As the resident GM guy...
There are a lot of reasons why they've neglected to design a Firebird, but really more than anything, its because it just won't fit in the [Pontiac] lineup. Here is why:
- The G8 exists, and a saloon is going to sell better than a coupe under most circumstances
- A G8 Coupe is being planned given the more recent arrival of the Commodore Coupe Concept, but even then, plans may be scratched as oil prices soar. We haven't seen any two-door Zetas in a while, other than the Camaro of course.
- Pontiac will have another small, affordable RWD coupe available soon as well; The Solstice Coupe.
- The existence of the Camaro as the prominent 2+2 coupe for GM globally essentially negates the need for a Firebird. They will be running at capacity in Canada, and although it wouldn't take much to change a front fascia, GM likely isn't to spend the money to develop the extra parts if they don't need to.
- Furthermore, with the Alpha chassis coming down the pipe, changes may be even more strange than we anticipate. We're still expecting a RWD replacement for the G5/G6 (they could bring back the LeMans or Tempest name?), however the possibility for a small RWD coupe or sedan for Chevrolet seems albeit unlikely.
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What it comes down to is that GM isn't willing to spend the cash developing the car when they know that they'll get very little in return, particularly when they have so much cash riding on the Camaro in the first place. My guess is that the aftermarket will likely offer a gazillion kits to transform the Camaro into a Firebird (again), but as for something that comes with a warranty from the factory... Don't keep your hopes up.
Pontiac decided to grow up, and in the process, they're leaving the Firebird behind. Thousands of fans be damned...
