General Motors isn’t in the greatest of financial situations right now, which has forced the Detroit automaker to push back some of its new car introductions. Because GM has already delayed some very important vehicle launches – such as the new Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Cruze – it comes as no surprise that GM will also wait to launch some of its niche market vehicles.
According to Motor Trend, the economic slowdown has forced GM to delay the introduction of its Camaro Convertible. Earlier this year it was reported that the Camaro Convertible would be delayed by six months, but it looks as though that delay has been extended to at least 12 months, if not longer.
The drop-top version of the revived muscle car was originally slated to hit the market about a year after its fixed-roof counterpart – sometime in the first part of 2010 – but those plans have been put on hold indefinitely.
The Camaro Convertible program hasn’t been completely cancelled like Chrysler’s aborted Challenger Convertible, but the open air car is certainly on life support at this point. GM has vowed only to move forward with the Camaro Convertible after its financial situation has improved, which means we likely won’t see the Camaro Convertible until at least 2011.
Looks like Ford’s Mustang will still have part of the pony car segment on lock down after all.
11/13, 7:52 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Convertible, schmertible — just gimme the hardtop.
11/13, 9:05 PM
posted by:
carstuff
The LaCrosse is not delayed!!!! It will be available to the public at the same time. The introduction at the auto show was delayed.
11/13, 11:35 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I wonder how many shades of blue GM has on the palette for the Camaro. Are there any that match their balls?
11/14, 12:59 AM
posted by:
DetroitWatcher
Fewer people have the money to buy a convertible now, anyway. The hardtop will do just fine.
11/14, 10:07 AM
posted by:
bradleygt
Detroitwatcher,
thats the problem with that mindset for GM>True there be less people that will have the $ to spend on a convert NOW, but the recession will probably only last a year. GM’s problem with delaying all these cars is that they will not be on the market when people do have the $ and credit to buy again. I personally think that within the next six months that after some of the govt bailouts and programs take hold to restore the credit issues and puts more money in peoples pockets that there will be a HUGE buying spree for new cars. Many who have been on hold for the last few months or so will be anxious to buy when they can again. And unfortantley for GM they will not have alot of new models out there to draw the crowds.
11/14, 10:59 AM
posted by:
Borat
Johnny, the answer is NO. GM has no balls.
11/14, 11:09 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
You know things are bad when you delay or cancel nearly all of your new product.
11/14, 11:37 AM
posted by:
DetroitWatcher
Bradleygt,
I agree that there will be tons of demand once this recession is over. I just don’t think it we’ll be out of it in a year. Hope your right.
11/14, 1:05 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
11/14, 1:51 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
It was only a few months ago that lots of people were predicting that gas would go to $5/gallon before too long. Ha!
11/14, 2:33 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
^ Yeah seriously… Well the economy is a little different… But I do hope we’re not in it for very long.
11/14, 6:37 PM
posted by:
misserica
Maybe this is just me … the super-long time lapse between the initial hype (Transformers movie, previews, etc.) and the actual release date, coupled with the “watering down” of model design and the price point … I seriously think a lot of people will just simply lose interest. I know I have. I was super-excited, and now my excitement is fading pretty fast.
11/14, 10:44 PM
posted by:
VWgrouP
Delayed indefinetley you say?
12/01, 6:19 PM
posted by:
Slash8915
I heard that GM is getting rid of Pontiac, Saturn, and Saab. The only one I will miss is Pontiac, as I have a 1999 Trans Am WS6… I couldn’t care less about the other two…