The _unique_ looks of the Aztek come back to me every time I see one of the older Hondas that is low, sporty and has a split back with a lower, dark panel that looks solid but apparently lets light through for the driver and rear view mirror. Is it a CRV? Lots of them don't have emblems on the back. Heck, many don't even have mufflers. Must have been a poor system because they all stick these tomato juice cans on them as a muffle--just kidding.
My stepmother-in-law had one for a year on a lease.
Sophomoric, to put it mildly; and criminal in some cases, depending on how important the balloting is. Secret balloting is a very important safe-guard against tyranny and dictatorship; that's proven again and again in history. "Show-of-hands" is a favorite tool among dictators. People have to be able to vote without fear of reprisal; otherwise the election becomes a formality.
Overlap also might not have been such a bad thing then. At least by the time the big 3 drove out the smaller manufactures they basically had all US car sells to themselves. Imports back then would have been expensive and difficult to fix. Besides why buy a Toyota questionable reliability when you could get a decent Chevy.
Right now I think it works against them big time. They could focus R/D on a few models instead of many. I think they could produce MUCH better cars that way. Not to mention for every person that bought one car they didn’t buy the others.
When there was fewer manufactures there was fewer choice. The shoppers had to buy somebody’s car and there are only three choices. Heck even if the model didn’t do well, it was third in a three horse race vs. thirtieth in a thirty-four horse race. Now days with so much competition, if you don’t get a customer with one brand odds are you won’t get them with another.
The Aztek to me looks like a vehicle used in some 1960's film portraying the futuristic world of automobiles or should I say some sort of military or police car. They make a very cool looking delivery van, or some sort of specialty service unit, as they attract attention on the road or while parked. That said, I can't imagine the world needing but a couple thousand of these to serve as such a curiosity.
What does look cool, IMHO, is the Murano. Well done. Very modern, yet pleasing to the eye.
What this has to do with GM holding off Toyota, I have not a clue. Maybe Toyota will think GM people are crazy and try not to irritate them. Yeah, maybe that's the plan - play crazy. :confuse: GM is more worried about holding off going out of business more than anything. Perhaps sales in China, and SUV and truck sales in North America offer some relief. Other than Cadillac, I see little of "An American Revolution" going on, what ever that means -- Lord only knows what that means. Only GM really knows... well maybe. I still boils down to Cadillac, Corvette and trucks/SUV vehicle, then all the rest for the GM line up. They would love to be able cut the fat, yet sadly can not do so. What a predicament! -Loren
Unique is such a good word when you are talking the Aztek. My mom used to like collecting words that sounded like a compliment but weren't necessarily - different; unusual - those work in that wy as well.
I absolutely love the concept of a 60s futuristic movie with the Aztek. This is the year 2020 -oops! All the Azteks were gone the way of the EV-1 but with much better reason.......
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
That is true. It amazes me Diamler management says the new Dodge Avenger is focused to compete against its domestic rivals. Well I can say one thing is for sure at least they are honest as they are hinting that this car is a rental special before it hits the showrooms. Cooled/Warmed cupholders, are indeed a nice idea but not enough to save the day unfortunately
Rocky
P.S. Rorr, Motor Trend is now saying the base V6 will be the 3.9 in the Camaro and that they are working hard on smoothing out the engine.
Geez, I'm pretty sure I remember seeing at one point in CR, that the Aztek's reliability was "better than average". I will admit I hate the styling though.
Bill
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
older Hondas that is low, sporty and has a split back with a lower, dark panel that looks solid but apparently lets light through for the driver and rear view mirror.
Second-generation Honda CRX. The CRX's main claim to fame is that it has the same suspension and can take the same engine swaps as the regular Civic, but is 150-200 pounds lighter. Honda did the same smoked-panel thing on the Insight (which was a de facto 4th-gen CRX).
Motor Trend is now saying the base V6 will be the 3.9 in the Camaro and that they are working hard on smoothing out the engine.
giving the Camaro a diet. The 3.9 pushrod V6 is going to be a dog in a 3600+ pound coupe (although that may be GM's strategy to lure people into buying the V8s).
Actually, the best thing GM could do is to knock 15% off the curb weight of its entire lineup. There is absolutely no good reason why a base Aura should weigh 600 pounds more than a 1992 Camry.
All righty! What was your Mexican American car? Mine was a Sebring convertible. A couple of words on it - I'd have kept it much longer but the family outgrew it. During the time I had it it was perfectly dependable. For six months of the year it was as ordinary a car as you could get (though with a really nice stereo). The other six months it was a blast.
My brother has a PT Cruiser built in that same Mexican plant. It's been largely reliable but he's lucky he bought an extended warranty. It developed some expensive repair the nature of which I've forgotten. Third party warranty and the dealership had stopped selling Chryslers and became a stand alone Toyota dealership but honored the warranty and did the work.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
"I think GM's 5 divisions always had overlap. But in the early 50's Chevy was a six cylinder car only. Buick's were straight eights. In the 60's the differences were somewhat less distinctive, and the compact cars made a mess out of the whole lineup."
Gotta love someone who remembers the Buick straight 8s. My grandfather had a 49 Buick with a straight eight. That was some hood to look under! Actually it was two hoods that hinged in the middle so you could look at the engine form either side but not from the front.
Too bad my folks sold that one. It still ran well way into the 60s.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
My Grandmother had a 1950 Special. The hood was designed with hinges on either side so by unlocking one side (this is what the portholes were for), the entire hood would lift up from that side.
This car had the dynaflow (first generation). I drove it to school in the 60's.
That hood is exactly like my grandfather's old 49. I do not remember which model it was but need to look at some pictures of 49s and I'll figure it out. I thought it was the best car in the world!
It had a three on the tree. Here's the killer - the reason my mom sold it (for $50!) was because my older brother who was just learning to drive thought that the clutch was too stiff! He's 58 now and I still make sure once in a while to let him know I have not forgotten.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
All the better! Best resale value, now with a discount. Wish that GM would provide some extra front running light bulbs for their trucks, as most seem to have but one lamp working. Guess they could change suppliers
For a work vehicle, I have not a clue as to which trucks are actually the best in class. Looks like many prefer Ford, but that could be on price. Between Silverado and Dodge RAM, perhaps they " GM " are right, and they are the toughest. Seems like most trucks these days are seeing more freeway time than time hauling hay to the back hills. For most people, I would think the Tacoma is the best deal around. For work trucks, company trucks, pretend your a cowboy trucks, stylin' the roads trucks and SUVs, it looks like GM is doing rather well. I would more likely go with a Toyota truck, but then again, I am not pulling stumps. Ah, it could be Toyota trucks are now for real as a hard working work horse now-a-days. Perhaps one day it is all about price and brand loyalty, as all the manufactures have that " Built Ford Tough" quality. If GM loses the truck and SUV wars, gas soars past $3.50 per gallon, I am not sure what is left -- Cadillac and Corvettes? Do not believe they will win one on one in the FWD class of cars, and RWD larger cars are years away, except for Caddy. -Loren
They're holding American Tundra truck days at Bass Pro shops. Drives around a course in the parking lot! They're really flooding the Cincy market with ads about how much they are part of the US. They don't mention the import cars; they just talk about how much they spend on suppliers and people they employ. Don't know if numbers are valid or misleading. But the toyota days at Bass Pro really got me.
Saw an Enclave in the autoshow. If Acadia and Outlook prices are any indication, decently equipped Enclave will cost $40K. And, that is dangerously close to Lexus RX...
Buick replaced Century by LaCrosse. You are suggesting that LaCrosse will be replaced by Velite in next few years. RDV is being replaced by Enclave. It seems that Buick is having hard time keeping any nameplate alive. How does Toyota keep its nameplates like Corolla, Camry, Rav4, etc. alive? FYI, Corolla is the world's number one nameplate (i.e. there are more Corollas on the road than any other nameplate, all roads of the world included).
"Gee - when it happens to a Toyota (the Camry), you Domestic fans swear that they're making trash...."
Lokki, I am a Honda and Mazda fan and I have an Acura but I;m I do stick up for other automakers when its warranted. Like I said before my parents have owned domestics and they haven;t been in the shop that much except for one of them but me myself I just don't connect with the Domestic's product as much as much as I do with Honda or Mazda's vehicles.
BTW, I do think Toyota will get the bugs worked out of the 07 Camry. Every first year of a new bodystyke has its first year that need to be worked out.
"Can GM hold off Toyota? Doesn't matter. Can they continue without bankruptcy may be the question. Or why don't they make cars which do not have to compete one on one with Japan makes, as in RWD cars with American styling. The other battles are lost, and it is time to consider not losing the whole war."
Loren, Im sure GM has plenty of cash in hand I mean if GM was on the edge of bankruptcy they would have never been in talks to aqquire in Chrysler.
As for GM not making cars that do not go head to head with the Japanese they would be conceeding defeat. Besides, I don't think all battle is lost Gm and Ford just need to build products that people want and they are starting to do that. Ford has gone through all kinds of struggles since 1996 with dropping the ball literally on the 96 Tarus restyle, the Focus;s recalls, and the Firestone fiasco and the Tarus becoming rental car fonder. GM for years just made products as we all know just didn't connect with the customer and they(GM) need to win and focus on the customer again.
As a Japanese Car Fan it would be boring just to watch the Domestics go down without with a fight! Besides I like compeition it would be boring if everybody was driving the same car. I know some people were against buying Japanese nameplate cars in the 80's but I say hey the more competition the marrier!
"As much as one might want to think the Cobalt is the equal of or superior to the Civic/Corolla the plain truth is that it is not bringing people over to GM. It is obviously superior to the Cavalier it replaced by any measure you could put on it yet the sales remain stagnant."
Well those are the only 2 cars that outsell the Cobalt in the compact car segment is the Civic and Corolla.
"GM and Ford will survive. They will however come out of this totally different companies in the next 5 years. This "correction" should have been taking place about 5 -10 years ago."
I agree Gm and Ford should have been corecting their problems with their product 5 years ago.
Really wasn"t having trouble selling Tundras they wouldn't be doing these BassPro Shops driveathons. They even had an ad spot on my favorite radio mechanic show in Cincy today. The zone manager for Toyota (remember headquarters is in suburban Cincy (Ky side) for Toyota America)and the guy was talking about the drivefest and how wonder they are and all the features.
They expect to sell 70%+ in the V8 model (toyota is a Green company? :P AND they are all automatic. He said that manual transmission are more expensive to repair when they break so they're putting in the 6-speed automatics instead. Hope they do better than the Camry/Avalon/ES trannies have!
I stopped by the large Toyo deal in a nearby city while picking up lottery tickets tonight. They have a few Tundras. They have several Ford, Chev, and Dodge pickups along the row out front. I suspect they bought a bunch at auction and put them out there to make it look like guys are trading in large US trucks for the Japanese Toyota Tundras. I don't recall see pickups like that in the used area before on prior lottery visits (no I never won--yet).
why do some GM fans want to kill the Pontiac brand off and keep Buick or even a poster who said GM should have killed off Pontiac and not Oldsmobile? I mean Pontiac is the only Gm brand that even got younger buyers(besides Saturn) over the past 10 years. To me GM needs Pontiac still just needs Pontiac for that reason just to keep that younger buyer base.
Oh yeah another question how long more of a time period is GM going to cut its fleet sales for?
"I had a Caprice a long time ago and it was a nice car for its "time". There was nothing like it from Honda, Toyota or Nissan."
I myself remember the late 80's or real early 90's Caprice with the bubble shape back end and it was RWD I think it had a really futuristic look on the outside for that time period.
I really like the late Carpices. I was very sorry when GM shut down production to convert the plant to SUVs. Sad day. That plant, the last GM plant in New Jersey is now gone. There are no longer any vehicles being built here. We used to have big plants for GM (Linded) and Ford (Mahwah). I don't know what happened to the GM plant but the old Ford plant is now Sharp's US headquarters.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
These market Demos have been planned for months, long before the Tundra got to market, and they will occur nationwide throughout the rest of the year.
I believe the idea is to get people into the truck, show what it can do, and build word of mouth. It may take more than commercials for middle America to take a Toyota towing 5 tons seriously.
This, and the base model rebate, are not cause for alarm.
Camry tranny had some teething problems. Still, Camry is a great car. It outsells all other sedans in the US market. It has a great reputation for quality and much higher resale value than the comparable GM cars.
Your arguments are similar to GM management's --- the management claims that GM cars are superior but don't sell well because of what they call the "perception" problem. Malibu is not selling as well as Camry because of some perception problem?????? Give me a break.
FYI, I don't own Toyotas. I owned many GMs. I now own Hondas as resale value has become the biggest factor in my decision making (and I understand that you may have a different decision making criteria). But I don't hate GM. In fact, if GM becomes number one in resale value, I will love to switch back.
Look at it this way, there is not Cadillac CTS competition from Japan, as the car is so unique. Now consider the Cobalt vs. Japan and Hyundai cars -- is that a car GM will win the game with? It has to be different and has to sell for a profit. Which would you buy for the same amount of money, the Cobalt, Civic or Corolla? The new Aura is a pretty good effort, yet the Astra may be one notch better, as it has a little something different in looks, as well as, it will be a hatchback and have a turbo for the turbo fans. Still would like to see some more of the old Body by Fisher style dominance, like in the later 60's, when they just could not lose.
As for GM wanting to acquire Chrysler, I have not a clue what that really was all about. Perhaps the last hurrah? GM future cars hold some promise. Perhaps it is all about getting through the next couple of years, then seeing how the new RWD Impala sells, and the Camaro and well there is always hope. Forget about any billions showing in cash, as it can disappear as fast as a drop of rain in the desert. Trust me, some changes like product, and perhaps a national health care plan + concessions from the UAW, all have to come together. It may indeed all happen. As for Ford, who knows, another story, same day(s). -Loren
A new national poll of 1,000 Americans by Rasmussen Reports shows that 69% think "favorably" of GM, a big jump from only 48% last year.
• And in Fortune magazine's 2007 ranking of America's Most Admired Companies, GM has moved up to No. 5 among vehicle makers, a nice gain from last year's No. 9 rank among the industry cellar dwellers.
A new national poll of 1,000 Americans by Rasmussen Reports shows that 69% think "favorably" of GM, a big jump from only 48% last year.
• And in Fortune magazine's 2007 ranking of America's Most Admired Companies, GM has moved up to No. 5 among vehicle makers, a nice gain from last year's No. 9 rank among the industry cellar dwellers.
Actually it replaced mostly the Regal and a little bit of the Century. Centurys had an MSRP under $20K while the LaCrosse is $23K.
You are suggesting that LaCrosse will be replaced by Velite in next few years.
Complete supposition and not true.
RDV is being replaced by Enclave.
Enclave is a completely different vehicle than the Rendy. Yes Rendy is a CUV and could hold 7 passengers but still very different. Enclave is replacing Rainier, Rendy AND Terraza. It is an SUV lookalike with space almost as large as a minivan. Heck, to most of the public out there they may think the Enclave replaces the Rainier
It seems that Buick is having hard time keeping any nameplate alive. How does Toyota keep its nameplates like Corolla, Camry, Rav4, etc. alive? FYI, Corolla is the world's number one nameplate (i.e. there are more Corollas on the road than any other nameplate, all roads of the world included).
Will not get into it because it already has been discussed. Toyota has many more nameplates that have died in the last 10 years than those that have stayed.
• A new national poll of 1,000 Americans by Rasmussen Reports shows that 69% think "favorably" of GM, a big jump from only 48% last year.
• And in Fortune magazine's 2007 ranking of America's Most Admired Companies, GM has moved up to No. 5 among vehicle makers, a nice gain from last year's No. 9 rank among the industry cellar dwellers
I thought Buick could keep the LeSabre nameplate alive. LeSabre was a nice smooth-riding full-size car. I understand why Buick is redesigning. But I don't understand why Buick is dropping popular names. What makes the Lucerne name any better?
I have driven several. The last one, a sharp maroon '07 LTZ, was a delight to drive. Solid as a rock, lots of "oomph", didn't have to duck to get in, chrome wheels, classy beige suede-on-leather seats....you know it is the same platform as a Saab 9-3, didn't you? If you drove a car like this, I think you'd be surprised...especially considering price.
You don't actually believe that there is no perception problem out there about a Malibu vs. a Camry? That's la-la land!
Resale value has come up in these posts from time-to-time. Does anybody remember learning in school, the old "time value of money" thing? Saving $5K now is smarter than having $5K of improved resale value in four years or whatever!
Bill
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Le Sabre? Most of those who drove LeSabres are pretty much gone. My Grandpa was one. Always drove a LeSabre.
Buick may be fumbling BUT they have stopped the average age from increasing one year with every year that past. They are working toward a different image other than a very old people car.
LaCrosse/Lucerne/Enclave are good starts and are better with every iteration. The next LaCrosse is even more beautiful than the Enclave.
I have driven Malibu (the last generation, now called Classic). I drove a rental one. I also owned GMs (S10, Blazer). I don't think I was impressed when I drove the Malibu. My friend's 2001 Camry always felt better --- better interior, smoother, less thirsty. Again, I'm not surprised that you feel Malibu is better.
Malibu (06 model) was also not very impressive. Lack of standard safety features such ABS or curtain airbags was my biggest concern. And, resale value, of course, was another concern. I had GM loyalty certificates ($1500), but I choice Accord and trashed my certificates. The new Malibu is expected to close the gap.
I will definitely test-drive the next model before I buy my next car (which is most likely going to be Camry/ Accord). I don't like Aura because it doesn't offer 4-cyl, and the Saturn dealer in my area does not like trade-ins. There are many Chevy dealers and it's much easier to find one who gladly takes trade-ins.
Saw a television commercial for the Tundra this morning. Toyota is once again touting how "American" it is and that it is "enhancing the American landscape." Oh, yeah. Maybe they should show the thousands of scenes of abandoned factories and steel mills from Pennsylvania through Missouri. Maybe they should show scenes of once-productive auto workers living in abject poverty or now working at low-wage jobs. Toyota has enhanced the American landscape about as well as the Japanese Imperial Navy enhanced the landscape of Pearl Harbor.
My thing is, what is so important about resale value as I keep my cars a long time? Barring any accidents or theft, I plan on keeping my Seville STS until at least 2010 or 2011. If a Toyota Camry is a great as its inflated reputation suggests, it should be the last car I'd ever need to buy. Concerns about resale value tells me those import cars aren't all that if they're being traded so frequently.
I think Camry's inflated reputation is starting to work against it. People approach it with such great expectations only to be let down when they see it is really no better than any other car out there.
The Malibu is definately a solid car, I don't think anyone can doubt that. My dad 6'1" 290lbs thought it was pretty comfortable and when we got the Altima he really considered it. My problem, and the reason I steered him into the Altima, is how boring it is.
Comments
Rocky
My stepmother-in-law had one for a year on a lease.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Right now I think it works against them big time. They could focus R/D on a few models instead of many. I think they could produce MUCH better cars that way. Not to mention for every person that bought one car they didn’t buy the others.
When there was fewer manufactures there was fewer choice. The shoppers had to buy somebody’s car and there are only three choices. Heck even if the model didn’t do well, it was third in a three horse race vs. thirtieth in a thirty-four horse race. Now days with so much competition, if you don’t get a customer with one brand odds are you won’t get them with another.
What does look cool, IMHO, is the Murano. Well done. Very modern, yet pleasing to the eye.
What this has to do with GM holding off Toyota, I have not a clue. Maybe Toyota will think GM people are crazy and try not to irritate them. Yeah, maybe that's the plan - play crazy. :confuse: GM is more worried about holding off going out of business more than anything. Perhaps sales in China, and SUV and truck sales in North America offer some relief. Other than Cadillac, I see little of "An American Revolution" going on, what ever that means -- Lord only knows what that means. Only GM really knows... well maybe. I still boils down to Cadillac, Corvette and trucks/SUV vehicle, then all the rest for the GM line up. They would love to be able cut the fat, yet sadly can not do so. What a predicament!
-Loren
I absolutely love the concept of a 60s futuristic movie with the Aztek. This is the year 2020 -oops! All the Azteks were gone the way of the EV-1 but with much better reason.......
Get the car!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Yeah if prices get that high again a car would be the most logical solution.
Rocky
Rocky
P.S. Rorr, Motor Trend is now saying the base V6 will be the 3.9 in the Camaro and that they are working hard on smoothing out the engine.
Bill
Bill
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pri&dt=070309&cat=business&st=2&src=wsj
Second-generation Honda CRX. The CRX's main claim to fame is that it has the same suspension and can take the same engine swaps as the regular Civic, but is 150-200 pounds lighter. Honda did the same smoked-panel thing on the Insight (which was a de facto 4th-gen CRX).
and this transmission:
in this vehicle:
giving the Camaro a diet. The 3.9 pushrod V6 is going to be a dog in a 3600+ pound coupe (although that may be GM's strategy to lure people into buying the V8s).
Actually, the best thing GM could do is to knock 15% off the curb weight of its entire lineup. There is absolutely no good reason why a base Aura should weigh 600 pounds more than a 1992 Camry.
My brother has a PT Cruiser built in that same Mexican plant. It's been largely reliable but he's lucky he bought an extended warranty. It developed some expensive repair the nature of which I've forgotten. Third party warranty and the dealership had stopped selling Chryslers and became a stand alone Toyota dealership but honored the warranty and did the work.
Gotta love someone who remembers the Buick straight 8s. My grandfather had a 49 Buick with a straight eight. That was some hood to look under! Actually it was two hoods that hinged in the middle so you could look at the engine form either side but not from the front.
Too bad my folks sold that one. It still ran well way into the 60s.
This car had the dynaflow (first generation). I drove it to school in the 60's.
It had a three on the tree. Here's the killer - the reason my mom sold it (for $50!) was because my older brother who was just learning to drive thought that the clutch was too stiff! He's 58 now and I still make sure once in a while to let him know I have not forgotten.
For a work vehicle, I have not a clue as to which trucks are actually the best in class. Looks like many prefer Ford, but that could be on price. Between Silverado and Dodge RAM, perhaps they " GM " are right, and they are the toughest. Seems like most trucks these days are seeing more freeway time than time hauling hay to the back hills. For most people, I would think the Tacoma is the best deal around. For work trucks, company trucks, pretend your a cowboy trucks, stylin' the roads trucks and SUVs, it looks like GM is doing rather well. I would more likely go with a Toyota truck, but then again, I am not pulling stumps. Ah, it could be Toyota trucks are now for real as a hard working work horse now-a-days. Perhaps one day it is all about price and brand loyalty, as all the manufactures have that " Built Ford Tough" quality. If GM loses the truck and SUV wars, gas soars past $3.50 per gallon, I am not sure what is left -- Cadillac and Corvettes? Do not believe they will win one on one in the FWD class of cars, and RWD larger cars are years away, except for Caddy.
-Loren
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Did I say that....
-Loren
Buick replaced Century by LaCrosse. You are suggesting that LaCrosse will be replaced by Velite in next few years. RDV is being replaced by Enclave. It seems that Buick is having hard time keeping any nameplate alive. How does Toyota keep its nameplates like Corolla, Camry, Rav4, etc. alive? FYI, Corolla is the world's number one nameplate (i.e. there are more Corollas on the road than any other nameplate, all roads of the world included).
Lokki, I am a Honda and Mazda fan and I have an Acura but I;m I do stick up for other automakers when its warranted. Like I said before my parents have owned domestics and they haven;t been in the shop that much except for one of them but me myself I just don't connect with the Domestic's product as much as much as I do with Honda or Mazda's vehicles.
BTW, I do think Toyota will get the bugs worked out of the 07 Camry. Every first year of a new bodystyke has its first year that need to be worked out.
Loren, Im sure GM has plenty of cash in hand I mean if GM was on the edge of bankruptcy they would have never been in talks to aqquire in Chrysler.
As for GM not making cars that do not go head to head with the Japanese they would be conceeding defeat. Besides, I don't think all battle is lost Gm and Ford just need to build products that people want and they are starting to do that. Ford has gone through all kinds of struggles since 1996 with dropping the ball literally on the 96 Tarus restyle, the Focus;s recalls, and the Firestone fiasco and the Tarus becoming rental car fonder. GM for years just made products as we all know just didn't connect with the customer and they(GM) need to win and focus on the customer again.
As a Japanese Car Fan it would be boring just to watch the Domestics go down without with a fight! Besides I like compeition it would be boring if everybody was driving the same car. I know some people were against buying Japanese nameplate cars in the 80's but I say hey the more competition the marrier!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Well those are the only 2 cars that outsell the Cobalt in the compact car segment is the Civic and Corolla.
I agree Gm and Ford should have been corecting their problems with their product 5 years ago.
They expect to sell 70%+ in the V8 model (toyota is a Green company? :P AND they are all automatic. He said that manual transmission are more expensive to repair when they break so they're putting in the 6-speed automatics instead. Hope they do better than the Camry/Avalon/ES trannies have!
I stopped by the large Toyo deal in a nearby city while picking up lottery tickets tonight. They have a few Tundras. They have several Ford, Chev, and Dodge pickups along the row out front. I suspect they bought a bunch at auction and put them out there to make it look like guys are trading in large US trucks for the Japanese Toyota Tundras. I don't recall see pickups like that in the used area before on prior lottery visits (no I never won--yet).
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Oh yeah another question how long more of a time period is GM going to cut its fleet sales for?
I myself remember the late 80's or real early 90's Caprice with the bubble shape back end and it was RWD I think it had a really futuristic look on the outside for that time period.
I believe the idea is to get people into the truck, show what it can do, and build word of mouth. It may take more than commercials for middle America to take a Toyota towing 5 tons seriously.
This, and the base model rebate, are not cause for alarm.
DrFill
Your arguments are similar to GM management's --- the management claims that GM cars are superior but don't sell well because of what they call the "perception" problem. Malibu is not selling as well as Camry because of some perception problem?????? Give me a break.
FYI, I don't own Toyotas. I owned many GMs. I now own Hondas as resale value has become the biggest factor in my decision making (and I understand that you may have a different decision making criteria). But I don't hate GM. In fact, if GM becomes number one in resale value, I will love to switch back.
As for GM wanting to acquire Chrysler, I have not a clue what that really was all about. Perhaps the last hurrah? GM future cars hold some promise. Perhaps it is all about getting through the next couple of years, then seeing how the new RWD Impala sells, and the Camaro and well there is always hope. Forget about any billions showing in cash, as it can disappear as fast as a drop of rain in the desert. Trust me, some changes like product, and perhaps a national health care plan + concessions from the UAW, all have to come together. It may indeed all happen. As for Ford, who knows, another story, same day(s).
-Loren
A new national poll of 1,000 Americans by Rasmussen Reports shows that 69% think "favorably" of GM, a big jump from only 48% last year.
• And in Fortune magazine's 2007 ranking of America's Most Admired Companies, GM has moved up to No. 5 among vehicle makers, a nice gain from last year's No. 9 rank among the industry cellar dwellers.
A new national poll of 1,000 Americans by Rasmussen Reports shows that 69% think "favorably" of GM, a big jump from only 48% last year.
• And in Fortune magazine's 2007 ranking of America's Most Admired Companies, GM has moved up to No. 5 among vehicle makers, a nice gain from last year's No. 9 rank among the industry cellar dwellers.
Actually it replaced mostly the Regal and a little bit of the Century. Centurys had an MSRP under $20K while the LaCrosse is $23K.
You are suggesting that LaCrosse will be replaced by Velite in next few years.
Complete supposition and not true.
RDV is being replaced by Enclave.
Enclave is a completely different vehicle than the Rendy. Yes Rendy is a CUV and could hold 7 passengers but still very different. Enclave is replacing Rainier, Rendy AND Terraza. It is an SUV lookalike with space almost as large as a minivan. Heck, to most of the public out there they may think the Enclave replaces the Rainier
It seems that Buick is having hard time keeping any nameplate alive. How does Toyota keep its nameplates like Corolla, Camry, Rav4, etc. alive? FYI, Corolla is the world's number one nameplate (i.e. there are more Corollas on the road than any other nameplate, all roads of the world included).
Will not get into it because it already has been discussed. Toyota has many more nameplates that have died in the last 10 years than those that have stayed.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070311/COL06/703110688/1014/BU- SINESS01
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• A new national poll of 1,000 Americans by Rasmussen Reports shows that 69% think "favorably" of GM, a big jump from only 48% last year.
• And in Fortune magazine's 2007 ranking of America's Most Admired Companies, GM has moved up to No. 5 among vehicle makers, a nice gain from last year's No. 9 rank among the industry cellar dwellers
I have driven several. The last one, a sharp maroon '07 LTZ, was a delight to drive. Solid as a rock, lots of "oomph", didn't have to duck to get in, chrome wheels, classy beige suede-on-leather seats....you know it is the same platform as a Saab 9-3, didn't you? If you drove a car like this, I think you'd be surprised...especially considering price.
You don't actually believe that there is no perception problem out there about a Malibu vs. a Camry? That's la-la land!
Resale value has come up in these posts from time-to-time. Does anybody remember learning in school, the old "time value of money" thing? Saving $5K now is smarter than having $5K of improved resale value in four years or whatever!
Bill
Buick may be fumbling BUT they have stopped the average age from increasing one year with every year that past. They are working toward a different image other than a very old people car.
LaCrosse/Lucerne/Enclave are good starts and are better with every iteration. The next LaCrosse is even more beautiful than the Enclave.
Bill
I will definitely test-drive the next model before I buy my next car (which is most likely going to be Camry/ Accord). I don't like Aura because it doesn't offer 4-cyl, and the Saturn dealer in my area does not like trade-ins. There are many Chevy dealers and it's much easier to find one who gladly takes trade-ins.
I think Camry's inflated reputation is starting to work against it. People approach it with such great expectations only to be let down when they see it is really no better than any other car out there.