riviera74

Too bad the Flex was never really updated for 2020 (especially their infotainment). Otherwise, it would still be selling as opposed to cancelled.

I suspect that the ICE engines will see few if any updates in the near future. On the other hand, everything else will need to be updated in order to stay competitive against the imports and Ford/FCA.

SAD but unsurprising. Neither Europe or Japan ever bothered to fall in love with fullsize pickup trucks. GM is also hurting from COVID-19. Their cash flow especially. https://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2020/04/gm-halts-dividend-suspends-stock-buyback-extends-loan-agreement-in-bid-to-shore-up-balance-sheet/

There are people who want to move into big cities because of the ambience and the amenities, but most big cities (NYC, San Fran, Seattle) have far too little housing to meet the existing demand. Hence gentrification in the last 15 years and rising rents. Eventually, some buildings will be rezoned residential and relieve the pressure of rising demand for in-city housing. If it requires a commercial real estate crash, so be it. They are not making anymore land anyways. The best thing big cities can do is rezone for more density once the Covid-19 pandemic fully subsides and people are looking for work and housing again.

People want to pay high prices for those Ford F-series trucks, hard plastic interiors or not. If they did not want that, they can buy a GMC Sierra or a Canyon instead. As for Hyundai/KIA, while several of their models are popular, the higher end ones (such as the Stinger) are not. Hard plastics are part of the problem. So is their cheap rental car image.

Maybe the real issue is why is Hyundai/KIA selling FWD cars the same size as the KIA Stinger. Also, nobody expects a KIA to sell for $35K or more. The K900 has the same sales problem, only worse. Maybe Hyundai/KIA would be better off ditching the FWD cars entirely and focus on the FWD CUVs, while allowing the G70 and Stinger to live. Then again, who wants to buy from hyper hustling dealers and a cheap image (especially the front fascia!)? The Stinger (and K900) need better looks in order to sell better. Some people still think it is 1998 rather than 2020.

A lot of those buildings will be reused by others. The commercial real estate crash may spur new (rental) investments in a few years. Remember, gentrification of Offices (not residential) starts with cheap buildings AND low rents. Of course, it could take five years for that to actually happen. In some cases, there simply is no substitute for a group of people working onsite. As for Toyota and other OEMs, the average buyer age is a symptom of a much larger problem. As always, the real issue is that too many cars at MSRP are priced too damn high. Average transaction prices on new cars are already close to $40K, leased or financed. What young people want is a NEW CAR priced at $10K, not $40K. There are simply too many used cars in good enough shape at $20K or less that attracts young buyers, given that OEMs expect people to pay top dollar for the latest and greatest. Also, do not underestimate weak demand thanks to semi-flat salaries because of rising health care costs that eat away at anything not health care related, including buying a new car. For EVs to actually sell, they must be priced to dissuade people from buying a USED CAR, not a new car. That is why low prices for BEVs are required.

I will guess: 1955?

That would be completely consistent with the Mustang v Camaro rivalry that dates back to 1967. I do wish GM had the guts to actually do just that.

I must concur. The new Escalade front reminds me of the current XT4 and the current XT6. The interior is what will sell the SUV for most people.

That sounds fair. Hybrid or regular should be an option.

That looks better than some interiors I have seen of late given the price of a typical Mazda 6.

That should be the next CH-R, or better yet replace the CH-R with that Yaris Cross.

Maybe the top of the line Camry should be the hybrid 4cyl; do the same for the RAV4 and any other vehicle that lacks a v6.

That's a lot of mid-fifties Cadillacs there. All Fleetwoods or other models too?

Then Toyota should put a turbo on their 4cyl engine, like GM already has done.

true but it needs some torque.

But will Ford and GM actually spend the cash necessary to implement those plans? IDK

High profit margins over everything. Opulence above all. Sounds great. So what is the plan for turning Lincoln and especially Cadillac into Bentley or Rolls Royce?

That narrative comes from automotive journalists who were ultimately frustrated race car drivers. THAT is why they fell in love with the BMW 2002 and then the 3 series: so many of them would have done anything to be an F1 driver for a living. Instead, they look at Lincoln and Cadillac and are bored to tears. That is where the "Cadillac is chasing the Germans" meme started. It has since been reflected in the sales charts the last 20 years or so. Sometimes life follows the imposed narrative.

I concur. That 35 year old Bimmer lacks the presence of a mid-60s Riviera, arguably the best-looking one Buick has ever made.

Do any of those models sell in significant numbers? I know that their CUV/SUV versions do. Of course those models are long gone. To justify high pricing now (as opposed to 40 years ago), BMW had to raise their game to be luxury performance. That includes interiors that no one in a time machine from 1985 would recognize, especially one from a 3 or 5 series from that time.

Sorry dude, but coupes of all car stripes are dead. Coupe-style SUVs are in and those are terrible. We need to leave the personal luxury four seater coupe where it belongs: in the 1970s.

Most luxury vehicles prior to the 80s sold here were soft luxury cruisers. BMW especially introduced the concept of luxury and performance in the same vehicle. Would a Cadillac Seville from 1980 have the same performance characteristics of the same year BMW 3 series? I think not.

I wish airlines would replace their planes with the Dreamliner. Nothing against other planes I have flown the last few years, but they are often so small and cramped, especially in coach. The Boeing 757 and the Airbus A321 are so cramped unless you are in the exit rows, and they charge extra for those seats these days. Even Now.