Product Mix-ups Explained; 2009 Launch Time Line
Much confusion surrounds the product programs right now, we'll try to clear some of it up....
www.gminsidenews.com
November 10, 2008
By: Nsap
Note: Date on top of arrow is the NEW projected production-start date.
Right now there is so much news getting thrown at everyone about General Motors; it's hard to keep it all straight. Most of us on GMI have high concern about what is going on with the product programs, so I'm going to layout the next year or so in product launches. I'm also going to explain what has happened to some of the initially planned launches for 2009 that are no longer on the chart above.
Saturn Aura: GMI reported back in June that the Aura had been placed on "hold" as they were rethinking the program. Later Saturn General Manager confirmed GMI's findings; stating that the Aura will have a "more conventional" life cycle of 4-5 years. The all-new, Opel Insignia cloned Aura was SUPPOSED to go into production in the Fall of 2009 as a 2010 model. At this time we are 99% certain that there will not be any new Aura come out of Saturn in 2009. This is one GM model that we really do not know much of anything about now. Some say the car is still going to be an Insignia clone, others suggest it will be on the long-wheel base Epsilon II platform; thus making it a far different car than the Insignia. Our best target date for the Aura would be Fall 2010; leaving it with a year delay.
Saab 9-4x: Yes, that is correct; the new Saab's brother (SRX) is on the 2009 time line, but it is not. The 9-4x has been delayed (just recently) almost a year to mid 2010. Personally I do not quite understand this delay. Where it and the SRX use quite a bit of common parts, I don't see the big gain in delaying one and not the other. Possibly it is an engine thing?
Cadillac CTS Coupe: As reported from the 3Q earnings reports, the CTS Coupe has been pushed back about a year. We want to stress that the Wagon is still on for early next year (see chart). The reason for the delay is that the Coupe requires quite a bit more new tooling; whereas the wagon does not require as much. We've also heard that Coupe volume is expected to be low. Expect the CTS Coupe sometime in the Spring of 2010.
Chevrolet Cruze: There are many rumors spreading about this car right now. Some are reporting that as of THIS week there is a year delay. That is untrue. From the first press release regarding the car from GM to now, it is planned to go into U.S. production in mid 2010 as a 2011 model. I'm going to stress this: the date has not changed from the initial announcement. The car is going to launch next year globally, then 9-12 months later it will launch here. The reason for the delay? The U.S. Cruze is going to have an all-new 1.4L Turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder that will not be ready for production until 2010. Actually, it is believe that the construction of the plant is much of the reason.
Chevrolet MPV: Most people did not know this product was initially so close to starting production. It was to go into production at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly in mid 2009. This little MPV is going to be based on the Orlando Concept that GM showed recently in South America. Where it stands now, this vehicle will go into production next year in South Korea for use around the world, and then in 2010 or so it will go into production at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant.
Be advised that all of the above is extremely tentative. Right now everything is on shaky ground at General Motors. All of the above is the LATEST known information regarding upcoming (or formerly upcoming) product launches. There is no question though that more information will come out as time progress closer to each vehicle's launch. Stay with GMI, we are THE leader in GM news.
