GM Holden & Camaro

[ozpont]

.. on display for the first time publically in Australia .. the 2009 Camaro.. which will also be build Right Hand Drive .. both Australian and UK /Japanese market.

The cars are being designed and downunder.. along with the G8 which is already on the road.. so to speak.. which will be alot better accepted (IMO then the badly marketed GTO).. as this is also a suttle muscle car..

Read on ..


http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,21312657-21822,00.html

[Larry]

This might be a dumb question, but has it ever really been stated just exactly where the new Camaro will be built? US? Australia? Both?
Another question. Has GM ever made any real firm explaination of why the big Holden connection? I understand it is GM owned, but is the downunder work a slam to Detroit unions, an attempt to keep development far from prying eyes, or what? It sounds like Holden is fast becoming GM's test bed, and that's just fine. But I'd sure love to hear the entire story as to why.
Still no mention of a Firebird/Trans Am, huh?

[ozpont]

.. there is a LOT of jap stuff down under.. alot of Front wheel Drive .. alot being developed world wide.. I was in Taiwain some months back at a Ford Plant.. one of about three.. and they were building very nice FWD small and midsize cars.. Wages were a consideration and all the workers there are paid well.. well above awards etc.. but NOT as much as the US UAW awards.. BUT.. Down in say NC.. I also went thru the BMW facility.. and awards change their too.. which brings me to the FACT.. the the Aussie line workers.. are paid about as much as the BMW guys/ladies....
GM, Ford, & Chrysler have alot of committments world wide.. and if EVER they are to beat the scurge of near zero labor costs of some of the developing third world countries.. .. we all suffer wage stabilization .. or REDUCTION in work forces.. that time in happening NOW.
The Australian car market traditionally likes/buys Rear Wheel Drive .. most real guys don't drive poofy front wheel drives... & so have developed many cars that are exported to the UK, Asia & Middle East over the last 50 years that are Rear Wheel Drive...something the US market moved away from in small to mid size cars. The Aussie built ones they were always there.. but they just HAVE NOT shown up on the US dealer floors much... an exception over the last 15 years was the Ford Capri Convertible.. which was incedentially built about 1mile from the 2000 Olympic Games Site.. and the Mituzubishi Wagons.. . .. but 70% of Australian built cars are Rear Wheel Drive.. . so if you like Drifting... in a rental... come on down....
BUT.. the engineers, planners etc.. many that are working on the Zeta program are from Europe & the USA.. one notable character we all know and love that spent time here was John Sawruk...(hope he is still well..?!!) ... helping with the rear ends of 3rd gens and some other stuff.
... and another very important fact was that Jim Wangers actually MAY have put the seed into the USA media/GM by returning home from a visit to Australia in 2000 so impressed with the sedan version of the GTO he actually purchased one and imported it into the USA for all to see and.. wake up to..
It now resides at special shows & the LA Peterson Museam apparently.

[ozpont]

... over the last year or so.. GM Holden's production facility has continued with moderization and upgrading.. and lost about 1500 production jobs.
... well.... hot on the heals of yesterdays posting comes news.. ALL TOO FAMILIAR to US Auto Workers... that Holden is to reduce (sack) another 600 jobs in two week time from the plant.. dispite increased sales.. and lays the reason purely on automation improvements ..... which you gotta have it to stay in the market...!

[ozpont]

G8 video link...

http://www.gminsidenews.com/index.php?page=videos

[Larry]

I think they have finally figured it out! Did PMD (or in this case Holden) finally hire a former BMW designer?
The G8 has the clean, sexy looks unlike the pregnant jellybeans or claymation lumps and bumps Pontiacs that we have seen for way too long. Can't wait to see- and hear one- on the street.

[ozpont]

.. jump on a plane... just 14 hrs from LAX.. and walk 100 yards to the Hertz depot...
Dave