Any this is why US auto makers are going under….

I never thought bell bottoms would make a come back, but they they did. So I’m sure this new El Camino is on it’s way as well.

I knwo there was an earlier article about the Zetas not being particularly fuel-efficient, but it got sidetraked into a sandbox pissing match over global warming. But exactly why is the Zeta not a fuel efficient platform? is it overly heavy? is it bigger than it needs to be?

^ Because they were designed as a V8 rear wheel drive 2 and 4 door platform. The cars will generally weigh more for structural rigidity as well as size. Imapala, Camaro, new G8, this new El Camino… much larger vehicles than a typical V6 sedan that starts as a 4 cylinder base model.

I had both ElCamino’s and Ranchero’s till both went out of production. Both offered a better ride and gas mileage than a regular half ton truck with the same or better power. Hauled my bikes, towed my boats….a good deal. If they would bring out a new one that is like the ones offered in Australia, I’m in.

If Chrysler can build LXs, GM can build Zetas.

My name is Earl……

And I drive an El Camino……….

old news….motor trend/car and driver previewed this back in January’s issue

ggb i still see rancheros and el caminos out at el mirage dry lake hauling dirtbikes, so i guess there will be somewhat of a market for a car/truck. can anybody say subaru baja?

It would sell because:
1. It’s a blast from the past, nostalga alone will probably sell a bunch
2. It’s a great, practical alternative to a truck or full size vehicle like a Suburban. If Chevy sells it right, then their overall fuel economy standing goes up.
They could even directly sell the environmental niche with E85, diesel, hybrid, etc.
3. It’s not a crossover, which has become the latest overblown automotive fad.

Now if only Ford would bring back the Ranchero…

Try as I might, I don’t see the point of a US UTE. It is several problems:

1. Except for the Crewman, UTEs are two-door. Today’s pickup truck market is dominated by four-door vehicles. The two-door pickups are pretty much limited to commercial fleets.

2. Pickup trucks are highly profitable in part because they have a longer design cycle than passenger cars. UTE share the design cycle with their passenger car siblings, making them less profitable.

3. The cost of entry of pickup trucks are lower than with passenger cars of comparable power. The cost of entry of UTEs is closer to their sibling passenger car while providing less profit to the manufacturer.

4. During the heyday of the El Camino and Ranchero, pickup trucks were not cool. They are now.

UTEs make sense where they are currently sold. In the North America, they are the answer to a moot question.

Only Americans will buy this car? Funny, it’s selling pretty well in Australia. Dumbass.

The Crewman would be an interesting evolution for the US El Camino.. though Subaru tried evolving the Brat into the 4-door Baja with little success.

homoboy234 wrote: “how about El Homo for a name????”

The good thing about holden’s utes is that they still feel like a car to drive,

I saw one of the mules the other day actually drving to uni

Now i love GM Classics but i think the results of the SSR should alter this Whole EL Camino plan.

shouldn’t this car look aggressive, the commodore saloon is quite a pansy-looking car. Doesn’t seem like a good start for a hick performance vehicle

It should be(Not too much) more agressive…it looks like a Fiat little pickup; low quality,low style,low design, low towing capacity, low price, low power… If it’s build please don’t use El Camino to name it.