After reading Guy's thread, perhaps we need a primer/review thread.

VE is Zeta. Zeta is the current version being built in Australia.

Zeta 2 is also Zeta. It's just our Zeta. It's the refreshed version of Zeta (1), in the same vein as Epsilon is to Epsilon 2. Zeta 2 meets NA certification for durabilty and manufacturing process. Zeta 2 is the version of Zeta which will be made in North America.

Camaro will be on Zeta. Camaro will get alot of structural changes to make it a sporty RWD coupe, compared to the other AWD/RWD Zeta sedans.


Sigma is a whole different architecture, current only used by Cadillac.

Any questions?

 

Good thread! Stuck to the top!

 

Isn't Epsilon 2 the second generation of that platform and Zeta 2 just a different version of the same Zeta platform. Zeta 2 really = Zeta-NA

 

so the Camaro will be built on Zeta, but not Zeta 2? or more correctly, Zeta-Australia and not Zeta-North America?

 

Epsilon 2 will essentially be Epsilon rededesigned for global commonality. For example, the only place that you can build Saab Epsilons is at the Saab plant. The goal of EP2 is to commonize the architecture so that ANY Epsilon can be built at ANY Epsilon plant.

Zeta 2 is redesigned to conform with North American manufacturing methods. That's what killed Zeta the first time around, we simply couldn't build it in NA economically, it just wasn't designed to be built here.

All future Zetas, including any next gen Holdens, will be commonized with NA.

 

Camaro, Impala and every other Zeta built in North America will be on Zeta 2.

 

Zeta-1 is cheaper to Holden than it is to GM-NA, but to adopt the GM-NA manufacturing methodolgy for Zeta-2, wont this be potentially more expensive to Holden?

 

You know, that's a really good question. Between Zeta (1), (actually, it's just plain 'ole Zeta, I added the (1) just to keep things clearer.) and Zeta 2, there are no major inherent cost differences, per se. But if at some future date, Holden were to switch to Zeta2, as a way to commonize with NA...I'd imagine that there would need to be some changes made there, which would presumably cost some money.

For the foreseeable future however, Holden will continue to produce Zeta (Zeta 1).

 

Hmm thats bad for Holden

 

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so the Camaro will be the first car produced in NA on Zeta right? then comes the Impala etc..

as for the Impala.. obviously it's not confirmed officially.. but is it a good bet we'll get a 2010 RWD Impala on Zeta?

 

That's how it looks.

 

Cool!

Maybe as a prize, I can get a bigger PM box.

 

Great idea Charlie!
Thanks for the sticky Jason!

Pretty accurate posts on Zeta.

Originally, Zeta was to be a single set of cars made both in Australia, China, and here.

The structure is made to easily change wheelbases by multiple mounting points on what can best be described as looking like a pair of box frames jutting out forward of the "firewall". Something that resembles frames continues mostly along the sides of the unibody, and out back to the bumpers. Since the front end structure isn't a series of steel stampings welded together that carry stress & crash forces (the dual front box frames take this role) you can hang just about anything you want on those frames & it's going to pass crash testing.

The problem with Zeta, and why North America froze their program while it didn't affect Holden's is that the program began to lose it's cost efficiency for GM North America. There's a couple of people here who can go far more into detail than I can, but the summary of it all is that it was begining to cost as much setting up for North American Holdens as it would be creating an all new manufacturing system. In short, it was like getting a used car at a new car price... it defeated the whole purpose of the program.

Also, GM's ideal guys started running away with what they were going to put on Zeta. Every division had a sedan, every division had a large coupe or convertible, and there was the background idea of a Camaro and small sedans based on the structure.

The sourcing coordination of Zeta by all accounts became a mess.

Lutz pulled the plug on everything to reel everyone in. At one time, Zeta was planned to be made in at least 3 US plants, which in retrospect was unrealistic.

"Zeta 2" is also nicknamed "Zeta-lite". Zeta is just a name for the program, not a specific chassis. The "lite" part refers to the scaled back and consolidated Zeta plans. "Zeta 2" as in the 2nd, better plan over the 1st.

Zeta 2 doesn't refer to some modified structure as it does improved manufacturing and coordinating the methods of planning, sourcing, & assembly of the vehicle's structure.

If the new GTO becomes a long wheelbase Camaro instead of a 2 door Commodore, that's the result of "Zeta 2". Moving another model to a particular Zeta structure to increase volume of that structur & reduce costs. If the 2010 Impala or Buick sedan has a different sheetmetal than the Holden Statesman or Caprice, or the new RWD Impala fits into the Middle East lineup as a fancier Holden, then that's also Zeta 2.

The money that GM saved is in all likelihood what's helping fuel the move developing the small rear drive series of sedans and coupes we've been hearing about, directly from GM's own executives.

 

great post Guy... thanks for the info..