Camaro Update: Holden May Be Taking the Lead

[Variance]

Future Camaro Update: Australia's GM Holden May Be Taking the Lead Toward Production

Date posted: 04-20-2006

CANBERRA, Australia — A task force based at GM Holden — set up shortly after the debut of the Chevrolet Camaro concept at the North American International Auto Show in January — is reportedly working on the production version of the car, according to the Telegraph newspaper here.

"The only thing I can say on the record is that our new rear-wheel-drive (Zeta) architecture is the main candidate for the future American rear-wheel-drive products, including the Camaro concept," said GM Holden Chairman Denny Mooney in the report. "We have a significant number of engineering and design resources…working on the project."

The newspaper said Mooney was careful to avoid any confirmation of a Camaro car project and also declined to discuss whether the Camaro project would affect the future of a new Holden Monaro.

What this means to you: Chevy's upcoming muscle car may have roots Down Under.

Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=110100

[AAS]

JamesB beat you by about a week, but I think he hid it where not too many people would see.

Same thread in Holden Forum

[Camino LS6]

Yup.

[rkmdogs]

Well, the plot thickens!

Here is the latest poop from Edmunds Inside Line.

IL Insider: Camaro Concept Guru Goes Down Under on Secret Assignment

Date posted: 04-28-2006

PORT MELBOURNE, Australia — The plot thickens.

Inside Line has learned Chevrolet Camaro concept Lead Exterior Designer Sangyup Lee is on a special one-year assignment with General Motors' Australian subsidiary, Holden.

Why is this move significant in a business that moves people around the world like pawns on a chessboard?

First, if it reaches production, the Camaro will be built off of a derivative of the Zeta platform — a new rear-wheel-drive chassis. GM's Holden division is currently spearheading the development of that platform. Rear-wheel-drive vehicles continue to be popular in Australia, and represent a significant share of Holden's product portfolio, so its lead role on Zeta development is logical.

Second, the recent report from Canberra, Australia confirms that further development work is being done Down Under on future American rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

Third, Sangyup Lee's involvement in the Camaro concept was significant. We interviewed Sangyup in the days following the Detroit Auto Show, and found he had a clear understanding of the direction on the production car, if approved.

It doesn't take much imagination to look at the above facts and infer that Sangyup is in Australia working with Holden on the production Camaro set to debut in 2008 as a 2009 model.

What this means to you: General Motors remains coy about announcing production plans for the Camaro. But if Vegas had odds on whether the Camaro will be built, we'd solidly bet on production.

[cavalier36]

if approved for production the Camaro would be built in the USA or Canada..

possible assembly sites include.. Wilmington Del., Spring Hill TN, Oklahoma City OKLA. or Oshawa Ont. Canada.. a replacement for the GTO would also share the same assembly line as the Camaro.. look for a concept GTO at the 2007 NAIAS..