GM embraces Holden know-how... again

Zeta was expected to underpin the next-generation Pontiac GTO and Grand Prix, the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo and Camaro, among other cars -- until GM product czar Bob Lutz wrote on GM's FastLane blog in March that the company would instead focus on developing SUVs.

However, in a major about-face by the world's biggest car-maker, GM vice-president of global engineering Jim Queen recently told respected US industry journal Automotive News that a revised version of the Holden-designed architecture will underpin a host of next-generation GM cars.

While Queen's recent announcement has put Zeta firmly back in the picture, he wouldn't discuss which models would use the platform, or when they would surface. AN speculated that the Zeta-based cars could start rolling out around 2009.

Queen told AN initial plans for Zeta stretched the architecture beyond its limits for some North American vehicles. "We needed to reassess and reconfigure the program,” he said.

According to AN, a GM spokesman said no product plans have been approved and that GM still is studying design themes, performance characteristics and variants for Zeta vehicles.

Locally, we'll be able to sample a Zeta-based product first-hand in the latter half of 2006, when the VE Commodore is scheduled to debut. The VE line-up won't include (at least initially) a wagon variant, and it's already been well documented that the Monaro will be laid to rest at the end of this year.

The VE Commodore will be built in both right- and left-hand-drive configurations as Holden will continue to pursue its export commitments to China, the Middle East and other offshore markets.