By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Let's consider the worse case scenario that more bags go off than needed and it totaled the car. I personally would rather have a totally car than a totaled out body. I realize I am getting older, but not totaled..... yet.
An all aluminum car, would be very cool, but they are expensive. I suppose if you can afford the car, you can afford the insurance. The Altima uses aluminum in the suspension to reduce weight. It is one of those things where total cost has to be a consideration. It was but a short time ago I saw some new articles all about the future cars being very light. I forget the exact weight, but much more than the two to three hundred pounds I think would help for overall performance in the GM line. I am thinking it was more like five hundred to seven hundred pounds off on cars of the future. I may do an Internet search for articles on that.
I have owned many a car without all the modern safety devices until I ran into this package deal with my new car which not only added side bags, and anti-lock brakes, but also included Stability Control, I decided the package - a V6 included was the way to go. If you can get Stability Control at a reasonable cost today, I think you will get every penny back come resale time, since you now have the safety package of the future. It is a sensible value added, and could save your life in a side impact. Those are nasty wrecks.
As for trunk lid supports, I never gave too much thought, other than it being pointed out as a positive feature by salespeople when car shopping. I do not normally have lots of baggage in the back. I am thinking if I traveled with several people, as in say a family load of kids and suitcases, it may be something I would consider more in a buying decision. That is like cubic square foot of space. I have a large trunk now, but not quite as much as usable space as the PT with the seats forward. It is all in how you weight things. I am happy to get better gas mileage with a lot more power now. So it all depends on how much value you place on each aspect of a car.
Come to think of it, someone mentioned the new GTO is all about straight line power. Wasn't that what the old muscle cars were all about? The Holden is capable of being tuned to handle, I would think, as they race them in the V8 races in Australia. I no longer have Speed Channel - darn it. The GTO, if it had the hood scoops and more aggressive trim the very first year, and had not been side-sticker priced the first few months, could have had a better launch. That said, the gas mileage is pretty low and the gas crunch hit around the same time. GTO is also an American icon, so the thought of an import taking that name perhaps did not sit well. Could the Pontiac dealerships some day become importers of a whole line of Holdens? How is Pontiac really doing these days, less the fleet sales? Won't the Chevy New Malibu suck most of the sales of G6 sedans? And the G5 as a Cobalt? Pontiac is the GM performance machines division. What would those Aussie Imports of GM cars be perceived as? I would think the sporty and higher performance image should be there. What ya think?
Loren
Does GM offer a decent hybrid sedan? No. Meanwhile, Toyota has stolen the entire market with its Prius.
Does GM offer a decent subcompact? No, it imports a mediocre offering from Korea. Meanwhile, Honda offers the nimble Fit, Nissan the Versa, Toyota the Yaris and the new Scions.
Does GM offer a decent compact car? Sorta. The Cobalt is ok. But the Civic is superior. The Elantra beats the Cobalt on price and features. The Ion is dreadful. The Astra won't be much better.
Does GM have a decent mid-size car? Well, the new Malibu will be competitive, but the upcoming Accord will leapfrog it. And the new Camry is so stately looking. The Saturn offerings are decent, but they are heavy and stuck with pushrod sixes. Where's the 4cyl? Once Honda releases the Accord diesel, no one will buy the Saturn sedans.
How about trucks? GM's trucks are "new", but the engines and trannies are carry-over. The new Tundra is state-of-the-art. GM also lacks a decent compact-ute. Meanwhile, the CR-V is superb.
How about minivans? A real tragedy. GM's minivans have always been underpowered engineering abominations. GM left that game with its tail between its legs.
Luxury cars? Cadillac is indeed a bright spot. The new CTS is competitive and desirable. Anything else offered by Caddy can be bought more cheaply at the Buick store.
GM does the Corvette well. But even that overpriced flimsy car has an interior that belongs in my mundane and banal Olds Alero. The Camaro excites, but it's too late to the party and lacks a 4cyl to capture the female buyers. The new crossovers are fine but they guzzle fuel.
GM isn't "on the offensive". Rather, GM IS offensive.
I beg to differ as I think the Saturn Greenline is quite nice. :P
The Astra won't be much better.
How do you know. Every review I've seen for it has been very positive. :confuse:
Once Honda releases the Accord diesel, no one will buy the Saturn sedans.
That is yet to be seen if americans will buy diesel cars in large numbers like you thing. I agree the new Accord, is sharp. It is by far the best looking Honda brand car in the company's history and if Acura, can top this with the TL it would be quite a feat.
How about trucks? GM's trucks are "new", but the engines and trannies are carry-over. The new Tundra is state-of-the-art. GM also lacks a decent compact-ute. Meanwhile, the CR-V is superb.
Well the 6-speed unit from the Denali and Escalade will be in the 08's from what I read. The 5.3 V8 has only been around since 99' so it's not all that old. :confuse:
GM's truck and SUV sales compared to imports like the CR-V isn't really a comparison is it.
How about minivans? A real tragedy. GM's minivans have always been underpowered engineering abominations. GM left that game with its tail between its legs.
Perhaps but the trend was shifting torwards CUV's and where's honda ? :P
Luxury cars? Cadillac is indeed a bright spot. The new CTS is competitive and desirable. Anything else offered by Caddy can be bought more cheaply at the Buick store.
It can be baught at the Buick store. Wow, you don't know GM, products very well. Where's the Buick STS with RWD ? Where's Buick's version of the CTS, Oh Okay the Lucerne and DTS, are a bit a like.
Buick, builds a Escalade, SRX, XLR, man I'd like to know where and how much ? :confuse:
GM does the Corvette well. But even that overpriced flimsy car has an interior that belongs in my mundane and banal Olds Alero.
Where's your honyota lavish imports that compete with the Corvette ? let's see the Acura NSX, has bee out of production for what 3 years and was virtually the same car since it was introduced in the early 90's with the same output and you are going to knock progression. I guess Honda, left with their tails between their legs. When was the Toyota Corvette last made ? Mid 90's and they left with their tail between their legs as well. :P Some how that Corvette, had enough buyers to stick around and is ranked the #1 sport car sold in America. :P
The Camaro excites, but it's too late to the party and lacks a 4cyl to capture the female buyers.
It's better to be late than be a never been to the party like honyota. Where's there pony car ? huh, huh, huh, ?????
At least Nissan, has made a attempt with the 350Z.
The new crossovers are fine but they guzzle fuel.
They don't guzzle any more gas than you honyota's. The new RDX, comes to mind with it's cute ute size and get as good as gas mileage as GM's Lambada's with 3.6 V6's with 35 more horses and car 2-3 more people. :P
GM isn't "on the offensive". Rather, GM IS offensive.
Well in this market where Cheverolet out sells all of Toyota, I'd say GM, is still on the "offensive"
Toyota, is #3? behind Ford, in this country. Sure world wide sales they are barely #1 but it's not like it's a landslide like some of you wanna make it out to be. I also read this morning that Honda's profits have dropped 20%. Sure if you are a anti-GM, fan you can aplaud GM, got knocked of it's pedestal. However saying they are finished pre-maturely is just crazy. I an many others still think GM, will be #1 again in do time.
Rocky
My concerns were about the image that the Pontiac brand carries, which is a handicap in the market segment where the V-8 powered models will compete.
As for why Chrysler and Dodge succeeded - one, they didn't have the negative image that Pontiac has, and, two, Dodge has a steady stream of truck and SUV customers who were at least willing to give the Dodge brand a chance. Pontiac doesn't have this customer base.
1487: Its common knowledge that Saturn added models. I am confused as to what big secret or conspiracy you feel you have exposed. Saturn's lineup had two vehicles only two years ago.
But you skipped that part when talking about Saturn's "20 percent sales increase."
1487: If you are older you probably have more experience with cars. Not sure how that is relevant but you may be 100% correct.
Not necessarily, and it is relevant, because someone with experience with cars would not claim that the build quality and high-speed capabilities of a Hyundai are equal to those of a BMW, or that Audis and Acuras do not make good sport sedans.
1487: If you think the G8 is going to flop that is your opinion, but dont make assumptions about it's price, features and capabilities that are totally off base.
And don't make assumptions that I said it will be a flop. I said it has a serious handicap in its selected market with the Pontiac badge.
1487: Its apparent you are not a C&D reader because they make it very clear that real sports sedans should be RWD.
Oh really?
I'm looking at the January 2005 issue right now...where the Acura TSX is proclaimed "best sports sedan" in the magazine's annual "10 Best" issue.
In the January 2006 issue the Acura TSX is once again proclaimed "best sports sedan."
In the October 2002 issue, the Acura TL finished third in a comparison of $35,000 entry-level luxury-sport sedans - ahead of the rear-wheel-drive Mercedes C320 and the Infiniti G35.
Perhaps you need to do more reading. You can borrow from my collection of back issues.
What kind of female buyers want 4cyl cars? Everyone female I know wants power under the hood.
The new Camry is ugly and looks like a Corolla from 25 feet away. They both look like their from the late 40's or early 50's.
The Saturn Aura will be a winner and comes with a standard 224hp v6. What difference does it make if its a push rod motor, (I'm not sure if it is)its a family sedan not a sports car. That line is right out of Consumer Reports.
My 2007 Pontiac G6 V6 rental from Las Vegas did not have antilock brakes or traction control -- no warning lights in the dash and I tried the brakes hard in the snow at high elevation (not at 90 mph like our A3 pilot!) -- didn't get that familiar pulsation in the brake pedal.
But it did have alloys and a sunroof!
Rocky
When I made the reservation online, they said I'd be getting a G6 "or equivalent." BTW, I don't remember if it was Alamo or not, but one of the companies offered Camrys, but these were in the "premium" class for a lot more money.
I avoided the companies using mainly Chrysler products, fearing I'd get last year's Sebring (or this year's, for that matter)! :P
than the New Camaro. Guess you were joking.
The Aura XE is OK. Drive the XR and it is more of a kick. The DOHC engine mated to the 6 sp. with paddle shift is fun to drive. Wish they could bring the cost down on that one, and just drop the old OHC mated to the 4 sp. It would improve the image, and resale of the Aura line. As for car reviews by Consumer Reports, they have a different perspective on the car world. I like to use the annual report to view the reliability data mostly. The reviews are OK to get a different perspective on a car. I usually read several different reports on cars to compare, and then do my own testing, which in the end is most important. I mean to say, if they like the product, but you, the buyer thinks it is inferior, why would you buy it.
Loren
Rocky
People will buy good vehicles regardless of what the brand USED to stand for if they like the vehicles enough.
Then you said
The Phaeton was competing in a price class that VW had NEVER been in before.
Based upon this logic, people must not have liked the Phaeton enough, because they would have bought it regardless of what VW USED to stand for. It wasn't the VW badge. Right. Got your point.
A Honda engine.
A Honda badge.
Perhaps not important to some, but important to enough. This is why even if GM's cars are equals, it's going to take some time. Reputations aren't ruined in one year and they certainly aren't regained in one year, either.
I do admire quite a bit of the progress GM has made recently. If they keep it up their reputation will be a lot better in five years.
Ahh, but it has been a couple years and things are changing!
The publics mind is changing. Sure there will be some who will take a bit longer but it will change with the great changes going on at GM.
Wow. That's gotta be a blow for those that don't consider the lowly Cobalt worthy of the SS moniker because it's a tiny FWD. It is ahead of ALL of those other "worthy" performance cars, regardless of their power-to-weight or driven wheels.
This is an example of why I feel that GMs doing what it can, but that it's going to be a long hard road. Even its good, competitive (or better, as the Cobalt SS's numbers above prove) product is discounted without really any consideration by the large unwashed masses who've been conditioned to expect less from the domestics than the import brands. So they see something like that Cobalt on a lot as they drive by, and even IF they're searching for a compact performance car, most just keep driving..
I think GM's newfound focus on quality over quantity, profit over market share, and more realistic MSRPs over incentives is the right way to go. Getting past that perception hurdle would go a long way to solidifying the turnaround and stabilizing GM's condition permanently. Even so, there's still other things that can be done, and need to be, to keep positive momentum, not the least of which is dealing with profit-sapping from excess capacity, medical and retirement costs, and UAW related expenses in general.
So yes, I think it will work. I just don't think it's going to be easy. GM is trying to make all the right moves though. Now it's up to the UAW and the buyer to do their part.
While I agree that it's a pain to be forced to get a bunch of things you don't want just to get the one you do, it's a reality of life with mass production on the scale we see in the automotive business today. Small niche players and low volume, high prestige, high profit brands can afford to let you have that Burger King "Have It Your Way" hand-built car. The rest have to make decisions on what are likely to be the most popular options and attempt to come up with a reduced number of ways of packaging them. This lets them standardize the lines somewhat, making the volume they need built manageable.
While I'd love to see ALL the options checkable independently on the order form, it's just not practical. But I also don't like Honda's method- have one or two relatively basic option packages, then make everything else "dealer installed". That last part is where I object most.
For example- I actually took the time to check out a Ridgeline in the Honda showroom before ordering my 07 Avalanche. I'll admit I was already 90% set on the Av, just for its flexibility. But I wanted to give the Ridgeline as much of a chance as I had anything else. Being the car nut I am, and more importantly, as anal as I tend to be about researching things before putting money down, I was already pretty well informed about what was what and from whom for the rest of the truck and SUV options that might fit my needs. But the Ridge was still relatively new and I didn't know much more about it than what I'd read online, here and at electronic mags' review sites. I wanted to see it first person, check out the pricing, and see the options lists for myself. So that's why I found myself in the showroom. I won't get into my personal feelings about the design, fit and finish, materials quality, etc. for it, as those aren't important for my point. What is important is that in order to compare apples-to-apples as much as is possible in cases like this, I did what I could to select the same or similar options to what I was considering ordering on the Avalanche. Quite a few of those items were dealer installed options, and after tacking THAT cost onto the cost of the RTL Ridgeline I actually found myself ABOVE the cost of the LTZ Avalanche equipped the way I wanted (never mind that there were one or two things I couldn't even get on the Ridgeline at the time).
Point? "Dealer installed options" run cost up in a big way over factory installed options. GM is learning this too though. Hence the reason behind all the GM 20" wheel options for their trucks and SUVs, or the ton of "accessories" available on the GM accessories web site (not in the options list for the vehicle, but addable at time of sale as a "dealer installed" option, and covered by warranty). This is becoming a very lucrative area for manufacturers AND dealers, so it's smart. But as a buyer I'd just as soon take the option factory-installed if I can. Somehow it's usually less expensive to take it AND a few things I may never really make use of than to be able to get just that ONE thing added by the dealership.
The G8 has these neat little strut things outside of the trunk area.
Been selling very well here for years.
They have a wide range of engines,
Normal petrol, turbo petrol and turbo diesel.
"Does GM offer a decent hybrid sedan? No. Meanwhile, Toyota has stolen the entire market with its Prius. "
Aura greenline is on sale now.
"Does GM offer a decent subcompact? No, it imports a mediocre offering from Korea. Meanwhile, Honda offers the nimble Fit, Nissan the Versa, Toyota the Yaris and the new Scions. "
I'm no aveo fan but its outselling the Fit and selling about the same as the Yaris. The public seems to like the car.
"Does GM offer a decent compact car? Sorta. The Cobalt is ok. But the Civic is superior. The Elantra beats the Cobalt on price and features. The Ion is dreadful. The Astra won't be much better. "
Ion is no longer being made. The Astra is a well regarded small car in other parts of the world and one of the best selling cars in Europe.
As for midsize sedan, GM makes several that are competent including the Aura, Impala, G6 and Lacrosse. The new Malibu looks good as well.
"How about trucks? GM's trucks are "new", but the engines and trannies are carry-over. The new Tundra is state-of-the-art. GM also lacks a decent compact-ute. Meanwhile, the CR-V is superb. "
The Escalade, Suburban and Denali have a 6 speed auto that isnt carryover. The Equinox isnt quite a compact ute but its in the same price range and offers a nice package. The new Vue will on sale within weeks and it looks to be superb in its own right.
"Anything else offered by Caddy can be bought more cheaply at the Buick store."
You cant buy an Escalade, SRX, XLR or STS at a Buick store. Your point makes no sense.
" The Camaro excites, but it's too late to the party and lacks a 4cyl to capture the female buyers. The new crossovers are fine but they guzzle fuel. "
what pony car has a 4 cylinder? The 350Z doesnt even have a four. The lamda SUVs get better mileage than the Pilot, ML350, Q7, CX-9, etc. How in the world could they be considered guzzlers with best in class mileage? Only the highlander four cylinder can beat them in mileage.
That statement alone shows you cant be taken seriously. Chrysler and Dodge have ZERO appeal to most import owners. Whatever appeal they do have comes from the RWD cars. Chrysler's brand image is just as bad as Pontiacs right now.
"Not necessarily, and it is relevant, because someone with experience with cars would not claim that the build quality and high-speed capabilities of a Hyundai are equal to those of a BMW, or that Audis and Acuras do not make good sport sedans. "
Anyone who reads car magazines and understands physics knows that RWD cars generally make better sports sedans. The only thing you have going in your favor is the slalom speed of a select few FWD cars and the slow slalom speed of the GTO. YOu believe that that is enough to prove FWD cars are indeed great sports sedans. Acura has only recently got into the sports sedan game, the previous TL was more of a straight luxury car and posting mediocre handling numbers. The TL is a great effort and may be the best handling FWD sedan out there right now. Even the TL cant keep pace with focused RWD sports sedans though.
"I'm looking at the January 2005 issue right now...where the Acura TSX is proclaimed "best sports sedan" in the magazine's annual "10 Best" issue."
C&D used to break their 10BEst down into categories based on size and price. I dont think the TSX was best sports sedan in the world, it was best at that price point. I dont think C&D has ever proclaimed the TSX superior to the 3 or 5 series.
"In the October 2002 issue, the Acura TL finished third in a comparison of $35,000 entry-level luxury-sport sedans - ahead of the rear-wheel-drive Mercedes C320 and the Infiniti G35."
A comparison test is based on more than perforance so the TL can place ahead of RWD cars due its price and design features. Didnt it lose to two or three RWD cars in a more recent test? Is there a reason you are quoting results from 5 years ago with the last generation car? C&D and others have made it clear the TL is held back by FWD even though its a nice FWD luxury car. This is just a fact. read the initial road test of the TL when it debuted in 2003.
>20 percent increase in the Asia/Pacific region
17 percent increase in Latin America, Africa and Middle East region
6 percent growth in Europe
the offensive continues. Unfortunately Toyota is doing better!
A Honda badge. "
Two things that mean nothing to me, that is a sorry justification of the superiority of a brand. Honda engines are no better than comparable engines from Toyota, GM or even Hyundai these days. The only thing Honda engines do better vs some engines is rev higher. The current GM DOHC V6 revs higher than the Honda 3L V6. Honda does have low volume engines that rev high such as the 2L in the Civic Si but that means nothing to me, just means more noise really.
In celebration of Earth Day, be sure to catch the show that will prove going green can be extreme! Tune in to MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” on Sunday, April 22, at 1 pm Eastern time, as Mad Mike, Xzibit and special guest California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger work with GM SPO, GM Powertrain, GM Environment and Energy, and Allison Transmission to spruce up a 1965 Chevy Impala with a one–of–a–kind alteration: an 800 horsepower Duramax biodiesel engine. To learn more about biodiesel and other flex fuel options, visit www.gmability.com. For more about the 1965 “Pimped” Impala, visit www.gmblogs.com or www.think.mtv.com.
Unacceptable explanation. Try saying it like this: "Toyota raced past GM in first qtr sales due to the success of its environmentally friendly cars while GM sales continue to stagnate as it continues to rely on gas guzzlers in this age of high gas prices". That's the way the media reports it and it makes Toyota sound much better so lets stick with it. Every single thing I read about Toyota's success ties that success to hybrids and small cars and yet when you look at Toyota's monthly sales statements hybrids and small cars (other than the Corolla) are not their top sellers. The Prius is very successful but the rest of Toyota's hybrids are small volume. I believe the Tundra outsells all of Toyota's hybrid models except Prius (the two are close) and yet the media pretends Toyota sells nothing but gas sippers.
Wheels magazine in this months issue,(sorry I can't post the story) did a comparo on the 4 Aussie sixes.
Holden Commodore rwd, Ford Falcon rwd, Toyota Aurion fwd(This would be your 3.5 Camry) and the Mitsu 380 fwd.
In the handling stakes both rwd were a clear winner, with the Holden on top.
The Toyota was bloody terrible according to the testers.
About sales, yes overall Toyota has beaten GM here for about 6 months. The Corolla was number one, but now the Commodore is back as No1, as it was for years.
You guys are getting the v6 Commodore, I don't know what model it will be based on. Funny that they are calling the V6 car G8. We have one here that is called SV6, which looks exactly the same as the V8 version SS. Only diff on appearance is that the trunk spoiler is a little lower.
The SV6 comes with a 5 speed auto that you can operate manually if you want. It has a 190kw(262hp) 3.6 engine. Also has Bosch esp and traction control.
We already have a G6, so we couldn't call it that. Maybe it could have been a G7?
GM has introduced new names for cars when the old names seem outdated. For example, Cadillac started with letter names, then moved to a number with the Model 30. Then when the V8 was introduced, some new numbers were used. They went to series numbers at some point, which is what was used after World War Two, but then they introduced the name de Ville. The DeVille name lasted a long time.
A lot of folks rap on this again and again (and again!). I think the media is focusing more on diversity of products than on total numbers, and here some small amount of credit has to be given to Toyota. They have 3 models making 40 mpg or more in highway rating. Honda has one, the Civic (with two trims making 40 or more, including the hybrid). Nissan, Ford, GM, and Chrysler have none.
If you look at the models GM is releasing this year, you will be hard-pressed to find one that makes a '40' anywhere in the EPA portion of the window sticker.
Corolla is the second or third best-selling car in the country, year after year. That's a lot of high-mileage small cars getting out there.
I wait with GREAT interest (baited breath, some might say!) to see how much improved the fuel economy will be in the new hybrid full-size trucks. I don't expect great things from the Aura GL as GM's hybrid system right now doesn't produce a large increase in fuel economy rating (but at least it doesn't cost as much as others' hybrid systems).
Toyota is currently selling about 740,000 Yaris, Corolla, and 4-cylinder Camrys per year. That is a MUCH larger number than the sales of FJ, Sequoia, 4Runner, and Tundra annually (the total of which is running about 320K per year right now). There is at least A GRAIN OF TRUTH to the media reports.
Also, GM's sales mix is still at least 60% trucks, 40 cars, right? Whereas Toyota still leans the other way.
I am hoping that GM doesn't wait until the technology in the Volt is ready for production to come out with a new and improved version of its hybrid system, or a high-mileage 50-state diesel to replace it.
OK, I'm putting on my flame-proof suit. ;-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I dont feel like checking your sales numbers for fuel efficient Toyota cars but you need to add more to your gas guzzling Toyota list. Every Toyota pickup and V6/V8 powered SUV (Lexus too) should be included. If I'm not mistaken one of Toyotas best successes this year is the RAv4 which doesnt even offer a hybrid version. Tacoma, Tundra and Rav4 sales are doing well as are Lexus SUVs. Toyota's ever growing lineup is helping them expand sales in the US and hybrids/small cars are only a part of that success. Toyota's biggest and most significant product this year is the Tundra, not a hybrid or small car. The Yaris and Scion models dont come close to Tundra sales. The Corolla and Yaris get great mileage and that is nice, but the Yaris is hardly a volume product. As for the four cylinder camry, it's mileage is about average for that type of car. The Malibu and G6 (and Optima, Altima, Accord, etc.) are right there with the Camry 4 in efficiency. If we are to believe that Toyota's success is due to gas mileage than we might as well leave the regular camry out of the equation. The Pruis, Yaris, Corolla and Scions should be where the real gains are being made. People are buying more Toyotas period, regardless of mileage. Toyota SUVs/pcikups are usually at the bottom of the pack in terms of mileage but they are still selling plenty of them. The media likes to simplify things and they do that by attributing Toyota success to fuel efficiency and GM's struggles to reliance on SUVs.
People make a big deal about GM's reliance on SUVs or SUV/car sales mix but neglect to mention that GM doesnt force customers to buy more trucks than cars. If people want a car from GM they can surely buy one. GM makes the best trucks in the market and thus they capture a large share of the truck segment. People who buy Tahoes can by Equinox's, HHrs, Cobalts, etc. if they so chose. The success of GM trucks doesnt mean that GM has no fuel efficient offerings. It just means more consumers are willing to consider GM when looking for a new truck than when looking for a new car.
"If you look at the models GM is releasing this year, you will be hard-pressed to find one that makes a '40' anywhere in the EPA portion of the window sticker. "
I believe the Aveo gets 37mpg with manual.
??? No one is entitled to the market. Everyone has to earn it and GM is now a lot closer to 25% than 15%. I think they still have a little more cutting to do in the rental fleet but they are probably almost to the point where they will be at. The rentals have to get cars from somewhere and perhaps the Koreans will take more but with the domestics (not Chrysler) lowering their fleet the prices will go up and the fleets will become more profitable.
Loren
Loren
Loren
Yesterday I was searching for the sales count for each Toyota Motor Corp. vehicle sold in '06 (I had already found GM's) for a Statistics project.
Anyway, I was using this new online search engine, where a person actually searches for you and everything they returned was about GM sucking all the gas out of the planet and Toyota being green. When I reiterated that I want the number of each vehicle sold, they returned sales data for the prius and highlander hybrid; never mind that Toyota Motor Corp. also offers the Tundra and LX470.
It's as if the general public genuinely does not believe toyota makes any V8 models. :confuse:
Loren
Loren
I think the Rabbit sells on Euro flavor. The nice interior, and sporty handling are a plus. Safety? Could be the people think it is safer than other small cars. They do a lot of advertising. I would be scared to death of getting an engine which uses excessive oil. Wonder how VW's are doing in that respect today? Any woes on the VW board over oil consumption still?
Loren
What lowers the image? The lower price? What suckers? You medan anybody else but you?
There was nothing wrong with names LeMans, Bonneville, Caprice, Catalina, DeVille, Eldorado, Allante, Riviera, etc. Lots of good names went on scrap pile. Names were ok, but actual cars with these names started to seem obsolete and outdated.
Would agree about outdated brand names such as Oldsmobile (name says it is old) and Buick which has an awkward sound.
I think the only problem with "LeMans" is that it is just SOOOOO ripe for picking when something does go wrong with the car. I'll admit, when I was a kid, we used to call my Mom's '75 LeMans a "LeMons". And I've used that moniker on my '76 a few times, too! :P
Loren