[Shotimes] RE: Lutz comments from the other day

[Ron Porter]

I knew that GM was looking at a RWD platform, but never heard about Zeta.
Here's a story with some models. Looks like no new domestic GTO.

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050319-054012-7778r.htm


Ron Porter

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GM abandons Zeta platform

Detroit, MI, Mar. 19 (UPI) -- General Motors has announced it will no longer
develop new rear-wheel-drive platform vehicles in the North American market.



Company insiders said the decision to stop developing cars on the platform,
code-named Zeta, was made last year, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday.
They said the decision was not related to the company's projected loss of
$850 million for this year. 

Experts had predicted GM would use Zeta for the next-generation Pontiac GTO
and possibly the Buick Velite sedan and convertible, and a midsize Chevrolet
sedan.

GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia will continue to develop the Zeta
platform.

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-----Original Message-----
From: Donald Mallinson [mailto:dmall@mwonline.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 6:14 PM
To: V8List SHO; Shotimes
Subject: Re: Lutz comments from the other day

Any idea what products were on the Zeta platform?  This doesn't apply to 
the new 2-seater for Pontiac and Saturn I hope, these actually look like 
something that might sell.

I doubt they will drop Pontiac, but I am still amazed they killed 
Oldsmobile and not Buick.  Frankly, GM could do without one of the two 
brands, but as a long-time Pontiac fan, I will root to keep that one.

Don Mallinson

Ron Porter wrote:

>Here are Bob Lutz comments to the Morgan Stanley folks from Crain's (who
owns Automotive news). It doesn't directly seem to threaten to can either
Buick or Pontiac, but there is a realization that they must restructure. The
loss of the new RWD platform could bite them big-time.
>
>Sorry for the format, but was copied from a PDF file, which theV8 folks
will receive as an attachment.
>
>Ron Porter