pow

The lithium ion batteries used in the Prius are fully recyclable. The lead batteries in the Silverado hybrid aren't. Not sure about the GMT900 dual-mode transmission or BAS hybrid (VUE).

It's no worse than the cheap plastics used by Toyota, Honda, or Nissan, IMO, though the second row buckets are a bit small, and the third row seat bottom is too low. The Odyssey is still by far the passenger-carrying benchmark, and probably fuel economy, acceleration, handling... But, yeah, the Sedona is now "competitive." And, yes, the new Sedona is lighter by ~500 pounds.

I mean as in "how good the product is", not how well they're selling. The Sedona is good enough that it shouldn't require insane rebates and so on.

Um, no. Ever since Toyota gave the Avalon a "280" horsepower V-6, more technology, increased interior space, and 31 highway MPG, they sold much, much more than they did with the old, geriatric one.

The new Sedona, Sonata, and Spectra are all indications that Hyundai/Kia have progressed to become a tier-one automaker, product-wise, IMO. The Sedona is now as good as the Japanese competition, no longer fighting the price wars with the domestic vans. I only wish it were more original... as competent as it may be, nothing stands out, so why not go for the established brands?

That's really nasty leather...

Yeah... a $20K car will use the seat track from a $100K car. Heh, I still think there'll be a compromise... a good thing for Chrysler buyers, a bad thing for MB buyers.

Plastic car takes on big city A £4,500 two-seat plastic car is being promoted as the answer to city jams by the Chinese firm planning to launch it in Europe later this year. Designed to rival the Smart car and cost two-thirds of the price, MyCar is 4ft 6in wide and 8ft 4in long, allowing it to park head-on at the kerb. A Ford Focus is 6ft wide and 14ft long. MyCar was designed by ItalDesign Giugiaro, the Italian design firm, and is produced by Innovech International, based in Hong Kong. It weighs just 770lb thanks to its plastic panels. The single cylinder two-speed (plus reverse) petrol engine comes in sizes from 50cc to 250cc, with a top speed of 28-53mph. There are also prototype electric versions. Innovech plans to start production towards the end of the year and hopes to sell between 1,000 and 2,000 cars in Europe in the first year. http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0...2001978,00.html

Let's make sure this is mentally retained people... because I KNOW I am going to read "SSR" on a list of 'GM failures' within a year. The mindset is already gelling in some people's minds. No idea about production run length, but what about expected sales? http://www.autoblog.com/2006/01/18/chevrol...t-with-destiny/

Hopefully this doesn't result in a compromise of quality. Mercedes's reputation for overengineering details would be tarnished even further if an S-class shared the seat tracks with a Stratus. These parts are critical safety components, and just because the buyer doesn't see it in the showroom, doesn't mean he won't notice it a few years down the line.

Obviously you haven't seen the Buick Lucerne ads yet... or the Malibu ads two years ago. Both brands pride themselves on how tight their panel gaps are; interestingly, I've never seen the same from import brands. Personally I prefer thicker sheetmetal to tighter gaps... the two seem to be a dichotomy.

OMGz whAt are tey FREEKING thninking, GM msut have bribed HealEY!!!!!~~~1 In all seriousness, though, it's nice to see the media openly changing perceptions of domestic cars, even if they're not entirely accurate, IMO. The DTS uses more expensive materials than the Lucerne, the Lucerne's driving position is compromised by the lack of a telescopic steering column, and so on.

I really like the styling of the BLS, particularly in that launch baby blue color. It's better looking than the 9-3, IMO, and its appeal is broader... it'll help introduce younger, hipper buyers to Cadillac. If GM can get the price down, which they can't, it'll take away sales from the popular Volvo S40.

Funny... I heard it this morning on the news and then immediately thought of this thread...

The 4Runner's upper-dash materials are fine, and while the lower portions are cheap, overall, it's a nicer place to be in than the Trailblazer or Grand Cherokee. And I agree that grey interior sucks... I suspect it'll be nicer in beige. The 4Runner needs more interior bits from its upmarket cousin, the GX470.

I don't know what Cadillac's expectations are, but I see about ten times more SLs than XLRs. I say either improve the XLR, particularly its interior and top operation, or lower the MSRP.

The Titan uses Dana axles... not sure about the Tundra. Perhaps if Americans bought more Titans this wouldn't have happened... :AH-HA_wink:

I see it, too... it's decidedly Cubist.

Reminds me of those overpriced Japanese sugary drinks with a glass (?) ball rolling around that doesn't come out...

Clarification... cheap as in affordable.

OK, OK, I think I've got it, why pushrod V-8s cut it, but pushrod V-6s don't. With a V-8, you're impressed by the power and sound it makes, diverting your attention away from breathability concerns. With a pushrod V-6, however, nothing about it stands out. There.

Just a clarification... that wasn't an "attack" on the XLR, but rather a reason why a used XLR is a steal. That's paying SLK money for what's essentially a SL competitor.

Electronic stability program would really help in this regard... we drove our RWD, all-seasoned tire 5-series to Mammoth, and we didn't have any issues with the falling snow.

I sat in one at LAIAS and I left with a positive impression of it. Some of the materials seem cheaper than before, but overall, I'd take one over the Acura TL or Lucerne. It's unique and has character... plus, it's now cheap.

It's no "BREAKTHROUGH!"