Chevrolet to get Alpha platform BMW-fighter; car to share platform with sub-CTS Cadillac

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Chevrolet to get rear-drive BMW-fighter; car to share platform with sub-CTS Cadillac

By Mike Connor

Motor Trend has learned that GM's small rear-drive Alpha program will serve Chevrolet, not Pontiac. Alpha is designed mainly to underpin a sub-CTS-size Cadillac, crucial to the brand's European offensive, but GM needs to build a volume car off the platform to make it pay off, and the car will be a Chevy sedan.

This raises the age-old problem for GM: How do you ensure Alpha is a proper Cadillac and not a modern-day Cimarron? GM feels confident it can pull this off, thanks to the differentiation among Lambda models, notably the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook, and GMC Acadia.

GM also is considering moving the 2013 Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky from Kappa to Alpha, which will include some Kappa bits, anyway. While GM found it could not stretch the Kappa platform adequately to underpin a compact, rear-drive sedan, it can shorten the Alpha platform to serve a two-seat sports car.

source:

http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_ne...form_chevrolet/

Edited December 3, 2007 by NINETY EIGHT REGENCY

[mustang84]

So what, no more Alpha Pontiacs? Dumb move, IMO...Pontiac should be getting the small rear-drive car.

[PONTIAC06]

TOTAL BULL$h!!

What GM doesn't realize is that if they put money into Pontiac, it would sell. Just because it isn't sold under the "volume" brand doesn't mean that it can't sell in volume. I wish they would pull their heads out of their asses and realize Pontiac needs this much more than Chevy does. If they just built a damn good vehicle, I'm sure that an Alpha based G6 would do just as well as a Chevy that has to also compete with the Malibu and Impala in the same showroom. For all the great products GM has released so far, they sure haven't realized that if the car is GREAT, it will sell under any brand they have.

[DetroitNut90]

Wouldn't this contradict what Mr. Lutz said about Chevy's lineup being too full for another model (El Camino) to join the ranks?

[cire]

This decision makes about as much sense as Pontiac selling a version of the Ute trucklet. Another accountant driven product allocation decision by GM. This scenario is the primary reason GM's U.S. brands lack definition, purpose, and market relevance.

I thought Lutz said that Chevrolet had too many products already? Isn't that the reason Chevrolet won't offer the Ute as a modern day El Camino? Why in the world would GM force a compact rear wheel drive vehicle into Chevy's lineup then?

By the way, a compact rear wheel drive vehicle will never be a "volume" product in the U.S. This type of architecture will provide a good basis for a niche or specialty product, but front wheel drive will always be the preferred architecture in the volume compact segment. That being said, the affordable Alpha project would be a perfect fit for Pontiac's lineup.

I was positive about Pontiac's future at one time, but now I'm starting to hear the infamous "Tick Tock" chimes of doom for the brand.

[Intrepidation]

So what retard approved this idea? Chevy already is getting1 if not 2 RWD Zetas, it doesn't need another RWD, Pontiac does. It's the "excitement" brand"...hard to get excited over a Cobalt, and Equinox, which means have of the current lineup blows. The Pontiac Cobalt doesn't even get the SS goods.

Just when GM looked like they knew what they were doing, they've gone and f ed things up.

As circe pointed out, Lutz said that GM wasn't getting the El Camino, which makes so much more sense as a Chevy, then why in the hell are they going to put another RWD car, that should be for Pontiac, in the lineup?

Edited December 3, 2007 by Dodgefan

[BigPontiac]

This thread is redundant with this one started earlier today based on the same MT article.

[turbo200]

I would be fine with chevy getting a mini-Camaro to do battle against the sport compacts like Civic SI, GTI, etc.....but the sedan and other variants off the platform need to be reserved to remake Pontiac into a product driven brand. Does no one remember that Pontiac recently account more than half a million units, like in the last 5-8 years?

[91z4me]

I don't believe this much if any at all. But I am sure PCS will 'tick tock' his way in here.

[Camino LS6]

If this tory is true and accurate, this decision is beyond stupid.

It's coming from MT, so I have my doubts.

[Diehard GrandPrix Fan]

This proves a theory and rumor that Lutz DOES in fact hates Pontiac. I knew they will be STUPID enough to come out with the lame idea like this. I used to be a huge GM fan, esp. Pontiac,(well, NEVER for Chevy), in fact both cars I have owned were NOTHING other than Pontiacs and my third car will also going to be one, which I HAVE to get this year because they are killing it yet again in place of some STUPID Aussie Import that is way more expensive. GM is just FORCING me to hate the brand since all they are doing for Pontiac(my favorite brand), is KILLING the current models one by one, and bring in some TRASHY, RE-BAGED IMPORTS and changing the name scheme from the fancy names to a boring, Number based system that is a total Bulls***, and by replacing MOST of the already too small line up of Pontiac, and the few of their remaining unique models, with some Re-badged Chevy trash that are totally un-inspiring, boring, plain, cheap and lacks any personality to fit Pontiac image.

I just had enough, it is clear that Lutz and GM is trying to kill off one of the main division(well, it used to be before Lutz stepped in to DESTROY it altogether) just like they did to Oldsmobile. They already made stupid mistakes by killing Firebird, Fiero(I know, it was dangerous but they could have just replaced the body with sturdier material), and Sunfire in place of the Cobalt trash, now they are killing Grand Prix which is one of the very few remaining UNIQUE vehicle for Pontiac(though it shares with Impala, but it looks completely different and sportier).

I have no choice but to shop elsewhere if they keep making the ridiculous mistakes like this. It's been fun shopping GM.

Bye Bye GM.

[ToniCipriani]

This proves a theory and rumor that Lutz DOES in fact hates Pontiac. I knew they will be STUPID enough to come out with the lame idea like this. I used to be a huge GM fan, esp. Pontiac,(well, NEVER for Chevy), in fact both cars I have owned were NOTHING other than Pontiacs and my third car will also going to be one, which I HAVE to get this year because they are killing it yet again in place of some STUPID Aussie Import that is way more expensive. GM is just FORCING me to hate the brand since all they are doing for Pontiac(my favorite brand), is KILLING the current models one by one, and bring in some TRASHY, RE-BAGED IMPORTS and changing the name scheme from the fancy names to a boring, Number based system that is a total Bulls***, and by replacing MOST of the already too small line up of Pontiac, and the few of their remaining unique models, with some Re-badged Chevy trash that are totally un-inspiring, boring, plain, cheap and lacks any personality to fit Pontiac image.

I just had enough, it is clear that Lutz and GM is trying to kill off one of the main division(well, it used to be before Lutz stepped in to DESTROY it altogether) just like they did to Oldsmobile. They already made stupid mistakes by killing Firebird, Fiero(I know, it was dangerous but they could have just replaced the body with sturdier material), and Sunfire in place of the Cobalt trash, now they are killing Grand Prix which is one of the very few remaining UNIQUE vehicle for Pontiac(though it shares with Impala, but it looks completely different and sportier).

I have no choice but to shop elsewhere if they keep making the ridiculous mistakes like this. It's been fun shopping GM.

Bye Bye GM.

Then can you explain why the first products Lutz brought to GM when he came on board was the G6 and the Solstice?

Firebird and Fiero were long killed before Lutz came on board. The G5 bastard son of a Cobalt was the result of dealer whining.

[Diehard GrandPrix Fan]

No matter, I still hate Lutz who happens to be die hard Chevy fan, and it shows.

Also, GM, well, before Lutz, pulled OFF my interest away from NASCAR as well, when they withdrew Pontiac, which was the ONLY reason I loved the NASCAR racing, though Pontiac didn't score that many victorys, but it was partly because they were running so few of them.

I have a LOT of complaint to GM but I will just end it here. I will get my Grand Prix, and that will be my LAST GM vehicle ever unless they bring out MORE models FOR Pontiac that ISN'T simply a re-badge of ANYTHING.

Edited December 3, 2007 by Diehard GrandPrix Fan

[Camino LS6]

No matter, I still hate Lutz who happens to be die hard Chevy fan, and it shows.

Also, GM, well, before Lutz, pulled OFF my interest away from NASCAR as well, when they withdrew Pontiac, which was the ONLY reason I loved the NASCAR racing, though Pontiac didn't score that many victorys, but it was partly because they were running so few of them.

I have a LOT of complaint to GM but I will just end it here. I will get my Grand Prix, and that will be my LAST GM vehicle ever unless they bring out MORE models FOR Pontiac that ISN'T simply a re-badge of ANYTHING.

No offense intended, but you need to do a lot more reading and a lot less posting for a while.

You simply don't have the facts right in your perceptions of who is doing what and why.

Try asking some questions.

[Diehard GrandPrix Fan]

I know, I over-reacted. Sorry, but lately, all these Chevy favoritism from GM have made me sensitive on anything about GM and made me to outburst whenever any news that sounded good for Chevy pops up, which is my most hated GM division, whether it be even ADDITIONAL model to their already HUMONGOUS line-up, or anything that deals with killing off of any models for anything other than Chevy.

Well, yeah, I need to cool down.

Sorry.

Edited December 3, 2007 by Diehard GrandPrix Fan

[ocnblu]

Ugh, Motor Trend needs to be as wrong about this as they have been about a dozen times about the so-called imminent mid-engine Corvette.

[Camino LS6]

Diehard:

Not a problem.

But like I said, you don't have the facts - so do some investigating.

That way, you won't look like a fool when you post what you believe. There are many members that I know are holding themselves back from taking you apart for the inaccurate stuff you post. Those same folks could help you to understand things better if you were to start asking questions rather than making pronouncements which you can't back-up.

Just some friendly advice.

[ToniCipriani]

Ugh, Motor Trend needs to be as wrong about this as they have been about a dozen times about the so-called imminent mid-engine Corvette.

Thank you. That gives me the comfort I need.

As a matter of fact, I'm becoming more convinced that this car is destined outside of North America. Adding yet another car to Chevy's N.A. lineup just makes no sense.

[ToniCipriani]

No matter, I still hate Lutz who happens to be die hard Chevy fan, and it shows.

Also, GM, well, before Lutz, pulled OFF my interest away from NASCAR as well, when they withdrew Pontiac, which was the ONLY reason I loved the NASCAR racing, though Pontiac didn't score that many victorys, but it was partly because they were running so few of them.

I have a LOT of complaint to GM but I will just end it here. I will get my Grand Prix, and that will be my LAST GM vehicle ever unless they bring out MORE models FOR Pontiac that ISN'T simply a re-badge of ANYTHING.

Then you should start watching the American LeMans. That's where all the Pontiac racing goes these days.

NASCAR lost its meaning long ago, anyways... they started racing "Toyotas". What did you really expect...

[Lamar]

I don't believe this much if any at all. But I am sure PCS will 'tick tock' his way in here.

Shhhhh! Don't say his name anymore or he'll appear!

[gm4life]

One word "STUPID!"

[Oracle of Delphi]

Shhhhh! Don't say his name anymore or he'll appear!

See I didn't say a word! Popcorn anyone? This show is going to be good!

Edited December 4, 2007 by Pontiac Custom-S

[Guest YellowJacket894]

For some reason, I don't invest much in this rumor, it reeks of bull$h!. It doesn't seem to be based much on fact. True, a sub-CTS Cadillac needs to be based on a volume model, but who or what says that volume model cannot be a Pontiac? Sure, Chevy moves a higher number of cars than Pontiac does, but I think the car's real home has and always be at Pontiac and can move numbers somewhere within the ballpark of the G6 if it's done right.

Let's just give this a little more time and watch it closely. I'm thinking that, like I said, this information is false.

[Camino LS6]

See this thread for Lutz's answer:

http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...mp;#entry345977

[SoCalCTS]

The article clearly states that Pontiac will probably be getting the alpha for the Solstice convertible/coupe. I swear some of you guys need to calm down.