Drew Dowdell

Where is there the requirement that we be the sole cause? What if we are just a catalyst? Ice cores So why wouldn't we try and minimize our impact on environmental balance?

Here is the premise of climate change theory broken down to the simplest points. Fact: Carbon Dioxide is a greenhouse gas, this isn't in dispute. We know that carbon dioxide will trap heat in the atmosphere that would otherwise escape into space. Fact: We are pumping millions of tons of carbon up from the ground where it has been trapped for millenia outside the natural CO2/O2 cycle. Fact: We are converting that carbon into carbon dioxide and delivering it to the atmosphere at a tremendous rate. Again, millions and millions of tons a day. Fact: We know that even mild temperature changes can have drastic effects on weather patterns. A 2 degree change in ocean surface temperature is the difference between a category 3 and category 5 hurricane. I'll give you that we are not done fully developing the theory... but nearly everything so far points to the results being very very bad if we don't reverse course now. I've not seen it so far, but has there been any "good" to climate change that isn't also accompanied with a "bad"? Has there been a "good" at all? Personally, I'd rather not see the "end" of this experiment. If you deny the above facts and still claim that climate change is still "just a theory", then yes, you do in fact deserve that tinfoil hat.

Your post should be repped to -50 for failure to understand the definition of theory. "As used in science, a theory is an explanation or model based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning, especially one that has been tested and confirmed as a general principle helping to explain and predict natural phenomena." Other "theories" Gravity Relativity Atomic Plate tectonics I'd love it if people who called Global Climate Change "only a theory" would run around Haiti shouting "Plate tectonics is only a theory!!!!!"

Gee... Pontiac did lame job on the G6 interior MCE.... I'd forgive the crotch shots if there were any decent ones.

Yes the concept did have the Turbo V6, but isn't he OPC more like 345hp?

But will you at least concede our point that we're not hating on the CR-Z just because it's a Honda? The CR-Z really is that ghastly. It's easily Aztec bad. Had it remained true to the concept version, I couldn't say that. I'll be in Chicago next week and I'm sure the CR-Z will be there. I can take more pics if you want.

Don't have that answer, but apparently the material is metalic base so it is unlikely to end up in the upper atmosphere.

Saw a mint Fiero GT out playing in the snow yesterday.

I was right, it was Volvo and it looks like the S60, S80, V70 and some PZEV Fords have it. It's called PremAir catalytic coating and was developed by BASF. In particularly bad smog conditions the the radiator coating, combined with the vehicle being a PZEV, would leave behind cleaner air than it encountered by turning all ozone it encountered into O2. Apparently the coating only costs about $50. I have links, but they're all to Word Doc or PDFs. If you google, PremAir catalytic, you'll find it. edit: Here is a good, but old and incomplete article on it.

I agree with Dodgefan. That top Crosstour, even if photoshopped, is much more attractive than the one we got..... just to quell those who would suggest that we've only been hating on Honda's latest designs because they are a Honda.

That would have been Ford's subsidiary of Volvo. I had the impression it was implemented in some Volvos and on the U.S. Ford Focus, a PZEV vehicle. But you do have a valid question.... Maybe I can ask Mulally next week.

+1..... for some people

I'm in favor of not shooting ourselves in the foot.

All you've proposed is that we're slower than volcanos but can do just the same amount of damage. A fire can destroy your house in 10 minutes. Termites take 10 years. Either way, in the end you still have a destroyed house.

Market share went from 15 to 20 in a year.... not shabby

*places bet on the Pacific Ocean winning..... eventually*

Yes.

I'll take it. I don't at all mind it going to a FWD bias platform with this kind of sales performance.

GM Getting Sales Momentum Core Brands up 30% Fourth Consecutive Month of Retail Sales Gains for GM’s Four Brands Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX Retail Sales Up 161 Percent Fleet Sales Comprise 29 Percent of Total Sales Chevrolet Equinox retail sales increased 67 percent; estimated retail share of the compact crossover segment is up 5 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) GMC Terrain retail sales were up 162 percent (compared to the vehicle it replaces, Pontiac Torrent); estimated retail share of the compact crossover segment is up more than 3 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) Cadillac SRX retail sales were up 218 percent vs. last year, the fifth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year; SRX gained approximately 15 points of retail share in the Mid-lux SUV crossover segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) In their first year on sale, GM Compact Crossovers – Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain – have become the second best selling crossovers in the industry GM sells more crossovers than any other automaker, representing approximately 20 percent of industry crossovers sold Buick LaCrosse retail sales were up 142 percent, the fourth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year; LaCrosse gained an estimated 12 points of retail segment share, making it number one in its segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) Chevrolet dealers sold 5,371 Camaros – the eighth straight month it has outsold Mustang Discussion: GM January 2010 Sales Results

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Retail Sales Up 3 Percent Total Sales for Core Brands Up 30 Percent Fourth Consecutive Month of Retail Sales Gains for GM's Four Brands Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX Retail Sales Up 161 Percent Fleet Sales Comprise 29 Percent of Total Sales DETROIT – U.S. dealers for GM's brands – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac – reported retail sales of 102,420, up 3 percent compared to January 2009, and 145,098 total sales (up 30 percent). These results were driven by the continued strong growth of new GM crossovers and passenger cars. For the month, GM dealers reported 146,825 total sales (including other brands), representing a total sales increase of 14 percent from the previous year. "This is the fourth month in a row that Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac have shown a collective year-over-year retail sales increase," said Susan Docherty, GM vice president, Sales, Service and Marketing. "Our long-term plan to continue to focus and strengthen our brands is delivering results." Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac comprised 98 percent of the company's retail sales in January, compared to 85 percent a year earlier. Retail sales, including other brands, in the U.S. were 104,122 during the month. This represents a 10 percent decline from a year ago, driven by other brand sales – Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and HUMMER – that were 90 percent lower. GM dealers delivered 42,703 fleet vehicles, comprising 29 percent of total deliveries for the month. Other Key Facts: Chevrolet Equinox retail sales increased 67 percent; estimated retail share of the compact crossover segment is up 5 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) GMC Terrain retail sales were up 162 percent (compared to the vehicle it replaces, Pontiac Torrent); estimated retail share of the compact crossover segment is up more than 3 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) Cadillac SRX retail sales were up 218 percent vs. last year, the fifth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year; SRX gained approximately 15 points of retail share in the Mid-lux SUV crossover segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) In their first year on sale, GM Compact Crossovers – Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain – have become the second best selling crossovers in the industry GM sells more crossovers than any other automaker, representing approximately 20 percent of industry crossovers sold Buick LaCrosse retail sales were up 142 percent, the fourth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year; LaCrosse gained an estimated 12 points of retail segment share, making it number one in its segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) Chevrolet dealers sold 5,371 Camaros – the eighth straight month it has outsold Mustang "Our launch vehicles such as the Chevrolet Equinox and Camaro, Buick LaCrosse, GMC Terrain, and Cadillac SRX continue to attract new customers to our brands," Docherty said. "In addition to styling and fuel efficiency, customers have told us they want safe, high quality vehicles. They can have peace of mind knowing that our vehicles come standard with our 5-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and OnStar." Management Discussion of January Sales Results "Global economic recovery is picking up pace," said Mike DiGiovanni, executive director, global market and industry analysis. "In the U.S., we are seeing a strong rebound in manufacturing and stabilization of consumer confidence, which will support a slow but steady improvement in the vehicle market." U.S. Economy Leading economic indicators point to a continuing recovery in 2010, although risks remain Job losses continue to decline, but initial claims of unemployment remain high, indicating continuing reduction in the labor force. Unemployment is likely to stay near 10 percent Consumer confidence stabilized at the December level. Consumer vehicle buying attitude is improving, but consumers don't anticipate a strong recovery in jobs and income Home prices have stabilized in large parts of the country. Housing starts dropped 4 percent in December, but rising housing permits indicate construction will pick up in coming months The manufacturing sector continues to expand. Corporate profit reports show the corporate sector is positioned to expand as the economy improves U. S. Auto Industry The U.S. January 2010 SAAR is estimated to be approximately 11.0 to 11.3 million (total industry estimate) – largely on par with Q4 2009 sales Based on the strengthening U.S. economy, we are increasing our 2010 CY sales outlook to 11.5 to 12.0 million (total vehicle)

Ah. I know that Cochran has/had a Solstice Coupe in the showroom recently. I think it was a CPO. If you wanted, I could get out to Smail and take more shots of it for ya.

More good news for Ford: Sales up 24% for January 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury January sales up 24 percent versus year ago Cars up 43 percent, crossovers up 20 percent, SUVs up 8 percent, trucks and vans up 14 percent Ford brand sales up 26 percent, Lincoln up 16 percent and Mercury up 6 percent Ford's U.S. market share estimated at 16 percent, up 2 points versus year ago Fleet customers are back in the market – and buying Ford; fleet sales more than doubled versus last January's depressed levels Retail sales were 5 percent lower following December's 18 percent increase New products drive Ford's brand favorability and purchase consideration to record levels Discussion: Ford posts 24% sales increase

That looks a lot like "my" dealer. Is that Cochran?

.... when up up down down left right left right B A Start is how your start your day.

I think this case is slightly different in that it's not that Toyota had a need to recall but how they handled the whole situation. If it comes out in those congressional hearings that Toyota did in fact know of this issue since 2004, they're going to be deflated quite a bit.