Things That People Still Don't Get

"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko) 08/24/2017 at 20:23 • Filed to: None

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The Chevy SS wasn’t meant to be a high seller. Nor was it supposed to be super flashy and exciting to look at. GM didn’t advertise it beyond NASCAR because it didn’t need a demand for it.

Australian car production was at an end and GM had to export a number of cars to North America. So GM went the easiest route possible. Take a platform that was already there, use up the remaining parts (LS V8's included), and sell it as a niche market car so that you don’t need to make any more than you have to. Boom, Chevy SS. The only reason why the manual was even offered was because they still had some on the shelf at the end of the day and needed to liquidate the assets.

So, in short, quit complaining about it and just be thankful that they picked the Commodore HSV Clubsport to be the SS over here.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/24/2017 at 20:33

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I’d have complained more if it didn’t have a Chevy badge on it. *vampire hiss*

for Michigan > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/24/2017 at 20:38

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Alternatively, instead of rebadging the Commodore with a nonsensical name like SS, they could’ve made it something worth looking at and gone through the effort to actually name it. Perhaps they could’ve used something “heritage-inspired” to grab attention.

Then they could let demand outstrip supply, make a killing off of whatever units they actually manage to produce, and have an instant classic with a permanent place in the Chevy pantheon.

Instead they sold just enough RWD Malibus to fulfill a contract and only a select few know what it is and why it matters. Maybe some day those cars will be worth something, but I expect they will suffer massive depreciation and the neglect of several owners before survivors start to appreciate.

For Sweden > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/24/2017 at 20:41

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SS was meant to kill Australian production.

Holden: We can justify our existence by selling cars in North America

GM: Sure we’ll try it

GM: No one bought your car

Holden: You didn’t even try to sell it?

GM: Too late time to die

404 - User No Longer Available > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 08/24/2017 at 20:45

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G8 was better.

*hears hiss* The power of Christ compels you.

LongbowMkII > for Michigan 08/24/2017 at 20:48

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have you seen G8 GXP prices?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > 404 - User No Longer Available 08/24/2017 at 20:49

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Pwntiac>>>>Chubber au’lait

LongbowMkII > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/24/2017 at 20:52

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thank you.

Instead of paying a huge sum to satisfy the aussie govt and unions, they federalized the highest profit margin (hence why theyre all fully loaded V8's) vehicles they could.

it’s not an “exciting” because it’s an Australian family sedan. GM certainly wasn’t going to restyle it.

for Michigan > LongbowMkII 08/24/2017 at 21:05

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Shh... My argument only sounds good if you don’t actually bother to look at any of the data.

Dusty Ventures > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/24/2017 at 21:11

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Can I complain that Ford didn’t do similar with the Falcon?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dusty Ventures 08/24/2017 at 21:12

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Yes.

Chariotoflove > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/24/2017 at 21:21

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I still love this car in blue or green and the fact that hardly anyone has one is a big draw to me.

ranwhenparked > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/24/2017 at 21:21

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Yep, it was a compliance car. GM had to guarantee to the Australian labor unions that they would export at least a certain number of cars per year in a good faith effort to try and make the factory viable. There was no way they could make money on the SS, every one was sold at a loss, selling more of them would just lose more money. It was destined to be a low volume specialty car from the start.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/24/2017 at 21:54

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Yeah, every armchair racer talked about how GM was stupid for not doing V6 models, advertising or body variants but they didn’t want to sell the cars here period.

I personally think that there is a market for a Chevy Alpha platform sedan, but GM is probably smart for not wasting R&D on non-SUVs and trucks

Quadradeuce > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/24/2017 at 21:58

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Thank you. I’ve pointed this out multiple times when this issue comes up, but people still can’t seem to figure it out. Even enthusiasts don’t get the business side of things. It’s not like GM was quiet about it either. They freely admitted it only existed due to contact obligations with Holden. No more, no less.

And in my opinion, it was a bargain even at $45k. I would have bought one new without hesitation if it had fallen into my car buying cycle. Sadly, I’m not due to buy a car for 3 more years.

LongbowMkII > Dusty Ventures 08/24/2017 at 22:16

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a lack of utes is also valid.

A El Camino revival would had a chance (i wish)if it wasnt for the SS-R

Rico > For Sweden 08/24/2017 at 22:30

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Too late time to die

Such an under used phrase.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Dusty Ventures 08/25/2017 at 05:10

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blame Ford USA for no LHD Falcon.

adamftw > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/25/2017 at 07:33

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I really hope I can buy one in like 3 years. I’ll need a sensible family sedan by then.