[turbo96z28]

Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER

the GTO is gone soon. it's demise is already planned, i think it is after the '07 model year, maybe '06, i forget.

GM has never denied that a firebird could possibly happen someday. they woudl have to find a way to prove that the pony car market is large enough to support two offerings from them though. if they think it will take too many sales away from the camaro they won't do it.
figure if they can sell 100k camaros a year, or 75k camaros + 75k firebirds it would make sense to have both. but if the sales would only be 70k camaros + 35k firebirds it just doesn't make any sense financially.

it will only be gone for a short time.

the current GTO cannot pass upcoming federal standards, and the next gen GTO is not ready yet, so there will be a delay of approximatley 2 years.


the problem with 75K Camaros and 75K Firebirds is the extra budget needed to differentiate the 2 models. GMs business case for the Camaro is very strong, as is the case for the next gen GTO because there wil be a difference in size, style and features. the only thing the GTO and Camaro will share is the chassis, but at different wheelbases.

there is a chance we could see a Firebird comeback, but not likely til 2011 the earliest.

then again, you knows what GM might do at this point. we just have to see how fast the Camaro comes to market and what kind of sales it produces in its first year.