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El Camino comeback begins at N.Y. auto show
NEW YORK -- An El Camino comeback is underway as General Motors Corp. plans to unveil a car-based pickup truck Wednesday at the New York Auto Show.
Bringing back the "ute" segment for the first time since Chevrolet retired the El Camino in the 1980s, the yet to be named model is based on the rear-wheel drive Pontiac G8 sedan and will be sold at Pontiac dealerships late next year.
Like the G8, the new vehicle is based on an Australian platform. GM's Holden subsidiary successfully sells ute vehicles to fans Downunder.
Moving into an untapped American segment will create buzz around the Pontiac brand, said Dave Smidebush, Pontiac and Buick product director.
"We've never been afraid to break into new areas," he said. "This product will offer the utility of the pickup in an affordable vehicle that has the rear-wheel drive performance of the G8."
The two-passenger utility car features a 361 horsepower, 6.0 liter, V-8 engine.
Smidebush said the vehicle will be marketed as part of the G8 family. An online contest will determine the vehicle's nameplate.
The G8 family includes the base sports sedan and a performance-oriented GXP version, which will also be unveiled in New York.
The Australian cult classic should be a head turner in America, said Rebecca Lindland, automotive analyst at Global Insight Inc.
"I think its kind of fun and it reaches out to a market that's likely to expand in car-based pickup trucks," she said. "As gas prices rise, you'll see interest grow among those who still need the utility of a pickup."
NEW YORK -- An El Camino comeback is underway as General Motors Corp. plans to unveil a car-based pickup truck Wednesday at the New York Auto Show.
Bringing back the "ute" segment for the first time since Chevrolet retired the El Camino in the 1980s, the yet to be named model is based on the rear-wheel drive Pontiac G8 sedan and will be sold at Pontiac dealerships late next year.
Like the G8, the new vehicle is based on an Australian platform. GM's Holden subsidiary successfully sells ute vehicles to fans Downunder.
Moving into an untapped American segment will create buzz around the Pontiac brand, said Dave Smidebush, Pontiac and Buick product director.
"We've never been afraid to break into new areas," he said. "This product will offer the utility of the pickup in an affordable vehicle that has the rear-wheel drive performance of the G8."
The two-passenger utility car features a 361 horsepower, 6.0 liter, V-8 engine.
Smidebush said the vehicle will be marketed as part of the G8 family. An online contest will determine the vehicle's nameplate.
The G8 family includes the base sports sedan and a performance-oriented GXP version, which will also be unveiled in New York.
The Australian cult classic should be a head turner in America, said Rebecca Lindland, automotive analyst at Global Insight Inc.
"I think its kind of fun and it reaches out to a market that's likely to expand in car-based pickup trucks," she said. "As gas prices rise, you'll see interest grow among those who still need the utility of a pickup."
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