A Sound Business Case Can't Be Made for the GTO in Canada
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| While a conservatively attractive car from the front end, it's what is under the hood that has every one excited. The 2004 GTO packs a time tested 5.7-L V8 with 340-hp and 360 lb-ft of torque driving the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual transaxle. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Goat fans will no doubt be disappointed, but nonetheless GM Canada won't be getting any Australian-built 2004 GTOs to lure enthusiasts into its showrooms.
Michael Grimaldi, President of General Motors Canada, said to the Winnipeg Free Press that the new model, based on the GM subsidiary's Holden Monaro, only came into being due to a desire to capitalize on excess plant capacity in the land down under.
"That capacity is 18,000 units," he stated. "All of that will be consumed by the U.S. Anything for Canada would have to come out of that 18,000."
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| Its rear end styling is a tad on the generic side, but again, when the tires are smoking Pontiac enthusiasts won't care about nondescript taillight design. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
There is a slight glimmer of hope however. Grimaldi added that General Motors would be paying close attention to its U.S. consumer reaction over the GTO, and if positive could bring it into production as a model in its own right. If so it would be possible to sell it in Canada. Of course, this wouldn't take place in late 2003 when the GTO becomes available in the U.S., and probably not for quite a while after that.
"We think there is a market for the GTO in Canada," Grimaldi continued. But considering the strong U.S. dollar and Canada's extremely limited sales, a viable GTO business case can't be made.
Hopefully, for Canadian GM performance fans, the tides will turn and the GTO will find its way northward soon.
