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
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Cadillac officials says the company isn't done with Europe just yet, but with sales measured in the hundreds it might as well be."
Cadillac BLS Dead, Brand Could Be Finished in Europe (Straightline)
Regards,
OW
Mr. von Koenigsegg criticized GM's handling of Saab and said he planned to realign the car maker as a niche brand. Under the consortium's business plan, Saab would break even in 2012, producing at least 100,000 vehicles that year, he said.
"GM is a car maker that's been focusing on volume but Saab is more about niche and premium," Mr. von Koenigsegg said.
Saab last year sold fewer than 94,000 cars, down from about 125,000 in 2007.
Now, Saab will not be boring any longer! (My nickname for over 40 year for this niche brand was Slob!)
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
Beloved husband & dad is mourned, but it's not his body in the casket
By KITTY CAPARELLA
Philadelphia Daily News
The mourners knew it wasn't Tex.
Nearly everyone who passed the silver casket at Tindley Temple United Methodist Church yesterday morning whispered to each other. That's not Tex, they said. But the corpse was wearing his blue suit and black boots.
Meantime, the funeral home found Roberts' remains, and rushed them back to the church. When an assistant opened the door of the hearse, mortified relatives screamed at the sight.
"The casket had tilted and his leg was hanging out," said Wearing, who believed they drove so fast, hitting bumps, that the casket opened.
"It was unspeakable,"
Only in Philly
"GM brass officially made the decision on Aug. 14, after playing host to members of the media and the general public earlier in the week to review its future products. (Vice chairman Tom) Stephens said that the Buick crossover was the brunt of much criticism......“We were all struck by the consistency of the criticism of the compact crossover,” he said."
I guess we can say it is at least good that they listened for once. And now the plug-in hybrid temporarily has no home. But why don't they just apply that technology to the Equinox? That's where it should have been targeted to go right from the beginning.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
If GM is going ahead with 4 brands (more than any other auto maker in the US), then they ought to make Cadillac truly special, as it was in the old days.
- Rear wheel drive. Use 3 or 4 piece drive shafts if you have to(Hint: Volvo's been doing this for years so there's no rear transmission "hump")
- Offer only the better engine and suspension. This will help with reviews and initial test drives(read - rental cars).
- Use loads more metal and chrome. Make the cars look different. To accomplish this, STOP HIRING FROM THE SAME 4 DESIGN SCHOOLS AS EVERYONE ELSE. If you wonder why the cars all look the same, that's why. The same rubbish classes taught by the same cookie-cutter design schools. So everything looks the same.
The perfect example of what to do right is the CTS. People may hate or love the looks with nothing much in-between, but it's identifiable as a CTS from two blocks away. The new Buick small crossover looks like everyone else's chopped off and raised jellybean-mobile.
And some things are really easy ways to gain market share. For instance, how about real metal and rubber bumpers again that pass those 3mph bumper tests with *zero* damage. If you want people to think of the cars as tough and sturdy, this is an easy way to do it. Stuff like that. A Cadillac should feel as solid as a late 90s S class if you're making it right. This isn't rocket science, either. Just over-build the areas that see the most obvious wear and abuse. $100 more in thicker leather, for instance, is a world better than adding a fancy HUD in terms of perceived quality.
Holy smoke! I've been thinking the same thing for YEARS!!! And it's not only cars. I used to be a graphic designer back in the day. I went to a design show at my former school and ALL the student's work LOOKED ALIKE!!! I think the kids in design school all come up with the same thing just to please their hack professors who couldn't find an original idea with both hands and a flashlight. If Dr. Granola was such a great designer, why isn't he working for the auto manufacturers instead of in some tenured position in academia where he has no accountability? I see the same darn thing all the time - the ridiculous "Hot Wheels" sized wheels, the squashed roofs with the gunslit windows, the ridiculously short overhangs. I like my cars to be long, low, and wide and very sleek. Where are the future Bill Mitchells? Where are the future Virgil Exners? Where are the future Elwood Engels? Where are the future Harley Earls?
Where are the future Chris Bangles?
Oh, wait ... nevermind.
BTW, the CXL I looked at 2 weeks ago, sold last week to a 23 YEAR OLD GIRL!!!!!!
That's 23!!!! NOT an old HAG!!! :P
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Forget the rubber. How about chrome bumpers that can withstand parking lot or street inconsiderates. Could even have options for roo bars or those huge bullit shaped pods that Cadillac had on front bumpers way back when. Could stylists make chrome bumpers attractive? Would guess though that bumpers add to air drag.
Regards,
OW
08/21/2009, 9:27 AM
By Andrew Ganz
If it seems like you’ve heard it before, it’s because you have: BMW has taken the wraps off of its most fuel-efficient 3-Series ever, the 320d Efficient Dynamics. Capable of 68.9 mpg in the European combined cycle (about 57.4 mpg U.S.), the 320d features a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel engine and will qualify for significant tax cuts – amounting to just £35 annually in the United Kingdom.
In June, BMW announced the 316d, the automaker’s new entry-level model, that reigned as its most efficient 3-Series ever for less than two months. The 320d Efficient Dynamics serves as a higher-end model than the 316d, however.
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder puts out 163 horsepower between 3,500 and 4,200 rpm and 266 lb-ft. of torque from just 1,750 to 3,000 rpm. BMW says the sedan will hit 62 mph in 8.2 seconds before topping out at 137 mph with the standard six-speed manual transmission. The automaker says that, because of the hefty torque curve, the 320d will be able to accelerate from 50 to 75 mph in fifth gear in just 9.6 seconds.
Other changes include a lowered suspension, special aerodynamic alloy wheels and Michelin EnergySaver tires, a longer rear axle ratio, a dual mass flywheel aimed at curbing engine vibration and BMW’s full range of Efficient Dynamics technologies, including auto start/stop, brake energy regeneration and electric power steering – all of which have been included on four-cylinder 3-Series sedans in Europe for almost two years.
Emissions are down, too, to just 109 g/km, which blows away the 118 g/km of the 316d.
BMW says that pricing should pretty much mirror that of the 320d SE, which retails from £26,680 in the U.K. The standard 320d puts out an extra 14 horsepower and accelerates to 62 mph in 7.9 seconds, but its fuel consumption is down to 58.9 mpg (49 mpg U.S.). Expect dual-zone air conditioning, parking sensors, BMW’s “Professional” radio/CD, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and Extended lighting, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, to come standard.
The 320d Efficient Dynamics will be officially unveiled next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Needless to say GM will never catch up to the competition, afaic.
Regards,
OW
BTW, looked out of the window at parking lot....40 German cars, 18 Japanese, 0 GM/Ford.
And GM cant even manage a hybrid.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-08-20-gm-old-stock_N.htm
Similarly (of value), I was thinking that we could setup a market here, where we could buy and sell Post #'s in Topics here on Edmund's.
Detroit automakers' share of sales fell from 42.1 percent as of Aug. 14 to just 41 percent Friday in the $3 billion program.
U.S. automakers have been hamstrung by short inventories of more fuel efficient vehicles and have boosted production.
http://detnews.com/article/20090822/AUTO01/908220314/1148/Toyota+biggest+benefic- iary+of+clunker+cash
U.S. automakers have been hamstrung by short inventories of more fuel efficient vehicles and have boosted production
By "US Automakers" they seem to mean GM (where the Cobalt and Aveo stink) and Chrysler (Where the highest MPG they can get by far is the 27 MPG combined Caliber, which is really the only car they could offer under the program).
Even so, GM did OK based on the article: "Toyota is the clunker replacement leader: Of all vehicles sold under the program, 19.2 percent were Toyotas. General Motors was in second place, at 17.7 percent." Coming in just behind Toyota and their magic hybrids ain't bad at all, particularly for a company recently saddled with bankruptcy. Unless of course the whining is about not being #1 in all ways with everyone bowing to their greatness.
Let's break things down individually, but start with a number: 54% of the top 10 cars sold under CARS were built in the US. That certainly doesn't hurt, now does it?
So, we do have the top 10 models here.
1 - Toyota Corolla - Should be no surprise to anyone, it was already a top seller.
2 - Honda Civic - Again no surprise, already a top seller that happens to work for CARS
3 - Ford Focus - Hey, wait a minute, I thought Detroit LOST in all this? Oh well, at least Ford knows how to make cars in this segment.
4 - Toyota Camry - Not a total surprise, but Ford beat it out.
5 - Hyundai Elantra - Isnt' this one of Edmund's most wanted? Beaten by a looser Detroit Ford?
6 - Toyota Prius - Third Toyota, of course the hybrid would be here. What's surprising is that it's this low on the list.
7 - Nissan Versa - Wow, guess "Japan" must be slipping. Or maybe it's just Nissan.
8 - Ford Escape (Hybrid I bet) - Wow, what's this, an SUV? From Detroit? In the Top 10 of the CARS program? Before any other SUV? Doesn't sound like losing ground.
9 - Honda Fit - I'm surprised this made it: Versa's in the same segment and beat it handily.
10. - Honda CR-V - Poor Honda, having to play second-banana to Ford's SUV.
Ok, so what we have here are 3 Toyotas and 3 Hondas. These guys also carry more high-MPG models than other manufacturers tend to (Prius and Inisght are "extra" models as dedicated hybrids) so it's not surprising.
Right behind them is Ford with 2 models making the cut. Ford is doing just fine. Nissan and Hyundai manage just one entry in the Top 10.
Oh, and no GMs. They might have done better if they had managed to finish the Cruze. But they didn't. Not that they're famous for making good decisions (Buick "Vue" anyone? Buick Cruze? Buick Aveo? Might as well have kept Pontiac: sounds like they're rebadging all the old Pontiacs as Buicks anyway).
Well, here are the top ten selling cars in July 2009, according to Cars.com:
Ford F-Series: 36,327
Toyota Camry: 33,974
Honda Civic: 30,037
Honda Accord: 29,774
Toyota Corolla: 29,593
Chevy Silverado: 27,617
Ford Focus: 21,830
Ford Escape: 20,241
Nissan Altima: 19,252
Toyota Prius: 19,173
And here are a few statistics I dug up here and there...
The GMC Sierra sold 10,465 in July.
The Chevy Impala sold 14,649.
The Chevy Malibu sold 15,339.
The new Equinox ran off 10,834.
The Cobalt sold 9,435 units in July.
They did have a whole slew of 2009 GP's and G-6's with SALE signs all over the windows, however, so they were trying to sell ANYTHING!!
Am I too critical??
Regards,
OW
YTD 2009 vs. 2008
GM - 19.5% vs. 21.2%
Ford - 15.5% vs. 14.8%
C - 9.6% vs. 11.3%
T - 16.3% vs. 16.8%
Honda - 11.1% vs. 11.0%
Nissan - 7.2% vs. 7.2%
Hyundai - 4.3% vs. 3.2%
Kia - 3.0% vs. 2.2%
Mazda - 2.1% vs. 2.1%
Subaru - 2.0% vs. 1.3%
Regards,
OW
It's nothing to do with "Detroit" losing. It has to do with idiots at GM (and Chrysler) making stupid decisions, getting burned for it, and then whining to the press.
Looking at those stats you posted, I'd say Subaru and Kia actually look like they're the big winners so far this year. I'm guessing what's happened is that they were able to maintain sales volume while everybody else fell, hence that big rise in market share.
A friend of mine had to get a rental car last weekend when his Crown Vic died. It was a Kia Spectra I think...whatever their version is of the Hyundai Elantra. I know it's nothing that most people would aspire to, but I thought it was a respectable little car. It didn't feel flimsy or cheap inside. Now I'm sure compared to a BMW or Benz or some high-end car it would feel like crap, but considering the price point, it seemed like a lot of car. And for being a smallish car, it didn't feel cramped inside to me.
I wonder how the luxury brands like BMW, Audi, and Benz did, with regards to market share?
Regards,
OW
I wonder too though, if the whole bankruptcy stigma might have hurt GM and Chrysler sales? I also know a lot of people who have respect for Ford for not taking any gov't bailout money, and have mentioned that if they buy a car, they'd take a Ford over a GM/Mopar because of that. Of course, putting your money where your mouth is, is a whole different story!
WSJ Market Data - Auto Sales
YTD 2009 vs. 2008
Audi - .8% vs. .6%
BMW - 1.9% vs. 1.8%
Benz - 1.7% vs. 1.6%
Regards,
OW
Now ya got it! Haven't I been slyly confounding people with this same information for years now? They are well-built rigs, I've bought two new of them and even though I'm straying to Mitsubishi with this '08 Lancer GTS, a return to Kia next new car is a distinct possibility.
And, even though Warranties aren't enough to sell me a new car, the Long Haul is still pretty hard to beat in Warranty protection, too.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Classic denial syndrome. :shades:
Lessee, HUMMER is still unsold, SAAB will continue to sell GM products. Betcha Pontiac and Saturn aren't going anywhere either. It was all just a front to justify the 50 billion.
simply because I refuse to pay for a vehicle 3 times (once with stolen tax payer money, second with the purchase price, and 3rd with sales tax and other gov't fees).
Ford is the only company where I'm not paying for the same thing 3 times over.
However, absent a gun being held to my head, I think I'm better off avoiding the Big 3 all together and will live a much happier healthier and RICHER life (both financially and otherwise) with foreign autos.
Thank you and have a nice day.