haypops

I'm not sure how much in-fighting is going on. Saturn only has 31 employees. Most of these are probably below the intra-brand fighting level we all refer to.

Won't they still be able to offer leases through banks etc. Won't be cheap though.

It was pretty smart of Cerribus to get Daimler to absorb the lease looses. That is going to be even more important going forward.

Sales volume is of course another way to compare brands. Of course it's not as simple as it looks (more sales; more cost). Even with its much larger sales outlet, Pontiac only managed to outsell Saturn by 9000 cars for June of 2008. That is just one month of typical sales for the ION before its termination was announced. Even more telling is that Saturn out right outsold 4 brands for the first 6 months of 2008; Buick, Cadillac, Hummer, and Saab.

For the month of June (an admittedly tough month for all) Saturn sales were down 12.8%. No other GM division had that small a sales decline. For comparison Pontiac and GMC suffered 15.7 and 24.1% declines respectively. The heart of Saturn's lineup was taken away (ION) and they still outperform the other divisions on a % basis. I don't know which divisions should go, but all this bitching and moaning about Saturn seems to be without basis.

Wouldn't it be fairer to compare the fit to the Cobalt hatch rather than sedan. Passenger vol 97 cu ft. and 67 cu ft. of lugage volume.

IIRC the article says the Equinox will get a fuel efficient 2.3 L. engine. Any ne have any details. Is it realted to 2.2 and 2.4 Ecotecs, etc.

Amen to that. I read that Saturn dealers are really missing the ION. Similar idea.

A. The conversation at one point was beginning to discuss some of the independent (of major manufacturers) engineering firms of Great Briton. That was informative. B. 90% of the time no one around here has anything nice to say about accountants. The exception is when some one wants to berate Saturn. How about some consistency!

I thought the component and engineering end of the business was doing better. Also the compaines you listed still employ people.

Good one. Then again I am seeing ads for Dodge rams at well over 50% off here for musical reply

I wonder if the author of the article considered that Bankruptcy is more likely for other Domestic and foreign makes rather than GM. Sure Toyota and Honda are in good shape, but other imports not so much. Likewise Ford and Chrysler seem more poorly positioned than is GM. That said there is one more very negative consideration. Everyone always says build better cars and it will be all right. Throw in a little better marketing, and sales will be golden. The lack of market liquidity or the ability to borrow operating funds may supersede these issues and lead to disaster for most operations.

I wonder if closing the UK plant really makes sense. Russia is about to more than double the cost of natural gas. European industrial costs will be skyrocketing. Western Europe have some alternatives (Norway) but Opel plants in Eastern Europe (if any) will be under tremendous strain.

90% of Kentucky Camry parts are sourced from a ONE DAy drive from the factory. Another 5% of the parts come from California. Toyota is Delphi's second largest coustomer (GM being the largest). By the way since 1992 I have bought exclusively GM vehicles(3 chevy, 2 Saturn, 1 Pontiac, and 1 GMC). The vehicles immediately prior to the string of GM vehicles were Chrysler (one Dodge, one Jeep).

What kind of a lame ass, import humping, liberal tree hugger of a customer would buy a strangely named chevy wagon on the delta platform.

I suggested the same thing a couple of days ago on another thread. It is a good idea. I would prefer they call it nomad and give it a few nostalgia hints but am not married to that idea.

That is a very important topic. Most politicians argue about how to punish the 12 million Mexicans who are here, or worry about Ben Laden walking across the southern border (much easier and more common from the North). The most pressing danger our the drug gangs of Mexico, there gross border trade and violence and ANARCHY. Thanks for bringing it up and bumming me out :-)

I'm not familiar with that, but I did read that Mexico relies heavily on oil revenues and their oil field does appear tobe drying up with production dropping precipitously.

The Auto Club gives away free gas here if you run out. NPR radio interviewed a tow truck driver who said he sees repeat offenders who purposely do it for the free gas.

Great topic HarveyE! I was going to post a 61, but you beet me to it!

I think small cars are the next thing to come from GM (DUH) Just another article saying kill brands and make small cars Other than that, what should be next from GM? A cross-over bigger than the VUE but smaller than the Outlook triplets(soon to be quartet), a Malibu wagon called the nomad with some retro style, or a true half ton pickup like those in the 80"s and earlier (todays half ton pickups can tow 10,000 pounds and must be too sturdy to be economical)?

Real Pontiac hoods have indian heads not arrows on the hood. Couldn't resist posting this one again

I thought the author's comparison of standing at the gas station watching numbers go up as you pump vs picking up a yogurt at the market was amusing and telling. People only give lip service to "everything in moderation". It's feast or famine going from a crew cb pickup to and Aveo instead of a Malibu in the first case and a ... Malibu in the second place.

I. I believe that the number is closer to 400 and falling. II. I don't know if the Pilot is crap, but it is surprising how each change to it makes it uglier.

Wondeful advice! A corolary to this is to make the least of differences of opinion or perceived wrongs; not the most of them. That's why I have been married 32 years, 4 daughters, and 10 beautiful grand kids. Mustang 84 should make the least the age difference; not the most. However, do be careful of workplace relationships. At the very least you and the young lady should keep it a secret from fellow workers. If either of you is a "supervisor" to the other in any way, just don't go there.