GM will bring back the El Camino if 100,000 people comment on this post

[JalopnikMatt]

I'm a big-time lurker, but this is serious business:

http://jalopnik.com/5798792/gm-will-bring-back-the-el-camino-if-100000-people-comment-on-this-post

Joel Ewanick, General Motors' new Chief Marketing Officer, said on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick/status/65857659538124802) tonight that GM will bring back the El Camino if 100,000 people say they want it. We'll call that bluff.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
el camino (http://jalopnik.com/elcamino/)

GM will bring back the El Camino if 100,000 people comment on this post



https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://jalopnik.com/people/Ray%20Wert/) Ray Wert (http://jalopnik.com/people/Ray%20Wert/) — Joel Ewanick, General Motors' new Chief Marketing Officer, said on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick/status/65857659538124802) tonight that GM will bring back the El Camino if 100,000 people say they want it. We'll call that bluff.
This all started when I noticed Joel Ewanick, the brains behind Hyundai's wildly successful "Hyundai Guarantee" program, joined Twitter earlier today (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick). I tweeted out a welcome to Ewanick, urging others to follow him.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/12/2011/05/ewanick_1.jpg)As you can see, I also playfully suggested my followers — and Jalopnik followers — tell Ewanick they want him, and by extension, GM, to bring back everyone's favorite truck-car, the Chevrolet El Camino.
While many tweets whipped across the twittersphere, one Twitter user, @chevalanche, elicited a response (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick/status/65857659538124802) from GM's new Mad Man on a topic other than openly mocking (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick/status/65891741215096832) Scott "Montey"(sic), Ford Motor Co.'s chief twatterer. sex tapes (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick/status/65951638833201153).
Here was the full back-and-forth:
Full size (http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/12/2011/05/ewanick_2.jpg)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Well fine then. We'll call your ridiculous bluff, Ewanick. We'll keep track here — in the comments section of this very post — and see just how close we can get to 100,000 people raising their hands to say they'd be willing to buy a new El Camino. I mean, how hard can it be, right? We've already got some practice (http://jalopnik.com/366699/2010-pontiac-g8-sport-truck-the-el-camino-is-back) in trying to bring back the El Camino (http://jalopnik.com/369720/bob-lutz-is-on-our-side-thinks-pontiac-g8-el-camino-name-is-great-idea). Although the Carpocalypse (http://jalopnik.com/5124488/pontiac-g8-st-officially-dead-gm-kills-el-caminoagain) — and a Pontiac marketing twerp (http://jalopnik.com/400357/pontiac-g8-st-officially-named-pontiac-g8-st-tens-of-chevy-fans-will-now-sleep-easy) — killed that one, what's the harm in once more heading into the breach? That time we had 80,000 fans interested (http://jalopnik.com/369702/vote-el-camino-today). This is just that plus another 20,000.
Hey, I figure if the Nissan Leaf can get 250,000 hand raisers, we should be able to get 100,000 for the most awesome form factor of any vehicle ever!
Let's find out. Start by raising your hands in the comments below, then drop it into the forums you visit, send it out to your Facebook friends and Twitter followers, and let's see if we can make this dream — no matter how ridiculous it is — a reality.

[Mr. Anderson]

I signed on just now to post this exact thing.

Guys.....even if it isn't really going to help make a difference, do it anyway just in case!

I WANT NEW EL CAMINO!

I also want a base model looking El Camino, like the Holden Omega Ute without all the disgusting ground effects, but with an LS6 and 6 speed or something in it! If you don't make it, I will :)

I'm going to go pick out the wheels I'll be putting on mine....

[parsonsj]

Where do we go if we'd prefer GM not waste development resources on such a vehicle? Just asking...

[Tony_SS]

Where do we go if we'd prefer GM not waste development resources on such a vehicle? Just asking...

Nowhere. Wasted resources are done by default. lol

[Mr. Anderson]

What development? The car already exists. They badge engineer it and call it done.

Do you feel that the Camaro or Corvette or their truck line is suffering from a lack of developments in someway? Perhaps they aren't spending enough of their resources in the mini-van department.:angel:

[Daren]

The Rancharo and El Camino were killed off in the wake of the compact trucks. The ranger and s-10 fit the bill far better than the Rancharo and El Camino in the light truck utility segment. Compact trucks have been in decline in us auto sales for a long time now. Why attempt to bring their predecessors back? Let the El Camino stay buried. Lets not have GM dig up the corpse and parade it around in some niche vehicle form with limited practicality and high price-point. Remember the SSR?

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

YOUR GONNA KILL THIS GUY!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-Tnf6_IX5M

[John Wright]

YOUR GONNA KILL THIS GUY!!!!

LOL...I had forgotten about the "wipe it off" guy....too funny.

[parsonsj]

Do you feel that the Camaro or Corvette or their truck line is suffering from a lack of developments in someway?Yes. I would much prefer the Camaro, Corvette, and truck lines get more development. I'm certain that there are hundreds of improvements that can be done to those cars and trucks that sit on the edge of the "should we put an engineering team to investigate" cost cusp. In a leaned out GM that just had to be bailed out by the federal government -- and kill off 40% of their models in the process -- I don't think bringing back marginal models from the past is a very good idea.

It might just be me. :)

(and no, I'm not the guy in the blue and orange hat, lol!)

[406 Q-ship]

The El Camino was always did well regionally but not necessarly great nation wide. GM sold tons of El Camino in the So Cal area and would again, but that is not a ringing endorsement to bring it back.

[Mr. Anderson]

I kinda feel the Corvette is in it's heyday right now and GM wouldn't pull anything away from it for this project. The Grand Sport, the Z06, the ZR1, etc....all flourishing.

The Camaro is doing pretty well IMO, convertible added to the line, the upcoming ZL1...

The Cruze is doing well, the Malibu too. The HHR is still around and selling.

Compare it to the SSR, but also consider the GTO. It's long gone but there are a lot of them on the road and a lot of happy owners. It wont be a car/truck for everybody but I don't think it would be a wast of anyone's time or lose GM any money. Hell, they tried the Pontiac Aztek for a few years, this one should be easy to sell!

Just my opinion.

[Chad-1stGen]

bleh. People would actually buy these? I don't see GM actually selling 100K of these cars...

[moreHP]

I really liked the old El Camino. I even liked the mid 80's versions as they made a decent little hot rod and looked nice. This new Ute is an ugly thing in my opinion and I just dont see it selling very well.

[Tony_SS]

YOUR GONNA KILL THIS GUY!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-Tnf6_IX5M

The lady is trying her hardest not to laugh!! hahaha...

[AtomicFirebird]

Holden Omega Ute is what it will be, just renamed with an American name. It will be the same thing they pulled with the GTO. Heck, it's the GTO/G8 4 door with a truck bed.

[Damn True]

Do.

Not.

Want.

[John Wright]

The lady is trying her hardest not to laugh!! hahaha...That guy does have it bad...I feel sorry for him.

nrRqb5cvM5E&NR=1

[Six_Shooter]

Holden Omega Ute is what it will be, just renamed with an American name. It will be the same thing they pulled with the GTO. Heck, it's the GTO/G8 4 door with a truck bed.

This ^^^

The Holden Ute has been going strong for years.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/holden_ute_1997_pickup_2d_520b-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/holdenute2-1.jpg

And then some concepts people have made:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/0807tr_02_zholden_utegold_chevy_el_camin-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/0807tr_03_zholden_uteblue_chevy_el_camin-1.jpg

Caballero? :D
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

And another thread from a few years ago:
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f67/gmi-exclusive-holden-ute-heading-us-but-wont-chevrolet-says-lutz-53924/

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

I'd preferr they bring back the G8 or make the Caprice available to the general public.

[mc84_zz4]

I would have really liked to see them sell these over here, we have a 2005 GTO,
a friend has a 2008 G8, it is a great platform.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[406 Q-ship]

Caballero? :D
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

And another thread from a few years ago:
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f67/gmi-exclusive-holden-ute-heading-us-but-wont-chevrolet-says-lutz-53924/

Don't you mean GMC Spirit.....:D

[Slow Ride]

sign me up. I was ready to get on a waiting list when it was supposed to be the G8 ST.

[formula]

nobody's gonna buy it.

[Six_Shooter]

Don't you mean GMC Spirit.....:D

No, I mean GMC Caballero:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/4770583235_b0595d88f6-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/197920GMC20Caballero02-1.jpghttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/197920GMC20Caballero03-1.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMC_Sprint_/_Caballero

[DartorDemon]

I'm a big-time lurker, but this is serious business:

http://jalopnik.com/5798792/gm-will-bring-back-the-el-camino-if-100000-people-comment-on-this-post

Joel Ewanick, General Motors' new Chief Marketing Officer, said on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick/status/65857659538124802) tonight that GM will bring back the El Camino if 100,000 people say they want it. We'll call that bluff.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
el camino (http://jalopnik.com/elcamino/)

GM will bring back the El Camino if 100,000 people comment on this post



https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://jalopnik.com/people/Ray%20Wert/) Ray Wert (http://jalopnik.com/people/Ray%20Wert/) — Joel Ewanick, General Motors' new Chief Marketing Officer, said on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick/status/65857659538124802) tonight that GM will bring back the El Camino if 100,000 people say they want it. We'll call that bluff.
This all started when I noticed Joel Ewanick, the brains behind Hyundai's wildly successful "Hyundai Guarantee" program, joined Twitter earlier today (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick). I tweeted out a welcome to Ewanick, urging others to follow him.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/12/2011/05/ewanick_1.jpg)As you can see, I also playfully suggested my followers — and Jalopnik followers — tell Ewanick they want him, and by extension, GM, to bring back everyone's favorite truck-car, the Chevrolet El Camino.
While many tweets whipped across the twittersphere, one Twitter user, @chevalanche, elicited a response (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick/status/65857659538124802) from GM's new Mad Man on a topic other than openly mocking (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick/status/65891741215096832) Scott "Montey"(sic), Ford Motor Co.'s chief twatterer. sex tapes (http://twitter.com/#%21/JoelEwanick/status/65951638833201153).
Here was the full back-and-forth:
Full size (http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/12/2011/05/ewanick_2.jpg)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Well fine then. We'll call your ridiculous bluff, Ewanick. We'll keep track here — in the comments section of this very post — and see just how close we can get to 100,000 people raising their hands to say they'd be willing to buy a new El Camino. I mean, how hard can it be, right? We've already got some practice (http://jalopnik.com/366699/2010-pontiac-g8-sport-truck-the-el-camino-is-back) in trying to bring back the El Camino (http://jalopnik.com/369720/bob-lutz-is-on-our-side-thinks-pontiac-g8-el-camino-name-is-great-idea). Although the Carpocalypse (http://jalopnik.com/5124488/pontiac-g8-st-officially-dead-gm-kills-el-caminoagain) — and a Pontiac marketing twerp (http://jalopnik.com/400357/pontiac-g8-st-officially-named-pontiac-g8-st-tens-of-chevy-fans-will-now-sleep-easy) — killed that one, what's the harm in once more heading into the breach? That time we had 80,000 fans interested (http://jalopnik.com/369702/vote-el-camino-today). This is just that plus another 20,000.
Hey, I figure if the Nissan Leaf can get 250,000 hand raisers, we should be able to get 100,000 for the most awesome form factor of any vehicle ever!
Let's find out. Start by raising your hands in the comments below, then drop it into the forums you visit, send it out to your Facebook friends and Twitter followers, and let's see if we can make this dream — no matter how ridiculous it is — a reality.

Can we bring it back and not call it the el camino? I fear that its return will cause the mullet to come back with it.

[wmhjr]

Seems like a remodeled Suburu Brat to me. Sorry - just don't have the love. I like the classic ones but don't see any desire for a new one.

[Mr. Anderson]

I guess I'm biased....my first car was a '64 elky, I'm building the '66 now. I love all that is El Camino!

There were guys with "classic" GTO's in their garage who tripped over themselves to buy an '04 when they came out (even though they weren't the most beautiful cars in the world) so they could park it next to their classic. I guess I have the same motivation.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

Elcamino.. Noone loves you

[wmhjr]

I guess I'm biased....my first car was a '64 elky, I'm building the '66 now. I love all that is El Camino!

There were guys with "classic" GTO's in their garage who tripped over themselves to buy an '04 when they came out (even though they weren't the most beautiful cars in the world) so they could park it next to their classic. I guess I have the same motivation.

I understand. You do know, however, that many "GTO fans" were very unhappy with the '04 and considered it an imposter to be scorned? I'm not in that camp, but am also not in the "love it because of the GTO badge" camp either. I'm kind of, "eh, OK - whatever".

[Mr. Anderson]

Oh of course, and I understand that side of it too which is why I didn't say "every" GTO owner was sold on it, as I'm sure many El Camino owners and fans wont be (and clearly aren't) getting on board with this.

[67chevILL]

please, just leave it dead...

I hate it when i see a 2005 malibu and it some how has the same badge as my 67...

[SLO_Z28]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/g8pontiacst-1.jpg
I love it! It must come back as a chevy!

[rfalker1]

look at this el camino... and i would like them to bring it back, but just not that el camino
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chv6rF4cHuc&feature=related

[MonzaRacer]

What the crap, come on guys, so we get a company that is popping crap Volts, but a decent looking car that ALL THEY GOTTA DO IS SHIP THE DANG THING OVER, NO MAJOR REDESIGN NEEDED, and the waffling crap of 17 different Camaros is brought up.
I mean please, base models with 6cyl, med v8 ,big v8 (all non HP versions) , then SS, Z28 all with better engines/suspension. Add in couple of special order ala COPO say with big,special engines. Both tiers in coupe and convertible.
I hear of all these concoctions for different remakes.
As for me getting in a truck thats super tall and costs 25k to 40k sucks, then I gotta spend $5k to lower it, as much as I love Ridetech, I just cant do it. An elcamino variant with same chassis as the newer rwd platform coming would be great.
I saw a guy take a Caprice wagon and make a full size version of elcamino. it looked great and that was last rendition of the Bcar, like the Impalla SS, SS wheels, LT1 efi from Vette topping the fresh engine, and full on air ride.
The car was awesome and it handles great. And he figured out how to make a roll up cover that was very smooth and hidden.
Reason for building, momma wouldnt get rid of car all kids cam home from hospital in so he got permission to redesign.
That car was awesome.
Too bad the elcamino was a cool chevelle with bed, then got rotund( but still do like more of the 73-77 Chevelle platform stuff) and then got forwarded into the Gbody, then GM swapped in leaf springs, put tiny truck body on it to compete with jap tiny trucks and we no see v8 s10 and rangers everywhere (had 2 v8 rangers my self).
Make it reasonably usefull to hall with, ie air ride suspension designed more after Ridetech stuff, with adjustments. add in some real power for towing small to medium trailers and dont try to make it rubber stamp of all other smoothed off crap. Give it distinct nose like Camaro got tail lights too.
minor bolt on stuff that lends its looks back to the hey days.
I cant swing a maxed out Vette or Camaro, some of you guys can. BUT if the Elcamino came back I might be able to swing a more base model V8 then do some mods to up power later on.
I work on a lot of the new crap and let me tell you a lot of the more mundane stuff I barely can tell from the asian/euro crap.
Bring back old names , give them life and dump all of the "new" names and get some personality back into cars.
We have long proven power ,performance AND economy can be had. Now lets get back to making things that will be here 40 years later unlike a Lumina Euro or a Cobalt or a Citation.
Heck the last of the Gbody stuff is getting hard to find.
What I always wished for was to start a company, get the nanny state government to get the heck off the backs of Corporate America, let GM build an Ls powered, 57 style chevy, real metal, late model options like an air bag, antilock brakes and 30 +mpg.
I know a guy who had a C6 Vette I even think its relatively new or he ordered parts as its blown now. With some minor finagling after it got rearended he managed to rebuild his 58 Biscayne with all the Vette driveline except the transaxle, he managed to get software modded for a 4l80E as he intends to tow with it. he actually built 5mph bumpers into it, led lights, the complete Vette interior and ABS, wheels and such.
He said the Vette got 36 mpg on long trip at higher cruise speeds, he was amazed, the Biscayne got 34 on same trip,,,huh, slippery Vette gets 2 mpg better than boat.
Its been proven too many times performance cars when right and in tune run nearly as well or even better than the donor vehicle oh and it meets the Vettes EPA specs on emissions.
If it dont leak fumes, fluids and gets good mileage then just how great would it be to go buy older body styles with newer tech drivelines and safety features AND actually pass emissions.
Heck Dynacorn is making new cars of old ones, get a 69/12 Camaro with same driveline warranty, now how awesome would that be? Or a repoped 69/70 Boss 429 (mod) motor Mustang buyt with ABS, AIR bags and updated suspensions.
Heck we as car builders would embrace it very quickly. Go get a 60 Camaro with base 6.X LS engine, 6 speed of choice, nearly any suspension of choice and then mod it.
Seems to me it beats buying a $40k car then adding $40k to make it like you want is silly. just buy it more to your liking then go on.
Id love to see repopped first gen Monte carlos.

[novaderrik]

find the UK Top Gear track test of the Holden version- it was faster around the test track than the Camaro that's built on the same chassis, and (i think) only slightly slower than the regular 4 door version that was sold in the US as the G8.

regarding the mullets- i was at a Tesla concert last night, and i can tell you that the mullet is still alive and well, so there is an market for a car like this.

[trapin]

Where do we go if we'd prefer GM not waste development resources on such a vehicle? Just asking...
The same place I wanted to go when we were developing that stupid ass ZR1 Corvette.

How many of those have we sold? Seven? Millions of dollars spent on a car that only a privileged few can own and that we don't make a red cent off of. Wow, what AMAZING business sense. It's a wonder we ever had to go through bankruptcy.

We need an El Camino like we need a hole in the head.

Here's a better idea Joel...how about we spend our resources on vehicles for future markets like an electric/gas SUV or small truck? Or...maybe an all-electric variant of the Volt to compete with the Leaf and new all-electric Focus due out later this year?

.....an El Camino Joel? Really?

[ITLBTU]

Not a whole lot of engineering should be required. I love the Ute, I'd buy it if it kept the Holden name...

[monteboy84]

I'd much rather see the G8 brought back as a new Chevelle, a lower-cost alternative to the CTS-V.

-matt

[Tony_SS]

Business in the front, party in the back.

[socorob]

find the UK Top Gear track test of the Holden version- it was faster around the test track than the Camaro that's built on the same chassis, and (i think) only slightly slower than the regular 4 door version that was sold in the US as the G8.

regarding the mullets- i was at a Tesla concert last night, and i can tell you that the mullet is still alive and well, so there is an market for a car like this.

I saw that, I think its lighter and handles a little better than a new Camaro. Since its the same thing underneath=faster.

[HELLCAMINO]

As much as I am an El Camino fan (I do own one), I would probably not be interested in a new version of it. I am not a new car fan whatsoever and not into having a monthly payment for another 2 seater.

[boynton6spd]

It better be inexpensive!!!
They will get NO TRUCK CUSTOMERS if the price is close to a full size pickup!!!
Make it cheap, w/great mpg and it might have a chance....
NOBODY buys the colorado because its ugly/expensive/ and gets bad mpg...

[JEFFTATE]

The same place I wanted to go when we were developing that stupid ass ZR1 Corvette.

How many of those have we sold? Seven? Millions of dollars spent on a car that only a privileged few can own and that we don't make a red cent off of. Wow, what AMAZING business sense. It's a wonder we ever had to go through bankruptcy.

We need an El Camino like we need a hole in the head.

Here's a better idea Joel...how about we spend our resources on vehicles for future markets like an electric/gas SUV or small truck? Or...maybe an all-electric variant of the Volt to compete with the Leaf and new all-electric Focus due out later this year?

.....an El Camino Joel? Really?

I agree Tony ,
The ZR1 is an overkill exercise in flamboyancy .
The Z06 I like , the ZR1 is about useless ..

Anyway , GM needs to design a high fuel economy / diesel / hybrid sport wagon ..

[JEFFTATE]

On second thought , it might not cost too much to re-badge the Holden and bring it over.
But , I have a feeling it would go the same way as the SSR and GTO ..
There is just not enough market to make it profitable.

[trapin]

I agree Tony ,
The ZR1 is an overkill exercise in flamboyancy .
The Z06 I like , the ZR1 is about useless ..

Anyway , GM needs to design a high fuel economy / diesel / hybrid sport wagon ..
ZO6 is an amazing car. It was all the supercar Corvette needed.

The El Camino is a relic of a by-gone automotive era; it would have virtually no market in a sea of mini-trucks and small SUV's that have essentially replaced the vehicle's usefulness.

[ITLBTU]

The El Camino is a relic of a by-gone automotive era; it would have virtually no market in a sea of mini-trucks and small SUV's that have essentially replaced the vehicle's usefulness.

They sure do like them in Au....