VenSeattle

Perhaps the Theta-Buick is being developed by China and will be imported/sold here?

Don't worry... Toyota will offer an extended warranty and call it even. It worked on the 4Runner with the head gasket issue... it'll work on the Tundra. Interesting reading... http://yotarepair.com/ After all... Toyota's cars are perfect. The Tundra is too. This was the vendor's fault...

I've seen stripped Cobalts going for $9,000 in the local newspapers - Saturn is now Opel/Vauxhall in America... which sold 1,564,213 vehicles alone (excluding Saturn variants) last year... more than Mitsubishi did globally. Buick sold more than 500k between two countries last year and the numbers are only going to increase in 2007. Opel, Saturn, and Buick have the leverage of sharing engineering costs, platforms, and manufacturing plants with other GM brands. Buick also has the advantage of sharing a non-hostile showroom floor with Pontiac & GMC... meaning there are several "multi-franchise" dealerships out there who sale brands that directly compete, but B-P-G are a single multi-brand franchise which is groomed to eliminate showroom cannibalism while providing a look and feel of variety to consumers. As far as US market sales? - Mitsubishi sold a 6 vehicle line-up in the US with a total of 164,000 annual sales. - Buick had a 5 vehicle line-up in the US and sold 240,657 vehicles last year. - Saturn had a 5 vehicle line-up in the US and sold 226,375 vehicles last year. Do you really want to remove rental sales? Buick is under 30% and dropping fast. Saturn has never sold heavy to fleets. 10-15% at most. Mitsubishi is near or at 30% on a few of its vehicles. So really, how much of a retail market do 6 Mitsubishis have in the US sharing roughly 115,000 retail sales between 550 dealers? 208 cars annually per dealer? Mitsubishi is teetering on extinction in this country.

oops... just read the description... Those air struts are expensive (see original post.) I'd pass on this one.

Air suspension for that generation is problematic and very expensive to repair/replace. It was standard on the 1995... not sure for the 1996. Lincoln's R.E.S.C.U. emergency response service has been dropped. According to Enzl and others you should be able to sue Ford for the value of this used vehicle because the service is no longer available as an option. honestly though... if it's been taken care of, it will be a very nice vehicle. I always liked the Lincoln Contempra concept, and was very impressed with the production car that came from it. Had I been in this market back in 1995, I would have easily picked the Continental over the Seville or the recently debuted Acura 3.5 RL. However, I wouldn't have picked it over an Infiniti J30t. By the time I entered this market, Lincoln gave the Continental that ugly Jaguar-esque treatment and ruined the beauty of this car. (Jaguars aren't ugly, but Lincolns with face-lifted jaguar looks are.)

There's a big difference between "not as detailed" and flat-out "incomplete." It would take no effort for MMC to just report the stats for the rest of the line-up. If it didn't matter, they'd post everything. The selective items in the release are there for spin. As for making money... at least GM is using its own cash-reserves to restructure. Mitsubishi has borrowed/received about $10 billion from Mitsubishi Group companies within the past 2 years to assist with MMC's turn around. Lets see how well that goes when it comes time for payback. What's so hard to understand about Mercedes-Benz's monthly sales stats? There's nothing questionable about their press releases: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories....8246&EDATE= or Subaru's? http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Temp/Si...les_4Web%20.doc Porsche doesn't release their stats because sales for most of the Porsche line-up are seasonal. It creates a false impression. Besides, they're a specialty brand (not to mention very profitable.) Mitsubishi isn't either of those.

You're Joking right????? Mitsubishi's monthly stats are spin-doctored and cryptic. That's being nice. 12047 <> 3860 + 2047 + 1375 What was the Eclipse's sales for April? Galant's? Raider? 2006 Monteros are still on the lot... how many were sold in April? Mitsubishi has been partially posting their numbers for over a year, unlike other manufacturers. Go to Ford, GM, DCX, Honda, Toyota, etc and pick one vehicle you can't determine monthly sales totals for. You can't. They post complete numbers... and even differentiate imported from domestically produced.

The Chrysler dealerships in my area are having blowout sales. $10k off on a couple of models. The Sebring isn't one of them though. I think it's only $4k. I'll never warm up to the Sebring's new styling, but still, congrats Raven. I wish you and your family the best.

Gouda! Gouda! Gouda! Sorry... my trips to Holland have me addicted. But, I really like several types of cheese.

The Outlander is not competitive to the RAV-4 or new Saturn VUE. As for the second point... Mazda has Ford assistance with platform sharing, R&D, productions, etc... Saturn has GM... What does Mitsubishi have? It's too difficult to be an economy car niche player. Profit margins are way too small.

Love the name! I hope the Skylark makes it to the US. However, I feel it should be priced higher than the Astra (and it should be worth the extra cost too.) Yes, the Acura TSX would be a great start for developing a premium compact Buick. The Saab 9-1 development bothers me though... I'm afraid GM will cheapen the Skylark to give the 9-1 some type of exclusivity (Think G6 vs 9-3) or tune the Skylark's suspension way too soft. Both of them need to be 'youthful' premium/luxury compacts but have different flavors. 9-1 should keep with its Scandinavian roots in style, ride, & feel while staying casual luxury... The Skylark should lean towards driver/passenger comfort, confident road manners, while taking on a slightly formal guise but without the appearance of trying too hard. We don't want an overwrought Baby Buick dressed up in mom's clothes. For looks, think more 2008 Mercedes C-Class and less 2002 Jaguar X-type. http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-merced...ss/138843/full/ http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-merced...ss/138838/full/

You might want to look a little closer: An increase of 8,000 sales spread out over 12 months is nothing in the US market. They sold about 650 more vehicles a month spread out over 550 some-odd dealers... WOW! Each dealer sold one-extra-car-per-month last year... That one extra sale isn't going to put a failing dealership back into the black. Before you snap back, yes, several GM brands have too many dealerships and GM is attempting to address that. This is the most important factor. Mitsubishi is still on the decline overall. Without global partners, it's only going to become harder to compete in heated markets where GM and Toyota are rushing to meet demand.

Considering how many they've sold... It could be new to him... seeing it on the road.

I'm very tempted to start a Mitsubishi Death Watch - What do they have coming after this? Beside a Galant refresh, they're done with the turn-around. Sales may increase this year... but it's a strong possibility they'll nose-dive (Zero tie-in? heh) next year as competitors bring out new product.

I don't have a problem with the new Vectra/Aura... It does look to have some BMW DNA splashed in though. That's not a negative.

I still say BMW 5-Series + Oldsmobile Aurora.

I'm not sure this was posted before... but here it is, just in case - Mitsubishi Motors Announces FY2006 Full-year Results and FY2007 Forecasts April 26, 2007 -- Tokyo -- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced its full-year results for the year ending March 31, 2007, together with forecasts for the year ending March 31, 2008. Fiscal 2006 full-year results 1.Fiscal 2006 overview Mitsubishi Motors' consolidated sales for fiscal 2006 totaled 2 trillion, 202.9 billion yen: an increase of 82.8 billion yen over the previous fiscal year. Favorable yen exchange rates and a more profitable model mix more than offset decreases in retail sales volume and in the OEM supply volume resulting from the ending of the production of the smart forfour. Mitsubishi Motors posted an operating profit of 40.2 billion yen, an improvement of 33.4 billion yen over the previous fiscal year. This significant improvement in operating profit stems from the aforementioned favorable exchange rate, a more profitable model mix and from improved profitability of financial service operations in the United States and reductions in costs; all of which more than offset the impact of increased sales costs in North America and a rise in raw material costs. Mitsubishi Motors posted an ordinary profit of 18.5 billion yen, a year-on-year gain of 36.3 billion yen that stemmed partly from an improvement in net interest income. The company reported a net income of 8.7 billion yen, an improvement of 100.9 billion yen. Factors contributing to this improvement in the net position include the non-recurrence of asset impairment accounting charges in Japan and of restructuring charges booked last year, as well as extraordinary earnings stemming from the dissolution of special purpose entities. Fiscal 2006 marks the first time Mitsubishi Motors has moved into the black at all levels (operating, ordinary and net profits) for the full financial year since fiscal 2002. 2.Sales volume Global retail sales of vehicles in fiscal 2006 totaled 1,232,000 vehicles, a decrease of 112,000 (8.3%) compared to the 1,344,000 sold in fiscal 2005. In Japan, MMC sold 247,000 vehicles, a year-on-year decrease of 3.9% or 10,000 units, slightly better than the domestic market (4.3% fall year-on-year), which was impacted by sluggish sales of registered vehicles (i.e., cars other than minicars). The introduction of the new Pajero and Delica D:5 models in the second half of the year contributed to Mitsubishi Motors' better-than-market performance. In North America, the company sold 164,000 vehicles, a 5.1% increase of 8,000 over last year. This was helped by the first yearly increase in sales recorded in the U.S. market since fiscal 2001 and stemmed principally from the introduction of new models - the Eclipse Spyder in April and the Outlander SUV in November last year - and from the implementation of more sales-boosting initiatives more closely tailored to individual regions. In Europe, Mitsubishi Motors sold 282,000 vehicles, a 5.6% increase of 15,000 units driven by continuing robust sales in Russia and by a doubling of sales in the Ukraine. In Asia and other regions, Mitsubishi Motors sold 539,000 vehicles, an 18.8% decline or 125,000 fewer than the previous year. Firm sales in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa were more than offset by lower shipments of parts for use in local production in Taiwan, China and the ASEAN countries. Forecasts for fiscal 2007 1.Overview In fiscal 2007 Mitsubishi Motors will aim to boost global sales volume by 7.4% or 91,000 units over fiscal 2006 to 1,323,000 on the back on the extensive introduction of two global strategic models that use the company's next-generation platform: the Outlander and the new Lancer (GALANT FORTIS in Japan). The Outlander was introduced first in Japan in 2005, and has since been phased into other global markets during fiscal 2006. It has been well-received in all markets. The new Lancer, given its global launch in North America this March is to be phased into Europe, Japan and other regions in the near future. Regional sales forecasts are as follows. Japan: 250,000 vehicles, a 1.2% increase of 3,000 over the previous year; North America: 176,000 vehicles, a 7.3% increase of 12,000; Europe: 316,000 vehicles, a 12.1% increase of 34,000; Asia and other regions: 581,000 vehicles, a 7.8% increase of 42,000. On the back of the increases in sales volume given above, and of OEM supplies to auto manufacturers in Japan and overseas, Mitsubishi Motors forecasts net sales of 2 trillion, 430 billion yen, a 10.3% increase of 227.1 billion yen over fiscal 2006. Despite forseeing falling profits at the U.S. financial service operations and increased selling expenses, the company predicts a 51 billion yen operating profit, an increase of 26.9% or 10.8 billion yen, due to increased sales from new model introductions and OEM agreements. Mitsubishi Motors forecasts an ordinary profit of 30 billion yen, a year-on-year increase of 62.2% or 11.5 billion yen, and a full-year net profit of 20 billion yen, a 2.3-fold increase over fiscal 2006. 2.Operational measures by region (1) Japan Introduce fully redesigned GALANT FORTIS and LANCER EVOLUTION X* models andadditions to the Delica D:5 lineup. Establish Delica D:5, Pajero and Outlander SUV models as long-sellers. Strengthen after-sales operations. Accelerate restructuring of sales networks (integrating and merging 29 consolidatedsales companies into five companies covering extended territories, plus consolidating parts dealers.) *Japan-market names for Lancer and Lancer Evolution are GALANT FORTIS andLANCER EVOLUTION X, respectively (2) North America Strengthen Mitsubishi Motors brand with introduction of Lancer Evolution. Increase sales with the introduction of new Outlander and Lancer models. Focus advertising on best-selling models and main regional markets. Continue implementing dealer support measures to promote vitalization of dealernetwork. Improve productivity and profitability at the company's U.S. production facility. (3) Europe Beef up and strengthen sales of SUV lineup (Outlander, Pajero, L200). Expand sales with introduction of new Lancer. Further expand sales in growing markets such as Russia and the Ukraine by bringingmarketing under direct control of MMC head office. Start supplies of all-new SUV model to PSA Peugeot Citroen. (4) Asia and other regions China: Strengthen built-up import car operations through addition of new models andestablishment of a new sales company. Work with South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd. to upgrade Mitsubishi brand sales network. Thailand: Maintain and expand pickup model production operations. Latin America, Middle East and Africa: Boost sales further through introduction of newmodels (Pajero, Lancer and Outlander). Australia: Strengthen sales of models introduced in 2006 (Triton, Pajero and Outlander)and introduce Lancer to strengthen built-up import sales. 3.Mid-term business planFiscal 2007 marks the final year of the Mitsubishi Motors Revitalization Plan introduced in fiscal 2005 and under which the company has been working to reestablish itself. During the current fiscal year Mitsubishi Motors plans to announce a new mid-term business plan based on the company's performance in fiscal 2007, the principal thrust of which will be the creation of an infrastructure that will underpin sustainable future growth.

HaHa... No... I live 3.5 miles from work and drive less than 10k a year. The 3.5 miles from work is the reason most of my driving is city.

I believe the Lucerne Super will go on sale in 2008 as a 2009 model. Look for it in the 2009 GM Car & Truck Guide.

I've never had any problem with the blown 3800s. I only use premium in mine. I average in the low 20s, but its mostly city driving. The 2003 Ultra (my model year) benefited from a facelift along with interior upgrades. Make sure you drive both the regular and Ultra models before deciding. The suspension and driving feel are different.

If you're counting the Magnum as an entirely separate vehicle from the Charger, then you'll need to include Taurus X as a separate vehicle... along with the other body variants of the Focus...

Although "grainy and overly dark" your dreams can come true at a Buick dealer near you. They can show you the way to "driving beautiful"

I think their point is: Caliber: NOT a car Nitro: NOT a car Durango: NOT a car Caravan: NOT a car Ram: NOT a car Dakota: NOT a car Camo'd CUV: NOT a car Cars? Dodge makes cars? What cars? Oh yeah... one real and one pretend: The Dodge Average The Dodge Charger I think Autoblog would be much more enthusiastic if they were testing a crosshair grilled version of the Mitsubishi Lancer as an MIA Neon replacement.

And for some reason I see "BMW 5 + Oldsmobile Aurora"

They could break-up the Unions and sell Chrysler in pieces. Of course, that's a worst-case scenario