GM RWD news.

http://waw.wardsauto.com/ar/auto_gms_allnew_platform/index.htm

And Wagoner says past experience has shown a good platform tends to spread to a broader range than initially intended. Nor does it have to be just a premium platform, he tells Ward's. ....

Don't assume the Opel Insignia will be the first production vehicle, Wagoner tells Ward's.

interesting read :D

The interior gets away from heavy reliance on the metal look that GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz says he is tiring of

Metal accents? Is that what he's talking about?? I haven't seen a GM car with metal-like accents other than maybe the 2004 GP and maybe a couple others. I thought this was just catching on!

The onslaught is in keeping with four key elements to the overall GM plan, says Wagoner: strong product even when markets are weak; aggressively fighting for every sale; continuous improvement to quality and cost; and generating cash for future products and growth.

Whew! :thumb: Finally!

HOW TO SPEAK "MEDIA-TALK":


“For a product of this size, to get the best economics, you need to — and you can — sell it in several continents,” says Rick Wagoner, GM chairman and CEO, adding that a production model is “several years away.”
(meaning): It will be sold on several continents, and he just confirmed production in a few years.

Wagoner says past experience has shown a good platform tends to spread to a broader range than initially intended.
(meaning): A hint on the mentality that's driving the project & how it's being/has been sold to GM management. :thumb:

The interior gets away from heavy reliance on the metal look that GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz says he is tiring of, and sliding covers conceal systems such as air conditioning and infotainment.
(meaning): GM's upcomming cars will have plenty of metal inside. Cars take a few years to work through the system, so Bob Lutz is likely refering to cars he's already approved & moved through the system (since he's tiring of it) which covers the next couple of years. Since GTO is pretty much the only car with "metal" interior trim, he certainly isn't talking about any current GM cars.

Don't assume the Opel Insignia will be the first production vehicle, Wagoner tells Ward's.
(meaning): He again confirmed the chassis is heading for production, and he also revealed that Opel won't be the 1st out with this chassis.

And while he hints Buick would be a good candidate, Wagoner declines to say whether it might be the frontrunner for the new platform.
(meaning): Buick will be one of the 1st to get this chassis, but 1 or more other carlines will have this chassis 1st as well. Again, by mentioning which car brand was a frontrunner, he confirmed it's going to happen.

No approvals have been given, but more than one product is under consideration. Wagoner also declines to say whether other candidates exist in prototype form.
(meaning): GM's definition for approval is the final approval for production (remember, the Solstice isn't "approved" either). This typically comes in just 18 months before it hits the streets. He confirmed there are multiple cars being developed on this chassis, and by declining to mention other prototypes (if there was no consideration, he'd come out & say so) revealed there are other candidates being worked on. Note the subject, prototype form, not concept form. ;)

Meanwhile, Opel has a vacancy in its slot for an upper midsize luxury sedan, with a V-8, says Opel Chairman Carl-Peter Forster. The rear-drive Insignia fills the gap nicely, while representing Opel's vision of the future.
(meaning): Opel is selling, or sold GM/NA on the idea of letting them have a version of this chassis (the statement comes from Opel's Chairman, not CEO Wagner).

:)

Thank you GuionM for the crash course in media talk. :)

Some of us here fully understand the importance of certain statements but aren't readily able to combine it all together. I hope that others that read this read make notes.

Can all that info be tied to the new plant that's planned for Lansing in the fall of 2006 for 2007 MY?

Good to see Rwd making a come back:D.

Originally posted by HuJass
Can all that info be tied to the new plant that's planned for Lansing in the fall of 2006 for 2007 MY?

HuJass,
More info. on the Lansing plant please. What's its capacity going to be? If it's > than 40000 it's safe to say more than GTOs are gonna get built there :D. Got link? Thanks.