GM close to approving massive investment at Zeta plant

[1931Chevy]

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/06/...at-zeta-plant/


General Motors is close to approving a massive investment at its Oshawa, Ontario plant, where the automaker is expected to build its Zeta platform vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Camaro and Impala, reports the Globe and Mail. Currently, the plant No. 2 is scheduled to close in 2008, but the investment could save 2,500 jobs and turn the plant into a 505,000-car-a-year powerhouse. “I don’t think there’s any question that Zeta will happen there,” an industry source who is familiar with GM’s product plans said. Sources say the new retro-styled Chevrolet Impala will be first out of the chute in June, 2009. Next comes Camaro in September, 2009, with annual sales projected at 100,000 a year, including a convertible version of the muscle car. The two Chevrolet models will be followed by the Cadillac DTS sedan in June, 2010, and the Buick Lucerne in October, 2010. Previous reports suggested the Buick model would be called “Statesman.” GM’s Bob Lutz also recently said a new Pontiac GTO and a Chevy Monte Carlo will be build on the Zeta architecture. General Motors is close to approving a massive investment at its Oshawa, Ontario plant, where the automaker is expected to build its Zeta platform vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Camaro and Impala, reports the Globe and Mail. Currently, the plant No. 2 is scheduled to close in 2008, but the investment could save 2,500 jobs and turn the plant into a 505,000-car-a-year powerhouse. “I don’t think there’s any question that Zeta will happen there,” an industry source who is familiar with GM’s product plans said. Sources say the new retro-styled Chevrolet Impala will be first out of the chute in June, 2009. Next comes Camaro in September, 2009, with annual sales projected at 100,000 a year, including a convertible version of the muscle car. The two Chevrolet models will be followed by the Cadillac DTS sedan in June, 2010, and the Buick Lucerne in October, 2010. Previous reports suggested the Buick model would be called “Statesman.” GM’s Bob Lutz also recently said a new Pontiac GTO and a Chevy Monte Carlo will be build on the Zeta architecture.

[Tomko]

Is there an echo in this room?

[Black04GTO]

Works for me! Git-R-Done!

[rsabatini]

Say that again! J/K...I'll take that as good news! But........when will the GTO ever be built in the good 'ole U.S.A.?

[mrmemo]

I'll take a Zeta Monte SS.

[cadillacpimpin]

i consider canada close enough to US to be US. Besides with out the US, north america would have became nothing.

[Jimmy Jive]

They'll build another Monte Carlo, competing against the GTO, but not a Firebird eh?

Two and a half years huh? Better than never, but still a bit to far off...

[56 Starchief]

those intro dates are off according to more real sources

[cad1cts]

whats really interesting to me is that the article mentions that the DTS and Lucerne will be built in Oshawa on Zeta....that is great news if true. personally i just hope they'll keep the cars with a 6 passenger option

[plane]

Originally Posted by 56 Starchief

those intro dates are off according to more real sources

Further out or closer in?

[Mikkoo]

Originally Posted by plane

Further out or closer in?

They should be closer in. From every acct we've heard, the Camaro is being fast-tracked. This article sure doesn't indicate that fact. Sept 09 just won't cut it for an introduction date.

[mr_bots]

Wouldn't the Monte Carlo and Camaro be competing with each other? Same platform, same size, same engines, similar prices. I thought they were talking about having the Camaro out for the 09 MO. I'm sure the V8s will be LS2 but what about the V6? The only one currently adapted to RWD use is the HF 3.6, but that likely costs a lot more than the small block. The HV 3.9L reworked for RWD is what I'm thinking on right now. Either way the Zetas are coming and gonna be kickin a$$ and takin names!

[bryce miller]

Well im happy to see that they will probably be keeping the monte around plus they will be having the others come out as well the question is whether there will be any large FWD cars left i think there should be atleast one in GM lineup!

[63GrandSport001]

Originally Posted by mr_bots

Wouldn't the Monte Carlo and Camaro be competing with each other? Same platform, same size, same engines, similar prices. I thought they were talking about having the Camaro out for the 09 MO. I'm sure the V8s will be LS2 but what about the V6? The only one currently adapted to RWD use is the HF 3.6, but that likely costs a lot more than the small block. The HV 3.9L reworked for RWD is what I'm thinking on right now. Either way the Zetas are coming and gonna be kickin a$$ and takin names!

The Monte Carlo should be a bit bigger and more upscale then the Camaro.

[mecha187]

Originally Posted by 63GrandSport001

The Monte Carlo should be a bit bigger and more upscale then the Camaro.

like the GTO should be compared to the Firebird ;P

I don't really care anymore. I just want to see these cars on a PROPER platform.
GM should get em out as soon as they can though, cause this can certainly work in their favor at an attempt to recapture some of the market. I have no doubts that they can axe-murder Ford and bury them, and maybe Chrysler's just very lucky they have Benz in their corner, but I'm sure their appeal will be worn off by then, permitting people don't buy into the Challenger mystique.

I just can't believe how long the talk of the Camaro and Challenger has gone on and the soonest they can do is 2009? of course, by then, the Mustang will be yesterdays news I guess. heh

I know I'm asking the impossible with all of this but Zeta, OHC and 6-speeds will hands down bring GM back up to speed.... at least I hope.