Windy-57

I guarantee that this is a major point of debate right now. Chrysler, as a business, is not in good financial shape at all, so they are likely demanding more than GM on that basis, but the UAW is likely looking at Cerberus' big wallets and thinking they have enough money to honor the GM contract, if not more. As mentioned, this one will be very interesting - I'm sorry to say that though because there will be a lot of people that will suffer in the interim. Anybody want to set an over/under on the number of days they'll be out?

This is good. OnStar is already a huge competitive advantage for GM and the more they add, the harder it will be to catch up.

I'd heard a while ago that some Cobalt was going to Ramos, does that fit with the info here?

Is it just me or do the tolerances look fantastic? Really tight. I know it's pre-production, but aren't tolerances usually wider on pre-prod models?

Don't get me wrong, I think GM's deal will pass, but I think the fact that it's 3-9 is a good indication that the deal can't be pushed much further by Chrysler and Ford and still pass.

Pointless, they're not going to get a better deal. This also makes me think about what Ford and Chrysler have been talking about with that they're going to demand more. I don't believe Ford because they can't take a prolonged strike, which is exactly what demanding more than GM got will get them. On the other hand, Chrysler might have the nuts and, more importantly, money to do, but I think this shows that they'll have to fight to get anything more than GM got.

Yeah, I agree that I'd expect the Malibu to start covering more ground, but the real jump will come with the next gen when it's on the EPII. The Impala will be RWD and be a truer competitor with the likes of the Avalon, Maxima and 300 (and will have lower sales volumes, but a higher margin to show for it), the next LaX will likely move further up market and the G6 will be RWD and more sporty. All of that will help create market for the 'bu, but as I mentioned, that a generation off.

Yeah, here are a couple other thoughts: 1. They can keep a close eye on it - it's a quick drive for your top execs to address any issues that pop up. 2. It will get more automotive press coverage - given that GM has already been spilling as many beans about this as they can, I'd expect a boat load of fanfare to surround every step through its lifecycle including test drives, plant tours, trim level intros, woodward drives, etc. and all of the Detroit press will be invited...and will attend. 3. GM did this to please the UAW. What better way to say "we need you" or "you're still relevant" than to trust a UAW-run Hamtramck with the single most important vehicle launch the company will have in the next 10, maybe 20 years?

Yeah, this will do well. It will certainly sell out the small number they're bringing. The prices compare well to the Charger and (as mentioned) that's quite a feat given that this is imported from Australia and the dollar is very weak right now. But then again, this will never be built in the U.S. as the next gen is bound for Oshawa, correct? I don't usually like to nitpick what I think is a solid all around entry, but they really do need to offer this with a manual.

A couple of thoughts: First, I'm sure we're all taking this to the extreme moreso than even the people involved. GM reps might be pissed, but they still know that they have to work with the UAW. Hopefully each side still knows that they have to find as close to an equitable agreement for both sides as they can. That said, I agree with most of you here that I'm pulling for GM and think that they will get their way in the end. Second, what makes me think they'll get their way is the external living situations in Detroit. It's hard to strike and go without a chunk of money in your pocket for any length of time...it's even harder when you've been trying to sell your house for a year or paying two mortgages (situations that are rampant in Detroit). I know that the Detroit area is only a chunk of the membership, but they're still they symbolic leaders.

While others have mentioned that investors seem to be OK with this, I don't think it will help sell cars. If anything, this seems to put a cloud over GM that distracts from their new products. In the end, this will be very divisive. There will be some that blame GM and hate them for this, but on the other hand, there may be a lot more people who feel the same way as many people here - that the UAW is an archaic organization that is helping to kill one of America's greatest companies - and that could garner a level of sympathy.

A quick thought for the conspiracy theorists: GM knew this would happen and they're allowing it to happen. They lose 1/2 day of production (which as pointed out, won't hurt their inventory situation), they get a deal by the end of the day and tomorrow the union leaders can sell the rank and file on anything they bring. Sort of, "We had to give some things back, but it would have been a lot worse if we hadn't banded together yada yada yada." If that's not the case, then you guys are right, the UAW has sealed their fate. They won't be disbanded right away, but there will be a lot of work going elsewhere over the next 10 yrs. - sad.

I partially disagree. The fact is that the only people who will know what the heck is going on at the auto shows are industry-involved people and unveiling a bunch of concepts or future production models won't do much to continue on the Enclave's momentum in the mind of the general public. However, for the industry folk, the best thing they could do is drag this out. Rather than exploding and showing how Buick is going to be awesome and then letting that excitement dissipate over the ensuing 5 yrs., they should show their new stuff over time and slowly build and maintain the momentum. I don't know about that. I know everybody here is a big fan of that car (and it is excellent), but if you read the DTS FWD or RWD argument for a bit, you can really see that there is a market for a large premium FWD sedan like the current Lucerne...a market GM will completely vacate if the Lucerne goes RWD. Yes, love it. This name would be immediately associated with hybrid and still have the "quiet luxury" essence of Buick...perfect.

That video is freaking hilarious... Note to GM, I know you're trying to bolster your green image and bridge the gap between now and when the Volt is ready, but enough, there needs to be a balance between doing PR and giving everything away.

Yeah, I can defend the first bonus payout that is directed at keeping management talent, but I honestly don't understand what this is all about? I could even understand giving out a few bucks for hard work or long hours put in during a tough bankruptcy period, maybe $5k per person, but that's about $50K - $100K per person...that's just wrong, hopefully it won't go through.

That would be a good problem to have and you'll deal with it when you get there.

Don't forget too, while you may pay an extra few bucks now for a Saturn, they do have industry-leading customer service...many feel that it's worth it.

Yeah I imagine this factored in, but something tells me there's a boatload of money involved too. And what the hell, the Japanese don't believe in non-compete agreements...I bet they do now.

These talks will go on for long after that. I like the idea of a VEBA and think it would give workers the incentive to think about company performance on a whole. I just wonder if GM could take a $30B hit? I imagine it wouldn't be all at once, but still.

Okay, there have been comparisons to a lot of vehicles here. Based on wheelbase, and general description, it looks like the closest competitor will be the Ford Taurus X. GM won't really have a close competitor as the Lambdas are larger and more expensive and the Thetas are smaller and likely less expensive. Now, I think I've gone nuts because I don't see why everyone likes this thing so much. I'll give you that there's nothing offensive, but there's nothing I see that is impressive either. For Dodge, that face should be way more bold, the profile should have something to add and the interior is boring. I mean, take a look at the some of the competitions' interiors.

I agree with that, but I don't think it's feasible. Absolutely one of the traditions has to go. I think taking the Vette mid-engine has a ton of risk with not a lot of potential payoff. That is unless they make a Vette brand, but that just provides more potential benefit, it's still very risky.On the other hand, breaking the "Corvette it the top dog" tradition doesn't seem as risky. Don't forget, the Vette makes a lot of its bones on its affordability/performance combination, not solely performance prowess. So, I think you take less away from the Corvette tradition if you another model out performs it, but at a much higher price point. After all, did Porsche buyers think less of the 911 because they came out with the Carrera GT? (That's a little unfair, but still)

Actually, GM has been developing electric and hybrid technologies for a while, they just didn't invest in making them come to market because they couldn't make a business case for it. I do think GM is reaping a lot of benefits from touting the Volt; I've heard a number of domestic-haters say that this vehicle would make them reconsider GM. You talk about cars like the Solstice and Camaro providing the buzz to bring buyers back into GM showrooms, well, that's only a certain type of buyer. A whole different set is returning to the ranks of GM considerers with the promise of this vehicle. The only thing I worry about is the fallout if they don't deliver on the promises they're making now.

Yeah, I like this. Ford has the uncanny ability to produce an absolutely wonderful model (Ford Edge) while putting out some real trash at the same time. It would be nice to see some more consistency from them. And, this isn't production yet. Ford also has a real knack for taking a wonderful concept and making it garbage in production. (Flex)

First off, I understand that taking the Corvette mid-engine would be very risky, but this is the sort of pro-active, non-vanilla, risk-taking move that most of the people here have been begging GM to do more of. Yes, a $72k base for the Corvette would severely alter its position in the market, but at least they're thinking about ways to make it better and better instead of just "sticking with the formula that has worked." That said, I agree that Vette should stay front engine, for 3 reasons. 1. The base Vette shouldn't be much more than $55k even with a Camaro in the lineup. 2. The Cien wouldn't be a good direct replacement to the XLR. I think Caddy needs the XLR even with a Cien in their lineup. 3. What about Pontiac? Why do they keep screwing over their "Performance" division by giving every other brand performance models? You want to put Pontiac back on the map in a hurry? Give them this mid-engine vehicle. I think a Pontiac lineup of ME, GTO, G8, RWD G6, and Solstice doesn't sound too bad.

Well...the CX-7 has a base of $23,750 and, as you mention, I doubt you could find one for much less than $27K. I'd guess that the Astra will be much less expensive, which, makes its winning this award in a category like "less than $25K" pretty impressive.