Zeta Platform killed for North America
03-21-2005, 10:17 AM
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Zeta Platform killed for North America Article mentions impact to future GTO and Camaro plans.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...-gm-cuts_x.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...-gm-cuts_x.htm
03-21-2005, 11:54 AM
#2
Chop-Foo Director
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Haymarket, Virginia
Posts: 4,709
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GM's decision to kill the Zeta program puts the brakes on development of the next generation Pontiac GTO sports car, and new entries for Chevrolet, Buick and Pontiac. The current GTO is already being produced by GM's Holden unit in Australia.
This sucks ***
03-21-2005, 02:25 PM
#3
TECH Apprentice
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Texas
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GMs internal structure must be really f*&#'d up if they cannot engineer a platform within a cost structure to compete with the 300(as stated directly by Lutz in the article). If you are telling me that GM with all its resources CANNOT engineer a platform to put rear wheel drive cars in the market, like just about every other maker is now doing, then something is very wrong. I think Lutz also has the wrong focus here and maybe needs to rethink his position.
Todd
Todd
03-21-2005, 02:56 PM
#4
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: I can drive my F-body in Winter!
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
means that G M finally decided what platform to use, specifically the Kappa platform instead of the Zeta... Currently this platform is slated for a up to 5 potential RWD vehicles and is in development 
03-21-2005, 03:37 PM
#5
On The Tree
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm guessing that they want to compete with Ford and Chrysler prices but have to sacrifice quality to acheive this? I would rather pay the little higher price for a better quality product! Have you felt the shifter in the new Mustang? In the meantime though Ford is gonna run away with sales of the Mustang while GM plays catch-up over the next few years. Honestly what were they really thinking when the stopped making the Camaro and Firebird. "Hey lets take an icon name such as GTO and just slap it on our 2 door family car from Australia." I'm not bashing the GTO, I just don't see it as a muscle car. It just takes a second glance not to confuse it with a Grandprix. Although it does look a little better with the new hood and dual rear exit exhaust. Don't get me wrong, I like trucks and SUV's but not near as much as a rear wheel drive sports car! I think there a many more people out there just like me.
Sorry for the long ranting. I'm just tired of all the BS and I'm tired of waiting for something new. I'm a 22 year old single male with a longing for a v8 rear wheel drive muscle car without the price of a vette and better styling than the GTO!
Sorry for the long ranting. I'm just tired of all the BS and I'm tired of waiting for something new. I'm a 22 year old single male with a longing for a v8 rear wheel drive muscle car without the price of a vette and better styling than the GTO!
03-21-2005, 04:19 PM
#6
On The Tree
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GM does need to get something like the 300C, Magnum, Charger. I don't mind driving a 4-door if has lots of power, RWD, and if's affordable. I hope another platfrom works out!
03-21-2005, 04:22 PM
#7
Teching In
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trending Topics
03-21-2005, 05:18 PM
#9
TECH Addict
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This posted today at the Blog:
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
Some news broke today about a reshuffling of our product plan, and I just want to clear one thing up before people get carried away.
Yes, we have canceled our plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture. But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether.
We did not cancel the Zeta plans to save money, or to divert funds elsewhere that would've been used for product development.
We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner. The press speculates this means we're doing it to get our next-generation large SUVs and pickups out sooner. You could see how one might reasonably come to such a conclusion.
Rest assured, we remain committed to developing RWD, premium,
high-performance, affordable vehicles, perhaps even a few with a trace of nostalgia baked in.
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
Some news broke today about a reshuffling of our product plan, and I just want to clear one thing up before people get carried away.
Yes, we have canceled our plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture. But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether.
We did not cancel the Zeta plans to save money, or to divert funds elsewhere that would've been used for product development.
We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner. The press speculates this means we're doing it to get our next-generation large SUVs and pickups out sooner. You could see how one might reasonably come to such a conclusion.
Rest assured, we remain committed to developing RWD, premium,
high-performance, affordable vehicles, perhaps even a few with a trace of nostalgia baked in.
03-21-2005, 07:47 PM
#10
TECH Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by bradyb
GM does need to get something like the 300C, Magnum, Charger. I don't mind driving a 4-door if has lots of power, RWD, and if's affordable. I hope another platfrom works out!
03-21-2005, 07:48 PM
#11
TECH Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by RamAirD98
I'm not bashing the GTO, I just don't see it as a muscle car.
03-22-2005, 02:26 AM
#12
Deranged Rat Fink
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Right here at my laptop, DUH!
Posts: 4,499
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Originally Posted by ActionJack
This posted today at the Blog:
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
Some news broke today about a reshuffling of our product plan, and I just want to clear one thing up before people get carried away.
Yes, we have canceled our plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture. But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether.
We did not cancel the Zeta plans to save money, or to divert funds elsewhere that would've been used for product development.
We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner. The press speculates this means we're doing it to get our next-generation large SUVs and pickups out sooner. You could see how one might reasonably come to such a conclusion.
Rest assured, we remain committed to developing RWD, premium,
high-performance, affordable vehicles, perhaps even a few with a trace of nostalgia baked in.
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
Some news broke today about a reshuffling of our product plan, and I just want to clear one thing up before people get carried away.
Yes, we have canceled our plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture. But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether.
We did not cancel the Zeta plans to save money, or to divert funds elsewhere that would've been used for product development.
We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner. The press speculates this means we're doing it to get our next-generation large SUVs and pickups out sooner. You could see how one might reasonably come to such a conclusion.
Rest assured, we remain committed to developing RWD, premium,
high-performance, affordable vehicles, perhaps even a few with a trace of nostalgia baked in.
03-22-2005, 11:43 AM
#13
TECH Addict
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Fat Chance Hotel
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found this informative analysis of GM's strategy on the least likely site...
http://www.blueovalnews.com/2005/pro...rm.21mar05.htm
http://www.blueovalnews.com/2005/pro...rm.21mar05.htm
03-22-2005, 08:32 PM
#16
TECH Apprentice
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hydroformed steel frame rails of the Kappa Chassis is easily extended...and it would be easy to widen the chassis as well!
The new upcoming hydroformed body panels of the solstice to allow short annual production runs in a more profitable manner for GM..
If GM follows this path for the GTO and other RWD niche vehicles...we should benefit as long as they power up these vehicles with LS2's. (also a relatively inexpensive powerplant) 400hp !
I can only hope AWD can be adapted for this vehicle chassis..
The market is clamoring for AWD.
The new upcoming hydroformed body panels of the solstice to allow short annual production runs in a more profitable manner for GM..
If GM follows this path for the GTO and other RWD niche vehicles...we should benefit as long as they power up these vehicles with LS2's. (also a relatively inexpensive powerplant) 400hp !
I can only hope AWD can be adapted for this vehicle chassis..
The market is clamoring for AWD.
