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General Motors discussions

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  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061221/AUTO01/612210347/1148-

    My grandmothers former employer the IUE is raising a stink to the investment. :surprise: I wished I had more details to why ?

    Rocky
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Models and actors invited to preview, but officials insist 17 concept cars are the real stars.

    http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061221/AUTO04/612210353/1148- /AUTO01

    Rocky

    It's ashame Paris, couldn't make it. :P
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    The new car looks very sleek...if GM has done a good job on the interior, this could help turn Chevrolet around. I like the attempt to give the front clip a more three-dimensional look with the raised hoodline.
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061219/AUTO01/612190406/1148- /AUTO01

    From 12-19-06 if you haven't read it. Delphi will have a new CEO....

    Rocky
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Delphi may conquer bankruptcy but workers still worry

    http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061219/AUTO01/612190376/1148- -

    Rocky

    P.S. This is a pretty sad story.... :cry: :sick:
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    I'm underwhelmed by the Jalopnik photo of the new Malibu.

    The high beltline/small side windows are getting tiresome.
  • chevy598chevy598 Member Posts: 162
    I think the Malibu, Aura, Camry, Accord, and other plain looking designs have as much to do with aerodynamics, and gas mileage as they do with styling anymore. IMHO automakers are try to eke out every mpg they can, and as a result your seeing all the mid size cars look alike.
  • chuck1959chuck1959 Member Posts: 654
    IMO your right. I thought it looked familiar.
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    And probably meet pedestrian safety standards since most of those models mentioned sell in Europe as well.
  • chevy598chevy598 Member Posts: 162
    Very True. There is only so much you can do with a cars design before it effects mileage & saftey.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    Yea, but I will be. And believe me I am glad that whatever female is not there. Money, what it does to some.
  • jae5jae5 Member Posts: 1,206
    Hmmm, interesting Rock. Something's going on here, what am I missing. Is there some additional valve, breakup or otherwise, the public's not seeing? What's the real intention of all this sudden activity? And who is really going to profit and by how much? :confuse:
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Dude,

    Delphi, is worth $50 billion easily in sales and they weren't just voted the most technological company in 2005' for giggles. People in the know will make lots of money on Delphi stock. I hope it doesn't go up to fast so I can get in on the action. ;)

    Rocky
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    Cadillac may be the best thing General Motors has going for it. Even as the parent company struggles financially, the Cadillac division continues to compete head-on with formidable rivals such as BMW and Toyota's Lexus by focusing on quality, features and value (what a revolutionary idea!). It also believes in Japanese-style continuous improvement of its products – a concept essential to today's subject, the '07 Cadillac SRX.

    The SRX is a crossover vehicle, which means it's in a hot market. Based on the same platform as the CTS, Cadillac's entry-level sedan, it's a light-duty SUV that looks a little like a station wagon on steroids, combining the roominess, off-road capability and cargo space of an SUV with the handling and speediness of a car.

    Earlier versions of the SRX, which first hit the market in the 2004 model year, won plaudits from the auto press but got hammered for having a too-chintzy interior. Rather than ignore the criticism and cut the price to boost sales, Cadillac actually fixed the SRX for the '07 model year automaker noticeably improving the interior. It should have happened sooner, but better late than never.

    The result is that the '07 SRX is a cool vehicle in a hot segment with very few faults. The average SRX spends a mere 13 days on a dealer's lot before selling, according to the Power Information Network. Of the competing models in the same price range, only the Acura MDX turns over faster (10 days). The Volvo XC90 sells in an average of 18 days, and the Lexus RX 350 in 25.

    What I don't get about the SRX is why it's a hot seller mainly with the geriatric set. The average SRX purchaser is 58, according to Power, as opposed to 52 for the Lexus, 45 for the Acura, and 44 for the Volvo. Only 4.2 percent of SRX buyers are under 35, while 60.7 percent are over 56. That's an indication that Cadillac is still having image problems with younger buyers, which is odd given the success of the Escalade.

    Of course, it's a matter of personal taste, but my guess is that the rap on the SRX with younger buyers is that its exterior styling is, well, ugly. It's just too boxy and station-wagon-like for my taste.

    The SRX's interior, on the other hand, is genuinely sumptuous. My test car had soft black leather throughout, and wood accents that actually resembled wood in places. There's even an old-fashioned analog clock in the center of the dash, which is an elegant touch.

    The SRX is reasonably priced right now, taking into account the rebates GM is offering. The average buyer pays $41,374 for an SRX, according to the Power Information Network, which isn't bad considering that a Lexus RX 350 goes for $40,231, a Volvo XC90 for $42,572, and an Acura MDX for $45,637. The SRX is also a lot cheaper right now than high-end competitors such as the BMW X5, which is selling for an average of $57,003, and the Audi Q7, which averages $54,169.


    Cadillac's hottest model right now is its behemoth Escalade, the SRX is doing well, too. SRX sales were up 9.5 percent in November, to 1,492 (though for the first 11 months of the year, sales were down 4.9 percent, to 19,907).
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...doesn't look nearly as bad as earlier pictures I've seen of it. The front end isn't quite as "trucky" as the earlier pics looking but that grille does very much remind me of the 2007 GM trucks and SUVs.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    does very much remind me of the 2007 GM trucks and SUVs.

    I think you mean "Chevrolet" trucks and SUV's No lookie like a GMC.
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    is that really a bad thing ?

    Dodge, did just that with the charger and the malibu looks way better than the charger just like the Chevy trucks look way better than the Dodge Ram. ;)

    Rocky
  • torque_rtorque_r Member Posts: 500
    Rockylee is right. Dodge too has some models with truck-like noses like the Caliber, Magnum and Charger.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    Only reason I would call the Malibu front end is "truck like" is because it came out on the truck first. There really is nothing about the new Chevy front end that is truckish, unlike the Dodge in your face design.
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/2010

    This is till my favoritest Buick. I like lemko am a big fan of this car and this is what the Lucerne should of been. ;)

    Rocky
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Frank report identifies inflexibility, shifting demographics as threats to giant automaker.

    http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061223/AUTO01/612230378/1148

    There is a survey on the homepage of the detnews auto insider if anyone of you wanted to take it...here's the link below

    http://info.detnews.com/autostalk/lettersindex.cfm?topic=Crux_of_the_problem&for- - um=autostalk

    The only survey question missing and its important is customer service by the dealerships. That is one area that GM, Ford, Chrysler, need to fix ASAP !!!!!

    Rocky
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Automaker is treading lightly as it creeps up on GM, saying it is more concerned with results.

    http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061223/AUTO01/612230373/1148

    Rocky

    P.S. I guess us americans have laid down our guns and wave the white flag. :sick:
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    Now this is truck-like.
    image

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    "rules"?? A bit hasty, no?
  • readerreaderreaderreader Member Posts: 253
    2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid

    Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

    Hybrid drivetrain:

    Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

    GMC Acadia

    Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Those pics look Grrrrrreeeeeeaaaaat !!!!

    Gotta love the new engine.

    Rocky
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    "rules"?? A bit hasty, no?

    Not if you have been listening!! ;)
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    QUALITY
    J. D. POWER RELEASES RESULTS OF IQS STUDY IN CHINA .... Several GM vehicles ranked in the top three of their segments in the recently released J.D. Power Initial Quality Study for China.

    The Chevrolet Spark was ranked number one in the Compact Car Segment, Chevrolet Aveo placed second in the Premium Compact Car Segment, the Buick Regal was rated number two in the Premium Midsize Car Segment, while the Buick GL8 placed second in the MPV Segment.
  • torque_rtorque_r Member Posts: 500
    New and improved models expected from GM next year:

    New Models:

    Chevy Malibu
    Cadillac CTS
    Buick Enclave
    Chevy Silvarado HD
    GMC Sierra HD
    Saturn Astra
    Saturn Vue
    Saturn Aura Hybrid
    GMC Yukon Hybrid

    Improved models (comments are just my speculations:

    Buick LaCrosse:
    Facelift and improved powertrains: 224hp 3.5L, 252hp 3.6L and 303hp V8

    Chevy Equinox and Pontiac Torrent:
    Imporved, 217hp 3.5, and 260hp 3.6L.

    Chevy Impala & Monte carlo:
    Due for facelist, DOHC 3.6 offered as optional V6?

    Cadillac STS:
    Improved and face-lifted, STS V6 to get a power boost from the modified 3.6L, also found in the new 2008 CTS.

    Chevy Cobalt: Due for face-lift

    Pontiac G6: Due for face-lift
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Where's the 08' Saab 9-5 at ?

    Rocky
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Can it really rule before it has had any time to accumulate sales? I mean, the primary purpose of the car biz is to make money, which they get from SALES.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    Very agreed there. But the press seem to be in love with these vehicles. If their is a market niche for these vehicles (and the press think there is) then they should sell very well.

    Only time will tell. Of course there will still be arguements and discussion. Look at the Sky/Solstice. Outselling the vaunted MX-5 and still pretty much sold out but many say not good enough.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    3800 sticks around for LaCrosse for awhile. Facelift should be here. Maybe even at the Detroit auto show.
  • torque_rtorque_r Member Posts: 500
    I believe the Saab 9-5 will be new for 2009.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I think we will all be long gone and the 3800 will still be around...
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    P.S. Wanna make a gentleman's bet about which of Caddy/Saab/Hummer will still be under the GM umbrella in 2010? My guess is, only Cadillac.

    I'm with Nippon.....

    Personally, I don't see why the Professional GRade mission doesn't work in the company. Right now it's only hype and marketing. IMO, GMC should be the tougher, bigger, more powerful truck, and the Chevy can be the woose truck it already is, for wannabes and moms. Luxury belongs to Cadillac, they already have luxury trucks - Personally, I think GMC should be the truck division of the company, but the Chevy dealers would have a cow if you took their best seller away - dont' blame them. If I were a chevy dealer and you left me with the line up of drek they now have, and took my trucks away, I'd sue. The Corvette can go anywhere, it's not really a Chevy anymore anyway.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Very agreed there. But the press seem to be in love with these vehicles. If their is a market niche for these vehicles (and the press think there is) then they should sell very well.

    The Press loves anything knew - they are whores for something new to write about. That gets the new product attention - but as you say, what the Press loves isn't always loved by the public, and there are plenty more examples, the Mazda is only one.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    P.S. Wanna make a gentleman's bet about which of Caddy/Saab/Hummer will still be under the GM umbrella in 2010? My guess is, only Cadillac.

    You guys are so wrong. Hummer is so profitable and loved by all. it will not be gone for awhile. Took my kids to the RenCen and in the center they have about 20 GM cars to look at. Old and new. What did my 5 year old son and 7 year old daughter want to get in? An H3. they loved that thing. The Hummer has hooked young and old.

    Saab is also going to be around. I think mostly for the european market where it sells well. Not going away. You will see Pontiac go away first.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    I think we will all be long gone and the 3800 will still be around...

    :) No it will go away when the LaCrosse is replaced in 2009 or so. I plant to be around then.
  • torque_rtorque_r Member Posts: 500
    The Grand Prix gets replaced by 2009 too. But What happens to the Lucerne V6?
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    The Hummers are one of those types of vehicles: shiny and attractive for sitting in at auto shows, and for having one model loaded with 22-inch chrome rims sitting in the dealer's showroom. But do they sell? No, they don't sell. The H1 is gone, there is now heavy speculation that the H2 is going to be gone within two years, and if the entire Hummer line in 2009 consists of the H3 and the new "Hummerlet" they are talking about two years out, does this brand have anywhere to go? It will go down in the annals of automotive history as the last flash in the pan of the massive, totally excessive trend in SUVs at the end of the last period of low gas prices.

    There are only so many celebrities and sports stars out there in America, after all, and even with all their money they are a very tiny percentage of the population. And the wild and wacky Escalade seems to be continuing its success in attracting most of their dollars anyway. Not to mention all the AMG Mercedes SUVs, and who knows what success Land Rover will achieve in this arena in the next few years too. Indeed, LR had better hope to attract lots of these buyers, because otherwise they are probably going to fall off the U.S. automotive map too.

    Anyway, I got kind of long-winded there! Point is, seems to me that Hummer's future is uncertain at best. And if GM is smart, they will find a way to DUMP the STONE that is Saab just as soon as they can too.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    I think the Lucerne has a short life as a FWD. But seems like they may have to do something with the engine.
  • readerreaderreaderreader Member Posts: 253
    Can it really rule before it has had any time to accumulate sales? I mean, the primary purpose of the car biz is to make money, which they get from SALES.

    Not all sales generate money.

    Secondly, the Hummer H2 was always a niche vehicle--much like the Ridgeline and Toyota FJ Cruiser.
    That is how image-brands work--although I don't think Toyota has an "image" so much as a safe reputation.

    The important thing here is that all three generate money from the sales.
  • lweisslweiss Member Posts: 342
    If your list is correct, then GM should be happy to keep their current US market share, never mind increasing it. Where are the high output but very economical 4 cylinder engines that the Asian manufacturers are using to take over the markets (especially on the East and West Coasts)? GM still stays in their core competancy of big vehicles with big and powerful engines. And the very distinct possibility that gasoline prices will spike to $4 to $5 per gallon over the next several years assures GM (and Ford and D-C) will continue their long journey in obscurity. Too bad. But their roots of building products for a world of cheap energy is too strong to abandon I guess.
This discussion has been closed.