UAW Reveals New "Alpha" Platform

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UAW reveals GM plans to build small rwd cars
New 'Alpha' vehicle slated for Lordstown, Ohio

Jamie LaReau

Automotive News

September 28, 2007 - 6:50 pm ET


DETROIT — In an unauthorized revelation today, UAW officials disclosed General Motors’ plans to produce a small rear-wheel-drive vehicle architecture code-named Alpha.

The revelation came as the UAW publicized GM’s pledge to invest in future vehicles for 16 assembly plants — a pledge the union won this week during its contract negotiations with GM.

GM will build two body styles of the new Alpha vehicle, which will begin production in 2011. GM’s plant in Lordstown, Ohio, will assemble it.

GM has not unveiled a concept version of the vehicle, said a source familiar with the program.

“It’s an all-new architecture that does not exist in the portfolio now,” the source said. “It is in the compact area but bigger than the Gamma. It’s more like a small entry-level vehicle that would be more luxury-inclined, like a BMW used to be.”

The source would not say which of GM’s eight brands would get the vehicle. GM executives have previously said that Pontiac would be the brand of choice for “affordable” rear-wheel-drive cars.

News of the Alpha — along with other extensive details about GM’s product plans — were included in the UAW’s contract highlights. The union will distribute the highlights to its members this week in advance of the contract ratification vote.

If the UAW’s contract booklet is to be believed, GM also has big plans for its Gamma world car. The next-generation Chevrolet Cobalt car will switch from the Delta platform to the cheaper Gamma platform in 2010.

Lordstown, which produces the Cobalt and its sibling, the Pontiac G5, will produce the next Cobalt, too.

“Just like everyone’s replacement cars are getting bigger, Gamma gets a bit bigger due to all the safety requirements,” the source said. “The Gamma product would be a Cobalt replacement. It might go to other brands, but the main one is Chevy.”

According to the UAW highlights, GM also confirmed that it will build the Chevrolet Volt plug-in-hybrid at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant in 2010. GM plans to build a small seven-seat van in Hamtramck for export to other markets, the source said. The van — which will not be sold in the United States — will be a next-generation variant of the Opel Zafira.

You may e-mail Jamie LaReau at jlareau@crain.com

Holden Torana Revival Possible, With Leaked Documents Confirming Mid-Size RWD Plans

[FordFan]

A RWD compact+? Not bad GM. But are they going to put a 4-speed there like the Malibu?

[Perian]

One thing is for certain here:

Both sides won big in this contract.

Very cool that GM will be exporting the 7 passenger mini-van overseas! Very cool.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by FordFan

A RWD compact+? Not bad GM. But are they going to put a 4-speed there like the Malibu?

Four speed distribution is simply restrained by capacity at this time.

Stay tuned.

[Perian]

Link: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...709290383/1148

Article quotes:


The unauthorized release of the product plans surprised the automaker, which keeps the information confidential for competitive reasons.


A number of local leaders who voted on the deal Friday said they were jubilant to get product commitments from GM.


"We have many officers right now looking online to find out what exactly the gamma and alpha are," said Jim Graham, president of UAW Local 1112 in Lordstown, Ohio, referring to the language GM uses to describe its products.

[Perian]

Why would the UAW leak this memo?

One idea.

The fact that it was leaked just days before the ratification vote may indeed mean that they felt a little help was needed to sway the voting members. Looking at the amount of information about future product plans released and apparently committed to by GM, what UAW member in their right mind would vote this contract down?

[pinchefrijolero]

I am confident that everyone that reads this knows that GM can/will change their direction to which models are/will be built. As well as wherever they will be built.

GM is like the weather in Michigan... every changing and always unpredictable.

[Avdude]

Originally Posted by pinchefrijolero

I am confident that everyone that reads this knows that GM can/will change their direction to which models are/will be built. As well as wherever they will be built.

GM is like the weather in Michigan... every changing and always unpredictable.

These same "commitments" were made in Canada in the last round of negotiations! They are "selling" features for the union to toss out at ratification.. Nothing more nothing less.. In no way can the union hold GM to these "commitments"! They are all subject to "market conditions", "demand" etc! Which anyone who knows the industry can change overnight! Production in Canada has been cut numerous times in the last 2 years after GM made the same commitments to the CAW!

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by Avdude

These same "commitments" were made in Canada in the last round of negotiations! They are "selling" features for the union to toss out at ratification.. Nothing more nothing less.. In no way can the union hold GM to these "commitments"! They are all subject to "market conditions", "demand" etc! Which anyone who knows the industry can change overnight! Production in Canada has been cut numerous times in the last 2 years after GM made the same commitments to the CAW!

Yea, but GM did get what it wanted. They have little ground to ask for changes to this contract based on what they got in it.

[Al465]

Originally Posted by FordFan

A RWD compact+? Not bad GM. But are they going to put a 4-speed there like the Malibu?

What is so great about a RWD on a small car? I remember when the FWD was the greatest thing and now because someone says a RWD is better doesn't mean it is better. As for me, a FWD is much much better and one reason is for traction.

[goblue]

Kinda silly to deny Alpha and Gamma. Could just say we don't talk about future product (but then again, GM hasn't learned that lesson) the way they worded that in the internet age just makes the PR department look stupid.

[steverino]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

Yea, but GM did get what it wanted. They have little ground to ask for changes to this contract based on what they got in it.

Yeah, GM got raked over the coals, that's what they got.

GM won't see any significant savings until year 2010 at the earliest, what with more buyouts for potentially 24,000 non-assembly workers (to be replaced by 2nd tier $14/hr employees), a slew of temps made permanent, continued heathcare payments at $5+ Billion for 2009 & 2010 and the big VEBA contribution in 2008, lump-sums for the next 4 yrs, increases in pension funding (excluding new hires to 401K's), continued COLA, with portions rolled into base each yr, which increases a $28/hr base to almost $30 base in 4 yrs.

ANALysts are screaming "show me the savings"

[BigAls87Z28]

A small RWD car opens up the ability to give us a more agile sports sedan or car offering, also giving Pontiac a chassis to bring its sports image ahead of its FWD strong competition, also brings it a big up level from Chevy and Saturn in that respect. This will also give Caddy a real 3 series fighter, something they have lacked for a while.

Sucks that the Zafira will be made here, but not sold here. Would and could be an easy slide right into Saturn.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by steverino

Yeah, GM got raked over the coals, that's what they got.

GM won't see any significant savings until year 2010 at the earliest, what with more buyouts for potentially 24,000 non-assembly workers (to be replaced by 2nd tier $14/hr employees), a slew of temps made permanent, continued heathcare payments at $5+ Billion for 2009 & 2010 and the big VEBA contribution in 2008, lump-sums for the next 4 yrs, increases in pension funding (excluding new hires to 401K's), continued COLA, with portions rolled into base each yr, which increases a $28 base to almost $30 base in 4 yrs.

ANALysts are screaming "show me the savings"

Sometimes a short term output at high cost is better than a protracted long term output that is of a HIGHER COST.

Analysts will see the savings, and like it. Because many of them (when it comes to pensions and retiree liabilities) will love this contract.

[Phoenix]

If the UAW’s contract booklet is to be believed, GM also has big plans for its Gamma world car. The next-generation Chevrolet Cobalt car will switch from the Delta platform to the cheaper Gamma platform in 2010.

Is this true?