Jump to content
Create New...
  • Blake Noble
    Blake Noble

    GM’s Underdog Zeta Platform is Still a Relevant Player

    G. Noble

    Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

    April 9th, 2012

    Despite its limited application as the basis for the Australian Holden Commodore sedan and Chevrolet Camaro coupe, GM North American President Mark Reuss says the rear-wheel drive Zeta platform is still a relevant global architecture for cars. Speaking to Australia’s GoAuto at this month’s New York Auto Show, the former Holden boss defended what has been called an “orphaned” platform, saying that Zeta would continue as long as sales in Australia would support it and exports remained healthy, and that it currently still figures in GM’s global strategy.

    “It’s still a global rear-wheel drive architecture, so we leverage it on Camaro, we do lots of things,” Reuss said. “I mean, you guys (Holden) still export things. There’s all that.” He then continued: “I’m not sure that changes unless the market tells us to change it. If the market tells us to change it, we’ll change it.”

    While it’s good news that it seems Zeta won’t be going anywhere any time short-term, Reuss also claimed he couldn’t make any long-term predictions about its future.

    “I don’t know because the volume comes out of Australia,” he said. “And if the [Australian] economy says that we’re going to keep making it, we’ll keep making it.”

    During GM’s perilous restructuring efforts a few years ago, the company assigned what it called a “homeroom” status to certain branches of itself — for example, GM Europe (aka Opel AG) would be the homeroom for small to medium front-wheel drive car platforms, mainly handling their development. Although GM Holden was assigned as the homeroom for rear-wheel drive platforms and cars, the only Zeta platform spin-off has been the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, whose version of the Commodore architecture is known as Zeta II. Because Zeta has only birthed two different versions of itself focused solely on two different markets, some folks are quick to say it isn’t a true global automotive architecture.

    Some of those people will also point out other factors which work against Zeta. For example, the Camaro’s sales numbers suggests its more of a “niche” player and, overall, it’s a lower volume platform. There’s also the curiosity of GM North America developing GM’s newest global rear-drive platform dubbed “Alpha” and used beneath Cadillac’s new BMW 3-Series competitor, the ATS.

    Reuss had something to say about most of that. He was quick to bring up that Camaros were sold all over the world and that he thought GM was “kicking ass with it.” He maintained that it doesn’t matter that Zeta doesn’t have the sales volumes of Delta II small car platform or the medium car-sized Epsilon II.

    “No, but so what? I don’t care as long as we’ve already paid for it, it’s all done,” he said.

    Mark Reuss is currently championing the return of the Commodore to the U.S. as a rear-drive Chevrolet sports sedan. GM has confirmed that some sort of new top-dog Chevrolet is coming and that it will woo millions of Budweiser-swillin’, lawn chair-sittin’, salad-hatin’ NASCAR fans at racetracks next year. What remains to be seen, however, is if it will in fact be related to the Commodore or the new ATS, since some industry analysts claim that, on the contrary, Zeta no longer fits into GM’s plans for big rear-drive cars and a upsized version of Alpha will succeed it.

    Source: GoAuto

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Hmmm... good news it seems.

    I wonder if the new NASCAR Chevy will be the production version of the sweet Code 130R... (Chicane?) or something else? Will the new RWD sport sedan be Zeta or Alpha based?

    This is building some good anticipation...

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Hmmm... good news it seems.

    I wonder if the new NASCAR Chevy will be the production version of the sweet Code 130R... (Chicane?) or something else? Will the new RWD sport sedan be Zeta or Alpha based?

    This is building some good anticipation...

    I doubt if it would the Code 130R--the concept for that was very tiny. I'm assuming it will be the Commodore variation SS that has been rumored for years. Or something unexpected, though it seems unlikely it would be another Alpha this soon.

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Well, after the fabulous new Impala, I sincerely hope this new Zeta Chevy has its own style, and is not simply a grille job like the martyred G8. Pontiac deserved better, with its rich design history, and so does Chevrolet.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Well, after the fabulous new Impala, I sincerely hope this new Zeta Chevy has its own style, and is not simply a grille job like the martyred G8. Pontiac deserved better, with its rich design history, and so does Chevrolet.

    I'll be surprised if anything other than the fascias, grille, hood, taillights will differ from the G8...otherwise it would require a bigger investment.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Hmmm... good news it seems.

    I wonder if the new NASCAR Chevy will be the production version of the sweet Code 130R... (Chicane?) or something else? Will the new RWD sport sedan be Zeta or Alpha based?

    This is building some good anticipation...

    Too small and not Zeta.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Well are we sure the next NASCAR Chevy will be a Zeta car? Or will it be Alpha? The article is not clear.

    I wish I could have seen the Code in person, I would have needed a drool bucket. I think it's in New York.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I think that they will want to recapture as much as possible of their existing investment, so sadly I think it will be as cubical has stated, a rebadge job. Yet I think they will spend some time on making the rebadge as individual as possible. I think most of the auto industry has learned that poorly executed badge jobs do not survive.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Well are we sure the next NASCAR Chevy will be a Zeta car? Or will it be Alpha? The article is not clear.

    All the rumors on this and other forums are it will be a Zeta model..and that seems the most likely give the time frame. Look at all the comments made by hyper6 and other insiders in other threads.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I still long for a RWD Chevelle sub brand initially based on ZETA by Chevrolet! They could do a sedan a wagon and the return of the El Camino being all of these body styles exist today for Holden! With Pontiac gone a Chevelle sub brand by Chevrolet would be a wonderful way to use the ZETA platform. Then later replace ZETA with the lighter ALPHA to continue the RWD Chevelle brand of Chevrolet!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Carguy, one at a time. Chevy needs a Genesis/300 fighter first. The Chevelle idea you have sounds a tad too small (car size-wise) for the job. In fact, Cadillac needs Zeta (or its successor) for its flagship too.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I could see Zeta be put to use as a platform for unibody trucks and crossovers. It's already been done with the Ute, and further teased with the Denali XT. Something in the vein of the original SRX would be an interesting option at any of the four GMNA brands.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Carguy, one at a time. Chevy needs a Genesis/300 fighter first. The Chevelle idea you have sounds a tad too small (car size-wise) for the job. In fact, Cadillac needs Zeta (or its successor) for its flagship too.

    Today's RWD ZETA Holden models in size would fit in just fine along with the future larger versions of ALPHA for the Chevelle sub Chevy brand. The Genesis and 300 models would better be competed with by a Buick then a Chevrolet anyway! Let Chevrolet do the proposed Chevelle line while Buick do the longer wheelbase version of ZETA for a new Roadmaster model to compete with the 300/Genesis. And for the new upcoming premium Cadillac GM is now working on a new more fitting RWD platform that is more premium in fitment then ZETA! ZETA should not be used by Cadillac with its strut type front suspension system when Double-A-Arms are needed for such a premium model! Edited by Carguy
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    With Cadillac, I agree completely. I also agree with pitting a RWD Buick against the 300 and Genesis (RWD Park Avenue or Roadmaster, anyone?). An Alpha-sized Chevelle does sound intriguing.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Posts

    • Apparently victimhood cards are on sale again so I would not take such things very serious, given the source.
    • https://www.thewrap.com/the-view-ana-navarro-begs-canada-to-become-51st-state/   The hosts of “The View” may think Donald Trump’s endeavor to make Canada the 51st state is an absurd one, but realizing how Canada’s politics actually lean, Ana Navarro is begging them to just “take one for the team.”     “It’s larger than the state of California. So if you imported 40 million Canadians, and made them the 51st state, it would be democratic rule for the next 20 years,” Farah Griffin added. Looking at those numbers, Navarro put out her request to Canadians. “Canada, take one for the team!” she begged. “Please, people, save us!”   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is why I refuse to be muzzled on topics of politics.  We want to run away from the political climate. We cant.  Too many Americans view politics as a nuissance. At best. At worst, its taboo. Too many are uneducated. Too many make decisions that affect the whole damned country in a very negative way. Take the article I just linked above.  Is it a phoquing joke to you that we are talking about the phoquing sovereignty of another nation?  It is NOT a phoquing joke.  And when a political leader threatens another country the way Trump has in regards to Greenland and Denmark and Canada, It is is a LITERAL declaration of war!!!  It is a LITERAL act of war!!!  It is NOT a joke.  And in fact, the way Trump has acted in the face of Canada (and Greenland), it desensitizes the American people and it facilitates any aggression towards Canada or Greenland. And by too many Americans regarding politics as a nuissance or taboo, or basically garbage even in an automotive forum, it renders too many voting Americans stupid and uncapable of actually making the right and necessary decisions to protect themsleves from nefarious individuals.  And THAT has made it a phoquing problem for ALL Canadians and Greenlanders...   Let alone for the rest of the good natured Americans who are stuck living this nightmare.    “Canada, take one for the team!” she begged. “Please, people, save us!”   Save you own selves you lazy pieces of shyte!!!  Learn to be political. Stay educated, informed and fix your own phoquing problems...and stop making it a problem for us Canadians.  And Greenlanders.   You think this is a joke? THIS is what Canadians think about the USA now. This was a speech yesterday BEFORE today's talks about it being a good call.  It was right after the Signal app message text war/fight information scandal (for phoques sake...become political and get this President out of office!!!), right after Trump's tariffs on Canadian built cars to draw attentiion to tariffs rather than yet another phoquing illegal scandal...   THIS is what Trump has has made out of Canada's relationship with the US.  THIS is how we Canadians are feeling.   And THIS is why I REFUSE to be muzzled.  Maybe for you American phoques to wake the phoque up.  Too lazy to be political. To stupid to be political.  To mis and dis informed that Fox news, and all other media outlets are phoquing LYING to you.  Are making a mockery out of you and your democracy.   Wake the phoque up and trust me, Ill help you wake the phoque up!!!  Too phqouing bad if you have to read this in an automotive forum.  You have to read it somewhere.  Ill force feed it to you. I did promise I wont be toxic.  But how the phoque do you think I feel as an Canadian when an American journalistic personality is MINIMIZING MY phoquing identity as a CANADIAN to help you phoquing fix your shytty phoquing laziness and stupidity!!! Dont undermine MY sovereignty.    WAKE THE PHOQUE UP AND FIGHT FOR YOUR OWN GOD DAMNED FREEDOMS BECAUSE YOUR OWN PHOQUING STUPIDITIES ARE THREATENING MY GOD DAMNED FREEDOMS!!! 
    • Yep, BYD (and other Chinese brands) will take over Asia, Mexico, South America, etc were they need lower priced cars and they are making some inroads to Europe also.  And at the improvement rate of Chinese cars with all these 1,000+ hp, 400 mile range, charge in 5 minutes they will move into luxury and performance segments.  Which forces legacy auto into the middle and upper market in the US and Europe and I don't know if that is enough volume for them to survive, probably half will die after getting beat up by tariffs when BYD swoops in to pick up the pieces.
    • Yup. If BYD's battery system tech is true with 100% charging in 5 minutes.   Pretty much everybody is toast. And it does not matter if the US and Canada tariff the crap out of BYD and Chinese EVs from their respective markets.  BYD is already in the process of flooding their EVs all OVER the planet.  Including Mexico.   And if Trump pisses off Canada even more with tariffs, forget about Canada banning Tesla from the Canadian market in retaliation, Canada might just  erase the 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs and will let   BYD flood our market too.   If GM  and FoMoCo Ontario plants close, BYD might be welcomed to use them.  China last week or two punished us with 100% tariffs on our porc and other food products that we sell to them.  Retaliatory. (where have  I heard that word before?)  Chinese importers will simply buy porc from other countries hurting our industry... If American tariffs on GM of Canada vehicles and FoMoCo Canada vehicles is still a go, our factories might close, but maybe if we let BYD flood our market, it will hurt GM and FoMoCo THAT much more.  And it doesnt matter actually, Trump's economic war with ALL of its allies will doom GM and FoMoCo anyway.  
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search