VenSeattle

Here's how I understand it: Buick-Pontiac-GMC is one sales channel - Pontiac & GMC are one division. Buick is its own division. Steve Shannon is Buick's General Manager. John Larson is Pontiac-GMC's General Manager. Now the truth of it all is... John Larson is also the BPG-Channel General Manager. So, in reality... the individual P-G & B divisions appear to be just a formality. Maybe this was done to preserve Buick as an independent division until they found out if the channel consolidation was successful. If it failed, Buick could be separated with a management structure intact. I think there's room for a smaller luxury-geared CUV & a coupe/convertible flagship. The number of vehicles in a line-up does not determine if they'll be sub par... It's the execution of each vehicle line & attention to detail that determine their success. If the Torrent was moved over to Buick, there'd be no overlap. A boulevard/touring 4-passenger coupe-convertible would not produce overlap either.

Very true! Poor Ford.

Northstar… My answer is forever moving Cadillac further upscale. V8 E-Class & 5-Series start near $60k... The STS starts at $48k. That $10k-15k price difference frees up plenty of room for Pontiac and Buick to exist as premium brands between a globally competitive Chevrolet and a world-standard Cadillac. Cadillac needs to move up to provide breathing room, but GM simultaneously needs a strong foundation from the other brands to prevent abandoning a particular market. I completely agree that Malibu & Impala pricing should be determined by the market. If Chevrolet can offer products that consumers “must have” in the $25k-$35k, that allows Buick to put out globally competitive products in the $35k-$50k range. Ultimately, with strong market demand under $50k, Cadillac has the ability to offer world-standard products in the CTS, STS, etc with equal (or even premium) pricing over MB & BMW. That may appear expensive to many, but Cadillac is or at least should be expensive. The entry level BMW 3-Series & MB C-Class have maybe one or two generations in them before completely abandoning the $30k-$40k price range. Cadillac must follow them or beat them to demanding this type of price premium. I'm expecting the next CTS to help move Cadillac in this direction... especially with Zeta coming into the picture.

NO! IT'S NOT! The only thing that's close in that pic is the body color!

I've asked this question multiple times and never received an answer. I recall people posting several times that Sigma was stretched to its limits with the STS which is why DTS could not move to RWD and GM needed another platform for the ULS. Fast forward a few years later, and Voila! We have a stretched STS... errr... SLS... Speaking of SLS, I have no problem with the name. I think it's great to differentiate an STS & SLS by more than just trim. They’re both still the same vehicle and successfully serve Cadillac's mid-tier approach: STS & STS-V for sport/personal performance and the SLS for personal luxury. I think this is probably Cadillac’s best attempt ever at having an SLS & STS side-by-side. No one will think you were cheap for only affording an SLS… and not everybody wants a Large RWD sedan. Something that amazes me is that GM acknowledged the S in SLS still standing for Seville. Maybe there's hope for Cadillac's return to Eldorado, DeVille, & Seville. They'll still need a good C name though. Not anytime soon though. The market will dictate when.

Remember what we were teased with: BUT styling isn't the only factor. I doubt many will have to form an opinion on styling before it's crossed of the list. - It has a top-of-the-line 3.5l 235hp V6 in a class that has 268hp V6s and 303hp V8s for similar (or less) money. - It has the same level of interior material quality as the current Chevy Malibu, only with a better design. (That could really be said for most of Chrysler's recent debuts.) - Then you have to anticipate that most people who come in for a 300 but can't afford it (hard to believe with $4K off at the moment) won't settle for a FWD smallish midsize with a 4or6cyl. They'll head to Dodge. I think Chrysler has a flop on its hands. It's hard to imagine this thing surpassing sales of the previous generation without heavy fleeting... Practically all the competition is better (except the Malibu, which gets remodeled next year.) The pending convertible... that's another story.

That was also my impression.

DAMN! I WANT THIS!

Because your comments were discriminatory. The other members' comments were not. There wasn't anything inappropriate about OC's posts in relation to the topic's intentions and purpose. There was a reason you were PM'd. You should have discussed this directly with Z in private.

Uhm. Rendezvous and Aztek shared an updated version of the U-body platform, so it wasn't the same as the 1997 minivans. Rendezvous also debuted as a 2002 model (so it wasn't neglected over 10 years.) It was the FIRST non-Cadillac vehicle (and only U-Body variant) to receive the newly debuted 3.6l V6 so I would hardly call that a corporate-wide mechanical update. The Rendezvous rides very much like a Park Avenue (which isn't an insult to any premium vehicle) and sold amazingly well. Rendezvous owners have been very pleased with their great selling lame-duck that helped bring in conquest sales to Buick. <obvious sarcasm> What an Ass.... Rendezvous is ready to be replaced, but it is one of GM's success stories for the 2000's.

Yep... Envoy came out in 2002... But it was an excellent comparison. Thanks Brew!

Happy B-Day to you guys also! Wow... lots of Scorpio babies around here.

Happy B-Day

Possible, but my bets are that retail sales were down on the 300 itself instead of fleet sales. I'm guessing 3,500+ of the 10,518 were still heading to Thrifty or Hertz.

Chrysler Group Reports U.S. Sales Increase for October 2006 Chrysler Group total sales increased 1 percent over last year Retail sales increase substantially year-over-year Fleet sales decline compared to last year Jeep® brand sales increase 29 percent over October 2005 Dodge Truck sales improve 11 percent versus year ago levels AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chrysler Groupreported sales for October 2006 of 159,586 units, an increase of 1 percent (3 percent decrease unadjusted) compared to October 2005 sales of 164,814 units. All sales are reported on a day-rate basis unless otherwise indicated. "Our retail sales were particularly strong in October, led by the strength of key products like Jeep® Commander and the Dodge Ram pickup," said Steven Landry, Vice President - Sales and Field Operations, Chrysler Group. "Combined with the exciting new products hitting our dealer showrooms like Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Nitro, it's a great way to start the fourth quarter." New Products The icon of the Jeep brand, Wrangler, posted a monthly sales record of 8,679 units, an increase of 102 percent compared to previous year results of 4,475 units. The all new-new Dodge Nitro is proving to be popular with customers as shown by its strong month-over-month growth of 228 percent to 3,044 units. In its first month of limited availability, September 2006, sales were 966 units. Sales of the Chrysler Sebring are strong, despite limited availability nationwide. October sales of the Chrysler Sebring totaled 2,892 units, an increase of 181 percent over September 2006 sales of 1,664 units. "The Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Nitro and Chrysler Sebring represent the latest offerings of the Chrysler Group, delivering vehicles with significant value with unique features that customers are looking for," said Landry. "Our dealers are excited about these new products and customers are showing their support of them with their purchases." Jeep Sales of the Jeep brand increased 29 percent to 40,297 units. Last year sales of the Jeep brand totaled 32,431 units. The Jeep Liberty led the SUV segment, posting sales of 11,004 units, an increase of 10 percent over October 2005 sales of 10,417 units. The Jeep Commander posted October record sales of 8,079 units and rose 159 percent compared to October 2005 sales of 3,241 units. Dodge The Dodge Ram pickup led the Dodge brand with sales of 28,251 units, an increase of 17 percent over October 2005 sales of 25,086 units. Overall Dodge brand sales totaled 77,654 units relatively flat in comparison to last year's sales of 80,617 units. The Dodge Caliber remains strong with sales of 7,790 units. Total year-to- date Dodge Caliber sales are 75,791 units. The Dodge Dakota pickup posted sales of 4,943 units, an increase of 12 percent over October 2005 sales of 4,601 units. Dodge Charger sales rose 26 percent to 8,619 units. October 2005 sales were 7,119. In the commercial products segment, the Dodge Sprinter van achieved a record month, posting sales of 2,289 units, an increase of 28 percent over previous year sales of 1,855 units. Chrysler The first SUV for the Chrysler brand, the Chrysler Aspen, totaled 1,524 units in its second month of availability, representing a month-over-month increase of 116 percent. Overall Chrysler brand sales declined 16 percent to 41,635 units versus October 2005 sales of 51,766 units. "The Chrysler Group will remain competitive by focusing on the new products already in the marketplace and on the remaining products yet to be launched this year," said Michael Manley - Vice President, Sales Strategy and Dealer Operations. "Our aggressive sales plan - in conjunction with our dealers - has reduced 2006 model year inventories to less than 50 percent of the total inventory and helped to start the fourth quarter on a good note." Chrysler Group finished the month with 508,724 units of dealer inventory, or an 80-day supply. DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru October 2006 Month Sales DR % Vol % Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change Sebring 2,892 9,579 -69% -70% Concorde 0 0 0% 0% 300 10,518 12,835 -15% -18% Crossfire 763 1,099 -28% -31% PT Cruiser 10,692 12,201 -9% -12% Aspen 1,524 0 0% 0% Pacifica 5,578 5,741 1% -3% Town & Country 9,668 10,311 -2% -6% CHRYSLER BRAND 41,635 51,766 -16% -20% Compass 3,342 0 0% 0% Wrangler 8,679 4,475 102% 94% Liberty 11,004 10,417 10% 6% Grand Cherokee 9,193 14,298 -33% -36% Commander 8,079 3,241 159% 149% JEEP BRAND 40,297 32,431 29% 24% Neon 195 5,519 -96% -96% Caliber 7,790 0 0% 0% Stratus 363 11,127 -97% -97% Intrepid 0 0 0% 0% Charger 8,619 7,119 26% 21% Viper 198 154 34% 29% Magnum 2,576 2,966 -10% -13% Dakota 4,943 4,601 12% 7% Ram P/U 28,251 25,086 17% 13% Caravan 12,454 15,101 -14% -18% Durango 6,932 7,089 2% -2% Nitro 3,044 0 0% 0% Ram Van/Wagon 0 0 0% 0% Sprinter Van 2,289 1,855 28% 23% DODGE BRAND 77,654 80,617 0% -4% TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 159,586 164,814 1% -3% TOTAL CG CAR 32,369 48,276 -30% -33% TOTAL CG TRUCK 127,217 116,538 14% 9% Selling Days 25 26 Sales CYTD DR % Vol % Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change Sebring 49,618 78,122 -36% -36% Concorde 0 210 -100% -100% 300 116,625 119,219 -2% -2% Crossfire 8,144 12,602 -35% -35% PT Cruiser 116,806 112,380 4% 4% Aspen 2,258 0 0% 0% Pacifica 66,463 73,023 -9% -9% Town & Country 136,721 151,612 -10% -10% CHRYSLER BRAND 496,635 547,168 -9% -9% Compass 9,790 0 0% 0% Wrangler 62,913 69,172 -9% -9% Liberty 114,218 141,403 -19% -19% Grand Cherokee 118,351 178,119 -34% -34% Commander 72,908 4,765 1430% 1430% JEEP BRAND 378,180 393,459 -4% -4% Neon 17,239 104,851 -84% -84% Caliber 75,791 0 0% 0% Stratus 50,647 88,294 -43% -43% Intrepid 0 298 -100% -100% Charger 96,387 30,840 213% 213% Viper 1,311 1,311 0% 0% Magnum 35,222 45,637 -23% -23% Dakota 66,416 90,844 -27% -27% Ram P/U 303,476 343,898 -12% -12% Caravan 182,805 194,408 -6% -6% Durango 60,349 97,881 -38% -38% Nitro 4,010 0 0% 0% Ram Van/Wagon 0 405 -100% -100% Sprinter Van 19,066 16,192 18% 18% DODGE BRAND 912,719 1,014,859 -10% -10% TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 1,787,534 1,955,486 -9% -9% TOTAL CG CAR 426,776 452,114 -6% -6% TOTAL CG TRUCK 1,360,758 1,503,372 -9% -9% Selling Days 255 255 Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories....04464954&EDATE=

Bingo! I have no problem parallel parking my Buick thanks to those two features. They take all the guess-work out of parallel parking: the distance you are from the curb & the distance between you and the car sitting behind you.

That was hilarious. LMAO. :rotflmao: This needs to be on C&G front page.

Went to Seattle's Auto Show yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn't check my camera battery life before going. It was dead. Mid-size disappointments: Chrysler Sebring was on the floor. Sat in it. Just about everything is hard plastic except one or two pieces. I just can't see this thing being successful between the cheap interior and uncompetitive HP ratings. Exterior proportions continue to be awkward in person. 2007 Nissan Altima was on the stand. Just like I thought, it's too difficult to tell from the previous model. The features are impressive though. I really don't see the point of the Maxima any more. Speaking of the Maxima. Maxima's interior update looks cheap. The new wood pattern in the 2007 Buick LaCrosse puts the Maxima's plood to shame. Interior materials felt thin and hollow. Spent more time in the Saturn Aura. Looks great on the outside, and the interior fit&finish is near perfect... but I couldn't live with it. I don't like it with the metal or wood interior trim. Interior styling is just an over-all disappointment. However, it should kill the Sebring and be successful attracting new buyers to Saturn. Honda Accord's interior has way too much hard plastic (practically all of it.) I just don't see the styling appeal inside or out. The Toyota Camry interior looks nice... just don't touch anything. Interior materials continue their spiral downward after each remodel. (Amazingly, even the Lexus ES350's lower dash is hard plastic, along with most of the center console. Very disappointing for a car that can go for $45k +. Yet people complain about the Lucerne?) The Hyundai Azeras on the floor were all optioned out to their $31k maximum. For all the reasons mentioned on C&G, you'd have to be insane to purchase this car without a huge discount. Sales seem to indicate the public agrees. The Buick LaCrosse has a much improved wood pattern that's warm and realistic. Interior materials still seem at their best for its class. Unfortunately, the LaCrosse is very dated and needs to be remodeled as soon as possible. Hopefully EPS II will continue with the interior material quality while providing a fresh package with modern powertrain. -- none of GM's midsize vehicles really have much appeal at the moment. Thankfully the new Malibu and LaCrosse aren't far away. Zeta isn't either. We can hope. Recently I had a Ford Five Hundred SEL for a rental over 4 days. It's competent but has the soul of a Taurus. I could never own one... which includes the Montego twin. Fusion/Milan seem like a better alternative, but they both lack several features. The Lincoln MKZ is the only Ford mid-size sedan available (okay... any F-L-M sedan period) that's worth a look IMO. Can't say much about the VW Passat either. Interior is nice to look at... but don't touch anything. The VW EOS is tiny, bland, and forgetful. For $37k-$40k (which was the price for the ones on display), save a few more dollars and buy the new Volvo C70 convertible. ------------ Honestly, I'm not really impressed by any mid-size sedan (GM or otherwise) that's currently out (or about to be released). All of them are flawed in some way or lack something to be desired. Yes... I mentioned a few from other categories, but they seemed appropriate given the context. Okay okay... if I had to buy a midsize sedan right now? The only two I'd come close to considering are: 1) 2007 Lincoln MKZ (priced similar to top-of the-line Camries and Accords) 2) 2007 Buick LaCrosse CXS (it's comfortable, very reliable, gets the job done, quiet, great warranty,and has a nice discount attached to it) but... I'll wait. ------------- Cars that impressed at the Auto Show: Buick Lucerne CXS with Navi. Still my first pick if I decide to buy now or near future... but if the Enclave is any indication, I should probably hold off 2 or 3 years for the next LaCrosse & Lucerne. The new Volvo S80's exterior looks too similar to the current one (they had them both near each other for comparison) but the interior is an amazing improvement. Very nice. Audi A6 feels and looks bigger than it is. The interior has great attention to detail. Mentioning the Mercedes S-class is pointless because it should be outstanding, but it really is beautiful inside and out. LS460 may be flawless (yes it was there on the floor and open), but L-Finesse has nothing over the new S-Class. It was funny to hear one woman on her cell-phone to her husband telling him that she'd meet him back at the Mercedes S-class before they left because she just had to see it one more time. Mercedes and Lexus were side-by-side in a narrow corridor. I doubt she missed the LS460... but she was only lusting after the S-Class. Cadillac had a good showing. The CTS-V, STS-V, & XLR-V were all there and open. The STS-V resolves a lot of the interior styling/quality issues for the STS. It's a shame that the leather dash and upper door panels aren't on all STSs. The new SRX interior is very nice in person. Sales will definitely improve. The DTS had an interesting 2-tone interior package (Dark-brown seats and upper dash, with tan/cashmere lower) that made it feel more Audi-like (Q7 had something similar) than Cadillac. Very successful IMO. I liked it. The DTS interior addresses every issue I have with the Lucerne's interior. Why couldn't GM use the same interior materials across both lines? The new Infiniti G35 looks great in person. Interior is tight though... especially the back seat. We're talking Chevy Cobalt tight. Still worth every penny though. I think the next CTS will be able to match it in style. It's the only contender who has a chance. The IS350 & BMW-3 don't IMO. GMC Acadia was there on the platform. Looks like a winner. Didn't see many people noticing it though. I almost missed it myself. The display didn't stand out.

IMO, the actual purpose of this tax-break still has merit... small businesses need as much help as possible to survive. As for those who use it as a loop-hole... they're still buying a vehicle out of desire, not cost. They're not buying it because they can't afford anything else.

How is Daihatsu Motor distributed?

Funny you mention that. It's a shame that a company like Toyota didn't make side-airbags standard and the tricked-out roof optional.

Yes, but it's standard on 2007 Buicks and free for the first year.

The 'UltraView' sunroof isn't standard on the SRX like it is on the tC. So it doesn't potentially impact every owner.

I like it... The exterior and two-tone interior go well together and I personally think the marble looks better than the wood.

Yep... Jan-June'06, Fleet sales: 300: 27.5% Charger: 34.3% Magnum: 49% compared to Jan-June'05 Fleet sales: 300: 21.1% Charger: --.-% Magnum: 31.7% And you know a large part of that 100k mentioned in the article are 300s, possibly Chargers and Magnums too. Chrysler was counting on those being hot sellers during the return of "Employee Pricing" ... which they weren't. Sales barely rose above 2005 levels for the 300 (it wasn't included in the original promotion.)