Less than two months ago at the Chicago Auto Show, General Motors gave the media a glimpse of its bright future with the unveiling of the Pontiac G8. With the arrival of the G8, borrowed from Holden, the light at the end of the tunnel was well within reach.
The Bush administration proposed to raise the corporate average fuel economy standards by 4 percent annually to average 34 miles per gallon by 2017. With this is mind, Bob Lutz had no choice to pause the RWD project. Actually, the 2008 Camaro is too far along to be stopped. On the other hand, the G8 and Impala replacement are not.
As RWD vehicles are typically heavier and built for performance, their increased fuel consumption would increase the corporate average.
Although the CAFE regulations are good for the environment overall, this announcement marks a sad day for the General.
photo:General Motors
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| 2008 Pontiac G8 show car unveiled at Chicago Auto Show. |
The Bush administration proposed to raise the corporate average fuel economy standards by 4 percent annually to average 34 miles per gallon by 2017. With this is mind, Bob Lutz had no choice to pause the RWD project. Actually, the 2008 Camaro is too far along to be stopped. On the other hand, the G8 and Impala replacement are not.
As RWD vehicles are typically heavier and built for performance, their increased fuel consumption would increase the corporate average.
Although the CAFE regulations are good for the environment overall, this announcement marks a sad day for the General.
photo:General Motors