hyperv6

How many times have the magazines told us what the new Corvettes will look like and they miss it nearly every time. The Omega is as much a mystery to them as it is to us.

The XTS will remain as the choice for fleet sales. The Omega will be much more $$$$. The XTS will remain the choice for fleet and livery sales and take the resale bullet to protect the ressale value of the others in the line up. Think of the XTS as the Cadillac Captiva. They will keep with public sales to those who want them but for the most the appeal will be to those who buy for vehicles. The XTS will do for Cadillac what the Town Car did for Lincoln and generate cash flow. The difference is Cadillac will have other models that matter.

The best regarded Rivs were 63-65 and 71-73 Some of the FWD were nice but they never could capture the look of the 63-65 Silver Arrows styling. The 1963 impressed the best designers in the world and I would love to see a little of that herritage placed in a modern car. I do not want it to be retro but I would like to see some hall marks of this on a RWD coupe. It also should be RWD as it would better fit the price class it will be in for todays market. FWD becomes a hard sell the closer to $40K you get. Over $40K there are too many good RWD cars to choose from and little interest in FWD coupes. Take an updated Camaro Zeta platform in Zeta II updates and make it a Riv and take a LWB Zeta II and make it a 225 Electra or Park Ave

I expect several things on this platform. The Sedan is a lock. A Sport Coupe ala Bently like and A convertible 2-4 door? The more I think they can keep Omega Cadillac the better. It would give Cadillac a more exclusive image they need. Also the engine program as in the ZR1 has shown GM can do limited run engines and still make money. While I do not even consider a V12 or V16 I do see where they could do a V8 in house now. Most MFG will be cutting the V12 and larger engines soon as Bently has already started to place a V8 in some of their cars and the others are looking to smaller engines and Turbochargers. The more I think about it a SWB Chevy Zeta II and a LWB Zeta II could be in the cars as well as a Zeta II coupe for Buick after the Camaro moves to Alpha. This line up would put space between the divisions and give Cadillac and Buick cars that are not the same and not also directly shared with Chevy. 3 seperate divisions with different versions of similar or different platforms for each. It sounds good to me. Also with the way GM build cars they could replace the Camaro line in Canada and no longer have to deal with the inport issues from OZ.

I expect the Omega may replace the Zeta at some point. I expect it to be a all new platform that will be expandable for several sizes. I also expect it will be going through the weigh reduction like the ATS did. Zeta II may carry on with a couple models but I could see the Omega replacing some of the Zeta lines. Expect the Omega to be the base of more than one car. I agree the future will be a mix of FWD, RWD and a few AWD models in the full size class. This is where the market is right now. This is the the models in demand right now and GM looks to be giving each option in each line. Also note the Riv name was reupped by GM. It may just be the normal retrademarking of the name but I have a feeling the Zeta or an Alpha coupe may be going to Buick and the RIv name would be perfect there.

The real truth here is what is wrong with most products and even the TV shows we watch. It is not directly the bean counters but the people who call the shots not willing to take the chance or risk on doing what they think is right. Take TV for example. American Idol becomes a big hit. The show is cheap to make and is popular beyond anyones dreams. For the most it is just more trash reality [non reality] TV. So now that it has been a hit other networks say why risk a lot of money and my job on a show that may turn out like House that may be good or fail like many do is 6 weeks or less? Lets just do a copy of what Fox did and call it the Voice or America has talent or in Fox's case the even copies themselves with the X Factor. Creativity is stiffled today with the big amounts of money that need to be laid out for new car models and many other products or projects. People responsible for these play it safe as they know they will be out on their ass if they make a mistake and cost a lot of money. It is easier to pass things off the easy way and not take risk. Lutz points out in his book on how a designer did not put chrome around the side window area on a car. Lutz told him that the car looked cheap without it and asked if the designer thought it would look better with it as he thought. The designer said it would look better but it would put him over budget. Lutz pointed out if the chome would add to the cars styling and image and make it sell better the cost over run would be over looked but if the car failed in the market because it looked cheap then it would come back to haunt the designer. Lutz pointed out to the designer it was better to take the risk and break the rule vs playing it safe. He showed the man he had a lot more to lose buy not doing what was right, The Bean Counter is part of the issue here or I should say the fear of the bean counter is the issue. The real fact is the people at GM need to be let to do what they do and what they feel is best to make a car that the public wants. I also blame the public for settling for the Camry and Accords. If they had not been accepting of these cars in great numbers it would have forced the MFG to take more chances to gain the publics attention. To just blame the bean counters alone is a little short sighted. They have a share in this but the designers not willing to take a chance and make a call as well as the public that settles share in this too. The fact is GM has played it safe for years and today due to Lutz changing the rules and removing the fear they have stepped it up as they are taking chances they never would have done accept for years ago. But we also have to be realistic and understand what the kind of vehicles people want today are. GM can take more risk but they can't be stupied either. They still need to invest billions and sell so many of that model to make max profit. It is all about making money in the end but they still can make a great car doing it. GM is in a tight box on what they can do but I think they are now expanding in better dirctions now and we will see the improvment over the next 10 years of models starting with the ATS. For the most part large trucks make poor cars we have already seen that. Also people buy trucks because they like trucks, that is why the small Car based SUV's look like trucks but really for the most parts are more car than truck. MFG found a way to make a Mini Van like a truck and now they all are looking for ways to make a version that stands out. This is where I think GM took a Lutz risk and did a Truck like Terrain and a car like Nox. This is a good example where they made a vehicle the same but different very well. It is diffcult to do much more with out running up cost.

My thoughts are if Chevy can build a solid network in Europe it would help establish Cadillac too. GM can win a lot of trust with Chevy a brand only few know and trust it may help give people confidence in the new Cadillac line. Lets face it many in Europe think of American cars like we think of French cars here. Most here think of Renault we think Le Car when over the last 20 years they are more Nissan. But with our limited contact many never learn this. Between the unknown quality of Cadillac mixed with the many failed marketing mistakes by GM it leaves a poor impression. Who wants to buy a car no matter the qulity if the dealer may not be here next year?

... or crazy.... First ... it's already been established YEARS ago that I'm crazy ... so, where the hell have you been? Second ... time will tell if I'm wrong or right ... and if Ch#$r%*et has provided more proof of lying to consumers. Just sayin'. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * rNwJumpStartCruzNite | 5:30-10:30p; SAT, 05/12/12 | BeefVilla, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "Are we too blind to see?" __ Elvis Presley __ 'In The Ghetto' Time will tell if they lied to you or you misunderstood. I really don't think many here see it the same way. I don't thnk that much effort was put into constructing this press release. THis was not a White House press release. LOL!

Styling cost no more or little more to make a good looking car vs bad looking. . The fact is they put on what the majority wants and that is what you get if you like it or not. Number of choices now that is what cost money. That is why power windows and other options were made standard. Settlmire pointed out the F body got power windows standard as it was cheaper to build them all that way.

Large cars are perfect for CNG, room for the tanks and the ability to give the customer what they want. Just hope that the US does not adopt the stupid pedestrin laws of how cars have to be people friendly for when you run them over otherwise we all end up with egg shapped auto's. The problem is the US regs mean little anymore as cars now will need to meet global needs since they will be selling most of these cars world wide with only a few changes. I can see that most of the car can be designed to meet the world market, just have the bland ped safety nose on Euro models and give us sculpted beauties for the US! I really don't see them doing two totally different noses. Head lights and things like that are easy to change but entire noses get much more expensive. Each year our cars get closer and closer to just one model and soon I expect there will be few differences other than the tune of the suspensions, bolt in options that are popular to some markets and engines. We are almost there now.

Large cars are perfect for CNG, room for the tanks and the ability to give the customer what they want. Just hope that the US does not adopt the stupid pedestrin laws of how cars have to be people friendly for when you run them over otherwise we all end up with egg shapped auto's. The problem is the US regs mean little anymore as cars now will need to meet global needs since they will be selling most of these cars world wide with only a few changes.

Yep! Good to see GM delivering on the plan. I expect the new CTS to be a big leap from what everyone hails as an already great car! BTW, the CTS-V wagon was named Autobild Sportscar of the Year (http://www.cadillace...news_article_11) in Nov-2011, so it seems Cadillac is moving forward on the perception track here on my side of the Atlantic. I hope sales are better there than here. I see so few CTS wagons here. I mostly see them on dealer lots unsold.

Ok so we found one person that cared? Sorry LOL! The 2006 Malibu SS.

ATS aimed straight at the competition. Good! That means the CTS will get a big jump in price to match the 5-Series, etc, segment. Buick is starting to get a long due breathing room in the price ladder That has been the plan but they had to wait till they had the proper product to do it. The old CTS was good but the ATS and CTS I expect will supass most expectations.

I think once we drive this car and see the test that compare it we may find it may be in the class lead at a equal or better price. To me that would be a win. If they had priced it at $29K no one would have bought that car anyways. If you want to be a player you can play the cheap card forever. Cadillac may just be ready to be as good or better vs being almost as good and cheaper conpared to others in class. That is a sign that GM may believe they have this one right.

Like Panera Bread with a liquor license? Well I would expect GM only to offer coffee and soft drinks. I think Soup in bread bowls would be too messy and complicated. The Drink liability would be a little much. But I could see it helping when the service writer has bad news about a timing chain needing replaced. LOL! I think a big screen TV on also would be nice with comfortable seating. A Good and Fast Wi Fi connection.

I was told a while back that the Camaro in time will share production lines with cars you never expected it to be shared with. I agree with you that the odds are better now than ever. Mark is not only got a good grip on product planning but I would be shocked if he did not replace Dan when it is time. Mark has the right mix of admin, product and car guy to make him the right choice to lead a car company. I see him as a younger less outspoken Lutz in many ways. I think Lutz had done what he could to promote him to where he would do GM the most good. Also Marks dad was a very good car guy strangled by the old GM rules. I am sure Mark learned a lot from Loyd his dad the father of the GN. The other real key here is Chevy is now global unlike the past with Pontiac Chevy. If you look at the Holden web site you will see much of Chevys future. Holden now has most of the Chevy line up including the new small pick up. Chevy NA just need the RWD sedans to make the connection. Europe already has them Vauxhull as does Asia with Buick so I really think they will be here this time. GM can not leave their largest market without. Also it is where they can really stick it to Ford as they have nothing really to offer here nor any plans beyond the Mustang. But I can not find fault with those who don't want to believe. You get burned several times it make it hard to believe even the best evidence. As for the Zeta coupe you already have one now with the Camaro and you would not have a chance till after the Camaro has had a year or more in the Alpha if even then. I think a Buick Riv would be a much better choice for a Zeta coupe.

Time will tell if you are right or wrong.

Well according to the market watchers GM is into Isuzu again for 2 main reasons. One is South East Asian markets where GM is still not a strong presents and two present and future diesel technology. Believe it or not GM is still weak in some markets that Isuzu would make them a stronger presents in and even if we don't see them the diesel engines are a must in other global markets. It is a fast easy way to get some good engine that they can use in future products.

You have the idea. I would like to see the service waiting room more like a club setting. Even a gas fire place would look nice in there.

Yes, I've thought about that, too. *rolls eyes* Nice try, Drew. That "name not currently" phrase was in an article. That was NOT the Ch#$r%*et press release. THIS is the press release wording: Since they used the phrase, "new nameplate to the brand's lineup", this implies a name never seen in the lineup before. Oh, I know the wiggle room. Trouble is, Ch#$r%*et, in its INFINITE wisdom, wasn't smart enough TO clarify. Their own fault. Period. And, hyper, GM has proven before that it doesn't care whether or not an old name was used on FWD or not. Look at the Nova, Monte Carlo, Impala and Malibu. Besides, I thought this "SS" model was supposed to be RWD, anyway...? And ... adding 2 doors didn't hurt the Charger, not the Challenger. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort * rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-caprice...rd=whatsgoingon * "Can you make these big wheels burn?" __ Ronnie Milsap __ 'Smokey Mountain Rain' Again sematics. new only means not being used now. So the fact remains it could go either way. Challanger- Charger you knew what I ment. Either of these cars mean little to me other than it may make GM bring back RWD. I really don't like either Dodge offering. As for FWD/RWD SS can go on anything that has class leading Goes, Stops and Turns ability. The Coibalt and HHR SS are good examples where FWD cars done right can out perform many and most SS from the past stock. Modified they are also still right there with the times I have seen posted. The market now has a strong FWD following and if you do not address it sales will be lost. SS mean performance and if used on a proper car I have no issue. Now the 85 Monte Carlo and 96 Malibu SS are reasons not to use SS unless it has real performace ability in all areas. We should know soon enough what the new name will be. To me it matters little as long as the car is right for the class in performance and styling.

The Terrain is very good for 5 people and is more passneger leaning. You can fold the seats and get more cargo but like most small SUV's the cargo area is limited with the seat up. The Acadia is not a bad buy right now as prices are good as long as you stay away from the Denali. The price on the outgoing versions are pretty good now and selections are high. I was tempted to look at one but the wife did not want anything that large. If you are getting a V6 Terrain the MPG is not much less and is about the same as the Envoy. The down side is you will not get the new styling and it will not have new things like Intellilink. I expect the deals to only get better by spring and summer. On the other hand the Terrain deals were good last month and they had one of the strongest sales months ever. They were the reason I read GMC had such good numbers. I think I bought at a good time as I suspect we could not have gotten as good of a deal. I am also glad we bought when we did as I did a search and only found one new Terrain like our around since we bough ours. Most similar ones in the same color are often states away.

Note I said I would not want these materials etc. The photo is to only point out the glassed in turntables that could be used in many styles of buildings. This is a retail store and that is why it looks like a retail store. By the way the inside is not best buys and is much more like the Old Race Rock Cafe crossed with an upscale department store than anything with large video screens and many old race cars and racing themed displays. It was very expensive to build. The store is as much an attraction as it is a retail location. While I am not saying that Cadillac should do something just like this I would like to see Cadillac come up with a retail location that would be as much an attration as it is a place of buisness. Another example here is a Harley store we have. They built the building with the front like a giant V twin engine theme to a very attractive California style building. It is very interesting to look at. Once inside they have displays of new and some old classic and historic Harleys. It has upscale Peterson Museum look about it that is not stuffy. Also they have a Harley style cafe that has good food and generates customer traffic into the show room that is not service related or sales related. I have heard the feel it has helped generate sales of accesories and even some sales when someone see's that bike they always wanted in person. I know a resturant is a little much for most dealers but the concept of somthing other than sevice work and new car sales generating walk in traffic would be a good thing for a dealer if you can keep the sales people from attacking like piranna. I own my HHR SS today because I saw a new one on the lot and just stopped to look at it. 3 months later I called the salesman that offered me the keys in the first 5 mins for a drive to find the one I bought. I have no plans on a SS or buying a new car till I was drawn in. I would like the Cadillac experience to be something that people could look forward too. Lets face it most people go to dealers now with the same mood as they do a Dentist for a Root Canal. My GMC dealer and Chevy dealer both were low pressure and they both have treated me well. The Chevy dealers building sucked as it was a well beaten 1970 building. They have just built the new style Chevy building like you see on the commercials. It looks much better but It is nothing I am going to visit till I plan to buy a car. I almost thing it is time for a car company to look for ways to make dealer more attractive for walk in visits. I think they should look for new ways to attract more people and new ways for profits. I think in the future the dealer will have to change as many people now are buying on line and only go to the dealer when they pick up the car. I have done this aleady and I see the new generations doing this too. I don't have the answer but I do feel it is time to reinvent the dealer.

Well as the time line goes the Zeta Camaro will be gone in 2015 and the word is the new other models would appear in 2015. Give some pause for thought. The SS could be built down under for one year and moved in with the rest of the line very easy in 2015. I wonder where the Alpha Camaro will be built, anyone have any hints?

Yes the Penske Scottsdale is a good example of what I am thinking. Penske class and Penskes like of history and marketing is what I would like to see. A good example today I thought of I would love to see is the use of some items like in the Historic Collection like some repo's of the old Neon and other hallmarks of the past but in a new setting. I really want to keep away from the Benz glass and aluminum look. Stone materials would give it a less dealer look and keep it upscale. I also like what Summit Racing has used in Tallmadge Ohio and Atlanta GA. They have turn tables that are glassed half in and half outside the building. They put all sorts of cars on them on display. I have seen everything from a Allison powered V12 Art Artfons Green Monster and John Forces drag cars and even the real Bumble Bee from Transformers to my own car on them. They keep different cars on them monthly for evens and special displays of race and show cars. If the dealers had this GM could loan out cars like the Sixteen or other future prototypes on national tours where they could be displayed in dealers. On the tables they are safe and removed enough people can not touch them. I really was blown away when I was asked to display my car on the table. I never thought anyone would ask for a Fiero on there. LOL! The cars on each side rotate and are half in and are half outside. It is a real attraction with the righ cars up there 24/7. The sign over the doors is changed about every two years to new photo. While this is a nice building I would love a more natural material used for the dealership.