Avis - Impala the new Grand Marquis?

So of the past 10 rentals my "upgrade" has been to a Chev Impala, a car I cannot stand.
So the question begs to be ask. Was the Grand Marquis effectively replaced by the Impala?

So of the past 10 rentals my "upgrade" has been to a Chev Impala, a car I cannot stand.
So the question begs to be ask. Was the Grand Marquis effectively replaced by the Impala?

I haven't seen many Impalas lately but it's quite possible. Avis probably has stocked/is stocking up on them at a huge discount as they end their life cycle... The Impala is on it's way out (they have shown the 2014 replacement and scheduled end of current production in Q1 2013) so very few consumers will buy this car. However, GM doesn't want to just stop production and idle the plant for a long period (and pay the workers to stay home) so they sell the car to fleets for the most part 'til they can get the new one on showroom floors. Sounds like most typical domestic vehicles (2004/5 Malibu "Classic", 2010 Sebring, 2007 Taurus, etc). The Grand Marquis, I believe, was kept going for a while (production through Jan 2011) since it was made on the same platform as the Town Car and they needed to produce that for limos. So they could keep making the GM in an under-utilized factory.

I haven't seen many Impalas lately but it's quite possible. Avis probably has stocked/is stocking up on them at a huge discount as they end their life cycle... The Impala is on it's way out (they have shown the 2014 replacement and scheduled end of current production in Q1 2013) so very few consumers will buy this car. However, GM doesn't want to just stop production and idle the plant for a long period (and pay the workers to stay home) so they sell the car to fleets for the most part 'til they can get the new one on showroom floors. Sounds like most typical domestic vehicles (2004/5 Malibu "Classic", 2010 Sebring, 2007 Taurus, etc). The Grand Marquis, I believe, was kept going for a while (production through Jan 2011) since it was made on the same platform as the Town Car and they needed to produce that for limos. So they could keep making the GM in an under-utilized factory.
IIRC, the Grand Marquis was a special case because it was platform-mates with the Ford Crown Vic, a long-time staple for cop cars & taxis. The Crown Vic was only put out to pasture last year; since Ford would have had a line running to make the Crown Vic Police Interceptors, it makes sense that they'd also churn out some Grand Marquis for fleet use...

So of the past 10 rentals my "upgrade" has been to a Chev Impala, a car I cannot stand.
So the question begs to be ask. Was the Grand Marquis effectively replaced by the Impala?

I am with you on this one... I even had AVIS add "No Impalas" as a note in my profile.

Last week at Tucson the attendant chuckled and told me they were about to assign me an Impala until they saw the note.

- RightD

I am with you on this one... I even had AVIS add "No Impalas" as a note in my profile.

Last week at Tucson the attendant chuckled and told me they were about to assign me an Impala until they saw the note.

- RightD

I've had several offers of them at MKE and RDU as of late. At least when that happens they ask me what I'd rather have. Just becareful with your note. The new Impallas are due soon, and they should be quite an improvement. For a few years at least.

I will say this that there were a LOT of them at MKE.

Just becareful with your note. The new Impallas are due soon, and they should be quite an improvement. For a few years at least.


GM has been trying to reduce sales to fleet customers, so I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see many of the new Impalas early in their production on Avis lots.

Of course GM wants reduce fleet sales, you dump slow selling cars into fleet purchases. It also is a good way keep factories running when sales are slower. Selling more cars to retail will make a lot more profit for GM.

GM has been trying to reduce sales to fleet customers, so I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see many of the new Impalas early in their production on Avis lots.