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http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/AUTO01/808220439
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/AUTO01/808220437
As far as I can tell, the legislation in question is within public law 110-140, passed last December. The final form of the bill where the law originates is House Resolution 6.ENA. No funds have been approved to fund the programs, the news reports state.
There is language in the law that states that only financially viable companies are eligible to receive the loans, grants and guarantees. The legislation doesn't define what "financially viable" means, and that may be the reason why the big 2.8 are eligible for the program.
"Cadillac will offer 4-cylinder sedan in '10"
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080825/FREE/308189892/1528/- newsletter01
I LOVE this idea. It would be nice to have a proper luxury car smaller than the CTS. If they can bring it in under $30K, they will kick Volvo's, Acura's, and maybe even Lexus's and Infiniti's butts. BMW too? Who knows.
I guess the dealer body is pushing to have an optional V-6 engine available as well. Maybe there are Americans who just won't buy anything with fewer than 6 cylinders, but have these dealers seen how much power manufacturers are pushing out of their turbo 4s these days?? I think a 4-cylinder would be just fine, in fact I could be persuaded that a NA four or a diesel four would be fine as a base engine too.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I doubt the average Caddy dealer would even recognize a turbo 4 if he saw it.
With SAAB roots, it's a slam dunk no saler. This dealer guy knows his market.
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
Oh, I don't think it will do that at all. Don't forget even the CTS undercuts the 3-series in price, and mostly does the same to the 1-series. I expect the BLS (it better get a new name for America, BLS is too close to BuLlS#@t!) to undercut the 3-series by close to $10 grand.
It's best competition will (unfortunately for GM) come from Saab. Volvo too, maybe Acura. I think it might do quite well.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Some people forget the discussion we had here months ago? At that time the story was that a RWD vehicle smaller than the then zeta, but based on the zeta + Kappa platforms, would be called the Alpha platform. RWD and smaller.
Now it's being reporting that there will be a new mid-sized RWD platform code-named Alpha. Alpha would apparently take pieces from the other platforms and be used for future Pontiacs and Cadillacs. The next generation G6 may use this architecture instead of the front wheel drive Epsilon II. For Cadillac, the new car would slot in below the CTS and also replace the much derided BLS in Europe.
If it's done right, such a Cadillac would give the brand a real competitor for the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4/S4, as long as consumers aren't hounded by the memory of other entry-level Cadillacs like the Cimarron. A smaller, rear-drive sedan and/or coupe would fit in much better with Cadillac's current lineup, however, and further help to lower the average age of the brands' customers.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/22/kappa-zeta-alpha-another-gm-rwd-platform-comi- - ng/
My concern is that this new platform died because of the financial difficulties even though a smaller vehicle fits the times, but it is RWD and would not get the mpg of a FWD compact/midsize. However the new turbo 1.4L sure does seem to offer a good alternative. I think the issue would be development and tooling cost. The low volume "BLS" probably would not cover that cost but IF the next G6 was shared it would make a great program and Pontiac would have a great line up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGZvQoPxhNs
Today, it would be ironically approiate to have Tokyo Rose to sing "See the USA in your Toyota" "Quality is completer in a Toyota". I know to diehards such as Lemko this anathema. I don't think you would have such a loving view GM if your first car was 71' Vega instead of the 68' Buick Special Wagon. Consumer confidence in GM is evaporating faster than a mud hole of water on the edge of the Sahel in Africa.
GM's crazy greed and ill regard for its customers is its ultimate undoing. Every challenger that they have fielded to beat Corolla and Civic has work in reverse. Giving the consumer such crappy experience that gave your competitors their business.
Honestly bankruptcy is looming upon GM like Hurricane Katrina did on New Orleans rouhly 3 years.
Enough of a rant.
Back in those days, I think people expected subcompact cars to be cheap. And let's face it, while a Civic or Accord or Corolla might have been a better car than a Vega or Pinto, they were still cheap little cars as far as most of the market was concerned.
When it came to larger stuff, like the compacts, intermediates, full-size, and trucks...products that were more mainstream, GM was usually pretty good. If anything, I'd say the 1980 Citation was a big shot in the foot to GM, as that was a much more mainstream car, and with well over 1 million X-cars sold for 1980, well that was a lot of customers to burn. But by 1985, GM still had 7 of the top ten selling car nameplates in America, so they must have been doing something right.
If anything, I actually see Toyota today as what GM was in the 70's and 80's. Big and successful, but starting to rely too much on its past successes, and selling mainly on name value. Now I'm not trying to slam Toyota...I think they're decent cars. I guess I just don't think they're as great as what everybody says they are.
GM did not announce the Alpha program. It was speculation and insider rumors.
I also saw a GM trash truck. It used a pickup truck cab, but was definitely a big vehicle. I think the side badging said C7000 or something? It's been ages since I've seen a GM chassis used for something like that, too.
medium duty trucks
http://www.gmfleet.com/pages/shopBy/Medium_Dutys_byBrand.jsp
Dec '07 article
http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/newsnow/2007/12/gm_poised_to_sell_its_flintba- - s.html
General Motors was to announce this morning that its medium-duty truck business, centered at the Flint Truck Assembly Plant, is being sold to Navistar.
The production line employs some 500 people; hourly workers are represented by UAW Local 598.
When a final deal is signed sometime in 2008, Navistar is expected to move production to its Springfield, Ohio, plant, industry insiders said.
Talks between GM and Navistar, which was formerly known as International Harvester, began in early 2007.
I agree, that has been the case at Toyota for most of a decade. In '05/'06 they issued a public mea culpa and swore they would redouble their efforts to improve quality, content, and model diversity, and so far I'm not sure there's much to show for that, but maybe it's too soon.
It's kind of an ironic contrast: GM has issued public mea culpa about twice a decade for the last 25 years, and the last one actually seems to have stuck, whereas Toyota has only issued the one, but it doesn't seem to have stuck. :-P
62vetteefp: I am not copmpletly familiar with GM's medium duty (over 4500?) or heavy duty business but GM was ready to sell the medium duty to Navistar but it just fell thru.
Does this mean they now need to seek asset sales elsewhere in the organization? I believe they were relying on this sale for part of the cash "bump" they need this year?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Try and buy a Corolla, or any Toyota and watch how they grab you on the options.
I'd like to see more tuner shops for Yaris,Fit,Versa,andScion.That XRE Astra.L Saturn 1.8 3 dr. HB is nice but Gm forces you to buy the 5 door for the moonroof and heated seat.. Also, they try to push 18 inch wheels on you.
Where are all the cars we want being tested in Germany and the UK.
You know my 3 door Type S is a collectors item.thats a shame no more hatches to go to Home Depot. :mad:
The CTS-V ran the quarter-mile in a scant 12.5 seconds, besting the 12.7 it takes for either the BMW M5 or the Mercedes E63 AMG. Getting back to a standstill was another hit to the Bimmer and the Benz, with the Caddy stopping from 60-0 mph in 109 feet – five feet less than it takes the M5 and six shorter than the AMG. And if you're thinking that brakes and power are easy to upgrade and that the Cadillac couldn't possibly best the Germans on the handling course, think again: the CTS-V ran the slalom at 71.1 mph, while the M5 and E63 ran it in 68.5 and 65 mph respectively. Deutschland über alles indeed.
Go to:http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/faster-than-an-m5-first-cadillac-cts-v-per- formance-test-publish/
Yeah, gotta love bloggers
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=131106?tid=edmunds.il.home.p- hotopanel..1.*
The CTS-V ran the quarter-mile in a scant 12.5 seconds, besting the 12.7 it takes for either the BMW M5 or the Mercedes E63 AMG
Ummm, bombardment? 0.2 seconds difference in the quarter? Call that a dead heat, measurement error and driver variations are more than 0.2 seconds in the 1/4. But it's nice to see Caddy rolling with the big boys for probably $25 grand saved vs buying German.
Having said that, I can't wait until this ridiculous horsepower war the Germans started is over....
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The M3 ran it in 4.4 seconds with the Edmunds test procedure.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=119784/pageId=120- 157
The X-body cars in the other GM lines had better styling. We had a Buick version and it was great.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I thought the Pontiac Phoenix was pretty attractive in the notchback coupe form, but its sedan was a hatchback, not a notchback, and was kind of clunky.
As for the Citation, I didn't think its styling was bad for the time. I never was a big hatchback fan, but I didn't think it was bad looking for what it was.
I see one of those (poop)boxes every day. Nasty little box, even the proper shade of brown.
I wouldn't spend any effort trying to hunt one down, but if some family member had one in decent shape they wanted to get rid of, and I needed a car. As long as it's not brown! :surprise:
Good thing it can outrun both in the curves.
The CTS-V also managed to break the 70 mph barrier in the slalom with a best run of 71.1 mph. The BMW M5 ran 68.5 mph, while the E63 only managed 65 mph.
Other than that, I would by a CTS-V Coupe when it is available hands down.
Bullseye for Caddy. Now, if only...
Regards,
OW
As far as the CTS-V eating rear ends. I’d think the new unit has overcompensated for its previous generation’s weakness.
You would think the GM knew how to put down torque to the street by now.
The testing establishment always gives you the specs on initial test results but major issues pop up a little latter on.
These corporate siblings are highly rated by Consumer Reports. We liked their combination of ride, handling, smooth powertrain, and space efficiency. With these new crash-test results, the Acadia and Outlook now earn our top-level recommendation, which means they performed well in CR's tests and have average or better reliability. The Enclave is not recommended because we do not have adequate reliability data yet. The Traverse goes on sale in the fall.
1 HOUR AGO
WASHINGTON - General Motors is recalling 944,000 vehicles because of a problem with the windshield wiper fluid system that could lead to a fire.
The recall involves more than 850,000 sport utility vehicles, trucks and passenger cars in the U.S. and nearly 100,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and the Middle East.
It involves the 2008 Buick Enclave, 2006-2008 Buick Lucerne, 2006-2008 Cadillac DTS, versions of the 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban, 2007-2008 GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL, 2006-2008 Hummer H2 and 2007-2008 Saturn Outlook.
The recall involves vehicles with a heated washer fluid system. A short circuit in the system could cause electrical features to malfunction. There have been nine reports of fires, but no accidents or injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a buildup of snow or ice on the windshield or the wipers may restrict the movement of the wiper arm. "The windshield wiper linkage may become detached from the motor shaft, and the wipers may become inoperative," said the federal watchdog in its summary of the problem. "If this were to occur, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a vehicle crash."
The recall involves the three GM crossovers in the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.
Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Mfr's Report Date : AUG 27, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V441000 EA08010
NHTSA Action Number: EA08010
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 857735
Summary:
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.
Consequence:
THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR AT MYGMLINK, HTTP://WWW.GM.COM/RECALL.
Notes:
GM RECALL NO. 08048. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION;S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Oh, wow! Spectacular problem! Nine out of 875,735! Such a pervasive and consistent problem. It's much, much worse than those sludged Toyota engines or defective Honda transmissions, or failed steering linkages on the Toyota Avalon!
At least GM is being proactive rather than trying to hide a problem or deny it like 'Yota did for so long with those sludged engines!
Electric fault spurs big GM recall
DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp (NYSE:GM - News) is recalling 857,735 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield wiper fluid system for a potential short-circuit problem, according to federal safety regulators.
857,000...Not an Insignificant Issue
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
The shift problems in Camrys and the VCM problems in Honda V6s come to mind. At least GM is up front. And WOW 9 whole problems out of 900,000. If this were transmission snaprings like the Toyota facade for their later shifting problems, we'd hear it minimized.
Cheers to GM for announcing it clearly and quickly!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Well that is good news. I do not have to take my vehicle back twice! Of course my 7 year old son is disappointed. He loved the donuts when we picked up the Enclave and we have never gone back.
mickicd, "Buick Enclave Leaks When It Rains" #1, 21 Jan 2008 10:16 am
abandmj, ""Build date" for Enclave 08 Camshaft problem?" #1, 2 Apr 2008 8:01 am
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f1a5bcf/0!make=Buick&model=Enclave&ed_mak- eindex=.f1a5bcf
I know GM is trying very hard to build a vechicle with quality and reliability but dang!
This enclave is a total POS since day one. let me see ,leaky sun roof/ power steering debacle/ camshaft debacle /wipers too weak to operate with alittle snow in front of it/now they are prone to catch fire because of cheap design ( AKA) made in China. WOW!!