GM's Larson's thoughts on Pontiac/Buick

[LS1Hawk]

From the Chicago Tribune - May 8, 2007:

Though he'll depart in a few weeks, Larson hopes a Firebird coupe will be back in the Pontiac stable now that the Chevy Camaro is returning. Ditto the GTO.

"I'd like a return of the Firebird and GTO, if that's what they'd be called, because those cars feel right at Pontiac. A non-four-door, rear-drive Pontiac would be great for the lineup, but there's nothing to announce at this time," he said.

Full article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0705070388may08,0,58570,print.column?coll=chi-bizfront-hed

[Savage_Messiah]

Great, now we gotta listen to all the flaming chicken fans "OMGZORZ TEH FIREBIRD IS COMING BACK WOOT LOL!!!"

[WildBillyT]

Great, now we gotta listen to all the flaming chicken fans "OMGZORZ TEH FIREBIRD IS COMING BACK WOOT LOL!!!"

Yeah. One of the only things GM has said with any conviction (about their future) is that the Firebird's time "has come and gone".

[LS1Hawk]

Great, now we gotta listen to all the flaming chicken fans "OMGZORZ TEH FIREBIRD IS COMING BACK WOOT LOL!!!"

Hey now, I'm sure if it were the other way around and the Firebird was the one coming back, all you Camaro boys would be doing the same :wink:

I think what this article shows is that while Lutz has said absolutely no Firebird, there are still many in GM that would like to see it come back. Personally, I don't think a Firebird/Trans Am would fit into the current lineup of Pontiacs style wise. The Firebird was always an aggressive looking car, and trying to blend it in with the current Pontiacs wouldn't work. I think it's more realistic that the GTO will be back.

[Untamed]

While I am a TA fan, I think the article shows that the GM execs have their heads screwed on straight. While all kinds of people are calling for, or would like to at least see a return of the Firebird, GM so far hasn't entertained it. There's no business case right now to justify its return.

So whatever internal pressure came about from other execs, and looking at all the calls for its return across the intarweb, GM weathered them all and decided on only the Camaro.

I'd love to see the Firebird return. But I think concentrating on the Camaro only, at this time, makes the most business sense.

[jola]

I pretty much stopped caring about anything GM says and instead look at what cars they are actually making. Speculation is nothing to get your hopes up over.

[qwikz28]

I pretty much stopped caring about anything GM says and instead look at what cars they are actually making. Speculation is nothing to get your hopes up over.

especially with GM's funding.

[NJSPEEDER]

I pretty much stopped caring about anything GM says and instead look at what cars they are actually making. Speculation is nothing to get your hopes up over.

seriously, i think GM is better at the whole secretive cloak and dagger routine than any other manufacturer on the planet.

[ryanfx]

I'm glad GM is keeping the Firebird suppressed. It would just be some monster that they would call a Firebird and wouldn't live up to anyone's expectations. Kind of like the Matrix II and III