GMI Exclusive: GM Planning Line of Small Crossovers/Rumors Debunked

[nsap]

GMI Exclusive: GM Planning Line of Small Crossovers/Rumors Debunked
Three new Gamma II crossovers in the works.
www.gminsidenews.com
July 17, 2008

One point that was well-made at the recent GM restructuring press conference was that cars and crossovers were the focus products. GM CEO Rick Wagoner and Bob Lutz both hinted at the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, Cadillac SRX replacement, and Saab 9-4x crossover utilities. Surprising during that leaky press conference there was no mention of another new line of crossovers that GM supposedly as in the works; the Gamma II's.

The Gamma II platform is the underpinning of the next-generation Aveo and other sub-compact cars within GM. That platform is said to host a line of three new crossovers within the next few years. It is said that the three will be sized similar to the Nissan Rogue and Hyundai Tucson. At the moment Chevrolet, Opel and Saturn are slated to get one.

First to arrive will be the Chevrolet model. It is said to arrive in late 2011. As GMI reported yesterday, the next-generation Equinox crossover is moving up in size, so it only makes sense to add a smaller crossover to compete with the Rogue. The Opel model is also suppose to arrive in the same time frame. The Saturn model will come to market sometime in 2012.

Obviously these products are a few years down the road, but at the moment they are still on. With all of the product shake-ups that are happening within GM right now, it is anyone's guess as to whether these three products will not get cut. There was talk a couple years ago that GM was planning a line of "sub-Theta" crossovers on a smaller version of the Theta platform, but those products were killed in development. These have apparently taken their place.

At the moment it sounds like they will be built at the Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant.

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Clarification Regarding Rumors:

After the press conference the other day that GM had, there were a LOT of rumors flying around about certain products. GMI would like to set the record straight on a few false ones we have been hearing.

* Buick LaCrosse/Invicta: This car is on Epsilon II and WILL BE FWD with optional AWD. There were rumors that it would be RWD and that is not true. The car has not been named by marketing yet and will launch in Spring 2009. Production will take place at the Fairfax, KS assembly plant. We are thinking Rick got the Buick Epsilon II car confused with the Buick Zeta car.

* Chevrolet Cruze: There has been rumors, from Lutz, that the Cruze would not be coming to the North American market. That is NOT true. The Cruze will launch in late 2009 globally and then launch in the United States sometime in 2010. They are waiting on the development of the 1.4L Turbo for the North American market to be complete. When it does launch, it will be sold alongside the Cobalt for awhile.

* Epsilon II Saturn Aura: As GMI reported weeks ago, the development on the program has been halted. We're hearing that it was due to a lack of resources for the car. So the current Aura is going to stay on "at least an additional year." For some reason we are not convinced that we have heard the entire story on the Aura saga, so STAY TUNED.

[jcgable]

Things. Don't. Look. Sunny. In. Detroit.

[RCDonner]

Very good, but I´d prefer a nicer design than that of the concept.

[Motownr]

It was interesting to see how Saturn was largely absent from the comments proactively made by GM during the press conference.

Even Pontiac and Buick received airtime, which only can add fuel to the rumor that it's now Saturn's turn to be slated for sale/starvation.

[jcgable]

I think Saturn has more potential than Pontiac. Can GM force Pontiac Dealerships to convert to Saturn?

The delay of the Aura and the Crzue really don't inspire much confidence for me. Te rest of the information, however, seems promising.

[NfamousZ24]

So umm You are saying that the Gamma II platform is going to be built in Lordstown. Cruze? Chevy Aveo? 3 Subcompack Crossover? Alpha (if it does come)? Do you really think that Lordstown will be able to build all of them? No Overflow plant?

[nsap]

Originally Posted by NfamousZ24

So umm You are saying that the Gamma II platform is going to be built in Lordstown. Cruze? Chevy Aveo? 3 Subcompack Crossover? Alpha (if it does come)? Do you really think that Lordstown will be able to build all of them? No Overflow plant?

I don't see why it can't build Delta II and Gamma II (Cruze, and the crossovers). The Aveo, etc. will probably continue in South Korea. Alpha will likely end up at a different plant.

[jbartley]

the plan to make them off sub-theta was killed b/c they were gonna be to chubby.

gamma II makes a convincing arguement.

[Ambalanche]

Unless Saturn is going away, it's a big mistake to delay the Epi II car IMO. Lack or resourses? What does that mean? I thought they said that going forward all they needed to do was swap badges between Opal and Saturn. Is Alfa even still on?
That Groove looks so cool!!

[crooner214]

Originally Posted by Motownr

It was interesting to see how Saturn was largely absent from the comments proactively made by GM during the press conference.

Even Pontiac and Buick received airtime, which only can add fuel to the rumor that it's now Saturn's turn to be slated for sale/starvation.

Maximum Bob did say that Saturn is not going anywhere after the big press conference.


The Groove was my favorite concept.

[akbar]

Gamma is on for San Luis Potosi, Mehico. Job 1 is June 2010. Initially it is the Aveo 4 door/hatch back followed by other variants in 2011.

[CrunkedRL]

This makes sense for Chevy since the Nox is rumored to increase in size. However I feel it's redundant to offer a gamma CUV for Saturn since the Vue is already considered a compact Ute. Just bring the Opel Corsa here and I will be fine.

[NfamousZ24]

Originally Posted by nsap

I don't see why it can't build Delta II and Gamma II (Cruze, and the crossovers). The Aveo, etc. will probably continue in South Korea. Alpha will likely end up at a different plant.

My other point is about capacity. Even with 3 shifts 350,000 units a year is pushing the limit. It isn't like Oshawa that has 2 plants that can do 500,000 units a year.

I know I am always looking for some kind of glimmering hope for my plant. Heck the way I see it we are only about 3 hours away. Think about the suppliers that can supply both plants. 1 that is UAW and the other that is IUE-CWA. UAW strikes then IUE-CWA ramps up, Or IUE-CWA strikes then UAW ramps up. I know I know I am desperate.

[oachalon]

I think that the gamma vehicle is not going to compete with the vue. The vue seems to be marketed with the Rav-4, CRV, and such. I think the gamma cars are going more against mazda 3 hatch, scion xB, honda element, etc. I figure they will have the new astra which will be the sedan and then this will be the astra cuv version. You could even call both of them astras or whatever name they come up with.

[tirediron]

nsap- I really do respect your opinion, as a not-a-long-timer here, why is everything GM is coming out with geared as a Chevy? Dont get me wrong, I grew up in Flint, so my dad, Grandpa, etc all worked there, but why isnt anything besides a useless El Camino G8 Truck thing, gonna be noted as a Pontiac, or a "BPG" and all tagged as Chevy? Just curious, seriously.