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riviera74

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Everything posted by riviera74

  1. riviera74
    Because China uses mercantilism as a means to essentially take over the world economically. Tariffs are just one tool in their mercantile arsenal. The liberal trade order has been under attack by China since at least 1990 and few have actually done much to stop them. As much as I am a free trader (simply because consumers gain the most out of free trade), somebody is going to have to make China yield to the trade order already established. I hate trade wars because of the consequences, but it may well be the only way to make China yield. One problem: China can outlast any trade wars initiated by the United States since their leader basically answers to absolutely nobody. Can the US sustain this trade fight for the next 6-8 years? I highly doubt it.
  2. riviera74
    Assume this merger is allowed and goes through. Then eventually, Nissan will want to fully merge with Renault FCA. Two questions: will the French government divest itself of Renault? And who will cut the number of cars and car makes in order to rationalize the new firm?
  3. riviera74
    Smart move to consolidate production in Fremont. As for the truck thing, Tesla should aim for the midsize market first. More opportunities there and weaker competition.
  4. riviera74
    I wonder what GM's plan is to address the young buyer issue. Too many NEW GM vehicles have average buying ages that are north of 50 rather than south of 40. This is a real problem.
  5. riviera74
    I agree. A few years back when the Phaeton was being sold, the prices on a Phaeton I saw was $68K. An Audi A8 could get away with such pricing, but not a VW Phaeton. The Phaeton should have started at $38K instead.
  6. riviera74
    You are right about conditions in Central America. Tariffs will solve nothing because they are taxes on US importers, who will pass those taxes onto consumers. Changing behavior requires something else that will directly affect Mexico, not torpedo the auto industry.
  7. riviera74
    The United States is more likely to lose its near-monopoly position on the world stage at this point. China will benefit the most. The USA (especially since we can get our own oil from the Permian Basin) can simply ditch the Middle East and leave them to Russia. Of course, China has spent a lot of $$$$ on upgrading their military hardware too, not just technology and infrastructure. Too bad our president seems to think that bad 1980s solutions will solve the problems of the 21st Century, even against our allies and trading partners.
  8. riviera74
    I do not think the president cares if he hurts the auto industry or not. More of these actions may lead our economy to a recession that is unwarranted. Trade wars rarely go well for anyone.
  9. riviera74
    Cadillac should have gone to San Francisco instead. Different ideas are required, hence they need a different mindset. It's harder in the Midwest or back east.
  10. riviera74
    Too bad that Jaguar did not sell as many XJs as originally wanted. The only Jaguars I see these days are all crossovers. I do not think I have seen an XJ in several months.
  11. riviera74
    We know that, but GM disagreed for some reason.
  12. riviera74
    Same here. I must admit I miss the G-bodies that preceded the W-bodies 22 years ago, mostly because of RWD. (Years ago, before the Intrigue I had an '84 Cutlass Supreme.) But I would say that the Intrigue was probably the best W-body built by GM. As for the FWD G-bodies that replaced the RWD B-bodies, my '08 Lucerne is pretty good but I think I might want to trade it in one day for something more modern (although not the XTS, maybe the 2nd-gen LaCrosse). Otherwise, I may have to consider shifting to a CUV. Which one is the better choice: the GMC Terrain (SLT/Denali) or the Buick Envision (Premium I/II)? Or should I save up for an XT5?
  13. riviera74
    Those W-body dashboards reminds me a LOT of the dashboard in a '98 Intrigue I owned some years back. Logo aside, there are very few differences between a '98 Intrigue and a '96 Cutlass Supreme inside.
  14. riviera74
    Maybe they will, given the high demand for CUVs with crashing demand for sedans.
  15. riviera74
    ^^^^ Amen to all that. It is too bad that there are those who fear and resist technological change as much as they do (for their own reasons).
  16. riviera74
    China has been practicing mercantilism since about 1978. Trade wars are a tool in that arsenal.
  17. riviera74
    I know that FWD is cheaper, but that does not make it better. Then again, the BEVs should make that obsolete via AWD.
  18. riviera74
    Can anyone explain to me why GM does not have a semi-affordable RWD sedan like the Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger twins? Cadillac has the CT6 and more recently, the CT5 and CT4. Why won't GM build (essentially) a Camaro sedan (again)?
  19. riviera74
    Elon Musk would be wise to give all executive control of Tesla to a real car guy. Elon can then focus on other things instead.
  20. riviera74
    Somebody is going to have to cut production somewhere. If FCA joins Renault, the French government will foolishly protect French workers instead of shutter the more inefficient ones. Then again, it may require a depression to radically simplify the automotive industry.
  21. riviera74
    No Yugo cars since 1991. As for Tesla, too expensive for somebody that does not CARE about cars.
  22. riviera74
    Dave, one can say the same for a lot of KIAs and the Nissan Rogue.
  23. riviera74
    Because we as Americans mispronounce a lot things that have a foreign origin.
  24. riviera74
    FIAT leaves here and goes to Brazil? GOOD RIDDANCE.
  25. riviera74
    My neighbor, who does not seem to care much about cars, drives a late-model KIA Soul. My issue with KIA: depreciates too much (at trade-in time) AND very cheap hard interiors. I have no idea why I keep seeing SO MANY KIAs (sedans AND CUVs) run around town. Do they intend to keep their KIA for a decade or more?
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