Clownzilla

Desiel would be a nice option across the Hummer brand. I think it would go over well.

How do you make it do that? That would be pretty fun!

I know this is a GM fan site and we do hold an Anti-Japanese vehicle bias (face it.......we do), but this vehicle is truely a design disaster. It shows that Toyota has the automobile world in their hands.

1. The controls are placed where they are very easy to get to and understand. 2. The SAAB dimmer is different in the fact that a person can turn off all of the Cabin lights except for the speedometer. I drove a SAAB from my dealership for a while and thought this was just a gimmick option. After using it for several night drives, it makes a much more soothing experience. With all the SAAB lights on, the cabin looks like an airplane cockpit, which is pretty cool in my book, but at times a person just want's a speedometer. 3. The warning lights turn off during a heavy driver workload because it coaxes you to look at the road instead of the warning panel. A heavy workload usualy indicates the driver is in an accident evasive maneuver, where all eyes should e on the road. The dealership where I work has had SAAB for about 3 years now. At first I thought all of these features were a joke, but after driveing them around for a whie, I came to find out that these SAAB engineers were pretty smart. This SportCombi is no acception, and I hope they continue to use SAAB to make SAAB's and not make more 97x's or 92x's. They don't even have to be built in Sweden, they just have to make sure they keep the engineering, design, and research in Sweden (which is a whole other topic).

They probably supply several auto companies. I remember seeing a commercial stating how they supply Masserati with A\C componets. Anyway, the article states that the UAW won't strike to cause collateral damage, but when GM packs up and moves production out of the USA, who will the UAW have to strike to get a sweet deal then. Hmm.........Well, Toyota might not be in the crosshairs now, but they will be in the same danger GM is in now with possible supply disruption. Then Toyota packs up and goes out of the USA, and then the UAW will have to strike..............who?

I think the world should get ready for some MAJOR Toyota recalls. I hope the press is ready.............

We received one at our dealership last week and I must say that I'm impressed. Like many others, I was worried about the 92x,97x and the state of SAAB. With this vehicle though, I can see that SAAB is getting their style and identity back.

No employee deserves a retirement plan! Employees get the privalage of getting a retirement plan! My pay + benefits is FAR less than many union workers but through wise living, wise savings, and wise investing, I take my future in my own hands. I don't count on the corporation to fund my future. This new economy is thriving by the people who understand that high paying USA production jobs are DEAD! Listen, it's hard to outsource most service and retail jobs (except phone customer service.......a whole other story). For some reason people think that production is the king of all jobs, and retail and service is a dirty word. Working at a GM dealership that sells and services GM product, I will keep selling vehicles to people that work in such industries. GM is getting killed in the market place, and it's hard to compete on price and product when the UAW is asking for way too much for our current production market. The only thing going Tic-Toc-Tic-Toc is the production jobs in the USA, not the rest of the jobs!

[quote name='SingleStylish' date='Dec 15 2005, 12:08 PM'] [post="59072"][/post] [/quote] And tell me again why the UAW is crying... this should outrage everyone that an uneducated workforce gets paid and will retire better than those who worked hard for their skills and earned there position. "Um... yes sir boss... I am quiting my crappily paid engineering job to go work on the line... it pays SOOO much better!" [post="59076"][/post] [/quote] I agree 100%! I have preached this before several times and I will preach it again. All of the factory work is going to go to China, Mexico, etc.. While all the GM office operations (hmmmmmm..........non UAW) will stay in the USA. All because of this nonsense. Hey, I will sell a Chinese GM if it puts food on the table..........the table bought by a college educated person that NEVER had the sweet pay and benefits that the UAW has!

I agree! Isn't Honda talking about making them standard? I know that Honda is in a better financial position than GM, but there are some standard features that offer competative advantages and some standard features that offer major competative advantages.

Good idea, but I think their linup should be simplified even more. 9-3 AWD 9-3 Conv. AWD 9-5 AWD 9-5 Conv. AWD Let Opel be the guide for their vehicles, not GMNA (97x) or any other company (92x). I don't care where you build them (Sweden, USA, Germany), as long as it has a Euro-feel. Does SAAB need any type of SUV? Isn't AWD enough? Very few people really need SUV's or AWD, but if a quirky car comes around that offers this "needed" option I'm sure it would sale. Obviously, Subaru has shown this. SAAB could be the upmarket, European Subaru.

I'm in my mid 20's and have worked at a GM dealership for 11 years, and I see Opel as a quality product. Yes, I understand that they were junk in the past, but I see them in the same light as I see Toyota being junk in the past. Even being a GM nut, I really never think of Opel as even being sold here before. I think bringing Opel and Holden over here would get some sales. Lexcar14 is right that Opel and Holden would be "cool". To be honest with you, I really think that Holden and Opel are "cool", and I would be glad to drive one!

It's a nice vehicle, but not as "offensive" as I would like to see it. Has there been any talk (rumors or official) for a V series of this SUV?

A mini truck would be an industry first and I think would be a HOT niche market! That would stab the stake (that the HHR started) further into the heart of the UGLY Scion Bx and the Honda Element!

Chinese people literly hate Japanese people. Their was an interesting article in Automotive News several weeks ago (can't remember which one) talking about the difficulty of Japan selling vehicles there because of this. Their was an interesting quote from a Chinese guy shooping at a Puegot or Renault dealership or somthing, when asked by the interviewer "Why don't you buy a well built Toyota"(somthing to that effect) the Chinese man said, and I quote "Because I hate Japanese people".OUCH!!!!!!

$2.19 where I live. Good in the truck heavy midwest.

Remember that the countries are just as guilty as the companies. Second, even at a level playing field we still might have tech support in a 3rd world country, and phones from Korea and Japan. If that is the case (in which quite a few will be) then the USA has evolved into a different kind of economy, one that many people still won't grasp and take advantage of.

I agree. Most people buy trucks (especially Japanese trucks) for the "urban cowboy" persona. It makes them feel rugged. Most workers I see end up driving Chevy and Ford trucks, which in turn do need the power. I hope GM makes their hybrid (their REAL hybrid, not their truck hybrid they are getting very soon) worker friendly. In all the articles I have read, the GM hybrid will do just that.

The time has come for the USA to put SEVERE tarriffs on any country (not just Japan, and including Canada) participating in tampering with natural economics to give an unatural boost in competetive advantage. If we do that then GM (and yes Ford) can again show their true might in a level playing field. At that point, the land of the rising sun will soon be the land of the setting sun.

Does this look like a benefit plan for employees of a company losing BILLIONS a year. Outsourcing is looking better week after week.

20% sounds about right. I think though, that this should apply to ANY country (including Canada) that engages in certain shady economic practices that hurt the USA economy. Also, if this tax did happen, most likely the offending countries would change their practices quickly (meaning the tax would not last long). Prices would be closer to their "real" price, then the USA would be more competative (like they should be). In this case, the USA might not have to ship as many factory jobs to China and Mexico...................at this time we can all drink a Coke, hold hands, and sing.

I would GREATLY support heavy tariffs on countries that impose unfair monitary practices on us. I would even enter politics (which I can't stand) to push this cause. We (the USA) should stand up against these practices! Yeah, it would anger the anti-domestic automobile buyers................but that's just too bad!

Although it may seem bad for many people, selling GMAC is a VERY neecissary move for GM. GM will have access to cheaper money, and in the long run will be able to make more money selling vehicles by geting that cheaper money (if they make vehicles that the import buyers want). The $14 bil. + won't hurt either. People must be objective in the reasoning of this decision.

Interesting idea. After an insane amount of dealer backlash, this could actually work for GM (or maybe not), worth a look though. I'm surprised that nobody else has mentioned this.

Kind of reminds me of those neat Mercedes commercials a few years ago. This puts emotion into the Opel..........good job GM! We need more of that type of advertising in the states.