Huge push by Camaro enthusiast on GM to build new Camaro

[Deutsch]

Article sourced from Edmunds.com:

IL Insider: Grassroots Organization Pushes GM To Hurry Camaro Production

Date posted: 04-27-2006

DETROIT — General Motors executives say they are being inundated with e-mail messages — sometimes 300 or more in one day — from Camaro enthusiasts who are anxious to get their hands on a production version of the concept car shown in January at the North American International Auto Show.

"People will not get off Camaro," Bob Boniface, GM director of advanced design, told Inside Line. "Those people were hurt when that car went out of production, and they're letting us hear about it."

IL reported in January that GM expects to build the Camaro by 2009, according to supplier sources.

Boniface would not confirm last week's reports in a Canberra, Australia, newspaper that a task force at GM Holden is working on a production version of the Camaro concept. He said the business case for a future Camaro is still being "analyzed." Still, he was relatively upbeat about the car's future. "A lot of programs make it to the 10-yard line and get canceled," Boniface said. "But this is buildable [and] believable."

He noted that in discussions about the future Camaro, designers are "going back to the icon," the original version of the car. "The '69 Camaro," he said, "was the king of the pony cars." He added: "If it made it to production, it would look exactly like the concept. That would be the intent."

A major shift from the original would come in the future Camaro's interior, Boniface noted. "The Camaro was never known for its interior," he said. "The materials were poor and there were not comprehensive gauges. [GM Vice Chairman Bob] Lutz said the gauges looked like Westclox, a cheap production design."

What this means to you: So should we build this car that people seem to actually want? Real tough decision…

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

[Centurion]

GM has really squeezed all the juice out of the whole retro theme. Although the Camro concept is hot it will face the same fate the as PT cruiser, Bettle and Mustangs i.e Be very hot first year and be totally forgotten after two years.

[bum-man]

Originally Posted by Luwalira

GM has really squeezed all the juice out of the whole retro theme. Although the Camro concept is hot it will face the same fate the as PT cruiser, Bettle and Mustangs i.e Be very hot first year and be totally forgotten after two years.

Ugh, they need to think Chrysler 300C right now not sports coupes.

[Deutsch]

Keep hatin, haters!!!

I think the new Camaro looks exactly that, new and up to date.

Some new pics have been taken by GM.. - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

[Bozzor]

I would be all for the Camaro going ahead, but we need to be realistic and realise that many Camaro buyers are of an income level that is not the highest, people who are really being hurt by high fuel costs. If they can bring one in with a 3.0 L V6 that can better 30 mpg, then they should sell well, as long as the rest of the car is of a good standard.

[Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Bozzor

I would be all for the Camaro going ahead, but we need to be realistic and realise that many Camaro buyers are of an income level that is not the highest, people who are really being hurt by high fuel costs. If they can bring one in with a 3.0 L V6 that can better 30 mpg, then they should sell well, as long as the rest of the car is of a good standard.

V8 is suppose to have displacement on demand technology that will enable the car to deliver 30 mpg, combine that w/ ethanol(not available wide spread, we'll see how the hype plays out in reality) this car could be quite a buy and still deliver top performance, American muscle car style.

[Bozzor]

The DoD will be great, best of both worlds. Still think there is place for a high tech 6 cylinder, especially a light weight one.

[BMW_Dude]

I would be great if this car was made, the concept looked amazing!

Am I right in saying that the Mustang has been a huge hit in the USA?

[Deutsch]

Originally Posted by BMW_Dude

Am I right in saying that the Mustang has been a huge hit in the USA?

Unfortunately... yes.

[Bozzor]

The Mustang is a good car for the money, about the only criticisms are the live rear axle and low rent interior. But otherwise a pretty decent car. If they could fix those two issues for perhaps less than a USD 1,500 sale price increase, then there would not be much to complain about.