Regulations Derail Solstice for Europe

Upcoming European pedestrian-impact regulations are preventing General Motors Corp. from selling a version of its '06 Pontiac Solstice there, company executives tell Ward's.

The Pontiac roadster is based on GM's new Kappa small-car rear-wheel-drive platform, as are the Saturn Curve, Chevy Nomad and U.K.-designed Vauxhall VX Lightening concept cars.

A GM Europe official says: “…It's challenging due to the pedestrian-protection requirement.”

The policies take effect in 2005 and require auto makers to design extra space between the exterior surface and the underhood structure from the front bumper to the windshield. The 8-in. (20-cm) gap is expected to reduce the severity of pedestrian injuries by better dispersing the impact energy of a person striking a front end.

“Outlook for the Kappa platform (in Europe) was excellent,” says Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman-product development. “Sadly, we were not able to get it in on time under the 2005 pedestrian protection legislation in Europe, which is going to radically change the look of automobiles in Europe, post-2005. The next generation of European cars is going to look different.”