Rumored: Alpha Platform Delayed

[nsap]

Rumored: Alpha Platform Delayed
GM's financial position delays an anticipated RWD platform.
www.gminsidenews.com
January 20, 2009
By: Nsap

One of the most highly-anticipated GM product programs lately has been "Alpha." Alpha is The General's midsize rear-wheel drive architecture that has caused a slew of rumors regarding the potential uses of the Alpha platform. Just days after news broke (legit news we might add) that Zeta, GM's full-size rear-wheel drive platform, is toast after the current run of products, GMI has been told that Alpha has been delayed. The reason for the delay is quite simple; GM's financial situation does not allow for the investment at the current time.

Initial plans for Alpha called for the investment into the platform and corresponding products to begin next month. Well, with GM solely focused on meeting as many of the federal government's requirements so that their government lifeline loans are not retracted, GM is pushing back the start of the Alpha investment to when GM is profitable again. Current estimates indicate that Alpha will not show up now until the end of 2014. Meaning a near two-year delay from the initial plans.

Alpha is slated to underpin Cadillac's 3-Series fighters, reportedly named "AT3." Considering that most agree Cadillac needed that car yesterday, we see this as a huge disappointment. No other vehicles have been confirmed for Alpha use. Development will eventually be performed by GM North America and GM Europe, making the platform a fairly pricey one to use on mainstream product.

In somewhat good news, Cadillac's Sigma II platform still has a future. The Cadillac CTS will likely see a redesign in the 2012 time frame.

[jckjds]

That's really unfortunate. I assume that this decision is being made because a business case cannot be made for alpha over other programs within GM's spending limitations. Quite frankly, I think Alpha would be more valuable than at least one of the eighteen crossover platforms that GM is now using, but whatever.

The fact is, Cadillac cannot continue to compete in the luxury segment without a 3 series fighter. Furthermore, an alpha based Pontiac is necessary to grow the Pontiac brand. G6's, G5's and G3's are doing nothing for the image of Pontiac. In addition, I'm sure that Holden and Opel could make solid use of the platform. Quite frankly, Alpha needs to replace Zeta. Gm can sell more midsize RWD cars worldwide than large RWD cars. I know that Zeta has been ditched for the time being, and that's all the more reason that alpha is needed.

[chevyboy88]

GM needs Alpha now not in 2014

[Z284ever]

Let's hope GM get's it's act in gear.

Alpha is critical for Cadillac.

[johnstarnes]

......maybe the Converj is a sneak peek at the AT3? Hope springs eternal!

[PontiacBixler]

Don't worry.... GM changes their minds every morning with their underpants.
My guesstimate is that Alpha will be here at the initial time frame.

[goblue]

They say delayed - I say dead

I'm expecting a 2012 release of Cadillac's VOLT with a RWD motor just like the concept on Delta II. The nail in Alpha's coffin is the fact it looks to be used only for expensive vehicles. Small / Midsize expensive vehicles are primed for VOLTEC.

[toddr19]

NO, NO , NO! This is a huge dissappointment. I was so looking forward to this! This was going to be my next car.

[prowlerjc]

I wouldn't be surprised to see it go the way of the Zeta, sad to say.

[CamaroCrazy]

What can you do? If the money isn't there, it isn't there. Credit is unavailable and now Congress is watching what GM does.

I'm buying my new Camaro and keeping it forever. Who knows what crap will be available on the market come 2014.

[WishIhadatruck]

Wow, that is too bad. I think this would have made some good volume for Cadillac. Hopefully things turn around quickly and it isn't delayed quite so much. I like the idea of RWD Voltec cars but I'm not sure how much driving enthusiasts are going to like it. I think it would have a different appeal to it. Seems like funding is kind of short for any new Cadillac including Voltec powered ones.

[emh]

They say delayed - I say dead

I'm expecting a 2012 release of Cadillac's VOLT with a RWD motor just like the concept on Delta II. The nail in Alpha's coffin is the fact it looks to be used only for expensive vehicles. Small / Midsize expensive vehicles are primed for VOLTEC.

That was my initial reaction as well -- this likely means Alpha is dead, but a Volt-derived small Cadillac. In an ideal world, Cadillac should get both, but GM is in anything but an ideal situation. One concern is whether Cadillac can be price competitive with a 328i or an A4 (~$30k base) given even a Chevy Volt will be $40k (a $50k+ small Cadillac won't have the volume that an Alpha would have had.)

Whatever the platform, Cadillac needs a car smaller than the CTS ASAP, not only for its own sake, but so the CTS can move upmarket -- you can't have a luxury brand without a competitive mid-size sedan.

[slowinthefastlane]

They say delayed - I say dead

I'm expecting a 2012 release of Cadillac's VOLT with a RWD motor just like the concept on Delta II. The nail in Alpha's coffin is the fact it looks to be used only for expensive vehicles. Small / Midsize expensive vehicles are primed for VOLTEC.

When the change to electric propulsion is made a lot of possibilities are opened. Want RWD? Move the motor or motors to the back of the car. No driveshaft needed, the extra weight is minimal and the gas engine gets to continue to ride up in front. If you want AWD, the motors get hooked up to all four wheels. No need for a transfer case.

I believe that GM showed that EFlex was capable of this in a demo video a few years ago.

[jkennedy293]

This sucks. I was kind of hoping a version of the Torana concept would come to the U.S. as a Pontiac.

[mgescuro]

Of course it is...