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CAFE kills next Monaro and GTO

At last weeks Detroit Auto Show, Bob Lutz put the kibosh on any chance of their being a Pontiac Sportwagon based on Holden’s upcoming VE Commodore Sportwagon, as wagons just aren’t fashionable in the States…but that’s not the only cat that the GM


At last weeks Detroit Auto Show, Bob Lutz put the kibosh on any chance of their being a Pontiac Sportwagon based on Holden’s upcoming VE Commodore Sportwagon, as wagons just aren’t fashionable in the States…but that’s not the only cat that the GM General let out of the bag.

Lutz, while having a chat with GoAuto also confirmed that RWD cars like a new Pontiac GTO (and Holden Monaro) and Impala are “gone for now” . It seems that the future 35 MPG CAFE requirements are to blame and GM are looking to develop more fuel efficient FWD and RWD midsize platforms, along with monocoque chassis based SUV’s.

“In terms of fuel economy, that’s not the end of the market where we want to stimulate demand. We have to find ways to stimulate demand and desirability in cars that will get us closer to the 35 MPG average,” Lutz explained

So, while the next Monaro/GTO seems to have been pronounced dead prior to arrival, the future may hold the next Torana… Lutz also pointed out that the mid-size Alpha RWD platform has not yet been given the green light but industry insiders believe it will happen and GM’s Holden operation in Australia will be the most likely centre of development.

[Sources: Autoblog and MotorAuthority]

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