FUTURE_OF_GM

Yes, I do. And a lot of times you can develop a sort of schema or really get an idea of who or what type of person the brand or car is appealing to. Thus seeing if the company's marketing is working right. :) It's not a sophisticated technique, but it works. Funny you say that... I get stared at ALL the time because of my size (I'm 6'9" at about 375 lbs.) It makes me very self concious, but I can understand why people would stare... Oh, BTW, my GF is short too. I enjoy people watching, ESPECIALLY in the town I live in; Asheville NC. Rolling Stone named it the "freak capital of America" I'm by no means a freak but in Asheville my appearance is normal (Rock star/biker/blue collar mechanic vibe) when I go to Charlotte (2nd biggest banking town in America) people look at me like I'm a freak. It's good clean fun either way.

True that... I can't see the page (Damn work software) but if the dates here are right I would've been celebrating a year at CheersandGears right around that time. I miss those days... We were all a lot closer, naturally, because we were smaller. I was less negative, the news about GM was nothing but positives. I'd love to be able to foster that sort of environment here but it's too hard, unless we changed things in a MAJOR way.

Meh.... The yellow vinyl all over it is gross, I don't like the new driving lights and I've seen those wheels somewhere before.... Of course, this is a distorted image too, so that might throw a lot of people, including me, off. IMO, GM's SEMA concepts have went WAYYYYYY down hill in the past 2-3 years with some exceptions... Maybe budget cuts?

Seems that the Northstar in the Lucerne is more for refinement than performance... I'd like to see it get more power (Of course) but then that would step on the toes of Cadillac (God forbid that happen)

I think the new tagline is lame but still better than "Dream Up" Buick has ALWAYS delivered over the customers expectations, so that is old news. I like how they will focus on engineering though. Even still the Buick turnaround seems to be moving at a snails pace compared to other GM divisions.

I know... It's a sad day when the media even openly ADMITS (Numerous times, to boot) to being biased, yet people STILL do not believe it.

And the moral of the story is: QUICK, everyone alert the media, we have a NEW standard for comparison!!! (Oh wait, too late) And now go out QUICKLY to your local import dealer and buy an import!!! If you don't you might get the dreaded BAD hard plastic!!!!! Sorry, O.C. I respect your contributions and opinions but I just can't resist.... I just don't see what the big deal is. So GM put a little hard plastic in a exemplary design that costs $19,995 When (If ever) will people just fess up and admit that GM is now producing cars that are AS GOOD if not BETTER than the competition instead of making feable attempts to justify dissing GM and not buying their products? Seriously. The Solstice performs BETTER, looks a helluva lot BETTER, functions BETTER and satisfies BETTER than it's competition; the Miata. Yet, we should go out and buy a MORE EXPENSIVE Miata simply because it has softer, more cuddle-worthy plastic on the dash? The argument/justification is getting ridiculously laughable and tiring. P.S. Look out S2000, because the Solstice has your name for next year.

How about: Corvette Type LT or Corvette Z38 or Corvette Z06 Maxx? Better Yet; Corvette Z06 Type R GTX5000ty.... maybe we'd get some of those 'gamers' that love asian cars as conquest sales then [triumph the insult comic dog voice] I kid, I kid [/triumph] I second this:

Silly GM fan, don't you know that REGARDLESS of facts GM cars are ALWAYS inferior? It's called; the need to justify selling out and buying a BLAND, UNINSPIRED import. (IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, it's called cognitive dissonance; if this person feels guilt for not supporting domestics, then he'll find some way to justify his actions rather than retrenching and looking like a fool, the fool that he actually is.) As for the 4th grade reading level comment... I agree BUT according to all of those "studies" aren't import fans more intelligent than domestic fans?!?!?! Seriously, all sarcasm aside, it's nice to see import people at least acknowledgeing GM's new offerings.

a.k.a. Keep downsizing so that when we the media say that Toyota is actually investing more in American workers than GM and thus is more American, it'll actually be true and will justify the mass exodus. In reality: I don't see Wagoner being able to accomplish the plant closings simply because the UAW won't have it (Since they're living in the 70s and all) This will be the death blow to GM if they bow to the pressure (Why is the media pressuring GM to sell it's only profittable operation anyway????) Maybe GM should sell a stake in GMAC, but not the whole company. GMC doesn't need to be fixed.... I'm tired of this "guilt by association" assumption by the media... They do it with "The big 3" as well. If Ford's quality is down then GM's must be too, etc. etc. I agree.... GM expected payback and inventories were low as well. As far as gas prices are concerned... Must be nice guys, we've hovered and are still hovering at $2.63 a gallon even with oil being down yesterday. Price gouging at it's finest

Cadillac, Chevrolet, HUMMER and Saab Brands Continue Global Growth <GM.N>DETROIT, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors reported calendar year-to-date sales (January - September) of 7,066,774 vehicles around the world -- a 3.7 percent increase over 2004, led by significant gains in sales for its three luxury and premium brands Cadillac (up 9.6 percent), HUMMER (up 84.1percent) and Saab (up 1.4 percent), as well as its foundation brand, Chevrolet (up 7.3 percent). Integrating GM's product development and marketing operations on a global scale is helping to further strengthen its brands. These efforts complement the global manufacturing of vehicles in the Chevrolet, Cadillac, HUMMER and Saab product portfolios, positioning each of these brands for continued growth. "With Chevrolet and Cadillac we have two of the strongest vehicle brands in the industry, and we intend to leverage and grow them internationally with our global marketing, manufacturing and vehicle development strategies," said John Middlebrook, vice president of global sales, service and marketing. "The sales increases we're seeing with Cadillac, Chevrolet and most recently HUMMER and Saab demonstrate that we have a winning portfolio of new vehicles." Global Chevrolet sales are up more than 228,000 units over 2004. The sales increase boosted Chevrolet's global market share from 6.6 to 6.8, strengthening its position as the third best selling brand in the world. Chevrolet sales in Europe increased 27 percent year-to-date. In Asia-Pacific, which is a strong and rapidly growing market for GM, Chevrolet sales improved 143 percent, while year-over-year Chevrolet sales in the Latin America, Africa and Middle East region jumped 17.8 percent. GM's Cadillac luxury brand experienced a significant sales boost in the Asia-Pacific markets (up 160 percent). The mid-size Cadillac CTS sedan led the pack with significant sales gains in this region. "The Chinese market could eventually represent up to 20 percent of Cadillac's global volume and become the Cadillac brand's second-largest after the U.S.," said Middlebrook. Cadillac's presence in Europe is expected to grow with sales of the new Cadillac BLS starting next spring. The BLS, a four-door luxury midsize sedan,will be available with an optional direct-injected turbo diesel engine and right-hand drive. HUMMER, the brand known for its iconic design and unparalleled off-road capabilities, is expanding globally as well. GM launched the all-new 2006 H3 to European audiences at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year and is investing $100 million to upgrade an assembly plant in South Africa to produce H3s for global markets. When fully operational, this facility will assemble both left and right-hand drive versions of the H3 for markets outside of North America. The H3 is expected to be HUMMER's biggest seller, with the strongest demand in the United States, Middle East and Europe. The larger HUMMER H2s are already sold in more than 30 countries around the world. Global sales of Saab are up 1.4 percent this year, led by a 10.4 percent increase in GM's North America region. In September Saab reported its fourth consecutive month of year-over-year sales, as well as its highest ever monthly market share performance in GM's Europe region. Much of the brand's growth is attributed to the most aggressive product development program in Saab's 58-year history. New products introduced this year include the 9-7X premium midsize SUV; the 9-3 SportCombi 5-door wagon, which complements the 9-3 sport sedan and convertible; and a mid-cycle enhancement to the 9-5. Three of GM's four regions achieved year-over-year sales increases over the first nine months of 2005. The largest percentage increase occurred in GM's Latin America, Africa and Middle East region, which boosted sales by 21.6 percent, followed by its Asia-Pacific region with a sales increase of 17.4 percent. GM's Europe region reported year-to-date sales increases of 1.7 percent built on strong sales from Chevrolet. Jan-Sept 2005/ Jan-Sept 2004/ % change Global Sales by Brand Buick: 421,277/ 463,351/ -42,074/ -9.1% Cadillac: 197,078/ 179,829/ 17,249/ 9.6% Chevrolet: 3,351,242/ 3,123,222/ 228,020/ 7.3% Daewoo: 84,230/ 84,600/ -370/ -0.4% GMC: 544,235/ 524,512/ 19,723/ 3.8% Holden: 144,340/ 142,419/ 1,902/ 1.3% HUMMER: 39,329/ 21,359/ 17,970/ 84.1% Oldsmobile: 1,858/ 35,293/ -33,435/ -94.7% Opel: 998,166/ 986,454/ 11,712/ 1.2% Pontiac: 437,445/ 469,194/ -30,270 -6.8% Saab: 96,633/ 95,262/ 1,371/ 1.4% Saturn: 184,997/ 186,212/ -1,215/ -0.7% Vauxhall: 295,608/ 306,089/ -10,481/ -3.4% Wuling: 228,045/ 163,068/ 64,977/ 39.8% Other: 42,291/ 36,917/ 3,914/ 14.6% Total: 7,066,774/ 6,817,781/ 248,993/ 3.7% Sales by Region Asia Pacific: 773,897/ 659,063/ 114,834/ 17.4% Europe: 1,525,219/ 1,500,141/ 25,078/ 1.7% Latin America/Africa & M.E: 632,395/ 520,047/ 112,348/ 21.6% North America: 4,135,263/ 4,138,530/ -3,267/ -0.1% Total Sales: 7,066,774/ 6,817,781/ 248,993/ 3.7%

Of course 50+ are going to make up half of domestic auto sales... The reason being that domestics sell MOSTLY big, expensive, vehicles (Remember: Detroit believed they couldn't make money on smaller cars for years) and because older people hold most of the wealth. Not to mention Detroit still sells the majority of cars in America... These spin-tatic studies (No doubt created and spun to create negativity for Detroit) are nice, but lets use a little common sense here people. This story gets a big fat drooling DUUUUUUUHHHHHH.....

LOL Just more examples of the shady asian business technique I've been preaching about forever. Get used to it folks, soon it'll happen in autos too... Mark my words. Apparently America should be happy with our "Service" industry and that's all, well, what little bit of it that can't be stolen away or sold out. No defense, no manufacturing, no nothing else.... Consume and service that's our motto. have fun working at Wal-Mart america! america: "Servicing" other nations proudly for years now. It makes me sick... then again, so does this country in general anymore If this is indeed true (Which I heard it WAS being voted on long ago) then it's a sad day in america and it's laughable that another country can petition our government for protection of thier industry from our industry.... It's to the point of stupid now... And I'm sure the japs are laughing at our dumbasses all the way to the bank, just like they have been for 30 years now. The ultimate sellout. Anybody have a link to this for evidence????

I'll bet you $100 that they beat GM to the punch on this. Well of course.... Maybe he's hinting to the media.

[sarcasm] And how did the family repay Saturn for it's kindness??? "Why, by buying another Honda of course!!!! The first one leaving me stranded was just a fluke...right? And, we'll leave those stodgy Saturns for others to buy, not style concious me." [/sarcasm] The?? (LOL) The three!!! (LOL louder) The three great what!?!? LMAO!!!!!! http://www.cheersandgears.com/public/style_emoticons//rotflmao.gif A.K.A. The wretched, gut twisting, New York hot dog stand inducing vomit reflex when one looks at that new Honda. **Just having some fun** Over all a good read though.

Typical media 'disclaimer' Okay, yeah, we all know the domestics don't need to conquest sales or anything and we all know that GM doesn't build cars to competitively sell them :rolleyes: This article wasn't well written and carried the same "Well, if you want a rental" bias that most GM W-Body articles carry.

I agree.. I was probably being a little overly critical (As always) But, my point is this; the Solstice is supposed to be a no frills roadster, not nessecerily a daily driver and not really something that is supposed to be as practical as a sedan or SUV. In that mission (A no frills roadtser) the Solstice EXCELS!!! And he even admits it himself. So why cast a negative shadow over the article with frivolous, unimportant things (Which I think he did, the article was very cynical overall) if the car satisfies it's purpose. The Solstice is a roadster, not a swiss army knife or an SUV and I'm sure it's buyers have the common sense to know this and to know that they're going to have to give up some practicality in exchange for sex appeal and style. IMO saying things like; "Don't expect to bring a friend unless you expect to share a thong" is over exaggerating the negatives of the car and sways opinions or skeptics or sometimes even people who are favorable to the car. I think it's a form of bias. Paolino: Thanks! :blush: In hindsight, sometimes I think my comments are constructive, sometimes I think they're just annoying. Either way, it's how I feel.

That's the quote of the year!!!!! :cheers: :bowdown:

Hopefully this deal will get GM by until contract negotiations in a couple of years... I agree though, GM always bows down to the UAW. Of course, in that same sense, GM would REALLY be in bad shape if the UAW were to strike.

On the contrary.. Inventories here are still very low and crappy. My hometown Chevy dealer FINALLY received an HHR (Beautiful black LT with the chrome wheels and everything) It sat out front for 1 day before being sold. It's the typical story with GM... The newer more desirable products are setting the world on fire, yet the less desirable (In this case, SUVs/IN past case the car side) are negating those sales gains because of stagnation. The only way to fix this is to 1) Introduce A LOT of new product at once, which GM can't afford to do or 2) Make BETTER product and keep it updated, which GM is beginning to do.

I'll agree that the Toyota Camry is very competent... (Many of you remember the disgusting twist of irony that I had to endure February of this year with a Camry Rental) But... It's not desirable. The reason it sells so well is because it is an appliance for non car people to buy. That and Toyota's golden reputation, which I think they would be no where without. Toyota engineers more PR than they do cars, but thats another topic. The Malibu is good IMO (Haven't driven one though) but it does need to be better. Although I don't think it's as bad as some 'opinion swaying' posters think. http://www.cheersandgears.com/public/style_emoticons//AH-HA_wink.gif

[quote]the most successful sports car ever, the Mazda MX-5 Miata -[/quote] WTF?!?!?!?!?! [quote]So I packed a load of healthy skepticism into my Solstice test car. I went looking for flaws and quickly found some.[/quote] Typical... [quote]I groused about the lack of storage for cellphone,[/quote] Ever hear of a pants pocket??? Oh wait, old people wear those tight pants. [quote]P.D.A.[/quote] Goes in your business briefcase [quote]and tape recorder.[/quote] For WHAT? [quote]I mentioned flaws. While there is a glovebox, pockets on the seat cushions and a cubby on the cabin's rear wall, there's no place to toss sunglasses or gadgets. I kept wondering why a couple of shallow trays hadn't been molded into the blank plastic covering the driveline tunnel. Of the three cup holders, two are hilarious. They pop out of the back wall of the cabin, keeping your coffee handy at your elbow. When the top is down, hot liquid blows on your arm. The off light for the passenger air bag is glaringly prominent. The seatback adjuster is wedged in so tightly you can't use it when seated. Annoying power locks won't let you out until the key is removed. The trunk is missing in action. The fuel tank intrudes, chopping up the space, which vanishes when the roof is lowered. If you're planning a sunny weekend getaway with a close friend, figure on sharing a thong - or check into a clothing-optional resort. (Pontiac is working on a luggage rack for the deck lid.)[/quote] Hate to say I told you so, but SAME STORY/DIFFERENT DAY folks.... GM will never make a car good enough to appease the bias, and he even admits it himself at the beginning of the article. Decent article, but pretty negative. IMO.

Hmmm... GMT360 isn't global... But, GMT355 is global. :) Interesting.....

CNN does reviews now???? Jesus, what's next? "Marth Stewart Living goes Blingin' in the 2007 Cadillac Escalade!" What a vague review and ending..... I do like the Bear analogy though!

Which is why it's so widely talked about in the first place, naturally.