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rumble
08-15-2005, 10:30 AM
From todays DealerEdge.com

GM plots return to rear-wheel-drive cars

Despite earlier reports of its demise, the "Zeta" program is apparently still alive at General Motors.

GM is developing a new family of large, rear-wheel-drive cars in a multibillion-dollar program key to the company's success worldwide, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press.

The lineup could include a revival of the revered Chevrolet Camaro coupe toward the end of this decade.

The first of these big new cars will go on sale in mid-2006 as the Holden VE Commodore sedan in Australia. But Buick, Chevrolet and Pontiac are all to get powerful new sedans that are larger than anything they sell today when production begins in the United States in about three years.

GM's new Zeta family of cars will use a wide variety of drive trains in markets around the world, but U.S. versions are likely to come with V8 and V6 engines and five- or six-speed automatic transmissions. Some regions will also get all-wheel-drive models.

Haggis
08-15-2005, 11:16 AM
Heard something similar from the horse's mouth himself, Jim Wagner, over a week ago about GM's plan for Pontiac and Buick. And their line of new cars coming from Holden.

He also has 'strong emotions' against Mercury and the Marauder program. :censor: Oh well, to each his own.

rumble
08-15-2005, 12:31 PM
He also has 'strong emotions' against Mercury and the Marauder program. :censor: Oh well, to each his own.

How so? What's not to like?

RCSignals
08-16-2005, 12:20 AM
They've said it all before. When I can touch one on a dealer lot, I'll believe it.

Fourth Horseman
08-16-2005, 07:24 PM
They've said it all before. When I can touch one on a dealer lot, I'll believe it.

:stupid:
They had me hoping for a return of the big, rear drive Impala SS before. I'll get excited when I see one on a lot and car bust out my checkbook. Until then... :sleepy:

bigjon
08-16-2005, 07:52 PM
i am a ford guy... it will honestly be good if they do this. fomoco may step up to the plate.

Haggis
08-17-2005, 05:51 AM
How so? What's not to like?
Mercury ask Mr. Wagner to 'consult them' on the Marauder. He told them to put in the 5.4 engine and other upgrades. As we know Mercury did not put in the 5.4l (I think I remember Steve Babcock saying some of the same things at MVII, maybe someone can ask Steve his version of the story at MVIII.) and I believe by his attitude towards Mercury and the Marauder more then just words were spoken. In his speach on American Muscle Cars during the banquet he went up through the history starting in the post-war period and end up with todays cars, mentioning the 300C, Magnum, Charger (Hemi(s)) and the new GTO which will be on a new platform for 2007 (Commodore). Nothing about Ford or Mercury for the present or future.