Ok coming from the comments we have seen from Mark Ruess:

I think it is pretty well laid out why Zeta isn't coming to the US, but in case you missed it here we go in a nut shell:

1. Zeta/VE was developed in Aus for Holden as priority number one, SO all the processes used for verification and approval were all Holdens.

2. GM NA has a different approval process that would have taken a long time to get Zeta/VE through.

3. Someone said 'what are we doing we already have a IRS/SLA RWD program called Sigma in designed by us and ready to go, heck it has already been approved for everything!'

So GM NA decides to go for Sigma based RWD cars for NA.

OK so now we see that Sigma is the jump off point for NA, but it is rather expensive. Mark tells us how to make it cost less in that quote. Use struts for the front and make a less expensive rear end, ie use less alumninum and more stamped steel. For a lighter, higher performance straight line runner you could concievably use a solid rear axle and modify the rear subframe and still come out costing less than the more complex IRS.

So what are we looking at for Cars and when can we expect to see them is the burning question.
1. Guys has said that the decision to stop/delay GM NA Zeta was done about a year ago. GM NA takes approximately 18 months to get a car to the streets once it has final approval.

2. Chevrolet has publically stated they have a GLARING hole in their lineup and it lines right up with Mustang. Enter Camaro.

3. Pontiac killed Bonneville and has GP as its biggest car. GTO will need replacing relatively soon so I say RWD sedan and GTO coupe on cheapened Sigma based structure will be out within 3 years MY 08.

4. Buick has LaCrosse and Lucerne that are relatively new. The Rendevous will be getting replaced with a Lambda and the Raineer will die by 08. They need a flagship sedan let them have a HF v6 on this cheaper Sigma and you have got a winner.

5. Bigger than Impala RWD Chevy sedan would sell to Police agencies and Taxi services in droves. Also I think it would be a great Charger competitor, I would expect this to come rather late to the game 2010 since the Impala got a rather thorough refresh.

 

Sigma Lite is the answer. It is on, and well under development and has been for quite sometime. Lite has been on, since before Zeta was cancelled. Just now in a more prominent role as the RWD architecture of choice.

 

Was Zeta actually dropped or is that what GM wants everyone thinking? I'm not trying to start conspiracy crap, it's just that I've seen mixed info on this.

 

Zeta was officially dropped I believe. No conspiracy.

But yea, if Sigma Lite is and has been the answer, the question is why haven't we seen a Camaro yet? If the Camaro is pretty nailed down as to what it should be, designed, etc. then what's the holdup as long as that platform is ready?

 

Cool, thanks..

 

Zeta is Holden's VE. VE works for Holden, but doesn't fit with the NA assembly process. It would have been too costly and time consuming to re-engineer.

Zeta is just a name that would have described NA VE's....which now will not happen.

PS

Don't shed any tears for Zeta.

 

1. It takes alot of money to tool up a factory to produce a new car.

2. GM is going to bring out an unprecidented number of new vehicles over the next few years.

3. GM has only a certain amount of cash to do it, so it's spreading things out as much as they can.

4. GM's biggest priorities are coming on line 1st. This means vehicles that have been too long in tooth as well as some trucks & SUVs.

5. GM has to also coordinate the end of production runs in factories with new models to be built there. There is only a finite group of people who do this. Again, they have to go to one plant & get it up & running, troubleshoot, then move on to another plant.

A Camaro should have been out next year, but that changed a long long time ago.

 

So basically I'm gathering it is approved and done? But cant get a plant tooled until the truck/SUV plants are finished? BTW when they starting production on the new trucks?

 

Nothing's done till it's actually in production, so can't say it's done.

Nothing's approved till the green light is given to buy tooling and set up shop, so can't say that either.

Will say that if GM continued with the car they were working on back in 2001/2, and looking at how Solstice came together, we'd no doubt be looking at a 5th gen well in time for a 40 year celebration, even under the old, more than sluggish approval process.

Right now, GM is focused on their cash cows, their big rigs. Like Ford, GM has to hit a home run to save the company. However, also like Ford and it's Mustang, anything that's due to come out within a couple of years is likely to happen anyway, regardless as to outcome.

Afterall, it IS the Mustang that seems to be carrying the entire Ford Motor Company at the moment.

 

Tennesse will be without product once the ION leaves. Interesting? You bet!

 

So basically yes in a round-a-bout way Thank you for answering my question.

I have 2 more....

1. When will they start building the new trucks/suvs?

You may not be able to answer this one....but I'll ask anyway...
2. 40th ann as in 07?

 

wiil all cars built off this platform have front struts and a solid rear axle?

 

BTW....I'm jealous i didn't get a winky "Bobby" gets all the winks

 

A ton of good info flying around.

The bad thought in the back of my head is, "THE SOLSTICE WILL HAVE BEEN 54 MONTHS, AT LEAST, SINCE ITS CONCEPT FORM AT NAIAS"

 

Ruess said Sigma rear with cost cut out. That means IRS at least for most models. I could see 1 or 2 with a live axle, ute comes to mind, but it would be the exception to the rule.