z28luvr01

I'm in agreement with DP in that the G6 GXP should have the performance credentials to back up it's "aggressive" looks. Since it offers nothing over the regular GTP, it's an abomination and a disgrace to the GXP designation, especially given the Solstce GXP, the G8 GXP, the Torrent GXP, and, yes, even the GP GXP were all significantly hotter than their more plebian counterparts. From there we part ways. While I can handle the side skirts and the scoops, the front and rear treatment given to the GXP is exactly what Pontiac has been ridiculed for since the mid 90s and trying to move away from since Lutz came on board. It's overwrought, cheesy, and disgusting to look at. Give me run of the mill GTP over this monstrosity any day. Actually, for the same price, I'll take the base G8 instead - I'll deal with the 2 extra doors.

Happy Birthday, Northie.

I just got the video files for the four interviews that I did, plus some footage of the Saab shindig. They'll be posted within a couple of days as soon as I can figure out how to merge/cut/splice MP4s.

I've always thought "Fuel for the Soul" was the best slogan GM had used in a long time, and was dumped waaaay too soon.

Thanks, NOS. If we just keep to the facts and not let our emotions get the best of us, things wouldn't get so heated every time this subject is brought up. This isn't directed at anyone in particular, but if the shoe fits.....

That's going in my sig. Awesome quote, and words to live by.

Me, dressed in Pontiac colors on Pontiac Day at the NYIAS

Someday Camino, this will be you!

I'm almost positive I'll get a request or two for some of these, so if you want a hi-res version, you know where to find me.

Chat with Anthony Lo, General Motors Europe Director of Advanced Design, about his inspirations and the design elements of Saab’s latest concepts – the 9-X BioHybrid and Saab 9-4X BioPower. Previously, Lo served with Saab Automobile AB as chief designer for Advanced Design and has led the design of the Saab 9X, 9-3X, 9-3 Sport Hatch, and Aero X concept cars from concept to build. Anthony Lo, General Motors Europe Director of Advanced Design 2008-March-25 10:30 - 11:30 am EST 3:30 - 4:30 pm CET Go here for more info and to join the chat. Free registration is required.

Unless something changed that noone knows about, the current team at GM is fixated on rebuilding the company using the brands it has. GM can't stomach another Oldsmobile, and it would have several of those situations all over the world if it were to pare itself down to Chevy and Cadillac. Curiously, no mention is ever made of shutting down Opel or Vauxhall. AFAIK they're local to Europe, so if the intent is to make Chevy and Caddy the only global brands, they should be on the chopping block right alongside Holden and Pontiac. Back to Saab: The best thing for GM to do is to invest in Saab and make it profitable. Noone in their right mind would buy it now anyway, except maybe the Chinese or the Russians. Saab does have appeal to certain demographics, ones who would probably not consider any othe GM brand. And that's another thing, the average consumer doesn't even know that Saab is a part of GM. I was having a conversation with someone about all the things I saw at the Saab party, and they said me, "Wait a minute...Saab is owned by GM? Get outta here."

I think the multi-pronged approach that GM could take with the Camaro is actually very beneficial to GM. Obviously it'll be compared to the Mustang, because that always was and always will be its biggest traditional rival. But given the fact that so far Zeta seems to be the cat's meow of volume RWD platfoms, there really is no limit as to where GM can push the Camaro. I see this car destroying the Infiniti G coupe, the current poor man's 3 series coupe that finds favor with every college graduate that gets their first decent-paying full-time job. The key for GM is to not skimp on the non-V8 models - a base model with no options checked off should be as satisfying a drive as any Z/28 or SS. If they give the I4 and V6 models soft suspension, tiny brakes, and sloppy steering, it wil be a death sentence for the car.

Thanks to Autoblog and GM-Volt.com for the vids

The next 9-3 should be Epsilon II. The biggest part of the 9-5's problem is that it should've been replaced years ago, since it dates back to 1999. A new 9-3 that roughly keeps the size of the current car and a bordering-on-fullsized 9-5 would make nice replacements for the current cars. The 9-4x is a much better SUV for Saab than the 9-7x, 6.0L V8 and all. And I'm hoping the 9-1x doesn't lose too much from the 9-x concept, because that little car is hot in person and would make an interesting Mini alternative. Assuming this recipe comes to fruition, I think this could be the best Saab lineup in a long time, perhaps ever. The next thing GM has to do is flood the media with marketing for Saab. For all intents and purposes, Saab has no image and isn't even on the radar for many consumers. GM needs to recognize that and change it. Agreed on the styling and airplane theme they have going. Saab doesn't have to do a lot of sales to help GM - the tooling for them is largely paid for by the hundreds of thousands of Malibus, G6s, Auras, Vectras/Insignias, and (eventually) LaCrosses that sell across the globe. For as little as they sold, Saab did make a decent profit on the 9-7x and 9-2x. I could foresee pairing Saab with Cadilac or Hummer to help their increase their sales network (the closest dealer to me is 15 miles away, the second closest is across the Long Island Sound) while allowing the brand to remain focused on its mission rather than dilute itself further. Cadillac makes sense because it'll allow Caddy to stick to RWD and Saab FWD/AWD. Hummer makes sense because it allows Saab to stay out of trucks, which they should. Also, with the dollar conditions the way they are, it may make sense to build Saabs meant for the US here to keep the price point low.

Happy Vernal Equinox and Resurrection Sunday j/k, Happy Easter. I just thought I'd spell out all reasons for the holiday we call Easter. This is my favorite holiday of the year.

Saab does have potential. As I said before Saab's predicament is GM's own doing. More effort should have been made to bring them into the fold sooner, instead of letting them operate independently using the methods that got it so far in the red in the first place. Now, it seems, GM has its arm fully around the brand and is willing to use it to its potential. By 2010 I think we'll see a different, much more competent Saab that should make inroads on VW/Audi and Volvo buyers. They do have new product in the pipeline that, given everything else that's coming out of GM lately, should be outstanding.

You know the deal: like a pic but want it bigger? let me know. I have more Buick photos in my report on the Buick luncheon, located here.