Hudson

Toyota would be stupid if they DID buy one of these plants. With these plants comes the UAW. Aside from Spring Hill, none of these plants are near Toyota's supplier base. And Toyota's looking to build a new, even more modern plant. Except for Spring Hill, which is 16 years old, none of these plants are particularly modern. All of Toyota's plants are newer than the rest of these closures.

ocnblu was right...the Omni/Horizon was not based on the K-Car. The Rampage and Scamp and Volkswagen "Rabbit" Pickup filled a niche for people who don't need to haul commercial grade loads. Not everyone needs a bed large enough to haul plywood or haul loads greater than 500 pounds. These vehicles did their jobs fine. Volkswagen does still offer two different FWD pickups in different countries. The Rabbit (Golf I)-based pickup is still in production today as is the new Saviero, which is based on the smaller Gol. Ford and Chevrolet also offer such vehicles. The Ford Courier is based on the Ford Fiesta while the Chevrolet Montana is based on the Chevrolet Corsa. With the growth in size of the former "compact" pickups, there's no reason to bad-mouth attempts to make smaller pickups based on car platforms. These vehicles aren't meant to be used on construction sites. Most pickups sold today RARELY (if ever) get their beds dirty or carry anything heavier than their passengers. Another point of automotive history: the most recent FWD pickup sold in the US was built by General Motors.

I don't find it "deviant"...but it is defined as "sodomy." I don't write these definitions, I just read them.

I remember a guy who had a red 1967 Impala Sport Coupe with wheel skirts...one of the nicest looking cars I've ever seen.

Sodomy covers anal AS WELL AS oral. It's all in there.

I think the Elise may be high-enough volume not to get away with much. The first generation Elise couldn't meet US specs (partially due to a lack of airbags).

Sure...on paper. Janesville is on the short list...not at the top, but on the list.

The Bone Yard.

The definition given doesn't include the act that explains that MOST people have sodomized (or been sodomized by) someone: oral intercourse.

But Toyota is not known for acquisitions. They've purchased major shares in Daihatsu, Hino, and Fuji Heavy...beyond that, what have they bought? Why would buying any part of GM's manufacturing or distribution help improve Toyota's situation? I can name ways it will HURT them, but not too many ways it'll help.

Yes, Toyota has the money...but what would ANYONE gain by buying GM? Or even some of its assembly factories?

UAZ HAD a distributor about a decade ago, but they have yet to bring a US-spec truck into this country. Morgan, on the other hand, has been selling US-spec cars for decades. The number of "low-volume imports that don't have formal factory support" is miniscule. There was a brief entry by AutoDelta bringing in Alfa Romeos (maybe a dozen cars), the UAZ America that you mentioned (no vehicles), CX Auto stopped importing Citroens about 15 years ago...am I missing any? Lotus and Morgan US operations have affiliations with the manufacturer even though they're not owned by the factory.

When I get my book written, I'll let you know. As for Saleen...you've got one, but I have yet to see how many of these vehicles they've actually built...aside from race cars. The S7 would need to be certified for emissions and safety, of which it did apply for an exemption to some safety regulations. But I'd venture to guess that the S7 could fall in the 200-unit total, if I removed all prototypes.

The only possibilities are Ford and DCX...and a few corporate vultures. NOBODY wants to get involved with the UAW if they don't have to. Ford and DCX are already there. A few non-automotive companies would jump on GM if it were to file for bankruptcy and get MAJOR concessions from the UAW (and pension help), but Toyota wouldn't want it.

The hybrid comparison is a "joke" if you're going for cost savings alone. But that's not the reason to buy one. There's the whole dependence on foreign oil problem that a hybrid helps to lessen. There's the environmental problem since a hybrid pollutes less than a standard ICE vehicle. Oh, and there's the ability (in some areas) for a hybrid to use HOV lanes...saving TIME! Saving money isn't the only reason. Absolutely. Not that I would have chosen that particular vehicle, but agreed. Spot on. It's surprising how few people realize that a Prius is a mid-sized car. Yes, yes, yes....and why aren't the many tax breaks calculated in? In many cases, this brings a hybrid in line with the equivalent non-hybrid model. Even at 20,000 miles a year, a Prius or Civic Hybrid won't pay for itself, unless those tax breaks are calculated into the equation.

Flint is safe...but Pontiac East isn't. I think Oklahoma City is safe, but the there's debate on that among my contacts. I think Spring Hill SHOULD BE safe, but again....people are talking. Doraville is gone, Janesville is probably gone, Lansing Craft could be sold.

Actually, Morgan never withdrew from the American market either. Before the recent introduction of the Aero 8, there were two American distributors of the old Morgan designs; one in Virginia and one in San Francisco. The old Duesenberg Motors built what I am told were excellent recreations of old Duesenberg designs. I have seen a couple in person and they're interest...they look like real Dueseys from a distance, but up-close, you can see the "PRNDL" gear shift lever and modern equipment like stereo systems and air conditioning. As I recall, they're based on Ford F-Series chassis, which makes sense for their size. This "new" Duesenberg won't make it to production. There's no way that this comany could get a new design and an all-new engine certified for sale in the US. And what point is there on having an American-built luxury car if you can't sell it in the US? There have been quite a few attempts at reviving old brands: Duesenberg (three other times), Packard (no fewer than two times), Tucker (Preston himself was working on it at the time of his death), among others. None have succeeded. I'm still amazed that Panoz is in production. This is a very tough market to get into. I've seen financial statements that lead me to believe that it would take somewhere north of $50 million to launch an all-new vehicle with a dedicated engine and platform. I just don't see many people viewing this as a "niche waiting to be filled." As sad as that may be. I have a list of more than 40 companies that have attempted to begin car production in the last quarter century, but between them all, may have built 200 vehicles including prototypes. It's a tough market.

Trust me, it's more than just "speculation."

Magic Eight-Ball says "Outlook Promising"

Just what it says....pudding: smooth, milk-based dessert. No innuendo...simple desserts.

I doubt it would become a joint-venture, but that possibility is much GREATER than someone (like Honda or Toyota) buying Spring Hill outright. Why would either Honda or Toyota want to let the UAW get a foot in the door? If Spring Hill gets sold, the UAW goes with it.

He should have added more reasons for the choices, but the choices are the current top picks.

Thanks.

Or what if "Kappa Plus" entered production? Just saying...

Nobody eats pudding in the movie, do they? There was a South Park episode where they talked about independent films (like this one) being about "gay cowboys eating pudding." The South Park guys are threatening (tongue-in-cheek) that they're going to sue if there's any pudding in the movie.