03/19/2008, 12:34 PM
Pontiac News
Leftlane sits down with Brian Shipman, Product Manager for the Pontiac G8
Leftlane recently got a chance to sample the new Pontiac G8 in Southern California, and since that time, the product line has seen quite an expansion, with the addition of the G8 GXP and G8 ST (name still pending). But in spite of the recent developments, Brian Shipman — Project Manager for the G8 — still found the time to sit down with us.
G8 ST
The first question we asked Mr. Shipman was why the G8 ST instead of the wagon? Shipman says the reason is due to the rather weak wagon market in the U.S. With only about 100,000 annual wagon sales in the U.S. — according to Shipman — Pontiac just doesn’t feel there is enough demand to justify bringing over the sport wagon.
That being said, Pontiac doesn’t have the loftiest goals for the G8 ST either. Pontiac has yet to release an official number of how many of the sport trucks it intends to sell per year, but Shipman feels that it will be a niche vehicle that will sells in limited numbers — with most sales coming from the “smile” states. Shipman also thinks that most sales will be comprised of people stepping down from full-size trucks, rather than an upward migration from those in the mid-size pickup market.
As of now, there are no plans to sell the G8 ST in V6 or GXP guises. Instead, the ST will be quipped with basically the same drivetrain as the G8 GT sedan and will only be offered with two-doors.
Transmissions and GXP
We asked Mr. Shipman about the G8’s lack of steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters — an available feature on the Chevrolet Malibu — and he says that GM execs are split 50/50 on the subject. While he hasn’t given up his fight to equip the G8 with such a transmission, he didn’t sound too optimistic about the possibility.
And while we’re on the topic of G8 transmissions, Shipman says the six-speed manual will be reserved solely for the G8 GXP. As expected, the GXP will be aimed squarely at the Dodge Charger SRT8 — which doesn’t offer an manual transmission. While pricing hasn’t been released for the GXP — look for an announcement in the summer with sales following soon after — expect it to under cut Dodge’s top sedan offering.
Future of the G8
As far as the G8 sedan goes, don’t look for it to radically change in the next few years — for better or worse — although big changes could be in store as we approach the 2020 deadline of the new CAFE regulations.
While the G8’s current powertrains won’t be altered in the next few years, the V8’s life expectancy in on the decline. In the future — which could be either the second or third-generation of the car — the G8 will likely switch to a forced induction V6, with a four cylinder being a possibility for the base model. Shipman says that diesel and hybrid powertrains are also a distinct possibility for the G8.
03/19, 12:37 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
Another in the long line of ‘who cares’ articles. LLN, we want CARS!
03/19, 12:44 PM
posted by:
TomF
The guy’s point of view on the station wagon market is short-sighted. There’s only 100k annual wagon sales in the US because of lack of selection (including ZERO US-made options). People who want wagons and would probably buy a G8 Sportwagon are forced into crossovers and cute-utes instead. If the product were out there, it’d sell.
Under GM’s reasoning, Iacocca would’ve spiked the minivan project in 1982 because “there’s no evidence station wagon buyers want a vehicle like this” and gone on building Aries and Reliant wagons.
Why is it considered smart to throw the 50th option at the premium / near-luxury sedan market, which is clearly finite, but dumb to compete with just one American product in the station wagon market owned by Subaru, Volvo and VW?
03/19, 12:55 PM
posted by:
SWM335
I think it is a dumb move to only offer a manual with the GXP model. I was really considering this car for my next vehicle, but now that I can’t get the manual with the GT, it has just been scratched off the list.
03/19, 1:42 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
TomF, I think Chrysler might have proved the wagon market is dead with the Magnum. If that didn’t sell, what will?
03/19, 1:46 PM
posted by:
eliteski2
I agree that there could be an unseen market for the wagon. However to say that there are no american options isn’t fair. Dodge just stopped building the Magnum, possibly the coolest and most American wagon anyone could build, because of slow sales. This could be attributed to dodge’s low quality problems, but I don’t think that is responsible for it all.
The manual should definitely be offered throughout the lineup. They’re already investing the money to create the ability to put a manual in the car, why not offer it on the lower models? The world doesn’t have nearly enough fun, manual, large/midsize sedans.
03/19, 1:51 PM
posted by:
TomF
I think the Magnum was a fringe vehicle owing to styling and marketing. It looked like a show car from Ed “big Daddy” Roth, not a Costco-and-soccer field runner. The size was right but it was a self-limiting proposition — my wife wouldn’t even go sit in one because of its looks.
Why is 70% of Volvo’s US volume station wagons? There’s a bunch of overpriced, so-so quality vehicles that are marketed on the basis of a 40-year-old safety “brand story” and vague Euro-prestige allure, but they do really well. I think there’s a big untapped “sportwagon” market in which a $23k-$28k G8 wagon would’ve been a home run.
03/19, 3:02 PM
posted by:
jjayc08
TomF- I think that sport wagon territory you talk about is Subaru territory for the most part. Does anybody have sales numbers on the Subaru Outback/Legacy wagon?
03/19, 11:29 PM
posted by:
CleanGTO
A manual available for the entire range is NECESSARY if you want to sell to the ENTHUSIAST.
03/19, 11:45 PM
posted by:
Kiwiguy
Why the hell is this peice of **** car getting so much coverage?!?!?!?
03/20, 7:34 PM
posted by:
bigp
the resale vaule of v8 cars like this will go throw the roof once the 2020 cafe hits