Unless it was a project so sggsy that a GM exec could embrace and ride to glory like Eldorado or Grand Prix... it would really need to fill a gap to get a green light.

Corvair was dead and El Camino sales were mediocre, the latter because the product nibbled at a few segments but never owned one that could generate big profits (like Monte Carlo did with most of the same bits.)

Ultimately, the Chevy Blazer K5/ and big Bronco hammered the doorbell for the segment, inventing what we now consider the SUV.