1. Transforming Vehicle Development
Lori Queen
Vehicle Line Executive - Small Cars
General Motors Corporation

2. Traditional VDP: Physical Hardware based Sequential activities
Outside – In design approach
No single point decision maker

3. Traditional “All New” Vehicle Timing
Program Kick-Off
Surface
Release
Start of
Production
1980’s

4. Production Tool Development
Traditional “All New” Vehicle Timing
Program Kick-Off
Surface
Release
Start of
Production
1980’s
1990’s
Sourcing
Styling
Engineering Design
Design Validation
Production Tool Development
Installation
Process Validation

5. Production Tool Development
Traditional “All New” Vehicle Timing
Program Kick-Off
Surface
Release
Start of
Production
1980’s
1990’s
2006 Solstice Timing
Sourcing
Styling
Engineering Design
Design Validation
Production Tool Development
Installation
Process Validation

6. Key Enablers: Predictive Math Capability Willingness to Take Risks
Supplier Relationships
Re-thinking the Timing Critical Path

7. 2006 Pontiac Solstice

8. Solstice Uniqueness: Low Volume and Low Investment New Technology
Sheet metal hydroformed panels - to enable low investment
Clear “Winning" Theme before Program Initiation
Allowed us to skip the theme exploration and clinic phases
The BOM was heavily based on reuse of existing solutions
We scoured the world for the best available solutions to integrate vs. starting from scratch

9. 2007 Saturn Sky