Sources: No Civilian Caprice, Other Zeta Models Possible

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GMI Sources: No Civilian Caprice, Other Zeta Models Possible
The Caprice may not signal the end of RWD in North America.
www.gminsidenews.com
October 5, 2009
By: Nick Saporito

Today General Motors announced the addition of the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Car to the Chevrolet lineup, but failed to announce anything regarding the chances of a civilian version of the car. The new Caprice is heavily based on the Holden Statesmen, which is a larger car than the Commodore that was the basis for the former Pontiac G8. Like the G8, this new Caprice will be produced by GM Holden in Australia, but may not make the rear-wheel drive fans in North America very happy.

GMI sources have informed us that General Motors currently has no plans to sell a civilian version of the Chevrolet Caprice police car. When the car launches in 2011, it will strictly be for police fleets only, both in V6 and V8 variations. Since the announcement of Pontiac’s death there has been a lot of discussion surrounding the possibility of a return of the Holden Commodore in the United States under a badge of one of GM’s core brands. After a public spat between GM CEO Fritz Henderson and Vice Chairman and notorious product guru Bob Lutz surrounding the possibility of the car returning as a civilian car, GM has not said much on the issue.

Sources did state that the possibility of the Caprice being sold as a civilian car does exist, but chances are low at best. Expect the entire production run of the Caprice to be for police departments only. The Holden VE lineup will be getting a refresh in the 2013 time frame, so perhaps a freshened Caprice could be sold to civilians?

Other Zeta Models

Additionally, GMI sources have confirmed to us that GM is revisiting some of the shelved North American Zeta programs. Back in late 2006 GM shelved all of the Zeta programs for North America in an effort to push up the launch of the GMT-900 trucks and SUV’s. At the time, GM’s finances also played a role in the demise of the Zeta programs.

Back then GM was looking at several Zeta programs, among them: Chevrolet Impala, Pontiac G8, Pontiac GTO, Buick Lucerne and a Cadillac. All of the programs were canceled. GMI is being told that Bob Lutz in particular is looking heavily at having Chevrolet and Cadillac Zeta cars, both sedans. Several people within GM still believe Cadillac needs a true S-Class and 7-Series competitor. The Chevrolet could ultimately be the replacement for the upcoming Caprice police car.

GM is reportedly having designers draft of proposals for the Cadillac, but nothing has been approved or green-lighted for production. Stay tuned as the decisions continue to happen!

GMI Headline Poll: Should The Chevrolet Caprice Be Available To The Public?

[ChevyRules]

If this doesn't get approved, Lutz needs to quit and start speaking openly about the problems that still lie with the new GM......

[A.J.]

No civilian Caprice? Smart move. Wait until the fleets get a hold of the Caprice PPV, then base public sales decisions on how well the fleet car does (sort of like Ford and the late Crown Vic).

I still think that they should develop Zeta cars for Chevrolet and Holden, and Sigma (II) cars for Buick and Cadillac.

[Chaz_23]

Buick GNX, baby!

[zl-1]

Hmmm.... Chevy gets a SWB Zeta (I'd call it Impala) and Cadillac gets a LWB Zeta to slot above the CTS?

[TAMark]

Sure is ugly with that bow tie front end.

[FenwickHockey65]

The Cadillac Zeta NEEDS to happen.

[megeebee]

If this doesn't get approved, Lutz needs to quit and start speaking openly about the problems that still lie with the new GM......

Oh for heaven's sake, it's just ONE car!

[ChevyRules]

Oh for heaven's sake, it's just ONE car!

One that is in high demand from car people and another that is highly critical for the image and perception for Cadillac.

I know GM is worried about their high volume Impala...... They can keep that, but give us the Statesmen at least. What are there hang ups with the DT7? CAFE? How? It is a low volume vehicle. It shouldn't effect CAFE much. Cost? I would expect a $80K vehicle on Zeta would be a profit machine.......

[2002 Caddy]

Ok, WTF, so Zeta is still kinda dead...

It is like it is on life support, the family has all gathered round, we are happy that it is still breathing... but no-one has come to the realization that it is only a matter of time before someone is going to pull the plug.

[megeebee]

The Cadillac Zeta NEEDS to happen.

Eventually, yes. It has to make sense financially, which I think means building it in North America.

The platforms themselves must be sorted out. Be it Zeta or Alpha, or Rat-On-A-Stick.

.

[megeebee]

One that is in high demand from car people and another that is highly critical for the image and perception for Cadillac.

I know GM is worried about their high volume Impala...... They can keep that, but give us the Statesmen at least. What are there hang ups with the DT7? CAFE? How? It is a low volume vehicle. It shouldn't effect CAFE much. Cost? I would expect a $80K vehicle on Zeta would be a profit machine.......

I didn't know you were referring to a Cadillac.

[Quest]

If they want to sell LWB Zeta Cop Cars fine; personally, I could care less whether they stay Fleet only or are available to the public. What I want to see is a NA replacement product for the G8, a car that embodies what made it great, give us a sedan based on the Commodore.

At least by how this article reads they are coming clean that it’s really all about cost and not the ‘it’s more efficient canard.’ Fact is, within two years they are going to be swimming in Tranverse FWD product: Gamma II alone is going to spawn at least 5 (1 Spark, 3 Aveo derivatives and a Buick), Delta II is good for 4 more, and then there is Epsilon II...

It’s not like they have to pull it out of thin air. Just One @#!%& SWB Sedan below Cadillac - one!

Yes, I did buy one, a Sport Red 09 GT - so don't go there...

[FenwickHockey65]

I wonder why GM is reluctant to sell the Caprice to civilians though. Would it cost too much to import them from Australia? There's production space at Oshawa that could be utilized to solve that problem.

[GMusa]

All we can do is keep our fingers crossed.