How much say does Holden have in the design of Opel/Vauxhall/US Cars?

[JazzaT]

I'm thinking not much, because many of the concepts, 'spy shots' and com-gen images (not that these are particularly trustworthy, but they seem to be pretty spot-on most of the time) seem to be going in the design direction of the european cars. even the commodore seems to have gone european. now i'm beginning to worry about the VE... is it going to look like some Audi/Opel Hybrid? :spew:

[Holden]

JazzaT - You're right on 'not much'. Each division has an idea what other divisions are doing, but there's no single point of decision on each division's cars.

[JazzaT]

Alright thanks for that. Do you ever hold "design conferences" to discuss each other's future designs, so that you can adjust yours accordingly?

[Holden]

Pretty much same answer! GM designers share ideas but there are different market expectations for each vehicle. There's no 'adjustment' process as you describe it.

[JazzaT]

well thats a shame. because for a company like holden, which only makes one platform, and imports it's other vehicles, it's kinda hard not to take the other company's design direction...

also, any inside word on the supposed move from monaro/gto manufacture to the states? if it were to move, would the torana replace it on the production line? :D (i hope so)

[Holden]

No such thing as "inside word" when you have 7000 members and several times as many lurkers ... thanks for showing an interest though.