With GM Abandoning The Global Zeta RWD Dream, Holden Cuts Design & Engineering Jobs

[Slick_Holden]

Originally Posted by LeSabre

I think you are right about this. Most, if not all of these platforms are RWD based. Zeta sounds like it'll be gone soon though could be hanging on for dear life at the moment. Kappa 2, is scrapped. Will Alpha be next to get the axe? Even though it is not even here yet as its still in development.

I think GM, despite the current fuel crisis, would be stupid to flood the market w/a majority of FWD vehicles(cars/(car-based)cuv's & (small)suv's). Doesn't leave much choice at all for the consumer who would want a RWD car.

So are they after 1 platform per car size for the whole market world wide?..
And leave RWD all together.. They didn't learn from the last time they did it..
Might be cheap, But i wouldn't think it will work long term if buyers want something else.

[mmciau]

Originally Posted by Slick_Holden

So are they after 1 platform per car size for the whole market world wide?..
And leave RWD all together.. They didn't learn from the last time they did it..
Might be cheap, But i wouldn't think it will work long term if buyers want something else.

GM need to retain RWD platforms in its range of vehicles.

Especially when the likes of Daimler-Benz and BMW continue to mass produce RWD vehicles on varying length platforms.

The supposed advantages of FWD don't seem to be too many for Mercedes and BMW to forsake their RWDs


Mike

[mikmak]

^^^Too true, and whilst Audi may dream of being in the same league, they are always viewed as a slightly inferior marque. Inferior to BMW in driver appeal and inferior to MB as a luxury standard. There is still some seesawing going on occasionally but I see them as expensive VWs.

[Slick_Holden]

True, A real car is RWD.

Let Holden and Cadillac do there upper and lower RWD platforms, And if anyone wants them, You know where they are.

Or split one up for both, But it must be very flexible for SWB and LWB share development?..

[LeSabre]

I think GM(Ford & Chrysler & others too) should have both FWD & RWD platforms for most or all segmants. There would be 2 platforms for each car class, 1 RWD & 1 FWD.
Both platform types would be able to be extended or shortened.
The exteriors of all division vehicles would be visually distinct from one another(on a global scale) on the same platform & same class.

[chinamonty]

The biggest problem with cars these days is engineering and most of it is needless. Each country seems to have its own ideas on what is 'correct' regarding safety etc. People say that the Satnav in a Holden is considered too low for the US -why you arent supposed to watch it so why is it too low. If you made it higher then Australia would ban it because the driver can see it easilly. Its time that instead of negotiating Free trade Agreements they negotiated a single safety and approval process for vehicles (and other products too) and just maybe decide that we all drive on the same side. The CE approval process got rid of a lot of different test standards and it needs to bo a global system. The saving to the world in raw materials would be huge but the down side would be the number of people it may put out of work.

[chinamonty]

Originally Posted by mikmak

^^^Too true, and whilst Audi may dream of being in the same league, they are always viewed as a slightly inferior marque. Inferior to BMW in driver appeal and inferior to MB as a luxury standard. There is still some seesawing going on occasionally but I see them as expensive VWs.

I understand what you say but the Audi's are clearly superior to a Benz in the electrical department -it really has been MBs downfall up until probably a year ago. We have a Benz (CL500) two Audis (A6L and A4) and a VW (Golf) in our fleet and we get few problems. Only the Benz has had a recall notice.
I guess the driver appeal is subjective but I dont see that BMWs are really that special unless you go M series and then if you put an RS Audi you get a good competition. Havent been driving here myself so I havent driven either recently (ie current models). When i was back in Aus I got driven around in my brother in laws A8L and it was just a delight to be in. Over here Audi's are considered to be above VWs even when they are basically the same car (Passat v's A6). Some model Audis seem to be preferred over BMWs but that may just be due to availability.

[Slick_Holden]

If sat nav is voice assisted, does it matter where it sits?.

[chinamonty]

Originally Posted by Slick_Holden

If sat nav is voice assisted, does it matter where it sits?.

As it is often TV capable then maybe yes.

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by chinamonty

As it is often TV capable then maybe yes.

How about the 'turn by turn'?
nice meaty arrow right between the speedo and tacho. Wouldn't need to display an arrow and description if you're not supposed to be reading it.......
BTW just playing Devils Advocate.....

[Slick_Holden]

Doesn't holden offer turn bu turn on the middle trip?.

I just spoke with a Nokia Rep, He was telling me all the cool things on the phones, GPS etc, Voice turn by turn all that stuff, How you could mount the phone of top of the dash and use the GSP system..
Then he finished by saying, We at Nokia do not advice you using this whilst driving, For safety reason etc. So basically they don't want you looking at it to much anyway.