NEW TRANS AM/GTO ON THE HORIZON?

HIGH PERFORMANCEPONTIAC.COM
By Thomas A. DeMauro
Photography: Kevin Morgan

Deja vu 1974--gas prices are high and the GTO is once again cancelled for the following year. Buick-Pontiac-GMC General Manager John Larson broke the news to dealers in a video clip on Tuesday, February 21, 2006. He says the cancellation of the GTO is due to '07 airbag standards that cannot be met with the current car. We're sure it didn't hurt that the GTO sold only 15,728 units in 2004 and just 11,069 in 2005, while it was scheduled for production of 18,000 for those two years. The possible peripheral reasons are many--some cite a snubbing by the GTO faithful, others say it was too expensive, and still more lament the body styling. While we all can be Monday morning quarterbacks, the fact remains that Pontiac once again will be without a rear-drive V-8 performance car by 2007. But for how long? Just over a week after the cancellation notice, we seemingly got an answer.

General Motors Vice President for Global Product Development Bob Lutz stated during the Geneva motor show that a new GTO would arrive based on the new Camaro's and Holden Commodore's Zeta platform in late 2008, as reported by AutoWeek.

HPP contacted Jim Hopson, Pontiac GMC Manager of Communications for confirmation. On March 6, 2006, Jim stated, "Nothing has been confirmed yet. There is nothing on the production schedule, but Bob Lutz's comments are very intriguing, and we have been working toward this. However, we have nothing to announce at this point."

Possibly, all will be confirmed by the time you read this magazine. Our questions, which remain unanswered at this time, are as follows:
Will the GTO be released at the same time as the Camaro?
Hopson shared that one of the problems GM was facing bringing the Camaro and GTO to market was the cost of its proposed platform Zeta. "It was too expensive in its original configuration to keep the retail price point where it needed to be, so the program was put on hold." We heard rumors of a possible Zeta-Lite based on design changes to Zeta that would provide cost reductions. Will the new GTO, Camaro, and Commodore be built on this Zeta-Lite platform?

Will the GTO be built in the United States, or Australia alongside the Commodore sedan?
Which engine(s) will power the GTO, and how will its power rating compare with the Camaro?
And what of a rumored Firebird rebirth?

Check the various enthusiast and auto-related news Web sites, and it's claimed the Camaro is on its way, and a Firebird won't be far behind. At Geneva, however, Lutz reportedly said no to reviving the Firebird. Are the Web sites getting accurate Deep Throat inside information, or is it simply wishful thinking directed toward the hope of a self-fulfilling prophecy? Time will tell.
Whatever the case, the current GTO is a great-performing car even if it hasn't sold well. When production ends, the performance division of GM will be lacking a model with a V-8 torturing the rear tires for two years. Currently, Ford can't build Mustangs fast enough, Dodge has the Charger and the Magnum on the road, and its Challenger concept is driving everyone crazy, much like the Camaro. As you can see, from a performance standpoint, Pontiac can ill afford not to field a competitive model should all these retro-performers continue to grow in popularity.
Despite Lutz's current comments on the likelihood of a new Firebird, aficionados of the model who have held out hope for a resurrection since the F-body's demise in 2002 see the Camaro as a great opportunity do reintroduce the legendary ponycar.

HPP reader Kevin Morgan has provided us with his take on a modern-day Trans Am should GM decide to change its corporate mind, and Kevin's illustration has been popular fodder for hobbyists. "I honestly never dreamed that these drawings would create such a stir." Kevin told us, regarding the Internet buzz over his series of drawings on www.transamcountry.com. "I drew them because of my love for the Trans Am and love of drawing. I just wish we could get our Firebirds and Trans Ams back!" Perhaps if we yell loud enough, GM will oblige, or will the Pontiac-buying masses be satisfied instead with an all-new GTO? What are your thoughts?

GM hopes to be known for best value in strategy!

March 28, 2006

BY SARAH A. WEBSTER--FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

General Motors Corp. might someday be known as the beloved Wal-Mart of the auto industry, if its latest marketing strategy goes according to plan.

The world's largest automaker, which slashed prices by an average of $1,300 on more than 80% of its cars and trucks in January, said on Monday that it hopes to reinvent itself as the value leader.

"We don't want to be known as the incentive leader. We want to be known as the value leader, across all of our brands," Mark LaNeve, vice president of vehicle sales, service and marketing at GM's North America operations, told journalists during an upbeat briefing at the top of GM's Renaissance Center.

"We're trying to get at offering -- every single day, not just when we decide to run incentives, but every single day -- the best price in the marketplace, the best value for customers."

MORE MARY KAY SATISFIED CUSTOMERS!

Damaris Daugherty of Palmetto Bay joined the legions of hard-working Mary Kay ladies who earned the right to receive a free car from their beloved company!

A letter from Mary Beth Minorini, Donlen Trust Co., who handles the delivery of Mary Kay cars nationwide:

Terri:
Oh gosh......thank you for the pictures. We enjoy them so much! You are so awesome. You make these girls feel so proud and happy and we thank you for that!!

I still want to see what you look like only because you're soooooo sweet!! Let me see if I can find a picture of Ruth Sylvia and me ( the Mary Kay Team).

Mary

ANOTHER SATISFIED MARY KAY CUSTOMER!

Autocity of Pinecrest has become the official dealer for Mary Kay sales representatives. We have delivered dozens of cars to happy Mary Kay reps who through their hard work have earned their dream car. Last week we delivered a brand new 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix to Neyda Tejeiro. Our Terry Crapello has been leading our efforts to ensure complete satisfaction on the part of the Mary Kay ladies. Above you will find photos taken during the delivery.

AUTOCITY'S FIRST CLASSIC CAR SHOW WAS A HIT!

Jorge Garciga and his beautiful red '68 GTO took Best of the Show, as voted by the people who came by to see the first Annual BOP Show that took place at Autocity of Pinecrest this past Sunday. We had a great turn-out. More than 150 persons took in the sun and enjoyed a great classic car show.

Roger Wydler and his 1970 Pontiac Ram Air IV GTO came in second place.

BOB LUTZ ON CONSUMERS' PERCEPTION OF GM PRODUCTS!

By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman

At the risk of repeating what I’ve already posted, I must share what’s top of mind today, and that is GM’s consumer consideration levels.

This issue, this question of how do we increase awareness, improve our image, and enhance public opinion of our cars and trucks, is weighing on everyone’s mind in this company, from the plant floors to the boardroom. We are all weary of hearing that “GM doesn’t have any vehicles that people want” or that GM “doesn’t excite anyone” or doesn’t have any products that are “relevant.”

Our cars and trucks have clearly improved, and continue to do so. And so has our quality and reliability. We have documented countless surveys and awards that bear this out, often right here on this blog but elsewhere as well, from Strategic Vision to J.D. Power to the Harbour Report to awards from various publications and organizations.

This month alone, we had two vehicles win MotorWeek Driver's Choice Awards (Solstice and Corvette Z06), two win Intellichoice Best Overall Value Awards (Corvette and Chevy Express 1500) and one of our brands, Hummer, take home the Autobytel Consumer Choice Award as the marque that saw the biggest increase in requests at its website and affiliations.

Our launch vehicles are continuing to do well in the marketplace, and we have high hopes for the upcoming launches too, like the Saturn Sky and Aura, for example. And yet, the coverage of our financial state continues to point out our alleged lack of cars and trucks that people want. All the while more than a quarter of the vehicles sold in America are ours.

Yes, we’d like it to be more than that, no question, and we’re working hard to increase the total. But the deeper issue is this question of our image, and this perception that nobody’s interested in our products. We can and will do a better job of advertising and communications in the traditional sense, but we need to step up our non-traditional communications and word of mouth, and get our message directly to the people on a grass roots level. This blog is one example — but we need more avenues, and bigger ideas. What do you think?