The Zeta-effect....
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From: Ohio
The Zeta-effect....
If Zeta is infact on hold or cancelled... what effect does this have overall on GM's lineup?
It's been said that a major reason is to push the GMT-900 trucks and SUV's out faster... assuming that means people and resources working on Zeta are re-allocated to the truck program to get it out the door....
Does this mean the launch dates for the GMT-900 trucks and SUV's will be pushed FORWARD, or were the extra people and resources needed just to keep it ON TRACK?! From what was known of the GMT-900 program, the SUV's were to start rolling into dealerships toward the 4th quarter of CY2006 (MY2007), with the trucks rolled in within a year.
Also, what does this mean as far as RWD cars for several divisions (Chevy, Pontiac, Buick)? Is there an alternative (better) plan in the works, or is the whole idea of RWD sedans and coupes (except Camaro, apparently) in the trash can?
It's been said that a major reason is to push the GMT-900 trucks and SUV's out faster... assuming that means people and resources working on Zeta are re-allocated to the truck program to get it out the door....
Does this mean the launch dates for the GMT-900 trucks and SUV's will be pushed FORWARD, or were the extra people and resources needed just to keep it ON TRACK?! From what was known of the GMT-900 program, the SUV's were to start rolling into dealerships toward the 4th quarter of CY2006 (MY2007), with the trucks rolled in within a year.
Also, what does this mean as far as RWD cars for several divisions (Chevy, Pontiac, Buick)? Is there an alternative (better) plan in the works, or is the whole idea of RWD sedans and coupes (except Camaro, apparently) in the trash can?
Last edited by Darth Xed; Mar 22, 2005 at 10:27 AM.
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From: Houston
Re: The Zeta-effect....
Does GMT-900 include the Tahoe, Escalade, and Denali? Because from what I’ve heard those three are already on schedule and in progress of tooling up the factory for the next generation. I’m a little confused why they had to drop Zeta to work on these SUVs which are almost ready to start production. I’m not sure about the trucks though.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Ohio
Re: The Zeta-effect....
Just got this from Mr. Lutz's blog.... I'm sure it was already posted, but I hadn't seen it yet.
It does address some of the issues that I was talkign about, but if anyone else wants to expand on it, please feel free...
It does address some of the issues that I was talkign about, but if anyone else wants to expand on it, please feel free...
Originally Posted by Mr. Bob Lutz
Zeta Not the End of RWD Performance
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
Some news broke today about a reshuffling of our product plan, and I just want to clear one thing up before people get carried away.
Yes, we have canceled our plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture. But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether.
We did not cancel the Zeta plans to save money, or to divert funds elsewhere that would've been used for product development.
We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner. The press speculates this means we're doing it to get our next-generation large SUVs and pickups out sooner. You could see how one might reasonably come to such a conclusion.
Rest assured, we remain committed to developing RWD, premium,
high-performance, affordable vehicles, perhaps even a few with a trace of nostalgia baked in.
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
Some news broke today about a reshuffling of our product plan, and I just want to clear one thing up before people get carried away.
Yes, we have canceled our plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture. But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether.
We did not cancel the Zeta plans to save money, or to divert funds elsewhere that would've been used for product development.
We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner. The press speculates this means we're doing it to get our next-generation large SUVs and pickups out sooner. You could see how one might reasonably come to such a conclusion.
Rest assured, we remain committed to developing RWD, premium,
high-performance, affordable vehicles, perhaps even a few with a trace of nostalgia baked in.