Drew Dowdell

I'm just happy they didn't bash the Malibu for no reason. They really couldn't find anything major to complain about. Coming in second in this crowd isn't a bad thing. In the past, would the Malibu even have been invited?

So all this arguing from you about sales numbers is just because you don't like the one you're driving even though it's basically the same package as all the others in it's class and sells nearly double any Japanese competitor? If you don't like an HHR, I doubt you'd like an xB, Matrix, Element, or PT Cruiser either. Just pick something else man....

Question 1: How are the CRV and RAV4 direct competition for the HHR? CR-V starts $4,000 higher than the HHR. RAV4 starts $5,000 higher. I think the Element, PT Cruiser, Matrix, and xB are the HHR's true competition as they are all roughly the same size, the same price range, and .... well, the same kind of vehicle. Question 2: How is selling a steady 100k per year, in it's 3rd model year, in a market previously not occupied by GM, a bad thing? Toyota wishes they sold 100k xBs. They sold 56k xBs to Chevy's 96k HHRs. Toyota lumps Matrix in with Corolla so I can't get a number on them, but I highly doubt that one in four Corollas is a Matrix and that is what would be needed to exceed HHR sales. Honda wishes they sold as many Elements as Scion sold xBs. Element sells at less than half the rate the HHR does and it's already been through an MCE. PT Cruiser sales are substantially down despite heavy fleeting. Down below HHR in fact. So... wait. Doesn't that make HHR the best selling in it's market? In fact, even if you remove every single HHR fleet sale, it still outsells everything from the Japanese INCLUDING their fleet numbers and handily outsells PT Cruiser when you remove it's 50% fleet rate.

Ford.... well, Mercury specifically. If GM hadn't existed: 1. Horsepower race wouldn't have been nearly as large. 2. We would be 10-20 years behind in automatic transmission technology. 3. 10 years behind in FWD technology 4. 15 years behind in airbag technology 5. We'd say that "_______ is the Duesenburg/Lincoln/Imperial of ________'s" and it just doesn't roll off the tongue as nicely as Cadillac. 6. 50% of South Florida would have no idea what to drive. 7. There'd be no Ralph Nader... <maybe this one is kinda good> 8. The Model-T would have continued production till 1947 when Old Man Ford finally kicked the bucket. 9. BMW M5 owners would have to crank start their V10s. 10. Auburn/Duesenburg/Cord, Studabaker, Packard, Hudson, Nash, Edsel, Imperial, and Chrysler would still be around today.

This was a "How the new comers stack up to our previous choice." comparison.

I'll go out on a limb and say 100% of the HHRs weren't sold at retail. Who pays sticker anyway? 25% were daily rentals - probably big discounts there 70% were retail - some discounts, but again, who pays sticker? 5% were commercial - flower shops, pharmacy deliveries, etc. - More discount than retail, but not as much as rentals. Apparently companies that do deliveries love them. Less expensive than a minivan while still having a good loading capacity. All of the Eckards <when they were in business> around here had HHRs for their prescription deliveries.

JB Weld

DUNE cat!

Genesis!?!? Genesis allowed is not! It is auto forbidden!

It was 2007 COTY and they are not in the mood for Filet Min-Crow tonight.

Agreed, however this article was about E85 v. Petroleum diesel. Also not presented was the fact that engines designed to run on ethanol don't suffer as severe an efficiency penalty as flexfuel vehicles do. Ethanol can be run at very high compression because it's over 100 octane. The 3.5 litre FFV in the Impala runs a compression ratio of 9.8:1. The Corsa in Brazil runs on 100% alcohol and has a compression ratio of 12:1. Keep in mind that 12:1 is where the new BMW V10 runs and has a huge amount of technology behind it just to run on premium. The compression ratio in the Impala is where the efficiency is being lost.

Mercury Milan and as many old Oldsmobiles as I could lay my hands on.

They placed the Camry 1st, but look at what they said about it: They also said the Malibu<!!> is better with road and wind noise. but they can't make up their mind... first it's roomy... then it's Still, I'm happy at least that they managed to print their bias without incoherent bashing of the Malibu. They had for more negative to say about the Camry even though it took first. The brake pedal feel and rear seat comfort are really subjective. I doubt anyone will get MT like fuel efficiency out of the Malibu.

Interesting, no swipes at the Malibu, no mentions of Citations or Celebrities, over all sounds to be a pretty fair review. I don't get this one though: It's supposed to? I don't think that is something I'd want to happen. edit: MT got 16.3 mpg? Sounds like they were enjoying that HF3.6 a bit too much. I never get below 18 in my CTS even when driving it like I stole it and it weighs the same, has more power, and "only" a 5-speed.

Link to TheCarConnection Thirty different cars, trucks, and crossovers, representing more than a dozen different U.S., European and Asian nameplates will vie for honors when the International Car of the Year awards are announced, next month. Sponsors of the event revealed their list of finalists, Tuesday, an assortment of automobiles chosen by a panel of journalists. The three finalists for the grand prize, recognizing the International Car of the Year, was dominated, for the first time, by American products, the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac CTS sedans going up against Honda's newly redesigned Honda Accord. Detroit dominated the list of truck finalists, as well, which pits the new Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid against Chrysler's latest generation of minivans and Mazda's new CX-9 crossover. ICOTY judges were asked to consider factors such the car buying and ownership experiences, along with the emotional relationship between vehicles and their owner, explained ICOTY's founder, Courtney Caldwell. "It's about how cars reflect our lifestyles and image of self, an attitude most consumers identify with." The 12th annual ICOTY awards will include eight other categories: Luxury: Most Respected Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, Cadillac CTS, Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG Sedan: Most Dependable Chevrolet Malibu, Subaru Legacy 3.0 Limited, Honda Accord Sedan Entry Level: Most Spirited Dodge Caliber SRT4, Volvo C30, Ford Focus Sports Car: Most Sex Appeal Infiniti G37 Coupe, BMW 335i Convertible, Audi R8 Pickup Truck: Most Athletic Toyota Tundra, GMC Sierra Denali, Ford F-250 Super Duty SUV: Most Resourceful Land Rover LR2, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI Minivan/Life Stage: Most Compatible Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan Crossover: Most Versatile Buick Enclave, Volvo XC70, Nissan Rogue The ICOTY awards will be presented on January 12, 2008, just before the official opening of the North American International Auto Show. The Detroit auto show will start off with another closely watched and generally better-known award, the North American International Car and Truck of the Year. Finalists for NACTOY will be announced next week.

LOL @ Monorail cat

OMG NO WAI! You can't compare something that sells at 35,000L with something that sells for 65,000L. This comparo is all wrong! He should have compared it to the BMW 335i because they sell at the same price! Who cares if the VXR8 is a full foot longer and 300lbs more!?! YOU HAVE TO COMPARE IT TO THE CARS IN IT'S PRICE CLASS NO MATTER WHAT! sheesh... Clarkson is such a retard.

only 9k went to the rental market. The rest were commercial purchases. but why aren't we counting this with Cobalt/G5 sales like Toyota does with the Matrix/Corolla?

One new accord no new malibus And Chevy is the best selling brand here for the past 7 years.

The things you could do with a pushrod and 4-speed auto....

bad Camino... you shouldn't make fun of his height like that.

Why is there this assumption that GM overproduced the 3800 in the 10s of thousands?

I do. It's really easy to guess. But please have respect and restraint in e-mailing him. He does reply if the questions are concise enough.

cool, another article that doesn't present all the facts and ignores other reasons for using the fuel.

I've heard a similar amount of anecdotal evidence as to the same...... well.. regardless of transmission anyway.