success with an LTZ model; the recently redesigned 2008 Malibu. The LTZ trim is accounting for 25-30% of total Malibu sales. That is a lot, and that number was prior to GM adding the four-cylinder LTZ model! Granted, the midsize sedan market has a different mix of demographics than the small car market, but one has to wonder…with gas prices going up and the economy on shaky ground; won’t some of the demographics that have been buying up midsize sedans, start buying small cars? My guess would be yep. The GMT-900 SUV’s and trucks have also had great success with the LTZ trim lines, prior to the gas price hike.

One of the Big Three has realized that small cars are moving upscale a bit. For 2009 Ford has created a Focus SEL model. Traditionally, SEL is the highest trim level on Ford vehicles. The Focus was all new in 2008 and only carried the SES as the highest trim level and it was not terribly well-equipped. From what I have been told, Ford has had a very surprising amount of 2009 SEL’s ordered; retail orders (meaning customer orders). I personally am one of those orders! I, like many people, wanted a small car to commute with, but did not want to give up any of the luxuries I am use to with vehicles I have had in the past. The Focus SEL retails for $18,665 with no options. It comes standard with; heated leather seats (with contrast stitching), Microsoft SYNC, Siruis radio, 16” flangeless wheels, chrome door handles and mirrors, and other fancies.

GM, I want to see the Cobalt LTZ come back to take on the Focus SEL and other high-end small cars. The market is now there, it was not when the car launched in 2004. Personally I would like to see the Cobalt LTZ come standard with; heated leather, 17” wheels (take them from the HHR!), Bluetooth, USB port, chrome door handles (take from HHR again!), a nice chrome exhaust tip, chrome grille (original LTZ had it), StabiliTrak, and everything the current LT has. Obviously everything needed to do a Cobalt LTZ is already in the parts bin, so it would not be a costly addition. If they really wanted to go all out, they could do two-toned interiors like the Malibu LTZ. That would be nice. I would go so far to say a Cobalt LTZ Sedan and Coupe should happen this time. Just do NOT make the automatic standard.

All of the above combined with the new 2.2L ECOTEC VVT with 150 HP, 37 MPG on the highway (manual), and E85 capability…that would make a compelling little car! Especially if GM could get the 37 MPG rating out of the Coupe LTZ! I’m sure that is a dream, but I had to get this off my chest.

correct me if im wrong but didnt the regular ss and sport pretty much replace ltz?

[jmlee0695]

also add an ltz aveo while their at it

[HoosierRon]

The fact that the average transaction price for the Malibu is up over $4,000 is all GM needs to know about the demand for nice smaller cars.

[nadepalma]

Good write up Nick. I think that bringing a "high line" version back at this point would make very good sense and help move a few more units.

Originally Posted by nsap

I agree, but lets face it, we are stuck with the Cobalt for quite some time more. We need upscale small cars NOW, not when the Cruze arrives.

I agree with this too, but it's a shame that GM didn't have enough forsight to give the Cobalt a refresh if it was going to keep it on the market virtually unchanged til 2010/2011. By that time the car would have been un-changed for six years.

A nice front and rear fascia update would be very much appreciated right now. And any update would have certainly helped move a few more units off dealer lots now that gasoline prices are sky high. If the quasi-fugly Focus can do that with its current look, then there's no reason to think that the Cobalt couldn't do the same.

But that's just my opinion.

However, maybe there is a lesson here for GM and keeping products refreshed in a timely manner.

[JT87]

Originally Posted by nsap

Yeah, I realized that awhile ago. Epsilon and HHR both share the same bolt pattern, so I got that confused.

The base model retains the 4 bolt pattern. I'm almost positive the rest of the newer models share the same wheel design as the first picture you posted (thick 5 spoke) but now have the 5 bolt pattern (5x114.3 I think?).

I also agree about bringing back the LTZ model. Little trimmings here and there go a long way in improving the overall look of a vehicle while not forcing it to look sporty (believe it or not, some people don't like sports cars! ). Kind of like the Impala or Tahoe or Malibu LTZ looks just that extra bit nicer when put side by side with an Impala or Tahoe or Malibu LT, so does the Cobalt LTZ.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by nsap

I agree, but lets face it, we are stuck with the Cobalt for quite some time more. We need upscale small cars NOW, not when the Cruze arrives.

Agreed.
In all honesty, I wasn't even aware that there ever was a Cobalt LTZ...

[nsap]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Agreed.
In all honesty, I wasn't even aware that there ever was a Cobalt LTZ...

JEEZ. Newbie.

[ausrutherford]

What Ford should have done is call the SES in the focus SEL and what is now the SEL call Limited. Ford did not use SES in the Fusion or 500 so i would have liked this better.

Ford cars and CUVs=S, SE, SEL, LIMITED

Ford SUV=XLS(I wish Explorer had one), XLT, Eddie Bauer, Limited

[ZHDesign57]

With Focus sales picking up, GM most definetly needs an LTZ package on the Cobalt. It doesn't see all these fresh looking Focuses on the road? I'll bet people pay for the higher trim on Focuses. Especially if they get Sync. Colbalt's MYLINK package looks great, but there still needs to be perhaps a few more "attractive" packages.

But, I'm seeing a good amount of new XFE's. If they somehow could work an LTZ package with that. I'm sure they would have some takers.

...Do they still have the Colbalt RS, btw? I havent seen ever seen one...heard about it at one time...but, never saw one.

[pgill00]

I am secretly hoping that the Cruze will be available next summer and they are holding out to have people still buy the Cobalt now. However, if there was an LTZ Cobalt that had the same wheels from the HHR SS with the chrome stuff, I would consider trading my 06 Cobalt for the same body 2010 model for the nice tech/fuel economy upgrade.

I like the Cobalt better than the Aveo right now and I have to buy a car next summer (lease ending on my 06 Cobalt) but I am excited to get a new car and not a new same car. I need something to differentiate and I pretty much will not consider anything non-Chevy unless I really am disappointed with the selection.

[FLA-USA]

I can't figure out why GM has never adopted the Honda way of options in model steps. DX: basic + few essentials, LX: midlevel with many expected niceties including all power equipment and upgraded trim, and EX:Luxury... loaded with everything (except Nav and leather. Includes power roof, 17" alloys, basically everything. Simple. No 2 million option combinations. Extremely simple to buy. Honda has perfected it. It works. It obviously saves 'em $$$. It hasn't held back customers in the slightest. People love that they have to just make 3 decisions: model level, transmission, and color.

A Cobalt LTZ Luxury model would be fine, but to be honest, it sorely needs updating to make people want to spend close to $20K. Until then, stick with decontented (read cheap) Cobalt versions.

[1969CamaroSS350]

The LTZ Cobalt was really in my opinion one of the nicest small cars for 2005. If GM brought it back now, I think it would do really well. A large percentage of Malibu's I see are the LTZ models. If they advertised the LTZ in commercials, I think it would help sales greatly.

[autofan]

You can still essentially create the former LTZ trim level on current LT Cobalts by adding heated leather, aluminum wheels and chrome grille/moldings/door handles. I do agree that it was better when all of that came in one luxury themed model. Another mistake was removing the upscale looking neutral interior color/woodgrain trim from the options list for 2009. So you're left with grey or ebony with the typical small car silver painted interior trim. How exciting.

[GMfan1111]

The Cobalt is not the best small car in the world but until the Cruze comes out a second Cobalt LTZ model would be a good idea to help gain some sales in the meantime. Also GM should hold on to the G5 and advertise it more and even create a GXP model (though that might end up stealing sales from the Cobalt SS.

[steve333]

The Cobalt just doesnt have the ride to have a luxury version. Without better seats and a telescoping steering wheel you can forget about it.