Alpha or 'Global Small Rear-Wheel Drive'?

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Apr 12, 2007 | 06:36 AM

#16

91_z28_4me

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Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 4,600

From: Pewee Valley, KY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Als Z

Well Mooney has already said that Commodore won't be getting any bigger and the focus from now on will be maintaining performance and utility while lowering weight. So that does make sense. But then what do you do with the Statesman/Caprice?

Quote:

I would assume that if this Alpha replaced G6, that it would have to be produced localy. Would be hard for Holden or Opel produce another 100-150k cars extra for American consuption, not to mention the cost to ship them over and what that would do to effect the price of the car. Could this be something that could take up all the rest of that capacity at Willmington?

I think Willmington is one of a couple of places that could produce the Alpha cars. Remember GM is going global with all its platforms so even if it is produced in the States it doesn't mean that will be its only home.

Apr 12, 2007 | 09:04 AM

#17

Z284ever

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Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 16,176

From: Chicagoland IL

This is what I wrote on AutomoChatter:

Quote:

In other news, looks like Alpha is moving along. It recently became re-focused.

Expect a family of RWD cars smaller than Epsilon, engineered and built in the US, powered by Ecotec variants and (yes on again) V6 motors.

Stay tuned......

Apr 12, 2007 | 12:16 PM

#18

guionM

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Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 13,713

From: The Golden State

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Als Z

Here is an idea, what if this Alpha is flexable like Zeta, but uses lighter and smaller parts, therefor making them lighter but stronger so that they can gain some gas milage points? Might not be able to make a big Impala sedan, but other RWD cars no bigger then a Commodore?

I would assume that if this Alpha replaced G6, that it would have to be produced localy. Would be hard for Holden or Opel produce another 100-150k cars extra for American consuption, not to mention the cost to ship them over and what that would do to effect the price of the car. Could this be something that could take up all the rest of that capacity at Willmington?

With Camaro at Oshawa, and Wilmington still operating at just over 30% capacity (the F-body's underused Ste. Therese plant ran more), I'd say that's certainly possible.

Apr 12, 2007 | 12:20 PM

#19

guionM

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Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 13,713

From: The Golden State

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91_z28_4me

Just what they are doing now, exporting.

I see Statesman & Caprice eventually being the same car as either our big Chevrolet, Buick, or Cadillac.

Quote:

I agree. But I'd 1st look at any plant GM has which they plan to keep that has the potential to make a line of cars and export them globally. I'd say Wilmington has that potential along with the plant in Europe that makes the BLS.

Apr 12, 2007 | 07:29 PM

#20

Big Als Z

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Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 4,306

From: Jersey Shore

I dont think that GM Europe or Holden will have the capacity to build the Alpha cars? Unless Holden makes ONLY Alpha cars, as well as GM NA in Willmington, but GM NA also makes Zeta II cars which would cover teh larger Caprice type cars for exportation to Oz, Asia, middle east, and where ever else.

Apr 13, 2007 | 07:58 AM

#21

ehaase

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Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 213

Higher CAFE standards could make a smaller RWD platform vitally important for Cadillac. It would need to be capable of handling a V6 hybrid.

Apr 15, 2007 | 12:38 PM

#22

91_z28_4me

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Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 4,600

From: Pewee Valley, KY

Quote:

Originally Posted by guionM

The thing that's going to slam dunk the business case is Europe. There's a strong case NOT to make it here in the US because the vehicles it would be used on with any real volume would be better served on the Espilon structure. But Europe offers the volume that would make the program worthwhile. But the real volume (and profits) would be from sales in Europe.

I would also add China to the markets that will drive the model for this chassis. Buick is adored in China the way BMW is in the US. They also preffer smaller cars, due to really high tax rates on larger displacement engines. I think the Buick/rebadged Holden Alpha will seal the deal for this chassis. It would be relatively high volume and high profit, since Buicks sell for a premium over there. Also since it would be a rebadged Holden it would cost next to nothing to engineer.

Apr 15, 2007 | 01:04 PM

#23

Bob Cosby

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Joined: Nov 1998

Posts: 3,252

From: Knoxville, TN

Make it a 2 door, throw an LSx under the hood, style it right, call it a Camaro that is light, gets good gas mileage, and runs like a scalded ape.

But I'm sure there's a million reasons why it can't be done....starting with it isn't going to be done, which is reason enough for the forever faithful.

/rant.