GMI Exclusive: Kappa II Platform Axed From R&D

[pfflyer]

Keep in mind that if Kappa II is gone, that doesn't mean that the Solstice and Sky are finished. Kappa II might transition into Alpha, and then that architecture would be flexible enough to produce small sedans, 2 seat roadsters, and most likely, the next gen Camaro. This could be a name change and consolidation. That would make the Alpha architecture viable from a business point, the Solstice and Sky profitable, and spawn a variety of vehicles worldwide. We most likely will not know for quite while.

[GMFAN85]

Originally Posted by kenman923

That's it. Goodbye GM. My next car will either be a Honda Accord or a Mazda 6.

Surprisingly, two cars that couldn't be more different then the Kappa twins that you're upset about GM cutting.

[ChevyRules]

Originally Posted by pfflyer

Keep in mind that if Kappa II is gone, that doesn't mean that the Solstice and Sky are finished. Kappa II might transition into Alpha, and then that architecture would be flexible enough to produce small sedans, 2 seat roadsters, and most likely, the next gen Camaro. This could be a name change and consolidation. That would make the Alpha architecture viable from a business point, the Solstice and Sky profitable, and spawn a variety of vehicles worldwide. We most likely will not know for quite while.

Alpha will be too expensive now due to Cadillac and GM Europe having full developmental rights to it now. GM stripped it away from Holden so most likely Alpha will not be cheap enough to spawn affordable mainstream RWD cars.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by kenman923

The bottom line is that GM is not making cars that people want to buy. If they continue to cut everything, there will be not products that GM has to offer to stay in business.

Well judging by the Kappa's sales, I would not say they are products people are dying to buy either. More resources need to go into mainstream products like Epsilon II, Delta II, and TE.

Keep in mind you're just reading what GM has cut. Not what else they are doing to boost product. I assure you now...GM will not have a product shortage. If anything, cuts were vital to future success...the product line has been bloated for years.

[FenwickHockey65]

Wasn't the Solstice just a massive combination of parts from GM's parts bins? I read that somewhere. For example, the reverse lights are the exact same ones on my Envoy.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Wasn't the Solstice just a massive combination of parts from GM's parts bins? I read that somewhere. For example, the reverse lights are the exact same ones on my Envoy.

Yes. That method of formulating new product has been used on a number of products, and still is today. However that does not make the product viable when the rest of the car costs a small fortune to produce.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by kenman923

The bottom line is that GM is not making cars that people want to buy. If they continue to cut everything, there will be not products that GM has to offer to stay in business.

Umm...so what's the Malibu? Chopped liver?

[Bravada]

Given that Kappa appears to be a product of skunkworks engineering (re: the above comments), the quality is everything but great and the overall effect is not stunning (its not like Mazda MX-5 was suddenly outclassed), and GM STILL loses 10K per vehicle, one has to question the quality of GM's engineering. This is almost VW-like - VW is a company ran by engineers who use the huge income to finance their pet projects, including expensive production methods for lowly Golfs and such.

[jcurry05]

If GM would just make every car as good or better than the Malibu they would be golden. I think the vast majority of Americans would much rather purchase a Chevy as opposed to a toyota if the cars are competitive. I mean what American wouldn't?

[impala02]

Originally Posted by kenman923

That's it. Goodbye GM. My next car will either be a Honda Accord or a Mazda 6.

Originally Posted by kenman923

The bottom line is that GM is not making cars that people want to buy. If they continue to cut everything, there will be not products that GM has to offer to stay in business.

Your argument would be valid if A) GM said they were getting rid of the Malibu and now you are forced to get an Accord or Mazda 6, or B) you really wanted a next generation Kappa but now you have to get an S2000 or a Miata. But to say you are getting an Accord or Mazda 6 because the Kappa II is getting axed makes no sense what so ever. It's like saying, Goodbye Toyota. They axed the next gen FJ Cruiser, now my next car will be either a Camaro or a Mustang.

The reality is is that the Solstice and Sky are small volume cars that lose money. I really like them and was hoping the next generation would be improved upon. But GM really needs to focus on their bread and butter cars to make them profitable and, of course, the Volt. Here's hoping that in a few years the Kappa II will be revived.

[Carguy]

If they had built more off this platform it would not be a problem. I still think the Camaro should have been done off Kappa. I ((HATE)) to see these lovely RWD models go!!---((DAMN!!))

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by jcurry05

If GM would just make every car as good or better than the Malibu they would be golden. I think the vast majority of Americans would much rather purchase a Chevy as opposed to a toyota if the cars are competitive. I mean what American wouldn't?

Remember, it's cool to not support your country nowadays. My friend's dad won't even consider a Malibu but is set on an accord. Turns out that he hasn't even looked at a Malibu.

What has become of this country...

[johnstarnes]

Other than using aluminum and carbon fiber, what are other cost effective ways to lighten a car and its platform? Can you perforate the frame with big holes like you see in construction I-beams and trusses? How about offering old fashioned hand crank windows for a bit of exercise and drop the weight of the motors? Can the frame rails be made thinner? Front wheel drive saves weight, right? I'm just curious if there is a systematic approach that could be used across the board to shave several hundred pounds off of GM's cars and truck.

[BigThreeForever]

Another week, another GM future product cancellation.

Don't worry, roadster fans, Mazda is working on the fourth generation MX-5, due circa calendar year 2012.

And not to worry, ye rapidly dwindling band of GM fans, the future's not all that bad: just think of all those little South Korean econocars we have to look forward to.

[Bravada]

Other than using aluminum and carbon fiber, what are other cost effective ways to lighten a car and its platform?

1. Plastic is fantastic. Most modern-day closed-top cars have plastic roofs. Not carbon-fibre, plastic.

2. Get rid of unneeded luggage. GM cars use ancient engines, but you can hardly hear a thing inside, though they are heavy (see Aveo, at least Euro spec). Mazda makes very light cars, but they are noisy. Go figure.

3. Simplify design - oftentimes, you can achieve the same with much less parts - and materials. This is where Toyota et al. actually excel - they constantly simplify their designs. Though recently Mazda has been better at that.

4. Yeah, have an integrated design approach - if you have a design team working together well, and have clear goals such as target weight etc. which concern EVERYBODY, not just a part of the design team (I bet GM has a "make vehicles lighter team" that pushes against and decontents what other teams are working on).