pow

No, both monthly (May '06 v. April '06) and YTD (May '06 v. May '05) sales of GM full-size SUVs are up.

I've tried making "proper" pizza with the dough and all that, but one of my favorites is with really good bread and simple ingredients. Turn on toaster oven to "toast" setting Cut Il Fornaio Slipper Bread (aka "Ciabatta"; from Trader Joe's) in half, remove some of the center Toast bread until slightly crunchy Spread pasta sauce on bread Tear mozarella cheese and add Get it back into the oven until the cheese melts slightly and the bread gets really crunchy Add cherry tomatoes (cut in half) and basil leaves Drizzle EV olive oil on top, particularly with garlic Crack some black pepper on top Enjoy

Well, then, you're conveniently ignoring how much more efficient the Aveo's competitors are. Toyota Yaris: 34/40 Honda Fit: 33/38 Scion xA: 32/37 Hyundai Accent: 32/35 Chevy Aveo: 26/35 Edit: BTW, I *did* mention that the 26 MPG was "city"... "I get the 26 MPG city figure from the EPA and Chevy's own website..." "What does GM have for the concerned motorist... a 26 MPG city Aveo?"

Not if you watch the O'Reilly factor... Got "Outfoxed" from Netflix, btw, and watched it a few weeks ago. There's a version online: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article7798.htm

Agreed. The "new" Oldsmobiles were very American, but also very '90s. What Sixty8 wants is '60s American.

OK, so... to sum this up... sales of certain powertrain combinations will fluctuate depending on the popularity of the vehicle-type they're attached to. If no one buys full-size SUVs, there will be a decline in V8s. If no one buys mainstream passenger sedans, there will be a decline in I4s. How difficult does it have to be?

Offering better small cars won't kill GMT900 sales. A consumer conscious about climate change will simply go elsewhere.

Everyone uses facts convenient to his or her argument, including you. And what do you mean by the "published MPG" of the Aveo being higher? I get the 26 MPG city figure from the EPA and Chevy's own website; the automatic Aveo, by the way, gets 24 MPG. A browse of a few forums and road-tests reveals similar real-world figures. There is a demand for cool, well-made, fuel-efficient small cars, but to eyes of the public, GM has been ignoring it. Sure, GM should *not* be reprimanded for selling big SUVs, but they should be for not offering compelling small cars. Imagine an Aveo that gets the GMT900 treatment.

This whole argument is pointless, as over a short journey, an extra stop sign or two can kill economy by 2-3 MPG.

But a slight twitch of the toe will.

Great idea... MY idea... Ford is doing it too.

Went to the newish one in Torrance... wasn't that special, IMO.

How about pronouncing it differently? Not PAHHHNt-EEE-YACK but Pohhhn-TEE-ac.

True... that will also help reduce consumption, as diesel engines are inherently more efficient. Mercedes C240 on E85: 14/19 MPG Mercedes E320 CDI on diesel: 27/37 MPG The diesel gets nearly double the economy, despite being larger and significantly more powerful.

At the moment, the best answer is to cut consumption. The whole ethanol hype reminds me of obese people who go for the Diet Coke "because it's better for you." Too bad it's still the big-gulp size.

You can turn VSC off. It's easy. Just, uhh... 1. Make sure the car is in Park and the parking brake is disengaged before you start the car. 2. Start the engine. 3. Engage the parking brake. 4. Fully depress the brake pedal and then release. 5. Fully depress the brake pedal and then release. 6. Disengage the parking brake. 7. Fully depress and hold down the brake pedal. 8. Engage the parking brake, then disengage it (while holding down the brake pedal). 9. Engage the parking brake, then disengage it (while holding down the brake pedal). 10. Release the brake pedal. 11. Engage the parking brake. 12. Fully depress the brake pedal and then release. 13. Fully depress the brake pedal and then release. Once the car is started, you have thirty seconds to complete the process. It must be repeated each time the car is switched off. Personally, I prefer reaching for a switch everytime I prepare for a bend I like. Then when I'm less attentive, I can turn it back on.

It's all a bit confusing, too, when you consider the success of the Dodge Viper and Ford GT.

Isn't there a demand for fuel-efficient cars now? What does GM have for the concerned motorist... a 26 MPG city Aveo?

GM should be the hero, then, and offer compelling reasons (products) for buyers to switch out of Tahoes and into small cars.

Yes, because the car is already in gear. From a standstill, they can dump the clutch.

Second Place: Ford Shelby GT500 Highs: 500 horsepower for less than 50 grand, light shifter, supple ride. Lows: Porky and nose heavy, boy-racer stripes, thin features list. The Verdict: A great Mustang that is priced with some very stiff competition. First Place: Chevrolet Corvette Highs: Neutral handling, strong brakes, refined demeanor. Lows: Inferior, slippery seats; tricky shifter. The Verdict: It's been two years since we first drove a C6, and we're still impressed. GT500/C6 0-60: 4.5/4.3 0-100: 10.3/9.9 0-150: 30.3/26.8 1/4 mi: 12.9@112/12.8@113 5-60: 5.2/5.0 30-50: 10.4/9.5 50-70: 8.8/9.1 top speed: 155/186 observed MPG: 11/14 They also had an interesting article on ethanol.

Product, product, product! The new VWs are having fewer warranty claims, too.