AutoNews - Firebird Will Not Be Resurrected With Camaro

[TriShield]

B-P-G: No Trans Am for Pontiac



Jamie LaReau
Automotive News
February 11, 2008 - 9:55 pm ET

Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealers will get 12 new or special-edition vehicles over the next 20 months — but they won't get a Pontiac Trans Am.

Pontiac had lobbied for a sibling vehicle to the Chevrolet Camaro, which is scheduled to arrive in February 2009.

General Motors' plan to make Pontiac a rear-wheel-drive performance car division is likely to be scaled back because of fuel economy regulations, GM leaders told dealers at the make meeting.

One dealer said the business case for the Trans Am didn't compute.

"It was an economic situation," said Lynn Thompson, owner of Thompson Motor Sales in Springfield, Mo. "It would cost $200 million to bring out the vehicle."

Pontiac will remain a car-only brand for the foreseeable future, dealers were told. But because of new legislation requiring vehicles to reach a fleet average of 35 mpg by 2020, Pontiac might not end up as GM's performance division, dealers said they were told.

"The plan is being tweaked because of the gas situation," Thompson said. "I hope they don't give up on performance because they don't have to. You can use four-cylinder engines to achieve incredible power."

B-P-G will give dealers six new or special-edition vehicles — such as the special-edition GMC Sierra pickup, called Pro Grade — this year. They will get another six next year, dealers who attended the meeting told Automotive News.

Executives also told dealers GM will build nearly 55,000 Buick Enclave crossovers this year. Dealers said Jim Bunnell, head of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, told them GM increased Enclave production by 41 percent from the initial production plan. A dealer said Bunnell told them Buick built 6,400 Enclaves in January, and then added, "But it's still not enough."

[DrewSG]

Fucking CAFE

[GTODan]

Uh no it wasn't CAFE. People have been saying for a long time that the Firebird and TransAm weren't coming back but some people just stuck their head in the sand and refused to listen. This is not a surprise at all.

[Blue's_Z28]

Back in the mid-70's when I was a kid I was riding home on a bus when I saw a purple and gray two-tone formula firebird parked on the side of the road. It was the moment I fell in love with F-body's. Since that time I've been consumed by everything F-body even through to this day. The firebird holds a very special place in my heart and this news is very saddening for me. I can't think of a world where there's camaros being produced but no firebirds.

[CrazyCamaro]

Originally Posted by GTODan

Uh no it wasn't CAFE. People have been saying for a long time that the Firebird and TransAm weren't coming back but some people just stuck their head in the sand and refused to listen. This is not a surprise at all.

Agreed.

[wannabess00]

Its not that they wont build it EVER its just that they are backed up with a whole new fleet of models. If the Camaro turns out to be very profitable then GM may change their story about the Firebird.

[TriShield]

So who will be the first aftermarket company to come fourth and produce Firebird/TA body parts, graphics and badges for the new Camaro?

Someone is already making 'Cuda stuff for the new Challenger.

[Laffs]

Originally Posted by TriShield

So who will be the first aftermarket company to come fourth and produce Firebird/TA body parts, graphics and badges for the new Camaro?

Someone is already making 'Cuda stuff for the new Challenger.

Heh, I never thought of that, pretty interesting idea.

[Smoke Panther]

Thank God...I mean, most of us could open our eyes and read the writing on the wall, but now that it's out there in plain sight, maybe these lame-ass photoshops and feverish fanboys will die along with their Trans Am


BTW, I am a Firebird owner

[Slvr00Bird]

Well it all makes sense, but that doesn't make it any less depressing..

[Kevano26]

Originally Posted by Smoke Panther

Thank God...I mean, most of us could open our eyes and read the writing on the wall, but now that it's out there in plain sight, maybe these lame-ass photoshops and feverish fanboys will die along with their Trans Am


BTW, I am a Firebird owner

who pissed in your corn flakes this morning?

[Syclone354]

I think they would do better by bringing back the Monaro/GTO than just selling a camaro with pontiac badges. I mean, is there any difference between a 4th gen camaro and firebird that isnt purely cosmetic?

[wannabess00]

Thats a boring arguement. Both 4th Gens were awsome cars and were made not to offer difference in package but to cater to fans of a specific brand name with its own exterior heritage.

I think the GTO would be better served as a 2-door G8 performance package just like I think the new Malibu should become a 2-door Chevelle SS.

[TriShield]

GM was planning on producing a new GTO with US styling but that plan was shelved in favor of getting the Camaro out. It's also the reason Holden will not have a new Monaro in Australia.

[wabmorgan]

It's a sad day

[venomhp]

that just makes your current vehicles more valuable

[Smoke Panther]

Originally Posted by Kevano26

who pissed in your corn flakes this morning?

the same person that reposts the same Kevin Morgan photoshops or the Winding Road april fools joke

[MavrikTA]

Hate to say it, but I kinda agree with Smoke Panther. Now that we know, lets just embrace what we have. Remember, it wasnt but a few years ago when there was no hope in sight for any of the F-body(or whatever they are going to be now) pony cars.

[ads_99ta]

well then it's not looking too likely that there will be another GTO either. and it is because of the CAFE regulations that the camaro probably won't be around too much longer after its introduced. welcome back to the 1970s.

[arenberg13]

Originally Posted by wabmorgan

It's a sad day

word