The questions is: What is the quickest possible timeframe for a Camaro to hit the showrooms.

Assume the following:

- Concept is a hit across the entire planet
- GM execs all agree that it must be made at any cost
- Ample design and QA engineers exist and are willing to work overtime.
- The stars and planets are perfectly aligned
- Full Union cooperation
- No funding problems or limits. A blank check is available to the project.

How quickly could we see a production vehicle. Secretly, I hope for a late 2007 calendar year appearance.

Is this beyond reasonable for:
(a) Any automanufacturer
(b) GM only

Thanks for any input,

greg

 

a) only!

 

you cant assume any of those things... heck throw in there, that GM has a magic Genie too

 

That's my point. Think Mr. Rogers and the land of make believe. What is the theoretical best case scenario for getting a car to the show room floors?

 

Maybe Scott can answer that for you at NAIAS

 

Greg.... did you see that CAD drawing of the chassis?

CAD drawings aren't part of concept cars, Greg.

Greg, that CAD drawing means someone has already done the engineering work. No one is going to do that much work just for a concept, Greg. The only thing really left after that CAD engineering is to get bids, have development done, and durability testing.

Greg, do you understand what I'm saying?

.... Are you getting this none to stubble "hint" I'm giving you Greg?

Greg?.........

 

uhhhh....so what are you trying to say?

Seriously though, thank you for the chime-in. This is what I not only wanted to hear, but needed to hear. It makes a difference on how I need to start planning my finances.

 

The questions is: What is the quickest possible timeframe for a Camaro to hit the showrooms.

Assume the following:

- Concept is a hit across the entire planet

What kind of concept is it? A mockup, or is it riding on the real production chassis? Real Production Chassis - think Mustang Concept. If it isn't on the real chassis, how much work has been done on the production chassis?

- GM execs all agree that it must be made at any cost

They won't all agree that it must be made at any cost. They will only agree if it makes money.

- Ample design and QA engineers exist and are willing to work overtime.

Ample Design and QA engineers never exist. Those that do exist are not willing to work overtime, but do anyway because it beats being unemployed.

- The stars and planets are perfectly aligned

Only happens at the birth of christ

- Full Union cooperation

This occurs only when you offer to increase salaries and benefits, and then cooperation is only partial. After all, you could potentially offer MORE than you are already offering if they weren't so agreeable.

- No funding problems or limits. A blank check is available to the project.

There will be funding problems and limits. Checks might bounce.

How quickly could we see a production vehicle. Secretly, I hope for a late 2007 calendar year appearance.

Is this beyond reasonable for:
(a) Any automanufacturer
(b) GM only

It all depends on the state of the production car. The concept is irrelevant. From "kickoff" meaning "the design is basically finished" it will take a good 2 years for a good automaker. Toyota maybe less. Most maybe more. If GM can't get it out by 09MY they are in deep doodie.

 

This brings up another question that I am hoping you can enlighten me on. What all is involved in getting a car to production? You mentioned bids and durability testing as examples.

And, if the chassis is based on something already in production, which I think was answered in the thread I posted about the chassis design, shouldn't most of the bidding be taken care of? If this seems like a neophyte question, well, it is. My knowledge of what happens between the drawing board and the manufacturing plant is nil.

And how long does testing usually take? What kinds of testing...weather testing, road tests, crash tests? Again, if this is based on a current platform, it seems like most of this can skipped - unless the standard is to test each final product from scratch. For example, say Chevy releases the Cobalt and does all the testing. Does Pontiac have to start from scratch when they release their version of the Cobalt(Pursuit)?

Thanks again,

greg

 

You'd be suprised how much testing is involved and how little is carried over from one car to the next. Even slight changes can result in dramatically different test results, so usually lots of the testing is repeated.

...Hot Weather Testing, Cold Weather Testing, Temperature Cycling, Corrosion Resistance, UV resistance, Cycle testing (open / close / repeat), Chemical Resistance testing. This is the type of testing something like a door handle would go through. We haven't even gotten to crash testing..or drive testing...

Once you really understand the amount of engineering that goes into designing and manufacturing a car.. it is MIND BLOWING that they are as affordable as they are!

 

what he is saying... the car is ready... the car needs a factory, and suppliers... and its good to go...

the chassis for the most part is already in production, the drivetrain and accessories are already in production... just need a factory and it needs to be tooled up to build the car...

 

i think a lot more engeneering goes into American cars, at least GM cars seem to be a lot more ergonomic... GM cars are just more comfortable on long trips than any other car i've taken on a long trip

 

I'm no guru, but if anyone is under the impression that this car is finished and in the can, just waiting at some secret skunkworks base, for the proper political moment to be released.....well you'd be mistaken.

There is a ton of work to do still. GM isn't dillydallying on this. They're moving ahead. But it's going to get done when it's going to get done. And it's not right around the corner.

 

In GM land, when "fast" projects take 3 years to do, I belive this is right around the corner!
I look at it this way. Took Solstice 3 years from just a basic concept chassis of parts thrown together, to tested and sold.
Camaro has a chassis, and has a much better business plan then the Solstice, as well as many more possiblities off this chassis. I think that sub 3 years is a good guess.

 

............................................being developed.