enzl

It's called an Amanti...and its probably the equivalent of LaCrosse. Arguably, its retro cues and old school interior out-Buicks Buick, but that's a matter of opinion.*Please bear in mind that the same dismissive attitude about the Japanese has put the Euro and American companies in a very bad spot. **Kia is (supposedly) going to be sportier in the future...if Hyundai can become a quality nameplate in 5 years, Kia could easily become a cut-rate Audi in the next 5. Have you seen the Cee'd 'vert concept being shown around? It's actually pretty good looking....

Old news, but bad news. How can a company spend millions to promote a system and then allow 2 million potential paying customers to just drop off?Makes no sense to me. Anyone know if upgrades are being offered to 'analog' vehicles? Seems like a smart thing to do, as its a revenue stream that is unique in the industry.

If you polled the 100,000 employees that will directly or indirectly lose their jobs in the next year or so because of GM (ANd Ford and DCX) Corporate stupidity........odds are they wouldn't be ranking GM at the top of any polls either.

If it's gotta be built at Brampton, there's probably 3/4 other things I'd rather see developed than the Impy....

Not a misread, however, they are replacing the Accord & Pilot this year and there is a clear weakness at Acura, as the RDX haasn't set the sales charts on fire. There is also the issue of Civic production, which I believe has slowed in anticipation of an expansion of total Civic production in the states...Whats great about Honda is that the sales are not the only thing....they are truly long term thinkers and have an engineering spirit. They're making Jets now! (And it's supposedly a superior product as well.) http://world.honda.com/jet/ http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/20...ajet-usat_x.htm

...that are eating the detroit 3's lunch. (just thought I'd finish the statement for you.)Obviously, you haven't driven their 'appliances' against the appliances they compete against. They may be toasters, but they're better toasters. What is GM producing that's demonstrably better than the Accord? Is Ford's Focus or Dodge's Caliber really better than a Civic? Rather an Aveo than a Fit? C'mon. Does GM have a F1 team? Or a V10? You want to argue their truck aren't 'trucky' enough? That I might buy...if the lion's share of truck customers ever use the capability of their 4 dr. pick-ups (which are merely SUV substitutes most of the time.) Proportionately, I'd argue that a larger % of Honda's production worldwide are vehicles with an enthuisiasts edge to them, as compared to any of the Detroit 3 or Japanese cos. You have to be realistic with your premise if the statement is going to be persuasive. If Honda isn't relevant, than I'd hate to hear your assessment of GM's true situation.

This Imperial is all wrong. Additionally, I'd sooner see Chrysler get its own line-up in order (suggestions: 300 interior fixes, PT replacement, Pacifica update, distinctive minivan alternatives) than worry about a dead and unlamented marque like Imperial.To add insult to injury by asking workers to take a paycut to build this monstrosity is absurd. That plant is currently building product that sells more than 20k units/mo. combined....a 300 sedan, Magnum update (as something that's more than a wagon-rod), the Charger & Challenger should easily maintain or improve upon that volume. These are vehicles that are being sold at transaction prices far above their predecessors---are they letting Sebring designers make every decision over there? What a mess!

Why would any BPG invest in an upgrade? It's beyond rediculous to have GM saying you'll have less product, but you MUST upgrade your facilities. Or, we know Pontiac is rumored to be on the chopping block, please invest in signage and showrooms for a product that may not be there in 3 years time.... Toyota or Honda can insist on these things...it's an insult to businessmen that are struggling mightily to insist on any capital investment without big GM spiffs to do so...and GM doesn't have the cash to do it, so unless there's some more flooding or hurricanes or earthquakes, don't expect this design to appear in your neighboprhood BPG anytime soon.

Which would explain the Corolla having it's best sales year after 4 years on the market. Keep in mind, Toyota sells more vehicles with less dealers and markets that they haven't entered, yet. Newsflash: They'll never stop entering 'new' segments...they're sitting on enough cash to replace their entire lineup multiple times....that's the problem the Big 2.5 face-not just beating Toyota, but somehow coming out ahead in a race they may never be able to compete in anymore. Why else would the markets value a company like GM at a discount to smaller entities?

Media Bias! Media Bias! Ooops....sorry, just a C&G knee-jerk reaction....

I might have a poor example, but I find the steering disconnection very disturbing. I'm a manual tranny, sportscar kind of driver, but I get stuck in all kinds of beasts all the time (I've spent the winter in a 04 Mercury Mountaineer). It's certainly just my opinion, but I'm going to try and hop a quick drive in an 07 'nox to check out the difference. To be honest, the seat comfort is also an issue to me, and both the steering and the seating combined leaves me a little dissapointed, as both are things that hit you on a test drive...ie they should have been corrected...The CRV or Escape are just better drivers, but obviously, less practical.

I jut picked up the Hot Wheels 'limited edition' packs, one with the Camaro Concept & a '68 Camaro IIRC & one with the concept Challenger and a '73...each are packaged as pairs.... They should be here in the next couple of days....

I just happened to pull an 05 equinox as my company car this month....here's my take in the first 100 miles: Pluses: Engine has nice power and is surpriosingly muted in this application. Interior has a ton of passenger space and the sliding rear seating is a great idea done well...seems to be sipping gas at a reasonable rate. Minuses: The steering is video game detached, almost disconcertingly so, plastics are plentiful and not up to current GM standards (although I believe they've gotten better in the 07's), the drivers seat is mediocre-has a lumbar adjustment & backrest adjustment that's manual, with a power 4 way for the base. Final Edict: Personally, if they've fixed the electric steering somewhat and the seating is comfortable for your body, I think this might be a decent ride you wouldn't regret buying. Based on current sales figures, you can probably get a good deal as well.

I don't think the 78k fleet number is too far off....I believe the G8 will be a GTO/Bonneville replacement, rather than a 'new' Grand Prix anyway. Keep in mind that there's a threshold number, beyond which the G8 will end up being built in the US, eventually. Selling out a few years production at 30k/year would be a good start....

Keep in mind that these 'Space Concept' vehicles are quite popular in Europe. The theory behind the premium marques producing these things is that they feel the mid-market nameplates that produce these things now (Ford S & C-Max, Renault Espace & Scenic, VW Caddy & Touran) will be in for another squeeze, just as the 3-series & A4 et al. have killed the 'Mondeo-man' market. In other words, these are euro-flavored and not intended to be anything more than incremental sellers here in the states. Just like Diesel engines and Robbie Williams, these concepts are not easily transferable to US tastes.

I'm glad the problem has an easy fix....but you've got to wonder how it got that far....the media is not entirely wrong for pointing at this as an example of the 'bad old days'. At its core, its an inexcusable F-up.

and true....

Mieage totals are up and death rate (deaths/mi.) is down.The advancements in safety tech (airbags, ABS, ESP et al) are some of the MOST successful uses of tech in a modern auto (see BMW's i-drive as a prime example of how not to use tech.) I couldn't agree more that safety systems are no substitute for commmon sense at the wheel, but your premise is just wrong. I'd rather have an accident in a New Kia than a older vehicle. You're certainly free to choose the latter...

It is at our CJD as well....I think it and the Wrangler 4 dr. are cannabalizing Liberty sales, however.

Nah. Weird complaint, agreed, but appeared to be a paint issue, not necessarily a weld issue...remember, these are reported complaints, all of which go back to GM because time is spent investigating (lift time, etc.) You are 100% right that it shouldn't happen...like I said, the sampling is small. as we do not sell many of these models.

100% agree. Except maybe the genitals part..: )If this thing comes in at 24-25k and tops at 34 or so, it'll sell and give Pontiac dealers a reason to get up in the morning...as far as Pontiac 'excitement'---I'm not sure what that means anymore. I suspect GM feels similarly, therefore this makes the most sense...

Aura sold 4k units in Jan.Outlook about 1K, IIRC. They'll be up around 8k combined in Summer Saturn is GM's Canary in the Coalmine, IMO.

Generally, NVH related complaints...had a couple with rusting welds that I haven't seen on a modern vehicle in years.The tranny/4wd transfer case was probably the largest serious problem area.... While CR clearly jocks Toyota, I'm not suggesting the Tacoma is gold, just better than the best GM has put forth. With only a couple/month going out, I can't say that my sampling is scientific or representative, but the decisions to develop a small vehicle in a class that is growing in size, the lack of a V6 option and some real rental grade materials makes it tough to sell a near 30k truck, in its decked out form. If you really believe this is a 'best effort' by GM, than I can't help...if you believe that GM has the capacity to do much better, I'm with you. Part of Toyota's success is that the Camry in the showroom has a truck counterpart that exhibits similar quality, class equalling features and some clever bits that make the consumer believe Toyota is listening. The C/C twins make the customer believe that the other offerings may be rental grade as well. A company is only as good as its worst product, not its best. Anyone can cherry pick a great product in a line-up. Noone has the middle market lined up in their crosshairs more accurately than Toyota, period.

Not directly. I do supervise the accounting function and the parts inventory is done to cross reference warranty work monthly, so I have a pretty good idea of what is coming and going.I grabbed CR because it was there...I'm not holding it as gospel, just as a sampling... Additionally, We can't give away the Colorado's in stock. And the ones I've used haven't impressed, either ---so its the trifecta product-wise.

Um. Not even worth it.