Someone please explain this to me or point me to a site that explains it.

How did this come about? An outsider looking at the auto industry would find it quite odd that the 2 biggest competitors for market share are building cars off the same platform (matrix/vibe, corolla/prizm).

 

Back in the mid 80s Toyota wanted a US plant and didn't want to deal with the costs entirely. GM wanted to learn how Toyota built cars with better quality and learn their lean manufacturing system. So the 2 decided to work together and build the Toyota Corolla, Chevy Nova, and Geo Metro on the same platform. Later the Geo died and so did the Nova and Pontiac needed a small entry level car so they chose the 5 door tall wagon version of the Camry, the Matrix, and got the Pontiac Vibe. Apparently the 2008 Vibe will be a rebadge of the next Matrix as well.

This is also being discussed on GMI also.

 

The Geo/Chevy Prizm was built at the Nummi plant in California, Metro was built elsewhere.

 

Ah, I always like using these pics:

 

Minor correction: Matrix/Vibe are based off the Corolla platform, not Camry.

 

D*mn Toyota and their tricky names.

 

Have a link there buddy?

 

Can't find it but I was reading it about the same time this was posted.

 

Turns out it was C&G
http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums...topic=4194&hl=

 

I actually started that thread