GM: Zeta is DEAD, Alpha rumored to be on hold

[MikeMike]

http://www.gminsidenews.com/fo...platform-delayed-74294

That is not great news, but it is very necessary.

 

[crYnOid]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
http://www.gminsidenews.com/fo...platform-delayed-74294

That is not great news, but it is very necessary.

only in north america......

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Originally posted by: crYnOid

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
http://www.gminsidenews.com/fo...platform-delayed-74294

That is not great news, but it is very necessary.

only in north america......

this affects opel, vauxhall and holden as well.

 

[JJ650]

There goes any other G8 Gt's or future GXPs.
This means the CTS could die as well?

These are platforms that are doing much better than what was used in the past and are actually needed.

Jeez.

 

[JulesMaximus]

So, what are they developing? Anything?

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
So, what are they developing? Anything?

It doesn't look like it. They are killing the Zeta after it's current run and not developing Alpha any farther currently.

It boggles the mind with the idiots at the helm. The Zeta is a home run of a hit for GM and they are axing it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: JJ650

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
So, what are they developing? Anything?

It doesn't look like it. They are killing the Zeta after it's current run and not developing Alpha any farther currently.

It boggles the mind with the idiots at the helm. The Zeta is a home run of a hit for GM and they are axing it.

Yeah, doesn't really make much sense to me. I never really liked the look of the CTS but it has grown on me in recent years.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

The Zeta was supposed to underpine the DTS/STS replacement. Caddy needs a large, RWD sedan to compete with BMW and Mercedes.

GM is so bipolar it's infuriating. They gained considerable momentum with the first generation Sigma platform (CTS, STS, and SRX). Then replace the CTS with a better, updated version of Sigma with more power. But the next SRX becomes a smaller, weaker FWD crossover. So what becomes of the STS? Will GM let it rot on the vine until it fades into obscurity? Or find another FWD platform to replace it with? I know! How about another Epsilon 2?!:roll:

The XLR is getting the axe. Zeta is canceled. The SRX becomes FWD and underpowered. So much for reclaiming the standard of the world.

 

[Arkaign]

Yep. With a faltering economy, looks like GM is moving its resources and focus to the bowtie and economy/family vehicles a la Honda. Could be smart or dumb, depending on how bad you believe the economy is going to get.

If the economy continues to slide from recession into a global depression, then it will prove wise to kill funding for Cadillac.

If the economy stabilizes and begins to rebound, it will prove catastrophic to cripple Cadillac's hard-fought competitiveness in this way.

Will be sad, but it's looking fairly likely that this will be the peak of Cadillac for the foreseeable future, or perhaps permanently.

 

[JJ650]

Well, I guess a second hand CTS-V, or GXP will be fairly cheap then...or cheaper than what it normally would have been for collectors (or those looking for good performance vs. dollar value).

At least keep the zeta around and either improve on it, or keep the current line up strong with they already have. There's nothing really wrong with it.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed
The SRX becomes FWD and underpowered. So much for reclaiming the standard of the world.

SRX has an optional 300HP 2.8L Turbo engine. More than enough power for a mid-size SUV.

 

[Atreus21]

Drat. I liked the G8.

Isn't the new camaro based on Zeta?

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Atreus21
Drat. I liked the G8.

Isn't the new camaro based on Zeta?

Yes. I don't see any announcements of cancelling the Camaro, and I assume that at this point, the costs are sunk other than paying to have them run off the lines. But it appears unlikely that they will make another gen of Camaro unless this one is a big hit. I don't think it will be. Hulking coupes with high (for a Chevy that isn't a Vette) price tags don't sound like a sales bonanza at this point.

I expect initial excitement, and then fizzle.

 

[JJ650]

I'm betting they'll keep producing all '09 models till the model year runs out. No '10 GT, CTS, GXP....so on and so forth.
After that, GM will be right back to what it is was. Boring bland models with crappy choices and anemic performance.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: JJ650
I'm betting they'll keep producing all '09 models till the model year runs out. No '10 GT, CTS, GXP....so on and so forth.
After that, GM will be right back to what it is was. Boring bland models with crappy choices and anemic performance.

Well, it's possible. Cancellation of existing Zeta products hasn't been announced, but I suppose there must be sell-through to keep the lines running. But I rather expect them to keep running the lines, perhaps at reduced output, and continue to release CTS as 2010/2011/12 models, with minor tweaks here and there, but obviously no underlying platform changes.

As the bulk of the sunk costs are done and buried for better or worse, it doesn't make sense to just shit-can Zeta products that are already running off the lines and selling decently.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: JJ650
I'm betting they'll keep producing all '09 models till the model year runs out. No '10 GT, CTS, GXP....so on and so forth.
After that, GM will be right back to what it is was. Boring bland models with crappy choices and anemic performance.

It does not say that they are going to stop the manufacture of the currently developed ZETA cars...just that they are no longer developing new cars on the ZETA platform. As long as the ZETA cars currently developed are selling (G8/Holden/Chinese Buick/Camaro/etc), I'm sure they will keep making them.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Atreus21
Drat. I liked the G8.

Isn't the new camaro based on Zeta?

Yes. I don't see any announcements of cancelling the Camaro, and I assume that at this point, the costs are sunk other than paying to have them run off the lines. But it appears unlikely that they will make another gen of Camaro unless this one is a big hit. I don't think it will be. Hulking coupes with high (for a Chevy that isn't a Vette) price tags don't sound like a sales bonanza at this point.

I expect initial excitement, and then fizzle.

I agree. IMO the Camaro was a niche car from the start. I think they would have dropped it in the current economic climate but it's too late to do so. I've predicted the end of the Corvette here too. I'll stand behind that one. We'll never see the next generation.

The current administrations backing of increased fuel economy and reduced emissions bodes very badly for performance cars. If California gets its way (and they will) the increase in the cost of cars may be the straw that broke the camels back. If I was an auto manufacturer, I would be looking very hard at pulling out of the California market altogether. They can't manage their own state but feel they have the power to dictate to the rest of the nation. Screw 'em. Let them drive their old cars until they're rusted heaps. Cuba of the West.

 

[crYnOid]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler

Originally posted by: crYnOid

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
http://www.gminsidenews.com/fo...platform-delayed-74294

That is not great news, but it is very necessary.

only in north america......

this affects opel, vauxhall and holden as well.

Opel weren't developing a Zeta based car as GM didn't have diesel engines for zeta yet. vauxhall take a rebadged Holden. And Holden will continue with Zeta for another decade (that has been confirmed). As I said this mainly effects NA.

The reason for the problems with alpha/zeta is that GM don't know the rules for CAFE yet, so any platforms/products not certain to fit into the future CAFE rules is on hold. Anything that isn't expected to fit CAFE rules is cancelled.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B

Originally posted by: KnightBreed
The SRX becomes FWD and underpowered. So much for reclaiming the standard of the world.

SRX has an optional 300HP 2.8L Turbo engine. More than enough power for a mid-size SUV.

The current SRX and its competitors, like the X5 and ML, have optional V8's with over 300hp. I'm confused why you would think a 2.8L turbo 6 in a FWD bias crossover is a suitable replacement. The new model is a competitor with the MDX and RX. Hardly the group you should be gunning for when rebuilding a luxury brand for the world market. Not to mention that it's sharing the platform with a Saab.

Listen, I happen to like the SRX. The interior and exterior design is great. Especially compared to the new RX which is gastly. But it's a step backwards in many ways.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: JJ650
I'm betting they'll keep producing all '09 models till the model year runs out. No '10 GT, CTS, GXP....so on and so forth.
After that, GM will be right back to what it is was. Boring bland models with crappy choices and anemic performance.

...But I rather expect them to keep running the lines, perhaps at reduced output, and continue to release CTS as 2010/2011/12 models, with minor tweaks here and there, but obviously no underlying platform changes...

The CTS is still based on the Sigma platform.

According to the thread from GMInsideNews, Sigma 2 will be out around 2013. Which makes sense, because Alpha was suposed to arrive around the same time as a 3-series and C-class competitor. The next-gen CTS would then move upmarket to become a true 5-series competitor. But Alpha is delayed now too, sooo....