The Pontiac G8 may be “too good to waste,” but the Australian-built sports sedan will die alongside the rest of the Pontiac brand later this year. General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz had indicated the G8 would resurface in America as the Chevrolet Caprice, but the 77 year old executive now says the project is dead in the water.
It was less than a week ago that Lutz said the G8 was coming back as the Caprice, but the entire program has now been scrapped. Although Lutz still feels the G8 is “too good to waste”, the sedan’s low-volume and GM’s extreme cost cutting ultimately led to the Caprice’s demise.
“And therein lies the news: The G8 will not be a Caprice after all. I’d mentioned it, and said we were studying it, giving it a serious look, because a car like the G8 was just too good to waste,” Lutz said on GM’s corporate blog.
“That’s all still true. But I have to say that, with my new “marketing” hat on, upon further review and careful study, we simply cannot make a business case for such a program. Not in today’s market, in this economy, and with fuel regulations what they are and will be.”
Lutz says that the Caprice’s cancellation will not put a damper on GM’s performance or rear-wheel drive plans, but the loss of the G8 will put a major gap in GM’s lineup. The Cadillac CTS will carry on as GM’s lone rear-wheel drive sedan; with a base model CTS listing for thousands over a fully loaded G8 GT.



07/17, 9:17 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I knew it was too good to be true! FNCK LUTZ!!!!
07/17, 9:23 AM
posted by:
Stinky007
GM: We have no friggin’ clue about what we’re gonna do in the future!
07/17, 9:23 AM
posted by:
S2L2SC
Oh **** it! My new car will be a BMW 3 series. Screw GM. I’m done.
07/17, 9:26 AM
posted by:
philjo1978
I love this car. I want one!
07/17, 9:27 AM
posted by:
Borat
idrinorbarsaku, I know he is good looking for 77 year old, but I am sure you can find younger dates
.
I think I foresaw it. RWD car is expensive to schlep from Australia to sell to police departments at loss. They could call it Caprice, however, and sell to few of us who love cars. But realizing that we are talking Government Motors – will not happen.
07/17, 9:28 AM
posted by:
zfenderguy
Wow. The new GM is just as stupid as the old GM. Way to take a sure home run and turn it into a strikeout.
07/17, 9:30 AM
posted by:
Bimmer
What did you really expect? New GM is same old GM with same empty promises.
07/17, 9:32 AM
posted by:
jgoods
zfenderguy is right. The GM donkeys are at it again. Lutzo and Fritzi can’t even get their stories straight. See http://www.cargurus.com/blog/2009/07/16/g8-becoming-caprice-umm-nevermind/.
07/17, 9:41 AM
posted by:
rightwingagenda
What do you expect from any entity owned by the US government. “We tell the people what they want, not the other way round!” Sounds like their same argument for health care “reform”.
07/17, 9:46 AM
posted by:
Borat
Boyz in two years and another 100 billions all those clowns will be history.
07/17, 9:47 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
Borat,
your always the one to joke around on this forum! I’m bieng serious…………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………….NOT!!
07/17, 9:47 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
—The Cadillac CTS will carry on as GM’s lone rear-wheel drive sedan; with a base model CTS listing for thousands over a fully loaded G8 GT.—
yeh thanks GM/Lutz for giving us the choice of a base Cadillac or something other than a GM product. I think Lutz should have stuck to his retirement plans.
07/17, 9:48 AM
posted by:
gymtex
Are you folks kidding me?
A 77 year old has no taste in designing a beautiful car.
He might be a financial experience, but he should retire as well as the G8 and the Caprice.
Why would someone think, “No thanks BMW, Audi, or Lexus, Im buying the Caprice.”
If I want a car with a proven track record, I certainly wouldn’t think GM.
Gawd help GM.
07/17, 9:51 AM
posted by:
CADDY-V
I got an email from GM the day the got out of bankrupcy and that email said they would listen to the people more. So listen to me and the thousands of people that want this car and DON”T KILL IT!!
07/17, 9:58 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
oh come on caddy, do you seriously think they are being honest with you on their emails? We got an email from saturn, sounds nice, but if anything, I would not trust what is written on there. It’s just to sweeten things up!
07/17, 10:24 AM
posted by:
oldraven
gymtex, financial experience? You obviously know a lot less about Lutz than you pretend you do.
And for those of you who are too damn thick to see it, Lutz was the one trying to SAVE the G8, after the rest of the board and the Henderson decided to kill it. 90% of you guys have the most frustrating cases of automotive A.D.D. I’ve ever come across.
07/17, 10:25 AM
posted by:
aggie531
****. Fine. I dont care. I can go and buy a 3-series or lexus IS or Acura TL or Infiniti G37. I dont have to buy a GM product. There are plenty of other compitetors out there. I Can and will take my money elsewhere. Keep that in mind GM.
07/17, 10:26 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
I don’t get this. Why does GM have to correct itself every time they make a statement? Especially when they are retracting a good one? They could easily keep a low volume car. They help the image (Viper anyone) of the company and attract buyers to other models potentially. Whatever, I could care less about how bad GM is screwing itself…
07/17, 10:27 AM
posted by:
Dante_JoseCuervo
Nice job GM, one great decision after another. If you keep this up you’ll be out of the frying pan and into the fire!
07/17, 10:30 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Bring on the new 300/Charger and the 200C. Please.
07/17, 10:36 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
In Lutz’s defense, the car should have always been built in NA since the cost of importing it and currency rates changing around it never could be as profitable as it needed to be just to break even. Now I want to go out and buy a G8 and find some kit to change the name/grill of the car to be that of a Caprice and f*** wwith some people’s heads. Or get a billboard by GM’s headquarters with the slogan “ABORTIONS KILL BABIES” and have a picture of the Caprice under it.
07/17, 10:43 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
This is still not Lutz’s fault, so no blame on this goes to him. He made it happen to begin with, and all G8’s we have here today are because of him. He got overruled plain and simple.
07/17, 10:50 AM
posted by:
DB9
Okay, one more time for posterity, the earliest a RWD non Cadillac will arrive in NA will be in the 2011-13 time-frame. This coincides with the new ‘VF’ Commodore that is being built on the Zeta II, or a combined Alpha/Sigma/Zeta platform according to some reports; if the plan is accurate this model will be built in Oshawa. Industry Sources, which have a high degree of accuracy, indicate this plan is a go.
The new platform could be upwards of 300lbs lighter than Zeta I. The current ‘VE’ is over-engineered designed to accept AWD and Commercial applications. So Fritz was right in His statement that the current G8 (VE Commodore) will not be return to NA.
Either way, if true, then a car similar to the G8 will not arrive for at least 2 years. Note the Impala is due to change platforms at this time as well.
DB9
PS. A lot can change between now and then. Remember, only a couple of years ago most people on Car websites were writing off Ford;-)
07/17, 11:12 AM
posted by:
looneeii
C’mon Lutz! Bring the G8 to Chevy as the Chevelle not Caprice….either that or the Monte Carlo…
07/17, 11:24 AM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
lol rightwingagenda…i’m flattered…
on the g8, i’m not too surprised…it’s a great car, no doubt, but even the increased sales volume it had recently might not have supported the cost of changing brands and continuing to sell it here, etc…i’m having a hard time believing that if the g8 was that profitable that they’d kill it…i’m more likely to believe it was a niche small market car that, while very well designed and executed, didn’t make enough money to keep around…
07/17, 11:40 AM
posted by:
Amoeba
Mad bullsh!t…..
07/17, 11:44 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
Leftwing is right on.
07/17, 11:58 AM
posted by:
Sgt Pepper
We are. I mean we arent . What I meant to say was. GM get you S@@T together. A few days ago you announce your bringing the G8 back and now your not. This isnt the new GM just the same old crap.
07/17, 12:16 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
I’m sure FORD or CHRYSLER will have something I will like… Euro cost too much and Japanese and Korean lack personality.
GM better have some really good in the pipes for them to ditch this easy home run. That’s all I have to say.
07/17, 12:32 PM
posted by:
Lawnchair88
Here’s a look inside GM’s twisted mind: Too good to waste = get rid of it. Great job! Bonuses for everyone!
07/17, 12:40 PM
posted by:
A4
I think everyones forgetting that this could have become an El Camino too. Shucks.
07/17, 12:51 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
Before I bought my Passat this past October, I was wished that GM might bring the Holden wagon over here as a G8 variant. Sad. This was the first Pontiac in a VERY long time that I seriously admired and was have seriously considered.
In the 80’s, GM compared the Grand Prix and Bonneville to BMW models. My sides hurt from laughing so hard. The G8, though maybe not quite as refined as a BMW truly could be called a more price conscience alternative without people snickering. This is one model that is a shame to let go.
07/17, 12:55 PM
posted by:
FSVT_ROCK
I have heard that there is so much possibility the G8 may turn to be Impala SS also, but not sure if that is really true or not. I do think vehicle like G8 and GTO are too good to be wast at this point, I love the GTO but too bad GM has to let it go for US market. It sounds like G8 and GTO is too good for US market.
07/17, 1:16 PM
posted by:
sharpie
Same old GM, just like the Camero and Volt, all talk, no walk. Watch this G8 rumor mill will continue to roll for another 2 years.
07/17, 1:41 PM
posted by:
murphy1
although its sad news, i am glad it never saw the light of day as a “caprice”. putz himself claimed that crapolet had way too many models a year ago, yet what division did he say the g8 could morph too?? crapolet of course. not buick who needs a miracle to survive here in the states, or caddy who desperately could use a more affordable entry level model. crapolet. now maybe you homers can see gm is nothing more than chevy, with a couple other divisions thrown in for kicks. like many thousands of people, i am done with gm for good…
07/17, 1:48 PM
posted by:
steve333
Lutz wanted it.
Fritz didn’t, and seemed ticked off that Lutz mentioned it comeing as a Chevy before OKing it with him.
1. GM needs a new CEO
2. Why not just build a 4 door Sedan based on the Camaro platform and build it in Canada also as a Chevy Chevelle?
07/17, 1:55 PM
posted by:
Cardemon04
typical LLN user:
“GM’s gonna carry on the G8 without pontiac? what a bunch of idiots!!!”
2 days later… “GM’s not gonna carry on the G8!?!? #&*$ them!!!”
I like the G8 a lot, but I dont know if I’d ever buy one.
07/17, 2:06 PM
posted by:
teddyc73
Obama and his czar must have found out GM was going to build a car that Americans really want and put the end to it. It didnt fit the criteria of what Obama thinks Americans want to drive .
All kidding aside (or am I kidding?) I find it interesting how most of you people blame Lutz or think GM doesnt know what they are doing for making this decision. Did it ever occur to you that his statement about market conditions, the economy, fuel regulations (thank congress for that one) just might be the truth?
07/17, 4:30 PM
posted by:
NRG
Wow. What a big mistake that is. See what happens when you have old blood like Lutz or Fritz. GM has not changed one bit. They really need some new blood in that company. A great car is now gone. That’s like getting rid of the Impala when it was in it’s heyday. The G8 was on it’s way to having a great following. GM just doesn’t get it and never will.
07/17, 8:48 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
” It didnt fit the criteria of what Obama thinks Americans want to drive .”
teddyc73.. get your facts straight. Before Obama became “green” and downgraded to an Escape Hybrid, his vehicle of choice was a RWD Chrysler 300C Hemi.
07/17, 8:58 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Zoomzoomer, what Obama drives and what he thinks we should drive are completely different things.
07/17, 9:13 PM
posted by:
Jedi Master
Good job Lutz/Fritz, way to drive even more customers away. I have a G8 and would have bought a Caprice or whatever you called it. Not any more. See I by a new car every 2 to 3 years, last 6 have been GM products. I feel the G8 was, is, the best car they ever built( I know it’s a Holden).
Anyway, you pulled the plug on the G8, I am pulling the plug on GM. Will never buy another GM product again!
5 series BMW looking better every day.
07/17, 11:30 PM
posted by:
MHW
I agree steve333. I’m sure there’s more to this story than the public is aware of but it sure appears as if Fritz is trying to rain on the Lutz parade.
07/18, 1:57 AM
posted by:
maross600
most of you people are too gullible, of course Obama said no to this. When are people going to learn that he is a power guy, a chicago politician? He loves that he has GM by the balls so he can shape it into some peoples car, like the bug with hitler. Difference? not much except obama feels he can force people into small cars. Don’t believe me? wait a few years and see what your taxes are like, you may change your tune.
07/18, 11:29 AM
posted by:
andy
@steve333: the camaro is on the Commodore/ G8 platform already, so making a sedan on that platform would be easy, its already done
07/18, 11:29 AM
posted by:
reedfast
Even american car companies keep the good cars from us. Thanks GM, i was hoping that you would at least give this some thought. Australia gets better cars than us!
07/18, 10:33 PM
posted by:
Yomama Sophat
Another GM boondogle, like when they discontinued their RWD platform (Caprice/Delta 88/Roadmonster/Fleetwood). That was THE most idiotic decision and one that I knew would come back to bite them in the ass…
07/19, 6:31 PM
posted by:
contra3
Bottom line – cut n’ dry – Lutz is a genius moving forward.
07/19, 8:13 PM
posted by:
Pazzo Canguri
stup thing to do lutz….and no borat shipping from oz to us wounldnt be that much indeed, the car is built here left hand drive so cost are done…anyhow shame..you guys wouldnt have really loved and appreciated this car like us…..me and my brother are about to order (hopefully) 2 new Holden HSV GTS’s..sorry but i had to say it, too excited….never owned a v8 before so i think it is about time i do before i get told in 5 years time that driving is illegal….F U AL GORE…bs scare mongerer…the world swallowed your bs…not me mate….
reedfast sorry buddy but i think it is the other way around, america gets FAR better cars then we do, we dont have 1 third of the cool cars you do….look at the camaro, it was designed and developed here in australia…AND WHERE NOT EVEN GONNA GET IT…..now thats sucks big time…
07/20, 11:51 AM
posted by:
carmaster4ever
Chevy needs to hurry up and make the impala over because it is aging BAD!!!! LOL damn can we get a facelift… something!
07/20, 6:26 PM
posted by:
strongbad
I don’t know, everyone says they love/want this car, but when it comes down to it, no one buys it. It has been a sales disappointment. Now, I love the car and don’t know why, but it just didn’t sell like they hoped. So its not a surprise its dead, no matter how much you think Lutz is an idiot for killing it. It killed itself.