Oshawa may get new GM vehicle
Rear-drive has innovative design

Possibility raised in industry journal


TONY VAN ALPHEN
BUSINESS REPORTER

General Motors Corp. has selected its Oshawa complex for the probable assembly of cars with new rear-wheel drive technology and design starting in 2006, according to industry sources.

Quoting company and supplier sources, industry journal Automotive News reported yesterday that GM likely will start producing models with the so-called Zeta set of mechanical underpinnings at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant and the Oshawa Number 1 or Number 2 car plants.

The Oshawa operations, a jewel in the GM network, currently produces the front-wheel drive Buick Century, Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Impala and Pontiac Grand Prix intermediate models.

Speculation has increased in the past year that Oshawa would build the new-generation models as part of a major overhaul of the two Oshawa car plants.

A GM of Canada official said the company, the country's largest auto maker, does not discuss future product programs.

"We won't comment on any rumours or otherwise," spokesperson Pam McLaughlin added.

Automotive News said in its report that it could take another year before the company makes a final production decision.

GM's targeting of the Oshawa complex comes as the auto giant negotiates aid from the federal and provincial governments for its so-called Beacon Project. That project could mean an investment of up to $2 billion in Oshawa. A government aid package would help subsidize plant overhaul sand spur more GM research and development in Canada.

Sources said GM wants to split Zeta platform output between the Oshawa and Detroit operations.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...=1095113408533

 

uuummmm...... rear wheel drive.......

 

Sweet, the zeta's better be awesome cars, we've went without mainstream RWD at GM for far too long...

 

mainstream rwd? what the hell is that? is it 1970 again???

haha true man, but not just from GM, it's everybody... think about it, if you want rwd without stepping up to BMW, Audi etc, you have to get a mustang, miata, RX-8, 350Z or truck.

what we need is a nissan sylvia type car; small, light, rwd. that would be nice.

I think pontiac should be the one to do it, seeing as thet're GM's "performance" devision; I think it would be a good alternative to a 2 door pursuit - keep the 4 door, and make a seperate 2 door with rwd and the 2.2 eco or 2.0 s/c... that would sell for sure! I know I'd buy one.

 

A Solstice coupe, use the space used to store the top and toss in a back seat. I dunno if that creates enough room, but a Kappa coupe (2+2) would be sweet.