GM News, New Models and Market Share

dave8697

Is this true?

2009 Nissan Altima Overview
IntroductionThe front-wheel drive, five-passenger Nissan Altima combines performance and an attractive exterior as either a two-door coupe or a four-door sedan.

The Nissan Altima is powered by either a 175-hp 2.5-liter V6 or a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 and the transmission choices include a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). The trims on the Altima include: the 2.5 Base (on the sedan only), the 2.5 S, the 3.5 SE and the 3.5 SL (on the sedan only). Safety features include: four-wheel disc brakes, anti-lock brakes on all trims except for the Sedan 2.5 Base

Cheap out on the brakes on base model but it is not that much higher priced than a base Malibu which after a $2k rebate has ALB, a long PT warranty, a bigger trunk, and stab cont.

Exactly $5898 higher dealer invoice price for the Hydrid version of Altima

cooterbfd

My guess is it is actually a 4 cyl.

cooterbfd

It is odd, as they had a media day at first, then the road tests began to come in from all over the place.

I bring it up since I have posted links to the other sites tests, and I don't want it to seem as though I'm ignoring this site's test. I do value the Edmunds reports (I hope tha wasn't too much smoke for you, Steve :P )

circlew

Based on just the written reviews and pix, I will definitely test drive this. I believe this will be the best sedan out of GM since the CTS.

The new LaCrosse was developed globally. The architecture was designed in Europe, the interior styled in China, and the body design and vehicle integration completed in the United States. Compared to the outgoing model, the 2010 LaCrosse is about an inch shorter with a wheelbase that is 1.2 inches longer. This moves the wheels farther to the corners and results in a more athletic stance. The exterior styling employs cues of the Buick Invicta concept car shown at the Beijing auto show in China in 2008. The sculpted sides and waterfall grille are influenced by the Enclave.

I tested the FWD Enclave with base trim and it did not impress me vs. my '03 Denali. But the LaCrosse is finally targeted to be a world class car. Malibu is almost there but hopefully they upgrade the parts a few notches to cement a place as a true mid size world class value. Stop the incentives and just make the cars exceptional.

Is anybody listening...Mr. Lutz?

Regards,
OW

dieselone

Nissan's 2.5 is definitely a 4cyl, must be a typo.

cooterbfd

The dealer I'm dealing with just got their first one in, a CXL. I'm gonna test drive it hopefully Tues.

lemko

Uh, GM already made Opels for decades before the Catera debuted. The Opel Omega was the platform used for the Catera. I believe the C in CTS = Catera. S in STS = Seville, and D in DTS = DeVille.

circlew

Excellent...looking forward to your review.

Regards,
OW

circlew

So much for Jeremy Anwyl's cry to raise the gas tax to make people buy fuel efficient vehicles. :P :P

Top Ten Clunker Buys The most popular vehicles purchased under the Cash for Clunkers program.

Rank Vehicle Includes Hybrid Combined City/Hwy mileage

1 Ford Focus No 27-28

2 Honda Civic Yes 24-42

3 Toyota Corolla No 25-30

4 Toyota Prius Yes 46

5 Ford Escape Yes 20-32

6 Toyota Camry Yes 23-34

7 Dodge Caliber No 22-27

8 Hyundai Elantra NO 26-28

9 Honda Fit No 29-31

10 Chevy Cobalt No 25-3

Is anyone listening at GM??

Regards,
OW

bpizzuti

Most Cobalts don't get very good FE outside of XFE form, as opposed to Focus, and Elantra which get good FE on all trims. Corolla is even hit or miss: the 2.4 isn't that economical. Though I'm assuming most of the sales were 1.8L. Same with the Fit. I'm a little surprised there aren't more Aveos on there, but I don't see anything in that class on there except the Fit (no Accent, Rio, Versa or Yaris).

I'm genuinely shocked to see the Caliber on there...then again, it's probably $3995 after all the rebates and C4C. :shades:

stever

Here's the link where the chart came from:

Cash for Clunkers cars: Small wins big (CNN)

nippononly

I'm genuinely shocked to see the Caliber on there...then again, it's probably $3995 after all the rebates and C4C

Seriously, a friend of a friend down in Texas got one for about $7000 after $4500 C4C rebate, Chrysler rebates, and the discount from the dealer. Brand new car for $7000. Can't even get a new Rio for that.

And GM had no deals like that, so they are down in sales the most of any of the Big 6 for July.

bpizzuti

Hyundai's up. When does it become the Big 7? Or do we drop Dodge to make room for Hyundai? :shades:

circlew

Hyundai seems to be making room for itself regarding market share. They have the best campaign in the world, AFAIC. Now that folks are aiming at value when they do pull the trigger, GM is going to be hard pressed to compete with very little ammunition presently.

I reiterate it will take the New GM 3-4 years to be competitive as gas prices rise going forward. They can spin best-in-class fuel economy all they like...the sales numbers show the reality.

Regards,
OW

cooterbfd

OK here it is. I think the car is everything the reviewers say it is!!!! The seats are comfy, the 3.0 V6 propels the car spiritedly, although not super fast. The materiels used on the interior are VASTLY better than what I see in my SIL's '06 Grand Prix. It handles well, absorbs bumps in the road beautifully. The stereo sounds magnificent. There are a lot of buttons on the center stack, but they are clearly labeled. It may scare off an 80 yr old, but anybody gary's age and younger can get by ( :P )

This car had no navigation, and the display for the radio is simplistic like C&D says but it is a rather large display for a radio. The new Acura TL I saw in a parking lot later had just a standard radio display, so this wouldn't be a big deal. The cruise control displays the speed you set it for, as well as the speed you're going, somthing I've yet to see. The rear seats fold down almost flat to make up for the smallish trunk for those odd trips that require more cargo space.

The negatives I saw were the small trunk w/ a decklid held up w/ goosenecks, some road noise eminating from the tires, a HIGH beltline which makes it tough to hang the ole arm out the window (although the armrest was in perfect position), and the instrument cluster looks as if it was stuck in place. The leather top on the instrument cluster looks like a bad toupee'

The transmission shifts flawlessly. I downshifted in manumatic from fifth to second (5-4-3-2) at about 40 and the only indication it shifted was the tach moving. Shifts were imperceptable, and I could hardly hear the engine rev. It was quite impressive.

cannon3

will shrink no doubt about it. GM will no longer dominate the U.S. markets. Is this such a bad thing? I don't think so. GM will be leaner, meaner and kick the sh... out of Toyota in the next 10 years..

torque_r

Speaking of which, here are July Sales and Market Share figures.

GM -------------------- 188,156, down 19.4%, Market Share: 18.9 %
Toyota: -------------- 174,872, down 11.4%, Market Share: 17.5 %
Ford: ----------------- 164,795, up 2.4%, Market Share: 16.5 %
Honda: -------------- 114,690, down 17.3%, Market Share: 11.5%
Chrysler:------------- 88,900, down 9.4%, Market Share: 8.9%
Nissan: --------------- 71,847, down 24.7%, Market Share: 7.2%
Hyundai: ------------- 45,553, up 11.9%, Market Share: 4.6%
Kia: -------------------- 29,345, up 4.7%, Market Share: 2.9%

bpizzuti

Leaner? Maybe, but I doubt meaner...it's never been in the GM genome. Maybe leaner and even more blah. Besides their trucks, one might say they make the best fleet cars around but that's about it. Some of them are very pleasant surprises (like the HHR for instance...who would have thought of it as a fuel-efficient panel-van replacement? I see TONS of small businesses using them around here). But fleet/commercial seems to be the only place GM has some respectable strength (though Caddy is coming along).

May as well use it.

british_rover

Our dodge store was doing well equipped Calibers so the 2.0 engine not the 1.8, bluetooth, heated seats and sirius radio plus some other stuff for around $9,995 after a $4,500 clunker.

Also the Caliber and the Fit are the only two hatchbacks in that list.The caliber is bigger and has a little higher ride height then the average car so it makes sense people going from a SUV would like it.

nortsr1

"$9,995.00, after a $4500.00 clunker". But don't forget you also gave the customer a $4500.00 rebate. That means the Caliber was approx. $18,995.00 MSRP unless you also sold it at invoice which would make the MSRP a little higher.
I am not sure, but I believe the Caliber gets decent gas mileage??? That's a great deal dor a fully loaded Caliber!!!

british_rover

Yeah MSRP between 18,995 and 19,995. Not a great car by any means but under $10,000 for that much equipment is a pretty good deal.

cooterbfd

http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2009/08/il-track-tested-2010-buick-lacross- e-cxl-30.html

stever

We must have finally heard you. :shades:

Lots of comments about it over there.

cooterbfd

I know, I commented too. Now hopefully we can see a comparison test. Maybe Edmunds can be the first to do this.

Pull some strings. We count on you

stever

Yeah, but I probably wouldn't recognize the boss if he flew over to Boise and walked in my living room. :P

I haven't been following the Opel stuff much, but it sounds like GM is pulling teeth trying to get that one done.

GM-Opel: No Done Deal Yet, GM Exec Says (AutoObserver)

In other news, GM is leasing again. For a month at least, and not on all models. But you could lease a nice new 2010 Buick LaCrosse.

circlew

Thanks for your review and the link. The 3.0 is adequate for most Buick customers. I would be more interested in the CXS 3.6L version.

Looks good so far as a top shelf sedan.

Regards,
OW

nippononly

Hyundai's up. When does it become the Big 7?

Before this year, I would have said it could be the Big 7 as soon as Hyundai gets to 1 million annuals sales like the other 6. If the market never gets to 17 million again, I would say they need at least 750K in annual sales to be considered alongside the "big boys".

bpizzuti

The market isn't getting to 17 million again, even with all the CARS they're scrapping.

fezo

Man, that small trunk is a killer. Smaller than my 00 Accord. (In fairness the new Accord's trunk is still the same size despite the growth of the rest of the car.)

Sounds like a really nice car but on a Buick I'd expect more trunk room. Maybe I'll feel differently when I see how it's actually laid out.

andre1969

Sounds like a really nice car but on a Buick I'd expect more trunk room. Maybe I'll feel differently when I see how it's actually laid out.

Yeah, sometimes how it's laid out makes all the difference. I think the '03-07 Accord's trunk is only 14 cubic feet. About two years ago though, I bought a set of Pontiac Rally wheels for my convertible, and we put them in Grbeck's '03 Accord Now, I realize a set of wheels doesn't take up THAT much space, but that trunk looked like it had plenty of room to me! My '00 Intrepid, for comparison, is something like 18.4, but I don't think it looks that much bigger inside. One advantage that the Accord had was a larger trunk opening. It had a lower liftover height, too.

cooterbfd

"......I would be more interested in the CXS 3.6L version."

You and me both baby!!!!! With a little luck, I just might be driving a Red Jewel Tintcoat CXS home this weekend

cooterbfd

I don't know if it matters, but the rear seats fold down flat, almost level with the trunk, giving you that much more trunk space. It looks bigger than it is, but it's got them Go$#^ammed goosewings.

circlew

I wish you all the luck! Can you take advantage of the C4C program with the LaCrosse??

Regards,
OW

dave8697

never thought of my large buick trunk as a savior. The highly sought after Altima has 12 cu ft. My Riv has 18 cu ft with a 19.5 inch minimum opening. Many tell me the huge trunk is a negative. I tried to bring home a new gas grill that was 20.5 x 25 x 33 inch sized box and it missed fitting in by one inch. I had to go home and get my truck. The box was 10.0 cu ft.

torque_r

GM has announced a new crossover for Buick in 2010. It will offer two direct-injection engines. Car & Driver suspects it will be based on the Chevy Equinox, and that it really is a replacement for the Saturn Vue which will be phased out soon. So Let's see! GM sells two full-size crossovers with the same plateform (Acadia and Enclave) under the same roof. And now the NEW GM will sell two smaller crossovers that share platform also under the same roof. Is this business as usual or what?

bpizzuti

Rebadgers-R-Us. That should be the name for the "New GM."

The New GM: just like the old GM only newer.

Glad I bought a Hyundai.

andre1969

The highly sought after Altima has 12 cu ft.

I've seen that 12 cubic foot figure thrown around, too. However, I'm sure it's a misprint. Just about every source I've seen lists it at 15 cubic feet.

I'm actually surprised the Riv has an 18 cubic foot trunk! I remember looking at a used one at CarMax years ago, and was a bit disappointed that the Riv didn't feel, well, bigger! Just going by feel, it seemed about as big inside as my old 1980 Malibu coupe. Big enough, to be sure, but I guess I was just expecting bigger! Interestingly, the EPA lists the 1995 Riviera at 99 cubic feet of interior volume, 17 cubic feet of trunk space, while the 1999 is listed at 100 and 18. Wonder what gives there? As far as I know, they never really changed anything on these cars, at least nothing that would affect interior room. Maybe just something in the way they calculated the measurements, or rounding errors or something?

Has anyone seen overall interior measurements for the 2010 LaCrosse? The EPA lists the Lexus ES350 as having 95 cubic feet of interior space, and a 15 cubic foot trunk. The Acura TL is 98 cubic feet interior, 13 cubic foot trunk. And the revered BMW 5-series is 98 interior, 14 trunk. So while the LaCrosse's trunk volume might seem a bit small, it's probably going to be competitive overall for its class. After all, this car isn't intended to fill the gap left by the 1996 Roadmaster or 1976 Riviera!

And I don't see why anyone would consider a huge trunk a negative? Unless it's so big that it adds too much rear overhang to the car and makes it look ungainly, or hard to park, maybe? Or, if you put something in it and it rolls up to the front, where you can't reach it? :P

**Edit: I found some interior measurements for the 2010 LaCrosse...headroom, legroom, shoulder room, etc. My guess is that when the EPA does finally publish the specs for it, it'll come out at 101-102 cubic feet, depending on how they round. I came up with 101.6. FWIW, the EPA does have a listing for the 2010 LaCrosse, but they're publishing the interior volume of the 2005-09 model (100 interior/16 trunk). I also found out that the LaCrosse's trunk is only 13.3 cubic feet! Still, depending on how it's shaped, it might be more useable than that suggests.

lemko

I'm afraid to even look at a new LaCrosse. Either me or my girlfriend will be wanting one and I don't need another car payment!

berri

LaCrosse got good write-ups in LA Times and Cars.Com

cooterbfd

No C4C for me. The Park Av has an EPA combined 19 mpg, while the Lacrosse is 21 or 22. Kind of a shame, as a brown car with a green fender (don't ask, my fault :mad: ) won't bring in but 2 grand, but I'm glad too as somebody will benefit from getting such a large car cheap that also gets great fuel economy for a 4000+ pound car.

I may just donate it for a tax writeoff.

cooterbfd

"..... Either me or my girlfriend will be wanting one and I don't need another car payment!"

Trust me, you WILL want it. It's THAT good. Besides, you can't take it with you

andre1969

Kind of a shame you're not closer...I'd almost be tempted to take that Park Ave off your hands. Is it really brown, though? Or more of a cinnamon/champagne color? I guess when I think brown, I think of those chocolate browns of the 1970's.

cooterbfd

It's not dark brown, more like a dark sand color. I'd say half way between champagne and brown.

Hey if you're up for a road trip, pick up lemko and we could meet half way in Connecticut. hell even if it's just for a cup of coffee

circlew

Here's a good article that lends some next steps to the new GM.

In a nutshell...

"The negativity of what happened with GM will eventually recede into the background if the products are so good that they can't be ignored," De Lorenzo said. "But that will take time."

Full Article: No BS...Just the Cars

Regards,
OW

fezo

Confirms what I've said all along. There's nothing wrong that great product can't cure. If that's really coming (and cooter's La Crosse test gives me hope) they'll make it and I'll be happy for that.

If they were just hanging around to punch out more Cobolts they could just hang it up.

torque_r

Caddilac SRX------------ 265hp, 0-60 mph in 8.4 sec, 17/23 mpg
Caddilac SRX 2.8T----- 300 hp, 0-60 mph in 7.6 sec, 16/23 mpg
Lexus RX350--------------275hp, 0-60 mph in 6.6 sec, 18/24 mpg

GM needs to go back to the drawing board on the engine department.

bpizzuti

Not just engines if the Lexus is better 0-60 with less HP.

anythngbutgm

Isn't that 2.8T the same engine that has been in the Saab 9-5 since the 90's? I know that 3.0l that comes standard is supposed to be a dog, performance and economy-wise, why can't they standardize and just go with the 3.6 (Rev2/ without the problems with snapping camshafts of course ) across the board? Shoot, the RX comes standard with the 3.5, surely the 3.6 would be closer matched? :confuse:

british_rover

No the six cylinder in the 9-5 from the 90s was a screwed up engine with an asymmetrical turbo. The 2.8T that GM is using is I guess the same six cylinder that has been used in the 9-3 aeros since 2005. It isn't a particular good engine. In the 9-3 now it makes 280ish hp out of only 2.8 liters with the turbo and still gets really poor mileage. The Non-turbo direct injection version of that motor is much better.

circlew

Steering, engines, fit/finish, etc. SRX is one step down from the RX. Not to mention they used your taxes to only slow the bleeding.

Regards,
OW