thegriffon

Looks even more like the G6.

It's an Audi Signum, just a little taller than the new allroad, very similar to an A6 hatchback.

It's a concept because the production version is over a year away. If the specs are accurate this is far larger than any other crossover on the market—bigger than the Pacifica and Audi Q7, more than a foot longer than a Pilot, and even bigger than a Tahoe.

This is the bit that will have many happy: "Mr. Wagoner … announced that the automaker would close all or part of 12,000 plants"

Very true. Chrysler went through the same thing in the changeover to the LX sedans. The Lucerne is in a segment all it's own, so it's hard to make reasonable comparisons. The LaCrosse is easier to compare, since their are a number of premium large-midsize sedans (ES330, Maxima, Azera etc.). It's far from being a segment leader, but is selling at competitive levels. The Super should help in future, but it needs the kind of detailed work that will appear in it's Chinese counterpart, the next Buick Regal.

Counting only Same-model sales (i.e. ignoring lines which have been or are being discontinued and new model lines) GM sales were down 5.9% on a DSR for 2005. Hyundai/Kia sales were down 5.66%. Despite a strong recovery in the last quarter thanks entirely to the Jetta same-model sales at VW/Audi were down 9.28%. New lines at Nissan have not do well, primarily victims of higher fuel prices. While total sales were up 8.13%, same model sales were up 12.02%. While the Tribeca boosted Subaru, same-model sales there fell 2.99% with falling sales of the Forester, Baja and Outback. Although sales of the Legacy sedan are still a tenth of mainstream midsize sedans sales continue their strong growth, up nearly 15% this year. Without the Ridgline sales at Honda were flat, up just 1.94%. Accord sales fell 4.21%, while other major lines such as the CR-V, TL and Civic grew less than 1%. Same model sales at Ford/Mazda were down 8.26%. New lines at BMW have also been disappointing with the first full-year sales of the X3 and 6-Series less than 2004. New-generation SLK- and M-Class models were not enough to stop a big drop in same-model sales at Mercedes (down 7.4%), while new lines (CLS- and R-Class and the Maclaren SLR) could only boost sales to a modest gain of 1.64%. A full year of Magnum sales and the introduction of the Commander boost Chrysler group sales an extra percentage point, but the biggest gain was from the new-generation rwd sedans and the Town and Country, with same-model sales up 3.83%. Chrysler's gains lifted DCX to a 2.78% gain in same-model sales, and 4.52% for all models. The big winner in 2005 was Suzuki, with same-model sales up 16.55% thanks to the popularity of the Forenza/Reno and the new Grand Vitara. At this pace Suzuki will soon pass Mitsubishi, the biggest loser among volume manufacturers. Even Isuzu managed flat sales from its sole continuing model (Ascender) down just 0.99%. They desperately need to be paired with Suzuki to generate showroom traffic.

Isn't that the new generic GM sports steering wheel in the Mercedes?

That's why you have one of Japanese-style units with a built in bidet and dryer.

The girl in the Jeep? Do you have her number?

Maybe that is his wife

This will be the 4th SIDI Family II engine, the others being the 2.2 L Direct, the 1.9 L JTS with CVVT and the 2.2 L JTS with CVVT. There is also a 3.2 L JTS CVVT V6 in the Global V6 family.

Only in EB's use of the word. As for ties beyond the NA joint venture building and marketing medium trucks on Isuzu chassis under the Isuzu, Chevrolet and GMC brands, the is also the AUV project (Isuzu Crosswind/Hilander/Panther and Chevrolet Tavera), the global compact truck project (Isuzu D-Max, Rodeo and Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon), the previous-generation SUVs and pickups (Chevy LUV, Hoden Roldeo, Frontera etc.) IBC Vehicles (now merged back into Vauxhall) for European commercials and SUVs, GM Nigeria and GM Kenya producing Isuzu commerical trucks under the Isuzu brand, GM Thailand producing Isuzu pickups, the continuing diesel engineering ventures (now controlled by GM), and so on. At least as many ties as Toyota/Hino, despite the reduction in equity due to Isuzus earlier financial problems (trucks be a heavily cyclical business). When Isuzu built their own cars they were for a long time derived from GM/Opel designs - the Kadett/Gemini and Ascona/Aska. Despite what EB says, Toyota only acquired Daihatsu in Sept 1998. They were previously only affiliates, as were GM/Isuzu and Toyota/Hino. Toyota had no more and no less "acquired" Hino prior to 2001 than GM had "acquired" Isuzu. Only recently did GM actually acquire Daewoo. GM sold their earlier stake in Daewoo when the company set out on it's disastrous export drive. As for co-operation—Daewoo's platforms were all derived from GM/Opel's, and used GM engines, either built under licence and further developed in Korea or imported from GM Holden. (Ironically European imports use a GM Holden Family II 1.8 L, yet Austalian imports now use the newer GM Europe Family 1 1.8L). Saab has had much loser ties to GM since they coimpany acquired it's 50% stake than many people realise. In addition to engineering GM's fwd manuals and the turbo versions of the Family II (both old iron and new aluminum block), the 9-3 and 9-5 have long been based on different generations of the Opel Vectra—ties far closer than anything between Daihatsu and Toyota until 2003 when the Avanza and Xenia debuted in Indonesia. Basing Saabs on GM models is nothing new.

I did forget Wuling, which GM does count as one of it's Chinese brands. GM's other Chinese affiliates are all merely manufacturing subsidiaries of Shanghai GM (which controls Wuling as well), producing Chevrolets, Buicks and Cadillacs—no added brands. Although they have separate dealer networks I do not count Toyota's different Chinese partners. por your own enlightenment perhaps you could name all these other Chinese and Indian "affiliates". Other than Wuling there are none. Netz is Japan's version of Scion. While originally bearing Toyota badges new models starting with the bB will recieve a new Netz badge. Creating seperate branding for a dealer channel is far different from using a unique badge for a single model family, and Toyota's sales channels operate exactly like GM's US divisions, with separate websites and their own unique models (even one is a Kluger V and the other a Kluger L). Toyota's consoliudation of it's Japanese sales channels has so far been only in the merger of Netz and Vista into the new, more differentiated Netz channel. The addition of Lexus makes up for the loss. Nissan's sales channels (vestiges of former Datsun, Nissan and Prince brands) have been far more consolidated with no moidel differentiation left at all now that the (Prince) Cedric and (Nissan) Gloria have been replaced by the Fuga, and will soon be eliminated altogether. Mazda tried running separate Mazda, Autozam, efini and Eunos brands, but could not support the investment in separate models. Byuers in Japan have traditionally been very dealer loyal. There are probably many people who consider themselves buying a Toyopet rather than a Toyota. Oh and of course all GM vehicles for many years (not only in the US but Australia as well) carried GM badges, and will do so again int he US. Perhaps we can eliminate Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac and Saturn from the list, since, after all they are just sales channels and they will all have GM badges. Perodua is a separate brand for Toyota, no matter how little the difference from the Daihatsu models they are based on (and they are different, far more so than a Toyota Passo is different to a Daihatsu Boon). In addition to the domestic Malaysian market Perodua sells its models in other markets such as Europe, where it competes with both Toyota and Daihatsu, despite being controlled by Daihatsu as part of the Toyota group.

Although both Hino and Daihatsu have long been partners of Toyota, co-operation had been limited. Only since the recent takeover have the two companies become more integrated into Toyota, with a resulting joint projects such as the new KR-series engines, the Avanza/Xenia subcompact mpv in SE Asia, and the new C-body cars—the Passo and Boon (Sirion) sister cars and now the new bB. Previous vehicles were supplied on an OEM basis, just as Suzuki supplies vehicles to Mazda and Nissan, Mazda to Nissan and Mitsubishi, and Isuzu to Mazda and Nissan (and Nissan to Isuzu).

April 25, 2001 Subscription of New Shares ofHino Motors, Ltd. for Capital Increase Toyota Motor Corporation ("TMC") decided to subscribe for new shares of Hino Motors, Ltd. ("Hino"), a business partner of TMC, to be issued for capital increase by allocation of new shares to a third party, subject to the completion of the administrative procedures in and outside of Japan, such as filing with and approval by the antitrust authorities. In order to enhance the truck business of the Toyota group, TMC has considered that it is necessary for TMC and Hino to establish an even closer relationship and in the case of Hino, whose strengthening of its corporate structure is almost achieved after promoting structural reform, to strengthen and expand its business aggressively. Therefore, TMC decided to accept Hino¡s request for capital increase and to acquire its new shares. As a result of this acquisition of new shares, TMC's stake in Hino will increase from 36.6% (number of shares held: 165,597,000) to 50.1% (number of shares held: 287,897,000) and in connection therewith, Hino will become a subsidiary of TMC.

From EDAG (Jan 3) World premiere at the Detroit Motor Show 2006 In its first-ever appearance at the Detroit Motor Show, EDAG will exhibit two show cars as proof of its competence when it comes to innovative development solutions, including small series production. A world premiere will be the display of the Pontiac Solstice in a hardtop version. The American sports convertible comes from the factory with a cloth top which disappears under a flap in the back when retracted. The EDAG designers have designed a special hardtop, including a new boot flap, for the Solstice which not only puts a solid roof over the driver’s head, but also gives the car a completely new appearance. Inspired by the Pontiac Safari station wagons of the 1950s and 1960s, the EDAG designers have come up with a dynamic, elegant and contemporary variant of a sports estate.

GM "acquired" Isuzu in the same way Toyota "acquired" Hino. EB is being lax in their use of the word. Isuzu is still publicly talking up their future co-operation with GM, especially in light commercial vehicles. It doesn't hurt that GM is the majority owner of Isuzu's light diesel engine operations, from Isuzu Motors Polska and Isuzu Motors Germany to DMAX, to GMI Diesel Engineering in Japan. Just as Hino engineered the Tacoma, Isuzu was heavily involved in the Colorado. Just as Toyota builds Hino trucks in Long Beach, GM builds Isuzus in Janesville (and Nigeria and Kenya). Isuzu however is 6x as big as Hino globally.

Yes, and the sedan (CLS) outsells the coupe by at least 2:1. I don't know how interested GM would be in another Cadillac that sells just a few hundred every month.

No-one likes to think they are "old". Design a car that you think will appeal to old people and you you'll find even old people will not buy it. Some buyers are notoriously conservative, but although loyal it's always a dying market. Fewer and fewer people buy Town Cars, Toyota Centurys and Land Cruisers etc. every day. You're left with a dilema—how to attract new buyers to relace your diminishing core of older buyers. For many it's an impossible task, no matter what the car new buyers can't get past the image of the brand being an "old person's car", but it's a leap you have to make. Going modern like Oldsmobile may not be the right strategy, perhaps the key for Buick is to go for a neoclassical revival—the timless down-to-earth appeal of blues and swing and truly "classic" cars with style, portholes and toothy grilles. Appeal to a lost youth, not a cautious middle-age.

It is written and verily it is true (witness who buys Scions and Vibes)—old people will buy a young person's car, but young people will not buy an old person's car.

Yes, it's called the new Flint engine plant. Unfortunately supply has been strained even further by the liquidation of the Australian casting company, so Holden has to get blocks from the same North American supplier as St Catharines.

This engine makes the 2.8 Turbo redundant.

Take a look at the illustration of the turbocharger assembly and you'll see.

MTM transmissions still use NVG model numbers and are described in GM spec sheets as "New Venture Gear". The NV3500 and NV4500 are used in the Sierra/Silverado. The NV5600 I believe is used by Dodge in the Ram.

The 9000 was part of the Type 4 project with Fiat Auto and Alfa Romeo. The first three models—Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema and Saab 9000—shared platform, body structure and even much of the greenhouse and doors. The later 164 benefited from a significantly modifed structure and design courtesy of Pininfarina. Under GM the 9000 was highly modified to update it and break the visal similarity to the Fiat models, before being replaced by the Vectra-based 9-5. The Croma was forgettable and characteristically unreliable, but the Thema became something of a classic, helped in part by the late availability of a Ferrari V8 in the Thema 8.32.