Cadillac Converj won't enter production anytime soon

It’s no surprise that General Motor’s tight finances will hold it back from producing a production version of a concept like the Cadillac Converj. But you have to ask yourself why cash-strapped GM would invest money in a concept that it sees no future for in the short-term - especially in terms of profitability.

According to Bob Lutz, GM’s Vice Chairman of global product development, the production version of the Converj would look exactly like that the concept - but that’s what he said about the Volt when it came out too. Either way, the Caddy version of the Volt is from from ready to be put into production.

“Ready to go? Well, first we have to prove to ourselves that we...
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Intensity007 - 1/19/2009 10:12:34 AM

0 Boost

I'm not suprised. It's taken GM forever to 'perfect' the Camaro (which STILL isn't available) so theres no way in hell we'll see this anytime soon. If it takes around 5 years to create an everyday Chevrolet, I wonder what the time frame would be to produce what could essentially be a Tier 1 groundbreaker for Cadillac?

91z4me - 1/19/2009 10:27:34 AM

+1 Boost

Since you obviously have no idea of the time frame for Camaro development, I will excuse some of your ignorance. But the Camaro concept went on display in January of 2007. In March (2 years and 2 months) the production of the Camaro will be underway. Production would have started in February but there was a delay with an equipment supplier. 2 years from concept to production isn't all that slow (just ask Lexus about the LF-A). Also there is no difference in time between a volume vehicle and a top tier brand.

Intensity007 - 1/19/2009 1:09:14 PM

+1 Boost

You're ignorant if you took my exaggeration seriously bro! LMAO... My point is that Chevy is once again LATE to the party. First, the Mustang came along and Chevy responded with the Camaro. I know it's only been a little over two years but it seems more like 5 or more years since we had our last Camaro in 2002. Also, get your facts straight: The new Camaro concept came out in January 2006.

LauderdaleDriver - 1/19/2009 10:29:32 AM

+3 Boost

Nobody's making money on hybrids, so it's no surprise that GM might want to put its' money where it might earn some profits. Toyota shuttered the US Prius factory for a reason.

I love the car, and would love to see a "BTS" Coupe derrived from it.

downtoearth - 1/19/2009 12:05:38 PM

-2 Boost

I'm yet to be shown any credible analysis proving that Toyota does not make profit on their Prii. Development costs for this car were very similar to those of other vehicles (Source#1), they sold about 800k of them up to date and reused hybrid synergy drive in multiple vehicles increasing return on investments. I do agree though that other carmakers, especially those who built their own hybrid drivetrains, not leased ones from Toyota, may not have reached profitability in this segment yet. Meanwhile, I'd like to remind you some American carmakers are incapable of making profit just on selling ordinary cars. Oh, not some. All of them actually. ||| Source #1: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/03/06/8370702/index.htm

AgentOrange - 1/19/2009 10:44:08 AM

+1 Boost

Nice styling.

BigShow50 - 1/20/2009 12:36:09 AM

+1 Boost

GM is good at that..."All Show - No GO!!!"...Just like ChuckG37(the 10 year kid who talks smack in this forum, like BOB "NO CLUE" LUTZ...LMAO!!!) As for this Camaro, it does not matter that the concept came out Jan' 2006. But the fact the "CAMARO" in general has been a brand for GM much longer than that...no excuse it took them this long to figure out a modern retro design. As for the LF-A...they can take as long as they want, this is Leuxs' 1st execution in the High-End Luxury performance segment(so they have the time and money!)...the design may be stale to some viewers at this point, but what's underneath the skin is re-occuring engineering that evovles everyday or when being tested. The LF-A for all we know can go into another re-design once they perfect the rest of it's overall peroformance, before going into full scale production...Good long term thinking for Lexus...another concept fantasy crack-dream for NO CLUE LUTZ and GM monkeys alike!!!...LMAO!!!