The Auto Writer

Now that GM has emerged from bankruptcy and is well on its way to becoming a much leaner, greener, and meaner car manufacturer, certain products that had been put on hold will soon come to life. Importantly, some of those products will be moved forward in the production cycle including the next generation Chevrolet Malibu according to Automotive News.

New Products

Though GM hasn’t named specific models slated for its accelerated production cycle, I believe that the following represents the company’s strategy going forward brand by brand:

Cadillac – The CTS line is almost complete, giving Cadillac a world class mid-size car line that competes nicely against BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus. Next up is the replacement for the STS and DTS, which GM has code-named XTS. Ideally, GM would stretch the current CTS sedan to accommodate the model, buying it some time and saving money until a fresh model could be released in 2015. But I don’t see that happening. Instead, expect some sort of front wheel drive sedan arriving in 2012.

Expect the Converj to arrive in 2012, a car based on the Chevy Volt platform. The SRX is all new while the Escalade is tired and in need of a crossover body ala Buick Enclave. Expect that to happen soon after the XTS hits the market. Beyond that, if Cadillac gains traction, the line will expand with a car slotted below the CTS and perhaps a luxury two seater. Hybrids will be offered fleet-wide by 2015.

Buick – The Lucerne is on its last legs which means that the LaCrosse will take over as the largest car in Buick’s line. I expect that we’ll see a refreshed Enclave for the 2012 model year, while a baby Buick, smaller than the Regal, will appear about the same time.

My thinking is that GM will clarify Buick’s direction by adding fresh new models once the baby Buick hits the market.

Chevrolet – We know the Malibu is being moved up but what about the aged Impala? I can’t see GM backing off in the police pursuit vehicle market, not with Ford relying on the all new Taurus and with Carbon Motors set to come out with their dedicated police cruiser in 2012. Look for an all new Impala in two years, perhaps based on a stretched Malibu platform to complement the Holden Chevy Caprice import which will be sold in low numbers.

The remainder of Chevrolet’s line up is solid with the compact Chevy Cruze ready to appear next summer and with a smaller, Beat-type car to follow. A new Aveo or Aveo replacement will show up within the next two years, while the HHR will be dropped and several truck and SUV models will be modified. I see Chevrolet relying a lot more on crossovers like the Traverse and Equinox, perhaps dropping the Tahoe and/or Suburban if they present a drag on fuel economy numbers and customer interest wanes.

Finally, can we expect a new Corvette soon? Yes, by 2012 the C7 ‘Vette should be in showrooms, parked next to the extended Camaro family.

GMC – Whatever GM does for Chevrolet trucks will be done for GMC. It remains a mystery to me why these two brands are still competing. Personally, I would have converted GMC into Chevrolet Trucks and kept Pontiac. Then again, Fritz never asked me. R.I.P. Pontiac G8.

Financial Position

Much of what is being considered depends on GM’s financial position, gas prices, demand for alternate vehicles, and any number of other market changes that will occur over the next 3-5 years. GM has been given a huge second chance that no business of its size has ever received, so let’s hope that top management gets it right and remakes the automaker into a profitable money-making entity once again.

Plus, I want GM to pay back its loans and for the federal government to recoup the $50+ billion of taxpayer money sunk into the company and now treated as equity. I don’t think that is too much to ask!