[Perian]

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idCAN0642509820080606?rpc=44

DETROIT, June 6 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp said on Friday it was in very early discussions with the Canadian Auto Workers union about adding another model to its car plant in Oshawa, Ontario, after deciding to close a nearby truck plant.

The discussions about a potential third car for the Oshawa car production line, earmarked to make the Chevrolet Camaro and a still unnamed second car, began this week after GM announced it was closing its truck plant in Oshawa, said Stew Low, a spokesman for GM Canada.

The CAW has protested GM's decision to close the Oshawa truck plant in 2009, saying it violates a just-ratified labor contract. CAW President Buzz Hargrove and GM Chief Executive Rick Wagoner met on Friday at GM's headquarters in Detroit.

 

[Perian]

Second Car: G8?

Third Car: RWD Buick?

 

[I-Love-Pontiac]

Quite obviously going to be the Cadillac Sixteen.

 

[windvale]

Second Car: G8?

Third Car: RWD Buick?

Why bother with either one ? Considering the market trends we're seeing, and this morning's prediction in the NY Times of $150 for a barrel of oil by July 4, I'd say both these cars are pretty much DOA...

 

[Ambalanche]

Why bother with either one ? Considering the market trends we're seeing, and this morning's prediction in the NY Times of $150 for a barrel of oil by July 4, I'd say both these cars are pretty much DOA...

The NY TImes is hopeing that's for sure!!

 

[gmhashope]

And RWD cars can't be fuel efficient why??????? I love how stupid the world is.

 

[1487]

And RWD cars can't be fuel efficient why??????? I love how stupid the world is.

exactly. As a base engine on any future RWD cars GM needs to combine the 3.9L and 6 speed auto. That should get you about 19/29 which is more than respectable. If the G8 had the DI V6 and 6 speed standard it would likely get 18/27 which is hardly gas guzzling.

 

[windvale]

exactly. As a base engine on any future RWD cars GM needs to combine the 3.9L and 6 speed auto. That should get you about 19/29 which is more than respectable. If the G8 had the DI V6 and 6 speed standard it would likely get 18/27 which is hardly gas guzzling.

Goldman Sachs is saying gas will be $6.00 a gallon within 2 years. How many 18 mpg cars do you think your going to sell at $6.00 a gallon ?

RWD, FWD, four wheel drive, whatever... The day's of the land yacht (Buick RWD) and the muscle car (G8) are history. The landscape has changed. GM must adapt - rapidly - or die. Period.

 

[eaton53]

If the G8 had the DI V6 and 6 speed standard it would likely get 18/27 which is hardly gas guzzling.

They'd probably still sell mostly V8's.
I know I'm not giving up 60hp for 3 mpgs...

 

[Perian]

And RWD cars can't be fuel efficient why??????? I love how stupid the world is.

GM seems to be pulling out all the stops to circumvent a gas guzzler surcharge on the 09 Pontiac GXP. The reported 6th gear overdrive ratio is a .57. The 08 Vette is .50. The intended highway MPG figure may just be enough to do it thanks to the ratio.

 

[eaton53]

The day's of the land yacht (Buick RWD) and the muscle car (G8) are history.

Hopefully fools will panic and sell me those cars cheap... just substitute Northstar STS for RWD Buick.

 

[windvale]

And RWD cars can't be fuel efficient why??????? I love how stupid the world is.

Hey, smart @ss - I never said RWD can't be fuel efficient. I made a comment about the proposed RWD Buick and the G8.

Maybe you should spend less time lamenting how "stupid the whole world is" and a bit more time developing your reading comprehension...

 

[I-Love-Pontiac]

Goldman Sachs is saying gas will be $6.00 a gallon within 2 years. How many 18 mpg cars do you think your going to sell at $6.00 a gallon ?

RWD, FWD, four wheel drive, whatever... The day's of the land yacht (Buick RWD) and the muscle car (G8) are history. The landscape has changed. GM must adapt - rapidly - or die. Period.

The biggest problem with this is GM doesn't make very much on their small cars. They make like what... $5,000 on a Tahoe? Where as they are lucky to break even on something like the Cobalt. If GM can barely make it now with their very profitable SUVs, how are they going to make it selling inexpensive cars? I think there is a good reason the Aveo and G5 and Cobalt suck. GM doesn't want you buying them.

 

[motorman]

The biggest problem with this is GM doesn't make very much on their small cars. They make like what... $5,000 on a Tahoe? Where as they are lucky to break even on something like the Cobalt. If GM can barely make it now with their very profitable SUVs, how are they going to make it selling inexpensive cars? I think there is a good reason the Aveo and G5 and Cobalt suck. GM doesn't want you buying them.

that is what i have been saying in all my posts.

 

[rlchv70]

1st car is Impala.

2nd car is Camaro.

3rd car is ??? GMC Denali concept??

 

[windvale]

The biggest problem with this is GM doesn't make very much on their small cars. They make like what... $5,000 on a Tahoe? Where as they are lucky to break even on something like the Cobalt. If GM can barely make it now with their very profitable SUVs, how are they going to make it selling inexpensive cars? I think there is a good reason the Aveo and G5 and Cobalt suck. GM doesn't want you buying them.

My two cents is they'll have to model their North American fleet to more of what they've been offering in Europe - where they are profitable. If they continue to be the same old GM here in NA they'll fail.

 

[Uzzy]

This is not a "make nice offer." Things like this are many months down the pipeline already. They knew they might send something else to Oshawa car before they knew they were closing the truck plant, no doubt. I hope they do get something else, but it is not simply to appease the angry union. I just hope it's not anyway. And I hope it's something people actually want to buy. And since nobody else has said it (in this thread yet) and it will inevitable come up...Firebird? I'd prefer to see the GTO name come back, but on a tarted up G8, if it's a Camaro cousin, Firebird is appropriate.

 

[Masospaghetti]

While I am not dismissing that fuel costs may keep rising, keep in mind...this is exactly what all "experts" predicted back in the 70's...and then 15 years later, gasoline was $0.69 a gallon.

 

[Uzzy]

3rd car is ??? GMC Denali concept??

Ohhhh the Denali XT? :dro: I hope so. i hope it has that fancy powertain too. I'll have to start saving my pennies now. :yup:

 

[I-Love-Pontiac]

My two cents is they'll have to model their North American fleet to more of what they've been offering in Europe - where they are profitable. If they continue to be the same old GM here in NA they'll fail.

That doesn't work though. Europeans are much more willing to spend money on a quality small car. In America land its all about making cars as cheap as possible. Just take a look at the best sellers... i.e Corolla, Camry.