[GroundhogSS]

Saw an interesting article about car depreciation. The Camaro was ranked as seventh best. The article stated: "Two more sports cars (the Subaru BRZ and Chevrolet Camaro) feature in the top 10, indicating that these “fun” designer cars are valued for their status as well as functionality."


https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ran...-resale-value/

[GroundhogSS]

Article about an EV Camaro based on the Gen 3.
https://www.autoblog.com/2023/08/09/...retro-opinion/

[Martinjlm]

Random thought of the day… This picture of me with Ed Welburn is from an Automotive Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony a couple years ago. Ed was presenting Jay Leno for induction.

The conversation Ed and I were having was about Camaros and Powertrain Portfolio Planning directors. When I first met Ed I was Powertrain Portfolio Planning director. I am still in contact with several of the people who have held that position before and after me. Of the five most recent P3 directors who have retired, four of us bought Camaro Convertibles as our retirement toys.

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

... Of the five most recent P3 directors who have retired, four of us bought Camaro Convertibles as our retirement toys.

Very cool

[2013ZL1FUN]

If we are going ALL in on EV, why are they building so many new gasoline stations around me?

[GroundhogSS]

Originally Posted by 2013ZL1FUN

If we are going ALL in on EV, why are they building so many new gasoline stations around me?

I guess they're cheaper to build than EV stations. They know the market.

[shaffe]

Didn't feel like making a new thread, but since there is a lot of GM knowledge in here I figure I would ask here. I have a buddy who bought an 86 Grand National and he is having trouble tracking down some parts. What's the best place for him to look? He's looking specifically right now for an instrument panel support bracket.

[Martinjlm]

In their Earnings Call GM just confirmed that there will be a PHEV in the portfolio. Other confidential information I have received indicates that it’s most likely on the T1XX platform (full sized trucks/utes). Makes sense. It would provide GM an interesting alternative to RamCharger.

[genxer]

If you don't mind questions Martinjlm:
Is this related to the 6th gen V8 investment announced last year?
Could that be interpreted as a clue they're leaning more toward a F-150 style hybrid than Ramcharger setup?

For the California plug-in allowance, would a pickup be unladen to meet battery range?

[ariZona28]

Originally Posted by shaffe

Didn't feel like making a new thread, but since there is a lot of GM knowledge in here I figure I would ask here. I have a buddy who bought an 86 Grand National and he is having trouble tracking down some parts. What's the best place for him to look? He's looking specifically right now for an instrument panel support bracket.

Tell him to try these folks. Classic Industries. I had so-so luck with them when I got some parts for my '71 Cutlass. They might have what your buddy needs.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by genxer

If you don't mind questions Martinjlm:
Is this related to the 6th gen V8 investment announced last year?

Too early to say but it would make sense. You’d ant to lean towards the most modern engine designs if for no other reason than longevity and to tie into on going development.

Originally Posted by genxer

Could that be interpreted as a clue they're leaning more toward a F-150 style hybrid than Ramcharger setup?

Keep in mind the idea that this would be for full-size trucks is my opinion / expectation. GM has said nothing on this in either direction. The RamCharger is a setup very similar to Volt. The ICE does nothing to assist moving the wheels, towing mass, or hauling capability. It buys time by putting energy back in the battery so the vehicle can keep doing whatever it’s doing for longer. If GM goes the PHEV route, I would expect physical connection to the wheels which would help in all these situations. When I was still at GM, the Product Development community was very explicit in communicating the difference between a PHEV and a range extender. Since Mary Barra said “PHEV”, I’m assuming those distinctions still hold.

Originally Posted by genxer

For the California plug-in allowance, would a pickup be unladen to meet battery range?

I think so but I would have to look at what was actually signed into law. When I read the Executive Order it was very gray on how to treat PHEV and range extenders. Sort of a non-answer but that’s all I got right now.

[detamble13]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

Keep in mind the idea that this would be for full-size trucks is my opinion / expectation. GM has said nothing on this in either direction. The RamCharger is a setup very similar to Volt. The ICE does nothing to assist moving the wheels, towing mass, or hauling capability.

James in your opinion will full size trucks continue to be ICE by 2035? From what I've read I believe trucks get more of a lenient evaluation of their emissions in comparison to cars and cuvs. If that continues to be the case I'd assume customers wanting a gas engine would just buy a truck.

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

In their Earnings Call GM just confirmed that there will be a PHEV in the portfolio. Other confidential information I have received indicates that it’s most likely on the T1XX platform (full sized trucks/utes). Makes sense. It would provide GM an interesting alternative to RamCharger.

That is very interesting.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by detamble13

James in your opinion will full size trucks continue to be ICE by 2035? From what I've read I believe trucks get more of a lenient evaluation of their emissions in comparison to cars and cuvs. If that continues to be the case I'd assume customers wanting a gas engine would just buy a truck.

I’ve always thought that would be the case. Even with GM’s Zero Emissios by 2035 it was phrased as an aspiration. We always figured full size trucks and SUVs (ie - cash cows) would be the last to convert and would likely, at least for the 2500 series and above stay ICE even beyond 2035. That’s why the Gen VI engine.