Quote from HammyZTS

"Here's the thing. I have said it once, and I will say it again. The Camaro was never that great ..."

I completely disagree with the third sentence! The 1969 blue/whit Camaro SS was freaking awesome. IMO, if I had a choice b/t the 1969 Camaro SS or your Bullitt - that is very EASY - the Camaro that was never great.

Just my 2 cents

 

We can all thank anyone who has a toyota or similar import....killing the American car companies. It makes me sick that an American icon has to be put to rest due to the big 3 going down.....


I found this article interesting....hope some of you enjoy it as well

 

<!--QuoteBegin-future9er24@July 5, 2005, 4:01 PM
aling with the awesome 'cuda, i NEED one of those chevelles. i think a chevelle body kit, if it looked like that, for the GTO would sell well. might even bump up GTO sales

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I'm sorry, but my monitor must be playing tricks on me. That Chevelle looks like heck. I don't see what you guys are seeing. The 'Cuda is cool, but the Chevelle looks like just what it is. A poorly designed car with even more poorly designed add-on panels. YUCK!

But, then again, it's all personal preference

 

Nice read. Thanks, and I concur.

 

I've seen that "Chevelle" close up. Poor job (everybody knows thats a GTO under there, right?).

The production Mustang chassis is based on the DEW platform that the LS and Jag are built on. But according to the chief engineer, Hau, it should be its on platform because they modified it so much for the Mustang.

 

GM can always change their corporate minds. Also in the same Motor Trend issue (with the Charger/Mustang on the cover) were several pictures of new SUV mules - all covered up, etc. GM claims it will introduce new models with adaptive displacement (my terms - can't remember what the article called it) that will increase mileage.

Ford has the Mustang, and GM has the CTS and STS. No competition from other manufacturers with these models. Would like to also own a CTS or STS.

No Camaro/Firdbird? Too bad for the public. A nice Cougar would be nice as well but I really don't think Ford has the $$$$$$$$ to do that. GM's price cuts have really increased their sales....Ford is now offering the same thing: employee pricing (except on the Mustang, Ford GT, and Escape Hybrid).

Hmmm.....what to buy.

 

The article is a load of .

Essentially he's blaming Toyota and the "lazy media" for the Big 3's image problems, when the Big 3 have nobody to blame but themselves.

And bringing up the Bataan death March? Is this guy serious? Don't know what the Japanese equivalent of Godwinning is called, but whatever it is, this guy did it.

Toyota have advertising making people believe they're better than B3? Well, maybe the advertising agencies working for the B3 should do something about it. Mileage claims off? Why don't we hear this in B3's ads and press releases? Etc., etc.

 

Attention to detail; really good customer support; well designed dealerships; cars that work for a long time without major problems.
These things are needed. But everything rest on getting a the right car on the market. Last year it was the Crysler 300; now it's the Mustang.
No 'direct' competition from any other manufacturer on these cars.

I want the big three to survive

 

They need to bring back the camero/firebird...My mustang is HUNGRY!!!

 

I actually think it might be a smart move for GM to not make the Camaro at this stage (even though I don't like it). While the Camaro could be a great car, how much would it impact the bottom line? And how much would it cost to get it into production? The runaway hit the mustang has been so far really hasn't made a big, direct impact on Ford's bottom line (to my knowledge). And, there is no way GM could make a comparable success (given past history and the current competition).

So, I think their resources are better put to life-saving and high volume vehicles -- as much as I hate to say that as an enthusiast.

The employee discount will move a bunch of cars, but how much money will they make per car? Any? How is that going to help anything but move product off lots?

They need to focus on increasing profits. Personally, I think they have way too many brands. That usually ends up with the brands fighting amungst themselves, confusing the public, and a weaker product across the board (saving some features for some cars, developing too many engines/platforms, etc.).

They should dump Buick, Saturn, Pontiac and GMC. Stick with Chevrolet for economy cars, sporty cars (Vette, rebadged Sky, eventual GTO/Camaro replacement), trucks and SUVs (GMC enhancements could be sold as upgrade packages). Cadallac than becomes the upscale brand. Hummer (and maybe Saab) stay around for their very targeted and loyal niche.

Then pool the resources and make all the vehicles better.

Idrvadodgstr8us -- excellent article about the quality reports/false Toyota claims (though the rest is a little skeptical). That points out another of GM's weaknesses: marketing. Why is this stuff shouted from the rooftops, every time GM has a chance?

 

load of bs? toyota has never had the same standards as American car companies. It's a joke...and the impact couldnt be seen anymore than right here in the state of Michigan....do you realize how many jobs the big 3 supply for our country? the health benefits that they pay for? the retirement funds that they contribute to?

 

Okay men... I never said the Mustang was a competitor for the Mustang. What I was saying was that the Camaro was a poor execution. Yes, it had fans! But so did the Chevelle, Cuda, Road Runner, Etc!!!!! Every car ever made had fans that liked it. Even the POS Aztek.

What I'm saying is that the Camaro really suffered a long death and it really shouldn't come back. Chevy fanboys love to recall the 60s and think back to the hp wars but the truth is that it is a different game these days, and the only true winner of the whole thing is the Mustang. Even the new Car and Driver mentioned how if the charger were made a two-door it would have way too big a gamble and probably a failure. People do not buy two-door cars anymore outside of economy cars, yet the mustang does well becuase of a factor no one can evaluate, nostalgia.

My whole point is that I am sick of hearing about how desperately everone wants the new Camaro. Chevy stinks, I hate them, but thye do something really well out there... The Vette. Oh well. Did I wish the T-Bird was a larger competitor and lasted more than 6 years? Heck Yes! But I also know a bad business case when I see one. Just because something works for someone doesnt mean it will work for everyone. GM tried a makeshift filler with the GTO and it has it's fans but all in all it was a poor execution. HP with no style makes for a bad muscle car. Admit it. The main reason the Mustang is doing so well is it's amazng design. If not, all people would talk about it the Solid Rear Axle. Guess what, we all looked the other direction becuase the car is so amazingly styled.

TO WRAP UP AGAINST ALL MY HATERS......... AHEM........ All I was trying to get across is that every company does not need a car in every segment. Chevy makes the Vette. This car dominates. Enough said. They also don't need a dominant muscle car, dominant SUV, dominant coupe, dominant etc... Ford has two things going for it, the Mustang and the F-150. CHevy has the Vette. Enough of this whining pining and crying over the freakin 60s and the heralded hp wars. The're over. Move on. We won. Chevy blows. Goodnight!