Chevrolet planning to revive performance brands

General Motors Co. is determining if it will revive brands for performance vehicles in a bid to improve its image with fast-car shoppers. GM, at the recent Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show, introduced its Z-Spec Chevrolet Cruze, Volt and Spark cars. It also unveiled two SS-badge Chevrolet Camaros.

Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing, says the introduction of the new vehicles signifies that GM’s new performance vehicles and motorsports division is looking harder at performance brands. In 2009, GM delayed the development of performance-branded vehicles and reassigned around 60 engineers.
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Steve - 11/12/2010 11:39:59 AM

+3 Boost

While performance brands certainly have their appeal, I am concerned that GM may be stalled, looking back on old successes and trying to duplicate GM's former glory from a bygone era by doing what they did in the past. Well, the world has changed. Yesterday's "formula" to success may not result in widespread success in today's automotive ecosystem.

GM's approach of trying to be all things to all people has failed on a massive scale. Meanwhile, other brands have carved out their niches and done well at what they do (e.g., BMW's "performance sedans," Toyota's "reliability for the masses," Lexus's "apparent luxury with fewer defects," etc.) As comedian Bill Cosby once said "I don't know the recipe for happiness, but the recipe or unhappiness is trying to make everyone else happy."

GM: Be known for something. Something good. Something now, not something you used to do. And I don't think rekindling 1970's-inspired muscle cars is the secret to that success.

uaw_lax - 11/12/2010 1:34:49 PM

-3 Boost

"toyota's "reliability for the masses," Lexus's "apparent luxury with fewer defects,"

your kidding I hope.

LexSucks - 11/12/2010 7:08:45 PM

+1 Boost

Why does someone have to bring up Toyota or Lexus in every thread? Even when the article doesn't have anything to do with Toyota or Lexus, someone has to mention those lame brands. I'm not sure why some folks think that Toyota is pertinent to every car conversation?

uaw_lax - 11/12/2010 1:36:33 PM

-1 Boost

Right and the "V" performance series is one of the best in world the CTS-V being the fastest production sedan is proof of that.

To many haters here.

veyron1001 - 11/12/2010 3:25:22 PM

+2 Boost

Shove a huge v8 in anything under 5000lbs and its going to be fast.

bmwdrvr - 11/12/2010 5:19:01 PM

-2 Boost

how is that different than TRD, F spec, Nismo, Mugen????? Im just saying if you guys are going to trash GM for doing what other companies doing call all the pots black or dont mention anyone...

0to60 - 11/12/2010 3:54:01 PM

+3 Boost

not nASScar, lol