GM's Reuss says rear-wheel drive Scion FR-S rival "on the list"
01-18-13, 09:21 AM
#16
Lead Lap
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They were sales failures though... probably because they were not world cars plus they never got anywhere close to the praise that GT86 did... what Toyota/Subaru managed to do is sell GT86 worldwide too, only 20-30% of the sales are from US (or close to it, not official figures).
What I find interesting is that product enthusiasm can be so heavily manipulated by the automotive press. As usual, they are down on domestic-branded vehicles, and their headlines show this bias.
01-18-13, 09:48 AM
#17
Well, in the United States, the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky were selling in greater numbers in their respective life cycles than the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ are today. In the first full year of production, Pontiac sold 19,710 (2006) units and Saturn moved 11,263 (2007) units. From March to December the FR-S has sold around 11,000 units and Subaru sold around 4,000 units. Obviously, that's not a full year of sales, but it's the majority of a year.
What I find interesting is that product enthusiasm can be so heavily manipulated by the automotive press. As usual, they are down on domestic-branded vehicles, and their headlines show this bias.
What I find interesting is that product enthusiasm can be so heavily manipulated by the automotive press. As usual, they are down on domestic-branded vehicles, and their headlines show this bias.
It is just like you mentioning March, when BRZ/FRS started selling in... June. So they sold 16k in 6 months, in the USA only.
.
And again, they are selling world wide... so their numbers are ending up 3x better overall. They are maxing out their factory production and there are waiting lists around the world.
Plus, those cars never received same praise... they were never judged as good.
But no, GM being GM and Lutz being Lutz, they think they can PR whatever they want, and thats the end of it... lol.
01-18-13, 12:12 PM
#18
Driver
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will take "small" and "light weight" from GM with a grain of salt. They only light car for the class that they have is Corvette.
The Camaro-like high belt line certainly doesn't invoke the image of lightweightness.
The Camaro-like high belt line certainly doesn't invoke the image of lightweightness.
01-18-13, 02:14 PM
#20
Lead Lap
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, in the United States, the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky were selling in greater numbers in their respective life cycles than the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ are today. In the first full year of production, Pontiac sold 19,710 (2006) units and Saturn moved 11,263 (2007) units. From March to December the FR-S has sold around 11,000 units and Subaru sold around 4,000 units. Obviously, that's not a full year of sales, but it's the majority of a year.
What I find interesting is that product enthusiasm can be so heavily manipulated by the automotive press. As usual, they are down on domestic-branded vehicles, and their headlines show this bias.
What I find interesting is that product enthusiasm can be so heavily manipulated by the automotive press. As usual, they are down on domestic-branded vehicles, and their headlines show this bias.
01-18-13, 04:16 PM
#21
Lead Lap
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
01-18-13, 04:33 PM
#22
that the secret ingredient that GM usually misses - it is not enough to do a PR, but you have to make great car.
01-19-13, 06:53 AM
#23
Pole Position
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Montreal, QC
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They have the hardware. Alpha underpins the ATS and undercuts the competition in weight by a significant margin. GM also has a better set of powertrains to choose from than the weak sauce boxer in the Subaru. Whether that idiot Ackerson will actually green light the car is a different story. The Sky/Solstice is begging for a successor. Around here, used LNF Solstices sell at ridiculous prices.
01-19-13, 01:08 PM
#24
I hope if they do put it into production they get the packaging right. The Sky/Solstice sucked in that regard. They had a trunk that would accomidate a couple of FedEx letters, ergonomics in the interior were bad, the interior was cramped(I'm all of 5'7" and 160lbs), hated the seating position, etc, etc, etc.
01-19-13, 02:49 PM
#25
Moderator: LFA, Clubhouse
The Solstice, when compared to other small sport-oriented cars in reviews, was often panned for iffy handling characteristics, questionable steering feel, and a lousy transmission - among other criticisms. So it really depends what you mean by "similar".
For example, I don't doubt GM can produce a car targeting the FT-86 platform that could be cheaper, might have more horsepower, and even be a bit faster in acceleration spec times. That's not what I meant by "resembling' in my last post though, because it's the important characteristics of a small sports car - namely driver engagement - that I don't think GM can do.
For example, I don't doubt GM can produce a car targeting the FT-86 platform that could be cheaper, might have more horsepower, and even be a bit faster in acceleration spec times. That's not what I meant by "resembling' in my last post though, because it's the important characteristics of a small sports car - namely driver engagement - that I don't think GM can do.
Last edited by gengar; 01-19-13 at 02:56 PM.
04-09-14, 08:27 AM
#27
Production-Spec Chevy Code 130R Digitally Imagined
Click here to enlarge photo
At one point, rumors were flying around that GM was very interested in the creation of a compact rear-wheel drive coupe that was to reportedly draw inspiration from the aggressive Code 130R concept.
However, later hints suggested that even if GM was going to take on the task of making such a car, it was not going to look like the concept, but it would use a modified (shortened) version of the platform that underpins the Cadillac ATS.
Engines-wise, it would come with all manner of small displacement turbocharged units, with the base consisting of any number of Opel-based sub-2.0-liter alternatives.
Automotive photo manipulator X-Tomi thought the Code concept was worthy of production in only slightly altered form, and has gone forth and created what he thinks it would look like.
In spite of the rumors that warned against the concept’s design, we say it would not be a bad way for the Chevrolet brand to go, and the car, if priced correctly, it could have the potential to become a hit.
However, later hints suggested that even if GM was going to take on the task of making such a car, it was not going to look like the concept, but it would use a modified (shortened) version of the platform that underpins the Cadillac ATS.
Engines-wise, it would come with all manner of small displacement turbocharged units, with the base consisting of any number of Opel-based sub-2.0-liter alternatives.
Automotive photo manipulator X-Tomi thought the Code concept was worthy of production in only slightly altered form, and has gone forth and created what he thinks it would look like.
In spite of the rumors that warned against the concept’s design, we say it would not be a bad way for the Chevrolet brand to go, and the car, if priced correctly, it could have the potential to become a hit.
04-09-14, 09:19 AM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
A couple of years ago, Chevy displayed that RWD sport-coupe concept, alongside a couple of other Chevy concepts, at the D.C. Auto Show (I assume, of course, among other shows as well). They took votes from the public, there at the shows, as to which of the concepts was preferred. Of course, back then, the BR-Z and FR-S were not the factors they are today.
