Oshawa Zeta Plans On Again

by Edward Niedermeyer

July 14th, 2009 5:08 PM

Automotive Traveler cites confidential sources inside GM as saying that GM’s Caprice (neé Pontiac G8) will be built in Oshawa, Canada. According to AT’s sources, the Impala’s age is hurting it in police fleet sales. The Caprice would presumably fix that and potentially squeeze a few more sales out of the Zeta platform. But it also flies in the face of recent revelations that Fritz Henderson is “ not a fan of rebadging” (in regard to the G8, no less), and that the Impala is moving to the Epsilon II platform. Are we seeing the beginnings of a Lutz-Henderson rift?

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SupaMan on Jul 15, 2009

Well, Ford has already decided the Panther is going away next year I believe. So cars like the Charger and Caprice(new Impala?) will be the ones to take over the law enforcement role. And really....Caprice? Sure the Impala sells in stellar numbers but isn't it the last car being made on the old W platform? Time for a new Impala...a RWD one.

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Paris-dakar on Jul 15, 2009
As a corollary, if you go to Japan, every taxi is a Toyota Crown and there’s bazillions of them. It’s the same exact design that’s been around for more than 25 years (now with airbags). It’s no looker, but it works (spacious design), and is dependable and affordable. The old Nissan B13 Sentra/Tsuru occupies the same niche in Latin America.

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Npbheights on Jul 15, 2009

I remember reading somewhere that GM decided not to build a large Cadillac to replace the STS/DTS on the Zeta platform because it was too expensive. So, it's too expensive for a large Cadillac, but not too expensive for a large Chevrolet. Does this make any kind of sense?

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Nick on Jul 15, 2009

SupaMan, I'd have to look around online but I believe that decision was rescinded.

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