Does anyone with inside information know if production has actually started in the Adelade, Austraila assembly plant on our Pontiac G8s?
If so, when did production start? I can't wait for the first vessel / ship of G8s to get here!

:cartman:

I believe it has...

Should have but not certain.

Yea, here it is November. This ship to public date is killing me.....

full production started today. first shipment due to leave 25th of nov.

Now we just need one of our friends from Aussieland to get some pics for us.

Now we just need one of our friends from Aussieland to get some pics for us.


Yes, totally! Pictures of the G8s being shipped would be very cool!




And TN, thanks for the information.....

:gears:

Something like these

http://ultimategto.com/2004/04_00065_1.jpg
http://ultimategto.com/2004/04_00090_1.jpg
http://ultimategto.com/2004/04_00090_2.jpg
http://ultimategto.com/2004/04_00087_1.jpg

pmd g8, those are some sweet pics! having something like those show up here on the g8s would get me very excited!!! good pics!

chrish

GM will take media photos when the first boatload is ready. It's a big deal for Holden and Australia.

i'll tkae some photos of the first ship load when they are at the dock here in adelaide

TN: That would be awesome! I cannot wait to get my Black G8 GT! Thanks in advance!


:cartman:

How do you guys keep the swirl marks out of black cars paint?

I'm interested in a back one, but everytime I see black car here it looks like crap cause it has real bad swirl marks on it.

How do you guys keep the swirl marks out of black cars paint?

I'm interested in a back one, but everytime I see black car here it looks like crap cause it has real bad swirl marks on it.


I am no expert on this. I just like black. But if anyone has any techniques for keeping the swirls away on a black car, I'm all ears.

What do swirl marks have to do with G8 Production? :stickpoke: :D

What do swirl marks have to do with G8 Production? :stickpoke: :D

Hopefully, nothing. There will be no swirls on any cars when loaded onto the ship, and none when they offload, or even arrive at dealer - that's the soonest any swirls can appear. Hey, the question was asked, and I should have quoted the post in a brand new thread about washing and waxing, but felt lazy. Let me try again this morning. http://www.g8board.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7552&postcount=1

I hope GMNA didnt pay for the first batch yet - AUD just dropped 4 cents since last week.

if you guys want i can start up a good detail thread, im very knowledgable (sp?) with detailing vehicles and the products to use, but i could also just do the easy way out and link a good sticky post thats on ls1.com.au

alot of cars you will get here in the states will arrive at dealerships with raildust on them. its very common unfortunately and you can not only see it, but feel it in extreme cases. best way to take that out is by claying the car after proper stripping agents are applied. to keep swirls out of black paint is not that difficult. proper cleaning techniques and good products can help alot. the biggest issues i see with swirls, are that people are very abbrasive to their vehicles paint. when washing with a mit, use a 100% cotton mit (made in usa) dont get any from over seas (sorry aussy guys, not sure if you have this problem there) but if you get a type made in china, taiwan etc... there will be fine plastic particles in it for dexterity, they will scratch ever so lightly. also, when drying the car, i never touch my paint. i bought a great leafblower a long time ago, and old trustee does the job! just make sure your not around alot of dirt or anything when blowing off and you will be fine. pm me if you want me to make a post on the site concerning detailing and i will. it just may take some time, and im sure some other peoples opinions will vary as well.

chrish

Actually if anyone has any questions about keeping black paint clean they need to go to LS1GTO.com and ask Wolfdogs. That guy is a detailing freak. I believe when he sold his GTO he had somewhere in the area of 30+ coats of Zaino on his car after 1.5 years of ownership.

My dealer told me the cars were now delayed until late 08. Not sure why.

GM sure does suck in getting information out about this car. What a joke.

My dealer told me the cars were now delayed until late 08. Not sure why.

I sure hope your dealer is filled with a bunch of turd sniffing r-tards who don't know wtf they're talking about.

I sure hope your dealer is filled with a bunch of turd sniffing r-tards who don't know wtf they're talking about.

:iagree:

I do wish GM would throw us a bone though and give us some more concrete info on arrival date.

A dealer here in Kansas City, stated that they expect to see them on their lots after the first of the year.

It was a regional meeting for all the dealers in this district, mid-atlantic so who knows. I'm just telling you what he said. He has kept me in the loop since he is interested in one himself. He currently has a GTO but looking forward to this vehicle.

I was told feb by a rep at the auto show???

I called another dealer and they stated March. I don't think the dealers have a clue. We need info from somebody down in Melbourne who can tell us when they are going to start rolling down the line.

I called another dealer and they stated March. I don't think the dealers have a clue. We need info from somebody down in Melbourne who can tell us when they are going to start rolling down the line.

As usual, lol.

I called another dealer and they stated March. I don't think the dealers have a clue. We need info from somebody down in Melbourne who can tell us when they are going to start rolling down the line.

They don't manufacture them in Melbourne!

They are made at Elizabeth, South Australia. They are driven into a factory holding paddock, then road transported some 20-25Km to the export holding yard at Outer Harbour, South Australia.

Then shipped to perhaps Bernica, CA (this is where the GTOs were shipped to).

Mike

Part of the explanation may be that GM was going to roll out the car in sunbelt states first, before going north. It doesn't make sense to try and sell a RWD car in MN in February.

They don't manufacture them in Melbourne!

They are made at Elizabeth, South Australia. They are driven into a factory holding paddock, then road transported some 20-25Km to the export holding yard at Outer Harbour, South Australia.

Then shipped to perhaps Bernica, CA (this is where the GTOs were shipped to).

Mike

GM Holden Plant at Elizabeth, South Australia

34°44'45.95"S
138°39'23.87"E

Outer Harbour, South Australia Export Holding Yards

34°46'35.16"S
138°29'2.09"E

Mike

Part of the explanation may be that GM was going to roll out the car in sunbelt states first, before going north. It doesn't make sense to try and sell a RWD car in MN in February.I'm in a snow state, I drive RWD all year long. Unfortunately many grew up on front drive and never learned that rwd with snows work quite well, actually Car and driver proved that RWD with snows was better than fwd with all seasons a few years back. I'm in the twin cities quite often and drive a rwd van (with crapy all seasons) while there, including during several bad snowstorms where the company closed early (as you know, in MN it has to be over 12" for that to happen).

Call me crazy, but the marketing folks who sold America on fwd brainwashed everyone that RWD does not work in snow (any car with summers on in the snow doesn't go though).

Target Acquired.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=outer+harbour+station,+australia&sll=-34.671617,138.284912&sspn=0.434833,0.756683&ie=UTF8&ll=-34.776694,138.484383&spn=0.006786,0.011823&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1

Man that is a LONG ways away from Cali.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=outer+harbour+station,+australia&sll=-34.671617,138.284912&sspn=0.434833,0.756683&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=-3.162456,-133.59375&spn=111.866581,346.640625&t=k&z=2

Anyone have control of a gov't satellite so we can station it over that piece of land... I'll setup a paypal account to defray costs.

Should be soon as the first 888 are scheduled to all be in dealer hands in March. http://g8gt.com/t2230/ I wonder if they are shipping a wave of only 888 on teh first boat, or exactly how many they can load at once and if more than just the first 888 will be arriving in March.

I'm sure somebody in Elizabeth, Australia or wherever it is, knows when the first one will be rolling down the line. I used to work in an auto plant here in the states and everyone knew months ahead of time the exact date of when changeover was going to occur.

I'm sure somebody in Elizabeth, Australia or wherever it is, knows when the first one will be rolling down the line. I used to work in an auto plant here in the states and everyone knew months ahead of time the exact date of when changeover was going to occur.

No "changeover" will ocur! IIRC, the G8 will "roll out" amongst VE Commodores. I'm not sure if the Statesman and VE Ute also are on the "same" line!

Mike

I realize no changover will occur. They will still have to at a minimum, put pontiac emblems on and switch the stearing wheel to the opposite side. These modifications require different parts which takes scheduling and coordination with vendors. You can't wake up one morning and decide its time to start changing the commodres over to G8s.

Can't zoom in close enough to make out G8s...

Can't zoom in close enough to make out G8s...

LOL, I hear ya.

What's with that off color thing? Is that some sort of shade canopy? If so, it looks massive.

LOL, I hear ya.

What's with that off color thing? Is that some sort of shade canopy? If so, it looks massive.

Shade cover to lessen the heat of the sun and of course, lessen bird poop!

Mike

I realize no changover will occur. They will still have to at a minimum, put pontiac emblems on and switch the stearing wheel to the opposite side. These modifications require different parts which takes scheduling and coordination with vendors. You can't wake up one morning and decide its time to start changing the commodres over to G8s.

They're already doing most of the work needed b/c they build LHD Luminas for the Middle East. The hood, front bumper, GT rims and lip spoiler are about the only major exterior modifications. As far as interior goes, "G8" seat stitching, pontiac specific gauge faces and pontiac badging. I'm sure there are some other minor differences too.

the major interior changes are to do with the airbag and seatbelts, which also require other small trim changes to fit it all.

the project apparently took just over 12 months from green light to production, which is much quicker than usual, which can be around 2-3 years!

When I went to the Holden plant in Elizabeth the thing that got me was how so many different variations of a commodore ran down the same line. RHD...LHD........local...export sedans.statesman.utes. A day at the plant is a "must do" if anyone gets the opportunity. It really opens a persons eyes on how a car gets put together. I was fascinated to see the whole dash assembly complete with steering column being lowered in through the windshield opening and set into place within a 30 second time frame...............I could go on.

the major interior changes are to do with the airbag and seatbelts, which also require other small trim changes to fit it all.

the project apparently took just over 12 months from green light to production, which is much quicker than usual, which can be around 2-3 years!

So going by the "G8 Manufacturer" under your SN, I'm guessing that you have something to do with the building process?

Modern manufacturing processes by most companies can be what is sometimes referred to as "mixed production". With "just in time" parts and assembly deliveries by suppliers (just enough for a day's or shift's schedule arrives daily at the door) and computer controlled assembly lines it is modern practice to mix it up on teh line without any "changeovers" involved. Even if you wished to change from Colorado or Silverado production one day to Malibu the next and vback to Suburbans you lose no more than one 8 hour shift in between. The various different components that make up a G8 compared to a Commodore should cause no headaches other than certain employees being on teh wrong side of the car for certain installs. Otherwise there is no requirement that they create a brand new assembly line, just crank up the speed. Of course that's the reason that a very small handful of first Sky's came through with a Solstice badge on one side and an equal number of Sols were mixed badged at the same time (I recall the story but don't have the proof at my fingertips.)

And at least one other difference in teh G8 compared to Commodore (unless all C's are being upgraded to US spec) is in the front suspension mounts, IIRC.

I remember once my Dad drove home a brand new GMC Suburban, with GMC Badges on the Driver's side and Chevy Badges on the passanger side. The steering wheel, front and rear were all GMC.

So going by the "G8 Manufacturer" under your SN, I'm guessing that you have something to do with the building process?

yeah, just one of thousands of worker on the line, so unfortunately we don't even get as much info as the media. Even if we did, we would have to be careful of what we can share publicly anyway, but i still try to be as helpful as possible without getting into trouble. :D

I guess one question is, when is/was the start date for G8 production?

pretty sure someone said production started 7th November, 1st shipment leaves on the 25th?

Anybody have the foresight to take pics of the first G8s being built?

Anybody have the foresight to take pics of the first G8s being built?

no idea, we're not allowed any camera or imaging equipment on site... might just have to find a photo of a commodore without badges and bumpers :P

Well, tell your boss that WE WANT PICS!!! If not we're coming to the factory and busting down the doors. :The_Villagers:

lol :gr_jest:

So how many are going down the line have a sun roof? I wonder how these are being orderd? What is first a bunch of v6's?

Hey PMD G8!!!!!

When do you plan on getting yours? You gunna wait til they get to NC or are you going to drive out of state to get it?

I will probably wait another year before I order one. I'm going to wait to see if there will be a M6 or not and I also want to wait and find out if a GXP will be offered.

Does anyone know how many G8's they'll load onto the boat? How many boats do they have for shipment to the states? How long is the trip? Where is the final US port?

I have price negotiated and almost placed an order but my dealer now says that GM won't allow special orders at this time. All G8's will be prebuilt and send over and then the dealers will choose from the pre-built pool. Unfortunately that might make it next to impossible to get the color and option combination I want.

Does anyone know how many G8's they'll load onto the boat? How many boats do they have for shipment to the states? How long is the trip? Where is the final US port?

I have price negotiated and almost placed an order but my dealer now says that GM won't allow special orders at this time. All G8's will be prebuilt and send over and then the dealers will choose from the pre-built pool. Unfortunately that might make it next to impossible to get the color and option combination I want.


FFS, so everyone is keen and does their "special order" with Pontiac in which there are orders for 5000 white cars so GM ignores their customers again and make 5000 red cars for the first shipments!!!!!

When will GM NA learn to listen to their consumers!!!!



Mike

It sounds like a person may be better off waiting on the 09 models. It will be August by the time enough 08 models arrive that the average person can test drive one, place an order and receive it anyway.

first batch should be a pretty good mix, probably around 60/40 split of V8/V6, about 20-30% with sunroof, and quite a lot have the premium and sports packages.

not what i was expecting to begin with, as they normally like to start with the very basic and slowly build more options as production ramps up.

first batch should be a pretty good mix, probably around 60/40 split of V8/V6, about 20-30% with sunroof, and quite a lot have the premium and sports packages.

not what i was expecting to begin with, as they normally like to start with the very basic and slowly build more options as production ramps up.

Asylum,
Maybe there is hope after all!! Do you have any insight as to why dealers can't place orders??

I've bought GM cars for years and have never heard of a distribution model where you couldn't special order with your choice of options and colours.

I'm hoping to find a GT Black/Black with premium package and NO stupid sunroof!! I can live with summer tires but would prefer all seasons.

I hope GM has figured out how to get these Australian cars over here. As I recall the GTO's sat at the US dock for weeks because they couldn't get the incoming ships synchronized with the outgoing trains. Wasn't there also a train wreck where a bunch of GTO's were totalled in transit??

Please keep us posted with whatever you can tell us!!! We'll anxiously await any updates from an inside source!!

I will probably wait another year before I order one. I'm going to wait to see if there will be a M6 or not and I also want to wait and find out if a GXP will be offered.
That's understandable. I know I keep being told to wait til the first year has passed to make sure they get all the kinks out. My thing is if you wait for a bigger, better car, then you're going to be waiting forever.

You're right. If you wait for better, the manufacturer will be on to something else. And not necessarily for the better. Since this isn't really a first run car, I wouldn't expect many kinks. Personally, I do want a manual tranny and that's worth the wait.

That's understandable. I know I keep being told to wait til the first year has passed to make sure they get all the kinks out. My thing is if you wait for a bigger, better car, then you're going to be waiting forever.

Waiting another year won't kill me. I still have my GTO to drive but my wife and I are going to start trying for a baby next summer and I would like to switch over to something that has 4 doors and not loose the power and the sportiness that I have in the GTO.

Waiting another year won't kill me. I still have my GTO to drive but my wife and I are going to start trying for a baby next summer and I would like to switch over to something that has 4 doors and not loose the power and the sportiness that I have in the GTO.

My 6 y.o. son has been riding in the back of my GTO for the past 3 years now with no problems. Unless, your planning for twins or triplets. ;)

first batch should be a pretty good mix, probably around 60/40 split of V8/V6, about 20-30% with sunroof, and quite a lot have the premium and sports packages.

not what i was expecting to begin with, as they normally like to start with the very basic and slowly build more options as production ramps up.Thanks Asylum, that is just the way I want it, fully loaded GT, sunroof is good, but ok without. Keep them comming!

How many are coming through with cloth seats?

no idea about seating, as thats one of the last thing fitted!

from what i hear about ordering etc, the cars will all be pre-built, which is how some local models are made anyway, pre-orders are built first, and then the rest is i guess made up of the popular options and colours etc.

i just hope the dealers could be more co-operative this time round, apparently with the GTO dealers were automatically allocated cars, and they were the only ones to sell it... which is kinda stupid if some states sell more cars than others, and the dealers wont trade or communicate with each other!

Asylum,
Maybe there is hope after all!! Do you have any insight as to why dealers can't place orders??

I've bought GM cars for years and have never heard of a distribution model where you couldn't special order with your choice of options and colours.

I'm hoping to find a GT Black/Black with premium package and NO stupid sunroof!! I can live with summer tires but would prefer all seasons.

I hope GM has figured out how to get these Australian cars over here. As I recall the GTO's sat at the US dock for weeks because they couldn't get the incoming ships synchronized with the outgoing trains. Wasn't there also a train wreck where a bunch of GTO's were totalled in transit??

Please keep us posted with whatever you can tell us!!! We'll anxiously await any updates from an inside source!!



The GTO were landed at Benicia, CA and I understand a contributing factor in delayed release was that GM didn't provide all the "paperwork" (US Compliance) to Customs, etc so they were held in 'bond' until sorted.

Then the transport arrangements were another issue including the later derailment.

And the "gouging" by some of the more "ruthless" dealers on the first batch of cars!!!


Mike

Does anyone know how many G8's they'll load onto the boat?
I heard from a Holden worker last night that they are building 500 G8s a week and the boats hold 1500. I believe the plant can max around 700 (*620 confirmed recently) units a day so it's not a full day's worth per week but they are doing 12 hour shifts and working flat out to do this many and build for the other markets as well.
But 500/week*50 weeks is only 25,000 p.a. so somehow they are going to need to up that rate (or the ratio of non-US-bound units to G8s) to hit even 40K a year. Maybe they are thinking there'll be a drop off in local Commodore demand when the new Orion Falcon comes out in March - currently it's around 4,500 versus 2,300 a month Gombidore vs Falcon - if it evens out at say 4,000 a month each allowing for a big improvement in Falcon brought on by the new model expanding the market a bit and/or picking up those Ford fans who are holding off, and also a drop off in Commie sales as the fleets defer purchases till June (last month before EOFY here) to give time to find out if the new Falcon is up to scratch that'll only give an extra 100 a week more they could build as G8s. Fortunately that'd coincide with word-of-mouth getting thru to the US general public and the warmer months making a RWD car more saleable over there.
My thoughts anyway.

I heard from a Holden worker last night that they are building 500 G8s a week and the boats hold 1500. I believe the plant can max around 700 units a day so it's not a full day's worth per week but they are doing 12 hour shifts and working flat out to do this many and build for the other markets as well.
But 500/week*50 weeks is only 25,000 p.a. so somehow they are going to need to up that rate (or the ratio of non-US-bound units to G8s) to hit even 40K a year. Maybe they are thinking they'll be a drop off in local Commodore demand when the new Orion Falcon comes out in March - currently it's around 4,500 versus 2,300 a month Gombidore vs Falcon - if it evens out at say 4,000 a month each allowing for a big improvement in Falcon brought on by the new model expanding the market a bit and/or picking up those Ford fans who are holding off, and also a drop off in Commie sales as the fleets defer purchases till June (last month before EOFY here) to give time to find out if the new Falcon is up to scratch that'll only give an extra 100 a week more they could build as G8s. Fortunately that'd coincide with word-of-mouth getting thru to the US general public and the warmer months making a RWD car more saleable over there.
My thoughts anyway.

Don't recall exactly where I read that the expected annual production of G8's was only going to be around 20,000 and yet GM appears to be giving up almost completely on the GP segment - or hoping that the lost Pontiac sales somehow stay in-house. For the record,
c.y. 2005, 122398 Grand Prix's 27.96% of Pontaic prod 30.96% of deliveries
c.y. 2006, 108634 Grand Prix's 26.48% of prod. 30.76% of del.

c.y. 2007 for 10 months
78,380 GP's sold, 25.97% of Pontiac production, % of Pontiac sales.

Sales of GPs are off 17% cytd over a year ago and without a year end surge cy # should be appr. 90,000. Even swallowing a similar decline in 08 and selling a combined # of GP and G8 of 80,000 and let's assume it's only 50-50 and that GM is really exiting POntiac from the segment, then can Holden actually build and ship 40,000 G8's per year? Sure they can. Not counting shutdowns or vactions, if they build 167 cars per day in a 5 day week for avg 4 weeks per month x 12 = 40k. 200/day beyond the 500/day of Commodores could mean easily almost 50k, still half of the #s of the current vehicle's sales, but I see a push by GM (or at least there should be) to enlighten consumers that the Malibu so highly regarded against teh Accord is absolutely identical under the skin as the G6, which is already 2 years old.

As far as production #'s for the GP go, I can't remember where, but I read that a large % of GPs were for fleet sales.

Don't forget that Enerprise is getting G8's, how many will that take from the pool of cars? Hopefully they get the "un-tagged" cars.

Probably V-6's for Enterprise.

Don't forget that Enerprise is getting G8's, how many will that take from the pool of cars? Hopefully they get the "un-tagged" cars.

Won't take any from the pool. Enterprise does not buy their cars from dealers, but factory direct. A local dealer may be responsible for prep and delivery, for which they are compensated, but it does not affect how many cars they get or add to their volume. Now, company fleet cars for salespeople in medical and other fields is a third animal - companies get a fleet lease price and offer to employees one or more choices, which are then prepped delivered, and serviced, by a local dealer.

Sorry, what I really was thinking that enerprise will reduce the limited amount of production to make the 20k to 30k pool of cars comming over per year from Oz, but thanks for the comments.

Anyone know the ratios of the colors being released. I only buy white.

lots of white (my favourite too, looks awesome with the chrome and black highlights)
probably an even mix of orange, grey, red and black as well, for some reason there hasn't been a blue for a while

Don't forget that Enerprise is getting G8's, how many will that take from the pool of cars? Hopefully they get the "un-tagged" cars.

First I've heard of this. I wouldn't think that any G8's would be fleet.

lots of white (my favourite too, looks awesome with the chrome and black highlights)
probably an even mix of orange, grey, red and black as well, for some reason there hasn't been a blue for a while

Might have something to do with the fact that it's hideous.

Most of the colors aren't very attractive. A nice Dark Blue or Dark Red and a nice neutral silver/brown is missing from the color choices. The SEMA orange is awesome as well.

GM has screwed the pooch with the idiotic color choices currently available.

Most of the colors aren't very attractive. A nice Dark Blue or Dark Red and a nice neutral silver/brown is missing from the color choices. The SEMA orange is awesome as well.

GM has screwed the pooch with the idiotic color choices currently available.

Personally I think GM has messed up with only offering dark reds instead of bright red on most cars. The G8 red is little more vibrant than teh "victory red" domestic paint I have had on three vehicles, so I'll have to see it in person, but how can they mess up black?

i can just guess at delivery date up here in Canada, they have allready changed the year from 2008 to 2009, that's the outlook around here. We will see another winter before we will see a G8

My question is, why does this dealer have a G8 already? Dealer early promo?

http://ls1gto.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3503951&postcount=28

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff210/BlueStreak_95/G8/100_4354c.jpg

I know that some personal get to test drive new model cars before they are sold to the public, like the new CTS. My service tech drove it at Lowes Motor Speedway before it was sold.

Someone smart would take it to their dealership and get some good shots for publicity.

That dealership (Sellers) is 24 miles nw of Detroit downtown. Any of the pre-production mules or show cars coulda showed up there for pics or even service.

Ah! I hope that is at least close to what the magnetic grey metallic looks like. Nice.

That dealership (Sellers) is 24 miles nw of Detroit downtown. Any of the pre-production mules or show cars coulda showed up there for pics or even service.

Yeah I figured it had to do with being close to Detroit. It looks like it's parked up front for promotion, hope they put it inside before it started to snow! ;)

I saw a Captured Test Fleet G8 last week. They are on the road and looking very sharp. It's hard to tell from the picture, but that could be a CTF decal in the windshield on the driver's side.

Hmm...the CTF sticker is white with Yellow "CTF" letters with a blue outline to them....I don't see that in this picture

Don't recall exactly where I read that the expected annual production of G8's was only going to be around 20,000 and yet GM appears to be giving up almost completely on the GP segment - or hoping that the lost Pontiac sales somehow stay in-house. For the record,
c.y. 2005, 122398 Grand Prix's 27.96% of Pontaic prod 30.96% of deliveries
c.y. 2006, 108634 Grand Prix's 26.48% of prod. 30.76% of del.

c.y. 2007 for 10 months
78,380 GP's sold, 25.97% of Pontiac production, % of Pontiac sales.

Sales of GPs are off 17% cytd over a year ago and without a year end surge cy # should be appr. 90,000. Even swallowing a similar decline in 08 and selling a combined # of GP and G8 of 80,000 and let's assume it's only 50-50 and that GM is really exiting POntiac from the segment, then can Holden actually build and ship 40,000 G8's per year? Sure they can. Not counting shutdowns or vactions, if they build 167 cars per day in a 5 day week for avg 4 weeks per month x 12 = 40k. 200/day beyond the 500/day of Commodores could mean easily almost 50k, still half of the #s of the current vehicle's sales, but I see a push by GM (or at least there should be) to enlighten consumers that the Malibu so highly regarded against teh Accord is absolutely identical under the skin as the G6, which is already 2 years old.

I also heard that Adelaide is running at 2 shifts per day at present. Now, they can up that to 3 x 8 hour shifts, obviously, but that still doesn't pump out enough Commodore/G8's that is required just between you guys and us alone..... Now here's the thing. Rumour has it that they will shortly commence production of all left hand drive Commodore/G8's in the US while right hand drive will be produced here in Oz. That production line over there will also be able to manufacture the new coupe for US and other LHD markets in the future. Other Zeta platforms as well. The big bonus is that it gets round your auto unions cap of firstly 18,000 vehicles p.a. in 2004 for Monaro/GTO to, I think, 25,000 units p.a. for the Aussie GM products. BIG BONUS GUYS!!! That way, we'll just make the RHD versions for Oz, Sth Africa, the UK and New Zealand. Beautiful. And you guys do the rest. Perfect for Adelaide's capabilities. Make sense? You bet it does.:bubbrubb:

I'm no bean counter (except my own beans), but I wonder if GM can profitably build the G8 in the U.S. what with union demands and their outrageous fringe benefit packages. Last I heard was Canada, not the U.S.

I'm no bean counter (except my own beans), but I wonder if GM can profitably build the G8 in the U.S. what with union demands and their outrageous fringe benefit packages. Last I heard was Canada, not the U.S.

If GM decides to build the G8 it would likely go to Canada (Oshawa) vs. US. I personally think they'll leave it in OZ. With current gas prices demand will be fairly thin and GM needs to worry about CAFE averages.

It would be nice if Pontiac could claim the G8 as an "import" and not have it included in the CAFE averages. I doubt that can happen, however. That means a lot of push for the little 4-bangers to offset the V8 sales that so many people really want.

It would be nice if Pontiac could claim the G8 as an "import" and not have it included in the CAFE averages. I doubt that can happen, however. That means a lot of push for the little 4-bangers to offset the V8 sales that so many people really want.

They can claim it as an import, a distinction that the Camaro probably will not have and the Impala would not have. It gives GM some wiggle room if they want to take advantage.

Chip