[GTO_Guy]

Distilling the information we have from various sources seems to paint an ugly picture for the SS.

First the car was announced with great fanfare as Chevy's new high performance sedan. That level of publicity normally implies the manufacturer is expecting reasonably high volume.

Then there was the curious announcement that GM would not build the car on spec for dealer inventory and hope it sold. Instead, buyers would need to order a car, leave a deposit and wait 90 days.

Then there was the change from build-to-order, 90 day availability to a token 900 cars being allotted only to dealers with top Corvette and Camaro sales.

Chevrolet Performance Marketing Manager John Fitzpatrick recently said that 1,700 to 2,000 units sold annually would be enough to call the Chevrolet SS "a successful venture." That phrasing implies that GM plans to claim the SS was just a fun little low volume endeavor that worked out exactly as planned and is now over.

Translated, that all seems to indicate that GM now plans to build only a handful of cars as novelty pieces...enough to be able to say they did... and call it a day. Why the pull back? Did something happen in the math between the launch and now that somehow made the SS an economic loser for GM from a pure business standpoint?

It's sure starting to look that way.

 

[G8GT364]

"Chevrolet Performance Marketing Manager John Fitzpatrick recently said that 1,700 to 2,000 units sold annually would be enough to call the Chevrolet SS "a successful venture." That phrasing implies that GM plans to claim the SS was just a fun little low volume endeavor that worked out exactly as planned and is now over."

I was always under the impression that this was the plan for the SS from the get go. Mark Reuss said himself that the SS was only brought over here to go racing(NASCAR) and was never meant to be a high volume car. Because of what happened with the GTO and G8 GM is being very cautious about the SS.

 

[dz28]

I've posted this before but I'm hearing through back channels around the proving grounds this car will live on as a 2017 model although not for the entire year. Doubt we'll get to see anything other than the LS3 installed but then GM was coy about the 2010 Camaro SS and what powertrains we would see. I think the buzz this car saw last week with the activity in Benicia should tell enough of the story. There will always be hardcore folk like me that believe all cars should be RWD and powered by eight cylinders pointed north/south as god intended....

 

[black magic]

I thought a certain number of cars needed to be made or sold in order for it's use in NASCAR. If so, would the "1,700-2,000" units be enough?

 

[GTO_Guy]

"Chevrolet Performance Marketing Manager John Fitzpatrick recently said that 1,700 to 2,000 units sold annually would be enough to call the Chevrolet SS "a successful venture." That phrasing implies that GM plans to claim the SS was just a fun little low volume endeavor that worked out exactly as planned and is now over."

I was always under the impression that this was the plan for the SS from the get go. Mark Reuss said himself that the SS was only brought over here to go racing(NASCAR) and was never meant to be a high volume car. Because of what happened with the GTO and G8 GM is being very cautious about the SS.

There's low volume and then there's barely bothering.

 

[Don't Call Me Surely]

On the bright side if the SS ends up only being built in a small quantity maybe it will make the resale price of the SS much higher in the future. It will be one of those legendary vehicles that are really nice but for some reason GM only built 2,000 of them. Years from now people will discover them in garages or on Craigslist and will be excited about them because they are rare.

 

[CrusherSS]

I agree with not too many being built it just makes it that much more rare and yes value would not depreciate as fast as some others. But yes they do need to step up and riase the voice a little for the SS.

 

[SSS]

I thought a certain number of cars needed to be made or sold in order for it's use in NASCAR. If so, would the "1,700-2,000" units be enough?

its not like that anymore as far as i know. Homologation requirements were only in place when NASCAR was still stock car racing. Its how we ended up with stupidity like the BOSS 429, Torino SCJ, and the Plymouth winged behemoths..

 

[Diehard]

Chevrolet Performance Marketing Manager John Fitzpatrick recently said that 1,700 to 2,000 units sold annually would be enough to call the Chevrolet SS "a successful venture." That phrasing implies that GM plans to claim the SS was just a fun little low volume endeavor that worked out exactly as planned and is now over.

That word ANNUALLY for the 1700 to 2000 units would kinda imply more than 2000 units total.:hope:

 

[Dominator8]

I thought a certain number of cars needed to be made or sold in order for it's use in NASCAR. If so, would the "1,700-2,000" units be enough?

It's already being run in NASCAR.

 

[GTO_Guy]

That word ANNUALLY for the 1700 to 2000 units would kinda imply more than 2000 units total.:hope:

Thanks for clearing that up. Yes, 2000 units per year doesn't give any indication as to how many years the car will be in production, but on its face it's a laughably low number.

By way of illustration, the Plymouth Prowler, a micro-niche car if ever there was one, averaged 3,000 units a year over a 4 year run. It's launch run was a little over 4000 units. I think I've seen maybe three Prowlers on the road in my entire life.

GM thinks the market for their new high performance sedan will be half the size of the market for this gem

Why is GM setting the bar so low with respect to what production and sale numbers they'd consider "a success"? If 1700 to 2000 cars annually is a success, and they've already built half of the total 2014s, who's to say they won't build another 900 cars, declare the SS a sales success, and the program a "winner", and then close the program?

The assumption has always been a three year run for the SS, but that's the MAXIMUM, limited by the end of the current VF platform in 2017. GM has never promised a three year run for the SS.

Like any new model, you'd expect year one to be the SS's biggest sales year riding on the buzz generated by the pre-launch, amd trailing off from there. How do you trail off from 2,000 units?

 

[Diehard]

Thanks for clearing that up. Yes, 2000 units per year doesn't give any indication as to how many years the car will be in production, but on its face it's a laughably low number.

By way of illustration, the Plymouth Prowler, a micro-niche car if ever there was one, averaged 3,000 units a year over a 4 year run. It's launch run was a little over 4000 units. I think I've seen maybe three Prowlers on the road in my entire life.


GM thinks the market for their new high performance sedan will be half the size of the market for this gem

Why is GM setting the bar so low with respect to what production and sale numbers they'd consider "a success"? If 1700 to 2000 cars annually is a success, and they've already built half of the total 2014s, who's to say they won't build another 900 cars, declare the SS a sales success, and the program a "winner", and then close the program?

The assumption has always been a three year run for the SS, but that's the MAXIMUM, limited by the end of the current VF platform in 2017. GM has never promised a three year run for the SS.

Like the Prowler, you'd expect year one to be the SS's biggest sales year riding on the buzz generated by the pre-launch, amd trailing off from there. How do you trail off from 2,000 units?

Funny thing, I just saw a Prowler a couple of days ago. I have NEVER seen a G8. Hopefully I'll get to see a Chevy SS.

 

[GTO_Guy]

Funny thing, I just saw a Prowler a couple of days ago. I have NEVER seen a G8. Hopefully I'll get to see a Chevy SS.

I see quite a few G8 GTs around. GXPs are rare. I've seen one in person.

 

[Patasu]

It is was the the demand will allow it to be. They can expect and project, but it comes down to the people showing up at the dealership wanting to buy. The whole, not being able to drive one off the lot seems like it is going to kill sales!

 

[GTO_Guy]

It is was the the demand will allow it to be. They can expect and project, but it comes down to the people showing up at the dealership wanting to buy. The whole, not being able to drive one off the lot seems like it is going to kill sales!

GM had a method in place to ensure a perfect supply/demand balance...they would wait for a buyer to place an order, and then they'd build a car. Frankly it seemed like a stupid idea at the time, but that was the plan.

I have to believe demand for a loaded new 415hp V8 RWD performance sedan under $50,000 is more than enough to absorb production numbers closer to 5k a year. At this rate, the SS will become so rare it'll be inconsequential.

 

[Commodoreman2000]

Going by the number of SS sedans I've seen at Outer Harbour it is safe to say 3000 is an absolute minimum. First boat 900. second boat was a similar number. The Car park is pretty chokkas as of Sunday so there are at least another 1000 out there waiting for a boat ride.
The rumour and talk I hear from various sources suggest around 6000 sales for the first year minimum.

 

[dz28]

I see quite a few G8 GTs around. GXPs are rare. I've seen one in person.

I see quite a few here. I've owned 3 G8's with 2 of them being GXP's and both of those were M6. Really an enjoyable car... my son has owned 2 G8's with 1 being a GXP and of course the M6. Was in ATL a week and a half ago visiting my daughter and we saw a G8 rolling around on the way to Lake Burton. They are out there...

Going by the number of SS sedans I've seen at Outer Harbour it is safe to say 3000 is an absolute minimum. First boat 900. second boat was a similar number. The Car park is pretty chokkas as of Sunday so there are at least another 1000 out there waiting for a boat ride.
The rumour and talk I hear from various sources suggest around 6000 sales for the first year minimum.

I agree on the 6000 and hope they build every one of them for good inventory and incentives come spring!! ance:

 

[GTO_Guy]

6,000 would be a healthy number. Wonder why GM is setting expectations so low?

 

[dz28]

6,000 would be a healthy number. Wonder why GM is setting expectations so low?

I think Chevrolet selling a near $50,000 sedan is a concern. I also think selling a $45,000 Impala should concern them as well! My 2006 Impala SS with every option wasn't $32,000 and I received the GM discount and some incentives. Yes the new Impala is well styled and well contented; I don't ever see me buying one at $46,000 or even $36,000 for that matter.

The Pontiac was more aggressive in styling and appealed to a different buyer. The SS is a touch more conservative and I think GM is simply looking to play this one out without dropping big incentives on the car to move it. My first G8 GXP stickered at $41,590 and my price before taxes was $35,xxx which I gladly paid. If I could get $6,590 off the price of an SS right now I'd buy one today...

 

[roman1978]

I would gladly pay $40 k out the door for SS but that wont happen for a while