GM has announced that it is cancelling the North American end of its Zeta platform project, which was to have gone into production in 2007 to replace the W body large FWD models. Zeta is a lower cost derivative of the Sigma RWD architecture Cadillac uses. According to the announcement, Holden will still be proceeding with Zeta for Australian production.
Seems to me that in light of its financial troubles, GM may now be attracted to sharing Holden's development costs for this platform with third parties. This may be a more promising way for MGR/SAIC to build a large car than stretching the R75 platform. Given that SAIC already build the W body Buick Regal under license, I wonder whether it couldn't use its contacts to make such an idea work. Any thoughts?
Seems to me that in light of its financial troubles, GM may now be attracted to sharing Holden's development costs for this platform with third parties. This may be a more promising way for MGR/SAIC to build a large car than stretching the R75 platform. Given that SAIC already build the W body Buick Regal under license, I wonder whether it couldn't use its contacts to make such an idea work. Any thoughts?