Dear GM: Keep the current Impala in production for at least another 2.5 years!

[SCarFan]

I currently own a Subaru. It's paid for. I bought it in 2004. It's a stick-shift, turbocharged. It's been trouble-free and a fun, useful ride. But I'm getting bored of it. In two or three years, I could see myself wanting a larger, more mellow, more comfortable car. AND THAT CAR IS THE IMPALA. It's my favorite sedan in GM's entire portfolio, and one of my favorite cars currently in production from ANY manufacturer.

I love the current Impala, especially in LTZ trim (now that it includes the SS suspension and StabiliTrak). The 3.9L engine is a nice piece of engineering, as is the car overall, especially considering the platform's age.

I realize the new Malibu is upon us and there is overlap with the Impala in terms of size and some features.

But I believe that there is enough differentiation between the new Malibu and current Impala in terms of styling and powertrains to keep the Impala in production.

I greatly prefer the styling of the Impala over the new Malibu. Plus, the two do not share powertrains. The new Malibu is clearly aimed to do battle with cars like the Accord and Camry, all of which come standard with 4-cylinder engines. But the Impala comes standard with a V6 (and available with a V8), so it can take on the Accord and Camry as well as other cars like the Toyota Avalon and even the Chrysler LX cars (300 and Charger). The point is that the current Impala is a truly proven, versatile competitor that can continue to do battle in several segments over the next few years.

The new Malibu and current Impala might be cross-shopped occasionally, but who cares? Again, they're different enough that the threat of "internal competition" or "cusomer/dealer confusion" or "cannibalism" will turn out to be relatively insignificant, as long as you manage the two models competently with proper promotion. Who knows, the current Impala might continue to be a strong seller, and consumers might even prefer the current Impala over the new Malibu! Don't make a hasty decision to cancel the Impala unless sales absolutely tank within the next 12 months. If you're not planning to introduce a Zeta-based Chevy sedan until mid-2010 for the 2011 model year, then please keep the current Impala in production through spring of 2010.

GM, I think you might be mistaken if you think the new Malibu is a 1-for-1 replacement for the current Impala. The current Impala has been a sales success; do not underestimate its ability to be competitive in the coming years!

Thank you.

[BigAls87Z28]

Funny you bring that up.
Looking at that GM production list, it seems that GM will get some sort of FWD sedan. GM see's the Impala's success and rumor is that this new RWD Chevy sedan will be named something else, and its design will be a bit more radical. A more traditional FWD car, larger then Malibu, will make its way...possible.

I just dont know about having 3 sedans in the same range.

As for this current Impala, it will be around till a RWD replacement comes by 2010-11. You should be good. Worse case, you can snag up an LTZ in a few years.

[free_energy0]

Are you sure you want one of these? Its a twenty year old chassis, and the 3.9 is no spring chicken considering its roots go back to the early 80s. The handling, by modern standards anyway, is nonexistent. They are more an appliance than an automobile.The Zetas will be light years better.

[SCarFan]

Yeah, I'd take the Impala as it is. I know it's not a sports car, but I have a performance-oriented car right now, and I rarely get to exploit its potential. There aren't any decent driving roads or tracks around here, so that potential just goes to waste. My commute times get longer with each passing year, and the Impala would certainly be a nicer commuter car than my Subaru.

GM's timetable annoys me. Does it mean there will be a new Impala or Impala replacement in 2009 as a 2010 model? Or in 2010 as a 2011 model? Or in 2011 as a 2012? It's almost impossible to know if the years they give are meant to be calendar years, or model years.

I believe there is room in GM's lineup for a more sporty, slightly more radical Zeta-based sedan, the new Malibu, as well as an Impala-like vehicle. Again, the drivetrain and styling distinctions will be key here.

I do not see the current Impala suddenly becoming uncompetitive with the arrival of the new Malibu. Like I said, I wouldn't be all that surprised if the Malibu struggled against the current Impala. The Impala was significantly refreshed for 2006, and I believe it can live up to caldendar year 2010/model year 2011 while putting up decent sales numbers.

Isn't the Oshawa plant down to one car line right now? Maybe GM is planning to continue production of W-body cars alongside a Zeta sedan line. The idea being that the Zeta model would be different enough from the W-bodies/current Impala that they could peacefully coexist.

[JT87]

Originally Posted by free_energy0

Are you sure you want one of these? Its a twenty year old chassis, and the 3.9 is no spring chicken considering its roots go back to the early 80s. The handling, by modern standards anyway, is nonexistent. They are more an appliance than an automobile.The Zetas will be light years better.

Funny... So by your standards the Gen IV Small Blocks should be the worst engine ever made and Camry/Accords aren't worth driving... I kind of wish my 2.8 had VVT, AFM and had 200+hp back in the 80's, but i guess those roots only go block deep... Being a so-called appliance from the 80's allows for a high-quality, reliable, value-packed vehicle that can be produced in large numbers for decent profit... Win-Win for both GM and consumers...

Anyways...

Originally Posted by SCarFan

I do not see the current Impala suddenly becoming uncompetitive with the arrival of the new Malibu. Like I said, I wouldn't be all that surprised if the Malibu struggled against the current Impala. The Impala was significantly refreshed for 2006, and I believe it can live up to caldendar year 2010/model year 2011 while putting up decent sales numbers.

Isn't the Oshawa plant down to one car line right now? Maybe GM is planning to continue production of W-body cars alongside a Zeta sedan line. The idea being that the Zeta model would be different enough from the W-bodies/current Impala that they could peacefully coexist.

The Impala will be made alongside the LaCrosse within the next few months... Zeta goes to plant 1... I believe the Impala goes out when the new EPII LaCrosse begins production in the US and the second line goes down for more retooling...

I see the Malibu pick up sales simply because this one is at the very least a very respecatable car, where the current Malibu lacks much more than Bluetooth and what not... I don't htink that it can add a couple hundred thousand sales to the current Malibu sales numbers (that would take the Malibu's production well over 300k)... A FWD Chevy/big Buick (for the value/fleet customers) alongside a stylish, premium,new (and lower production) RWD Chevy and Buick would be ideal...


Lower level Impalas pretty much define what a large value car should be... LTZ's and SS's are much better appointed, yet still retain their bang-for-the -buck factor...

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by SCarFan

I love the current Impala, especially in LTZ trim (now that it includes the SS suspension and StabiliTrak). The 3.9L engine is a nice piece of engineering, as is the car overall, especially considering the platform's age.

I realize the new Malibu is upon us and there is overlap with the Impala in terms of size and some features.

But I believe that there is enough differentiation between the new Malibu and current Impala in terms of styling and powertrains to keep the Impala in production.

I greatly prefer the styling of the Impala over the new Malibu. Plus, the two do not share powertrains. The new Malibu is clearly aimed to do battle with cars like the Accord and Camry, all of which come standard with 4-cylinder engines. But the Impala comes standard with a V6 (and available with a V8), so it can take on the Accord and Camry as well as other cars like the Toyota Avalon and even the Chrysler LX cars (300 and Charger). The point is that the current Impala is a truly proven, versatile competitor that can continue to do battle in several segments over the next few years.

The new Malibu and current Impala might be cross-shopped occasionally, but who cares? Again, they're different enough that the threat of "internal competition" or "cusomer/dealer confusion" or "cannibalism" will turn out to be relatively insignificant, as long as you manage the two models competently with proper promotion. Who knows, the current Impala might continue to be a strong seller, and consumers might even prefer the current Impala over the new Malibu! Don't make a hasty decision to cancel the Impala unless sales absolutely tank within the next 12 months. If you're not planning to introduce a Zeta-based Chevy sedan until mid-2010 for the 2011 model year, then please keep the current Impala in production through spring of 2010.

GM, I think you might be mistaken if you think the new Malibu is a 1-for-1 replacement for the current Impala. The current Impala has been a sales success; do not underestimate its ability to be competitive in the coming years!

Thank you.

I agree with you and think that the Impala is the "Dacia Logan" for the U.S. market - if you don't know the Dacia Logan is a car alot like the Impala (except it is more Cobalt sized). The Logan is a old "proven" design that is not "state of the art" in many areas but IS more than adequate for MOST family car buyers in Europe. It sells well and has all of the European automakers scratching thier heads at it's success.

There really is no mystery here, many car buyers view cars as appliances and DO NOT CARE about the number of speeds in the trans, OHC vs OHV or what it goes 0-60 in. They want a reliable, low cost vehicle that suits their day to day needs that will be economical to operate.

That car for the U.S. market is the Impala.

If GM was smart they would give the Impala a exterior restyle, a few minor NVH tweaks and another set of improvements to the interior and options list in 2010 and keep selling it.

[Bravada]

I guess you don't need to beg GM for that...

[BigAls87Z28]

In an optimal world, the next generation Impala FWD would be equiped with a 6spd auto, and a 3.6 standard. 250hp V6 and 6spd auto would make for a heck of a ride. This could be something to go agaisnt the Avalon, Taurus/Sable.
I guess GM is trying to mimic Ford. It has the Fusion (Malibu), Taurus (Impala FWD), and Crown Vic (RWD Chevy).
Toyota has the 2 tier system ( Camry and Avalon)
Honda has one (Accord)
Nissan has 2 (Altima and Maxima)
Chrysler has 2 (Sebring and 300)
Dodge has 2 ( Avenger and Charger)

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

In an optimal world, the next generation Impala FWD would be equiped with a 6spd auto, and a 3.6 standard. 250hp V6 and 6spd auto would make for a heck of a ride. This could be something to go agaisnt the Avalon, Taurus/Sable.
I guess GM is trying to mimic Ford. It has the Fusion (Malibu), Taurus (Impala FWD), and Crown Vic (RWD Chevy).
Toyota has the 2 tier system ( Camry and Avalon)
Honda has one (Accord)
Nissan has 2 (Altima and Maxima)
Chrysler has 2 (Sebring and 300)
Dodge has 2 ( Avenger and Charger)

Chevy should mimic Ford as they are the main competitor for Domestic car buyers and GM seems to have lost track of this fact, and that these domestic car buyers are VERY loyal to US car makers and GM needs to retain features on cars like OHV engines that these buyers like for the MPG the deliver. (And I know that there are many domestic buyers who also like OHC V6 and V8 engines but there are still millions of prospective buyers who still like the OHV). GM cannot afford to alienate these loyal buyers when there is absolutely no reason to do so, GM does make the OHC V6 and none of the domestic buyers will care if it is offered in a different trim level of the Impala. There is no reason for Import buyers to care about the Impala offering the OHV V6 as standard either, if it is not the trim level they are looking at. The LTZ trim level is competitive in price to the Accord/Camry/Avalon, so when import buyers cross shop the Impala against the others it should do well.

The only area the Impala is lacking is in option content, where things like telescoping wheel, adjustable pedals and 10 way power seats (and a few other features) are lacking.

The base powertrain for the Impala should stay as is with the 3500 and 4-speed auto, remember MAXIMUM value is what GM needs to focus on and a OHC V6 engine will never compete for value with an OHV one.

Remember this car is for FAMILY car buyers low purchase price and low day to day operating costs are the main "performance" parameters.

The LT model should have the 3500 with 6-speed and an RS model should offer the 3900 Flex Fuel V6 with 250 HP and 6-speed for OHV V6 fans wanting more peformance.

The LTZ models should offer the 3.6L DI engine tuned for max MPG (maybe only 280 HP) with 6-speed to appeal to Import buyers and domestic buyers wanting a the OHC engine.

The SS would remain with the 6-speed added.

This would give GM the best overall sedan on the market for the price and appeal to the broadest range of buyers.

Yes, it will have some shortcomings in chassis dynamics but who cares if you factor in what it is costing you there will be few times the typical Impala buyer is really going to notice them.

[SCarFan]

Originally Posted by JT87

The Impala will be made alongside the LaCrosse within the next few months... Zeta goes to plant 1... I believe the Impala goes out when the new EPII LaCrosse begins production in the US and the second line goes down for more retooling...

I hope you are wrong about that. In America at least, I think that Chevy as a brand in general, and Impala as a model in particular, is far more important to GM than Buick/the LaCrosse.

As has been pointed out, the Impala lacks a few details like a better steering wheel/column, but it has no glaring flaws or deficiencies.

It's a classier, more stylish car overall than the Malibu.