Chicagoland

Smart buyers get portable NAV systems now, from other sources.

Only the PT convertible is being dropped. The Pacifica is a dated hog and they don't need anymore SUV's. Also, its a Daimler design. Magnum needs to make way for Challenger, and its not really selling in #'s to justify the extra costs. Commander and Compass are next. Also, I predict a crash [quicker] restyle of the Sebring.

Caddy is already planning to merge the DTS and STS into one RWD/AWD model line. So, the old time FWD platform is going away. The G body though isn't "20 years old", it only dates back the the first Olds Aurora, 1994. And wasn't it revealed that the Chevy Volt is going to be built in Poletown?

LaCrosse is a nice car, for my dad. I'd get him one if I won lottery, [dream on], Has an 04 Century now, but wish he'd get a new LaX, with the longer warranty and more standard features than his car, but don't want to act like a kid and go 'dad when you gettin a new one?'

The 1980 model year G bodies to me, look the best of the 78-80 cars. The quad highlights looked better and more luxurious, and was probably the last 'one year only' look for GM cars. My parents got a 1980 Regal, since gas was $$$ then. We squeezed into it, after having full sized cars. But, me and sibs liked riding in what was popular style for the day. Instead of a woody station wagon. It's a generational thing, someone knowing all about the 80's G bodies. I used to know the differences in the 1981-88 Cutlass Supreme grilles, but now I can only visualize the 81 and 84. But the 60's and 70's GM model looks are burned in my mind, ;-)

For sure, Plymouth isn't coming back as a brand. All the dealers will be C-J-D stores eventually. No room for nostolgia. Maybe a 'Chrysler Plymouth' vehicle, like a minvan, but no full line up. It hadn't been a full line make since 1977, anyway.

The old Malibu should be called Corsica and kept around til 2010.

The '74 and '75 GP's did have different grilles and taillights for model year ID. GM used to do this until 1981. The 75 GP's taillights were busier looking. 1978-80 had similar changes to tell apart. But the 1981-87's are nearly identical. Maybe the 85-87 got more rubber on the bumpers? Anyway, I do remember 1976 being a comeback year for GP sales and they were all over Chicagoland, with Cutlasses and other luxo coupes.

The 1990 W body GP sedan was in response to the Taurus/Sable of the day. GM admitted finally that 2 doors were not the prime market for cars anymore.

"Buick's image is definitely changing for the better. Most people's grandparents I know drive the Toyota Camry, which is now dethroned Buick as the official car of the elderly. " It is slowly changing. And the definition of an over 60 y/o person has changed, in fact David Letterman is 60! I heard the Enclave is getting much younger buyers, so they are getting rid of the W body just in time.

CRV switched to a regular console shifter, from a column, and sales go way up. Kills the theory that "more column shifters and bench seat cars are wanted".

15% vs 62% is a big difference. And if so upset about the low #'s, why not go buy a new car to make them higher? Toyota was down again this month, why no hand wringing? With them, it is blamed on 'housing market'. And checked Mopar's #'s, the Mustang outsold the 300, which is supposedly still thought of as "hot product" ??? OTOH, They do need to push the new Taurus and Focus, and show that they are not still making Pintos and/o not 'just a maker of gas hogging SUV's'.

Months ago people were gloating that the Yaris was "the right car for the right time" and "an example of Toyota thinking ahead". As if it was pulled out of thin air? It is just a restlyed Echo, it still has the crap center gauges! The drop shows that buyers are comparing B class cars and seeing the nee Echo as not worht the "Toyota premium price".

Sales are down since they cut fleet sales 62%, so there. Should they still be making old stuff [DN101 Taurus] and selling at a loss to keep the #'s up? The big loss also is due to the BOF trucks/SUV's declining in general. It proves that America DOESN'T want 'BOF/V8's' only. Some assume and all RWD/BOF/V8 line up would save them. The Focus listed in these reports is the outgoing 2007. Never mind what one thinks of the 2008, wait and see how the new one does, once it is back to full production. The F series sure, it is down, but the all new 2009 is coming in less than a year. And the Mustang is still selling over 10K a month, better than the 'classic' 1987-93 era.

Dodge took over Plymouth's old role as Mopar's mainstream brand. I think having Dodge badged trucks had something to do with it. But also, Dodge was once a separate car company 'Dodge Bros." Plymouth was a cheap model introduced to compete with Model A's. To some under 30, Chysler Corp just "Dodge". Oh, and I bet Mopar got the rights to "Alpine" from Renault. They had a sprts car called that.

GM has a CONTRACT with Toyota and owns part of NUMMI, so quit yer belly aching. And, with gas prices staying high, don't expect 'all RWD' ever again.

Oh gag, that 100 year old Cutlass Ciera was on a life support and as sexy as 'Depends' undergaments. And, most went to Alamo/National/Avis. Catering to older people only eventually bites, since when the 'all new' Intrigue came out, they were so ashamed to put Olds badges on it. What did they think, the cars would magnetically draw cusotomers to dealers? Older buyers hated not seeing their frilly old boxy cars, with velour, column shift, and horizontal speedos. Younger buyers couldnt have cared less, they went to Infinti dealers loooking for Intriques. Olds brand name Die hards just didn't buy enough, or stuck with their used 1980's cars. Reality is most of the US does not live in Lansing MI, to people from the Southwest or Western states, Oldsmobile was a 'nursing home' car going 45 on the Interstate in the left lane. It was near impossible to change image over night. Intrique was just a tarted up 1987 W body, and the Aurora should have been a Bonneville or Impala. Not try to please the ancient dealers thinking the 1970's were coming back.

Ponitac and GMC products are sold in same stores now, so no need for a Pontiac 'truck'. Also, BMW is a sinlge car maker, not like GM. Anyway, the Theta platform is dying off, and surely there will be a next gen Chevy compact SUV.

Chevrolet for sure, El Caminos far outnumbered the GMC Sprint and Caberello.

67 y/o people are not Baby Boomers. Officially, it's anyone born between 1946-64, per US Census. It's kind of good that there are no more 'strippo' models too. [iused to call them 'old timer specials', with AM Radio as only option] most just sat in showrooms, while the optioned out cars sold. And in long run, cars with more features have better resale.

yeah they will celebrate being own by 'real Americans'. But that doesn't mean the new owners won't close plants and lay off workers. Nor does it mean that they will 'suddenly switch to all RWD cars'.

The young GM car nuts look back fondly on the old deisels, since they don't remember them! Try buying one and driving it daily and see how 'fondly' you think of them then.

Well, maybe it's good ot get new blood, and no 'the good old days will come back soon' attitude. Too many still think 'imports are a fad, and people will comeback to big RWD vehicles any day now' the 300 is down in sales, and the Charger/Magnum never took off. Reality is most buyers do not care about: 1960's, old muscle cars, 400 HP, drag racing, and 'retro looks'. Also, sure the Hemi got attention, but who can afford the gas bills? And old thinkers assume that 'all people' wish for V8 RWD cars. Not this day and age, buyers may fondly remember an old Cuda, but then they end up getting a CRV or Camry. There are too many choices, can't just 'hope Congress bans imports' and just say 'well people are dumb if they dont want a RWD fast car' In Detroit News, there is article "Car guys culture out of gas". Says it all. They can't base a whole company's future on a Camaro/Challenger that isn't even out yet. Have to offer what sells, and that is value, room, convieniece, MPG, and more. Not just HP and how much a car "looks like an old one".

I found it hard to believe all the predictions of 'return to greatness for Chrysler', simply because they were "going back to US ownerships. Fan-boys were expecting "new Hemi Cuda convertibles coming off the lines this fall", "Plymouth back for 2010!" and "Chrysler buying out Ford"! OK, those are fake, but similar claims were posted all over car-net-ville. I mean get real, did people really believe the rumours??

Imagine a diesel G8? Also, G6 going RWD is on hold again, according to article.