re: sticks. the Aura and G6 ought to be the Eps cars that have a manual with a v6. For the malibu, I think Paddle shifters is fine. In fact, paddle shifters is nearly class exclusive in that segment for GM.
NAV and Bluetooth should be available on the Bu. The lack of bluetooth a major faux pas. We have remote start at GM but not bluetooth. Very bad. Women today love their phones more than anything. Gadget guys love their phones. Lack bluetooth and you basically do not want these free spending people as your customers. Plain and simple.
NAV may not sell at 2k in very big numbers but the opportunity was huge with the BU to be the first car to offer an affordable NAV system. Imagine the take rate on a $395 NAV option! get my drift? Chevy is about value.
No one is aware of my gig from Chrysler, but I think it would be a nice option in cars like the BU, although I would bundle it with the expensive sound system. Although from my perspective, Ford sync makes a lot more sense. You can hook up the iPod you use everyday and control it with Voice.
Ford gives you the Sync for 395 bucks. Your digital lifestyle under your voice command for a measly 400 bucks. If I could add on star to Sync and alacarte a 395 dollar NAV....then we're in good shape.
Lack of NAV won't bury the BU but i look at the lack of tech in this car as more of a gigantic missed opportunity than a glaring omission.
Perhaps the money they spent on marketing would have been better spent to upgrade the tech in these cars.