RIP: Chevy kills off Monte Carlo
A member of the GM Inside News forum posted today that he received an email from General Motors announcing the end of the Monte Carlo. We rang up the General for confirmation and received word that the Monte Carlo is indeed being offed. May 4th will reportedly be the last day you can order a Monte Carlo and production of the car at GM's Oshawa plant in Canada will cease on June 20th. Apparently production of the Monte Carlo is being cancelled to make room for all those extra Malibu orders the automaker is expecting when the new 2008 model sedan begins production in October. This is the sixth generation Monte Carlo, and when asked if we'd see the name return on a new model in the near future, we got the canned answer from GM, "We do not comment on future product." Sigh. Monte Carlo sales were off 64.2% in January of 2007 with only 1,639 units being sold. In 2006, 34,113 units were sold, a slight improvement over 2005.
[Source: GM, GM Inside News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
MONTE 12:17AM (7/24/2008)
As a life-long Monte Carlo fanatic this really isn't all that disappointing. Truthfully the Monte Carlo was killed off in December of '87 and never has returned. Yes the turbo Buford's were faster stock (by a loooooong ways) but they didn't have the NASCAR heritage or in my opinion the looks. Maybe GM will bring it back as something deserving of the name, but I doubt it.
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Shiftright 2:50AM (7/24/2008)
One of the goofiest cars ever made, designed by 3 different guys that didn't talk to each other. The original peanut shaped headlights were downright comical. An affront to automotive design everywhere. Not much in the handling, braking or overall driving department either. The last cool Monte was the original '70-72. Good riddance, but what will mullet heads drive? Oh, yeah, used Monte Carlos...Really GM, what were you thinking?
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Mike G 11:19PM (10/08/2008)
(sigh) I have a 02 Monte and I love the thing. Its been a really good car for me, but one thing I do agree is that GM really have their heads up their ass. The are so behind when it comes to the competition. So they finally put a V8 in the montes, but they still couldn't get it right!! Why couldn't they compete with dodge and make the thing RWD??? Then they wonder why their sales suck!
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Allen Klosowski 5:35PM (2/28/2007)
About time. Now let's replace it with something mean and RWD from Holden.
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Christobevii3 7:25PM (2/28/2007)
If they would keep the front of the car, make it a rear wheel drive 5.3L, and redesign the back i'd buy it!
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lzaffuto 6:08PM (2/28/2007)
Well we know the Impala platform is rumored to be replaced with a RWD chassis. But GM may decide not to come out with a coupe version of it since they could just make a more luxurious version of the Camaro to fit in that niche.
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Jaymez 6:12PM (2/28/2007)
What a shame. I wanted to buy one in '09 when my truck is paid off. I love the body styling on this and the last generation Montes.
I hope they replace it with another Mid-size FWD coupe. Yeah, RWD would be nice, but, I live in the snow belt. I *really* don't want to have to buy a sedan in '09.
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Bob R. 5:49PM (2/28/2007)
I never really liked or understood what the Monte Carlo was. All it was was an Impala with the rear doors chopped off, and it didn't really look good compared to the Impala sedan. Maybe we will see a new Monte Carlo when a new RWD Impala comes out.
This makes more sence for GM to kill it off to concentrate on a much more impartant vehicle, the new Malibu.
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The other Bob 7:38PM (2/28/2007)
"Apparently production of the Monte Carlo is being cancelled to make room for all those extra Malibu orders the automaker is expecting when the new 2008 model sedan begins production in October."
The Malibu is being built in Kansas, not Oshawa Ont. They are more likely preparing to switch the plant over to rwd models.
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jscro 5:56PM (2/28/2007)
I never understood this car either. Even the SS's were dogs over the years weren't they? The only car that did this platform justice from GM was the Buick Grand National.
Currently, it's one of the goofiest cars on the road. It's even funnier in full Nascar dress.
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jgp 6:04PM (2/28/2007)
A friend of mine has a 2000 Monte Carlo.
It's a damn good car. It's had minimal problems. The interior is good. The ride is good. It looks distinctive and impressive.
The interior space is absolutely wonderful. Even though it's a coupe, it has a bigger backseat than most sedans, and the trunk capacity is glorious.
It's perhaps the only coupe out there that's actually practical to own.
R.I.P.
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JC3 6:11PM (2/28/2007)
This car reminds me a holdover from the large personal luxury coupe era of detroit in the 70's when coupes were big(Monte Carlo,Grand Prix,Eldorado,Cutlass,Riviera,Regal,Cordoba,Town Coupe ,etc.).
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dearyou 6:42PM (2/28/2007)
win on sunday, sell in bulk to rental companies on Monday.
Boy am I glad I soon won't be getting stuck with one of these when I travel for work.
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Secret Squirrel 6:26PM (2/28/2007)
NASCAR Popularity = Monte Carlo Popularity
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whofan 6:28PM (2/28/2007)
I wish GM would stick with the Monte Carlo. Its a nice car and in time I think consumer taste will sway back to cars as we get hit again with higher gas prices. They could kill it in exchange for a Chevelle though.
The Japanese don`t flip flop on car models. People take a long time to learn a new name.
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whofan 6:32PM (2/28/2007)
Wish I had a 1970-1972 monte. Those cars were beautiful. GM butcherd the Monte in 73.
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Very Upset 6:35PM (2/28/2007)
It's a shame they don't kill off the Malibu - nothing but problems, and GM doesn't honor their warranty. I used to love GM... I don't think i will ever purchase one again
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He just doesn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 6:46PM (2/28/2007)
4. A friend of mine has a 2000 Monte Carlo.
I think that generation (the one inthe pic above?) - I believe the first after the 80's RWD cars - was nicer looking than the bloated characature they have now.
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Accordsforall 6:36PM (2/28/2007)
Hmmm..
I amm so damn thrilled.. that that damn car got canned. It was ugly to look at. Cheap to produce and the most gutless p.o.s that chevy has had for the longest damn time!!!
The only type.. that drive that damn POS.. is the mullet headed NASCAR type.
The body isnt good looking, its not inspiring. Its also been around longer than god himself. Heck.. the last time the Monte Carlo was even remotely interesting.. is the late 70s.. when it actually had some design to it. Now.. its just a smoldering load of hot monkey piss.
Im glad its gone. AMEN!
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Very Upset 6:37PM (2/28/2007)
Oh, i forgot to ask - does anyone know who i can contact about resolving my Malibu issues?!
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