Variance

I suppose it makes sense to move your headquarters closer to your operations (the manufacturing plants). The design center's is going to remain in Cali, I believe. Audi is believed to be moving their HQ to Atlanta within three years, so maybe the South is the next big thing for automakers. I don't think this one of the reasons for the move. Nissan isn't really owned by Renualt. They hold a 44% stake in Nissan (Nissan has a 15% stake in Renault) but Nissan and Renault (aside from Ghosn, who presides over both companies) are two seperate groups. In other words, Renault doesn't have an influence over Nissan's decisions.

Well, it seems the production version has that extremely-jacked up look I don't care for and the headlights are kind of eh... I like the guages and the center stack (maybe a little too much plastic). But I like the two-tone door panels on the Yukon and Tahoe better.

I'm lost... :blink:

It might be too close to Jag's Super V8, though.

I'm getting a Pathfinder-ish vibe in that image (not that that's a bad thing) and either those wheels are too small (which I don't think they are judging by the tire thickness) or the suspension is too jacked up because that wheelgap (even for a truck) looks ridiculous. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt in the meantime and wait to see the production version.

Ah, I neglected to read the "unreliable 3.4 TDC" comment on the first page. I don't think the interior's any worse than BV's Grand Am (interpret that any way you want :P ).

Just throwing stuff out here now. Lumina Z34?:

Something I just thought about concerning Integras...aren't they high theft targets?

2004/05 GM Corporate Responsibility Report Notes Progress in Several Areas DETROIT - General Motors made significant reductions in energy use and C02 emissions last year, set the automotive industry benchmark for plant safety, and continued to make major improvements in independent rankings for vehicle quality and dependability, according to its latest corporate responsibility report. The 2004-05 report, titled "Finding the Balance," outlines the company's global achievements and challenges in the key areas of product, economic, environmental, and social responsibility. It documents the automaker's performance by region and globally, based on 2004 data. It is available online at www.gmresponsibility.com and can be downloaded from the site. "GM's commitment to responsible business practices extends around the world and across our business," said Thomas Gottschalk, executive vice president for law and public policy. "This report highlights GM's challenges and achievements in managing the diverse elements of our business so that GM can contribute not only to economic prosperity in the communities in which we operate, but also to the quality of the environment and the lives of the people we touch." Following are several highlights of the 2004-05 report: GM Cars & Trucks GM is attaining industry leadership in many benchmarks of initial vehicle quality and long-term vehicle dependability. The company's performance in key independent quality studies in 2004 improved significantly, and according to the current J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, GM dominates the plant quality awards, capturing the top three spots in North and South America out of 84 plants total. Globally, GM has near-, mid- and long-term strategies aimed at improving the fuel efficiency and environmental impact of our cars and trucks. Those strategies include improvements to internal combustion engine technology, expanding GM's hybrid vehicle portfolio, and ultimately producing vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. For the 2005 model year, GM in the United States offered more vehicle models that get 30 miles per gallon or better on the highway than any other automaker. In addition, GM began sales of the world's first hybrid pickup truck in 2004. Environmental Gains GM exceeded its goal to reduce energy use in its global facilities last year, reducing usage by 13.6 percent. GM also surpassed its goal to cut CO2 emissions in its global facilities, achieving a 12.5 percent reduction. Both goals were accomplished a year ahead of the target dates. GM surpassed its global target for reducing water use, achieving a 23.3 percent reduction in 2004, a year ahead of schedule. Social Progress GM set an automotive industry benchmark for plant safety in 2004 by reducing injuries in its global facilities by 14.6 percent, to a total of less than three recordable injuries per 100 employees. In 2004, GM strengthened requirements among its global suppliers for ethical procurement practices within the terms and conditions of all GM purchase agreements. Economic Performance GM's 2004 record revenue of $193.5 billion led the global auto industry. The company's global retail vehicle sales totaled more than 8.9 million in 2004. GM's most significant impact on communities is through capital investment, such as plant placement and investment, employment levels, and through philanthropic contributions and employee volunteerism. In 2004, GM and the GM Foundation contributed more than $68 million to charitable organizations. This included approximately $4 million, plus products and services, to support disaster relief efforts. GM produced the corporate responsibility report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines, and has issued similar reports since 2000. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 325,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com. Link: http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet...n=2&docid=20276

If it isn't for real, the guy sure went all out. Every bit of that car says M3 except for the engine which they don't show you.

Out of sheer boredom/curiousity, I was just reading the ingredients of my Irish Spring Waterfall soap and it has "Ultra-Marines" listed as one of them. Don't know what those are...:blink: But anyway, this is some good-smelling soap. B)

The 3-Series and 9-3 look pretty good if you want to go with something upscale. I'm not sure about the maintainence costs. The Dodge Avenger looks pretty cool to me (I know zero about them, though). As an aside, I wouldn't wish a Neon on my worst enemy. You could check out some 240SXs and Celicas, too.

| | | | Hero worship. | | | | v

Ooh, what about a Grand Prix GT/GTP? Those are cool.

Well, how about a Firebird?

http://storm.tocmp.com/oldsmobileaurora.htm

Plus, they look cool. B)

Yeah, well there's another thing... As much as I want the thing, I'm still pretty picky. For instance, I don't want to settle for the "measly" 350hp 5.7L V8. I want the 400hp 6.0L V8. (I'm a bit power-hungry. :P ) This in turn, makes it pricier for me car cost and insurance-wise. One day...

Sorry. Just venting about my lack of GTO-ownership. :P They're so damn cheap used. Some are friggin' $20K on eBay. The price of a Cobalt! Damn it! Well, only $20,000 dollars to go...

Posted Nov 5, 2005, 7:43 PM ET by KenN Jason, You'd rather your tax dollars be spent on a Vic or Chevy Caprice? Can you imagine a cop underway having his American POS break down? If my life depended upon a reliable vehicle, I'd choose a Toyota any day!!! F the Crown Vics... No wonder all of the nation's police departments drive Avalon's instead of Crown Vics... Heeeey....wait a minute.... :huh:

I actually think it looks kind of cool.

New Mercedes MLs have been apparently selling like hotcakes around here.

The article: Honda slashes Ridgeline production plan, blames soft sales on lack of incentives JAMES B. TREECE | Automotive News Posted Date: 10/31/05 TOKYO -- With Ridgeline sales starting out slower than expected, Honda Motor Co. is cutting production of the new pickup. Honda is taking 3,000 units out of its January-March production plan. The full-year target was 50,000. Honda CFO Satoshi Aoki revealed the plans to cut production during a press conference announcing Honda's earnings for the quarter ended Sept. 30. The Ridgeline, Honda's first foray into the pickup segment, is built exclusively in Alliston, Ontario. The vehicle went on sale in March. Sales through September in the United States totaled 25,787. Honda built 17,402 Ridgelines in the third quarter. In an interview with Automotive News at the Tokyo Motor Show this month, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui blamed the soft sales on high U.S. incentives on light trucks. He said Honda would not join the incentive wars to jump-start Ridgeline sales. "We won't introduce any incentives," Fukui said. "We'll adjust our production." Honda executives said they hope to lower overall incentive spending in the United States. But they conceded that Honda's spending has grown more rapidly than expected. Hideki Okada, general manager of Honda's accounting division, said at the press conference that the carmaker hopes to trim U.S. incentive spending by about one-third in the October 2005-March 2006 fiscal second half compared with the previous six months. But Honda also raised its forecast for incentive spending for the full fiscal year ending March 31. It now expects to spend between $990 million and $1 billion on incentives this fiscal year. Last spring, Honda had projected incentive spending of $690 million. It then raised that forecast to $890 million in July. Aoki said the company's worldwide operating profit in the quarter fell on higher incentive spending in the United States. Honda's operating profits in the quarter declined 5.9 percent to 162.69 billion yen or about $1.44 billion at current exchange rates.

Damn, sorry to hear about your problems Sixty. The best advice I can give is if you can't work it out with Marcia you at least tell her is it not fair to punish your daughter just because you guys can't get along anymore. I'd make every effort to still be more than an occasion in my child's life. Still, I'd still try to work it out with Marcia so it wouldn't have to come to something like that. People often say things they don't mean when they are angry or upset. If you still care for her, counseling or even just having a long and open sit-down may make a difference. Maybe the two of you could take a small trip or vacation to some relaxing place. Just get away for awhile. Hope everything works out for you.