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GM News, New Models and Market Share

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  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    Honda is taking advantage of America's ignorant putdown of them and is getting a foothold in the market.

    Does Honda even have a jet in service yet? Plus I think they're built in North Carolina and Honda Aircraft headquarters is in the Greensboro area.
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    To be fair, it's the ugly UAW that is rearing its ugly (and stupid) head.

    They don't like their work rules?

    They should be glad they have jobs!

    One big mistake made by GM/US Govt was not getting rid of the UAW problem when they had the chance. IMHO the UAW will continue to be one of the biggest risks for GM success -- because if and when GM is really doing well, the UAW will demand a bunch of the pie.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,938
    edited January 2012
    Stuff I've been saying for days...

    I hope he flew in on a private jet just to irk congress.


    Ahhh, GM can take it.... I like the person who said and/or wrote (paraphrasing) that if GM doesn't like the heat, then they need to get out of the kitchen. That kitchen is red hot because the entire room was paid for with your tax dollars and mine.

    The way for GM to get out of the kitchen is to pay back all tax payers in full, any shortcomings from the stock sale should be made up for in compensation to the tax payer from GM. It is the honorable thing to do. Also, they should voluntarily pay income taxes on their profits, even though they are not required to do so.

    If GM doesn't like the heat, they shouldn't have taken the bailouts.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    GM invented private jets and the engines that power them. They also manufactured them.

    I couldn't find any information on GM "inventing" private jets or engines. The only thing I saw was that GE designed some engines and "transferred manufacturing" to GM. I also found:

    "At the beginning of WWII the air plane industry saw its first true introductory to jet planes on August 27, 1939, the Heinkel He 178 flown by Erich Warsitz in Germany.

    Although many people credit Germany for the first to develop the jet air plane, a British Royal Air Force officer name Frank Whittle is hailed as the father of jet propulsion. Has early has the 1930s Frank Whittle had sketched diagrams of jets."

    http://lloydl.hubpages.com/hub/Business-Jet-History
  • fho2008fho2008 Member Posts: 393
    Bush started the bailouts because Obama, newly elected but yet to take office wanted it done.
  • motorcity6motorcity6 Member Posts: 427
    Blame Bush?????Spend a couple weeks in Detroit and it will show what results from 51 yrs of Democrat rule..Every mayor of Detroit since 1961 has been a Democrat..

    Detroit is gone, however the politicians remain..

    Monica Conyers, the wife of the second-longest tenured congressman in the US, sleeps in federal prison after pleading guilty to accepting $60,000 in bribes, and her husband won re-election in 2010...John Conyers is their man..

    I lived in the Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich 1967-2002 and witnessed the demise of Detroit, Flint, and the auto industry..

    Ackerson CEO of GM is taking orders from the White House, GM is virtually debt free today and the hype about the company aids the task of unloading the remaining shares of stock to the public in the near future..

    The Volt is a "money pit" and doesn't ring my bell to enter any lengthy discussion..It would be a step up from my electric golf cart which really isn't saying much..
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    Bush started the bailouts because Obama, newly elected but yet to take office wanted it done.

    Say What???!!!
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Every mayor of Philadelphia since 1951 has been a Democrat!
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    We've got you beat: Boston has had a Democratic mayor since 1930.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    edited January 2012
    But how many of the past mayors have been in jail. I know one of Detroit's mayors is/was incarcerated.

    Here is an unsubstantiated list of comments to one of the videos about Kilpatrick's actions.

    *Allegedly murdered a stripper, "Strawberry"
    *Cheated on his wife while in office
    *Sent over 14,000 text messages to that woman
    *Appointed more than 29 family and friends to city positions
    *Was indicted on 12 felony counts including perjury, misconduct in office and obstruction of justice*Took his family on vacation with funds that were intended for voter education, economic empowerment and crime prevention
    This guy is a joke and you won't believe some of the stuff he did in office.


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxP9HgmewlY&feature=related

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFunr5TAlMA
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwame_Kilpatrick

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    I believe former mayor of Camden, NJ Milton Milan is still in prison.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    But how many of the past mayors have been in jail. I know one of Detroit's mayors is/was incarcerated.

    Hah - we had one win an election to the Board of Alderman while in jail and then serve time on federal charges during his 4th term. Psssshhhh - going to jail after your political career is so amateur.

    James Michael Curley was serving a prison term for fraud - he took civil service exams for others - and won a seat oo the Board of Alderman in 1904. He was first elected as Mayor in 1914 and served 4 terms over the course of 36 years. In between mayoral terms he was governor of MA and a US Representative. As a US Rep he was indicted on federal charges. He was indicted again during his 3rd mayoral term and still won the election. During that 4th term he was convicted and spent 5 months in the federal pen.

    Curley ran under the guise that he was willing to do anything to help out the people - including illegal activities. He was one of the first strong Irish Catholic politicians in Boston. Up until 1900 or so, Boston was a blue blood WASP city where the Irish Catholics were looked down upon.
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    Interesting historyon Curley. I'm not sure how though if that's that outstanding even for MA. I lived in MA during most of the Billy Bulger (State House Leader) rein, and I would have to say that Billy Bulger was absolutely brilliant in manipulating the system. He never hired his own relatives and friends, associates hired them, and he hired his associates' friends. I think they created an entire police force (MBTA) just to stash relatives and friends. Reporters made a career of reporting these sorts of games.
    After 30 some years he grew tired of politics, and as they liked to say "After a nation-wide search" he fell into the Presidency of UMass. Between his pensions, salary, and benefits, he's not having to watch his mpg.

    But what really stands out is that no one was ever able to pin anything on him. He was one of the most corrupt people around, and they never could even prove he had an unpaid parking ticket. Oh and BTW, his brother Whitey was on the FBI 10 Most Wanted list for many years, until just recently.

    GM should have hired Billy Bulger; in a room, he'd make the GM execs look like uncharismatic, idiots.
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    A great epic on why "character" really does matter when electing a politician...if you can find a politician to vote for that isn't a character...
  • dave8697dave8697 Member Posts: 1,498
    some helpful hints for you:
    Saab 2000
    Detroit Diesel Allison
    Allison Gas Turbines

    As a GM employee in the mid-late 1990's, I frequently rode on the GM shuttle. We owned part of the company that made the shuttle planes and we wholly owned the company that made the AE 2100 engines at that time. Today, their engines power the Cessna Citation X, the KC135, the Hercules, the Osprey, the advanved hawkeye, Global Hawk, and many other aircraft. If you see a private helicopter go by, It is likely powered by a GM developed engine.
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    Yes, I think we can agree that GM has had involvement with the aviation industry. They have designed and manufactured some different engines and planes. No problem with that. What I was challenging was your use of "invented" as opposed to "designed and manufactured" various models.

    You said "GM invented private jets and the engines that power them."

    Definition: "A new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation: the phonograph, an invention attributed to Thomas Edison."

    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/invention

    So RCA did not invent the phonograph, 1 person did the invention - Thomas Edison. Al Gore did not invent the Internet. :D Similarly GM did not invent the automobile; they designed and manufactured many types and models of automobiles over the years. The invention of the gasoline automobile was "If we had to give credit to one inventor, it would probably be Karl Benz from Germany. Many suggest that he created the first true automobile in 1885/1886."
    http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/auto.html
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,938
    edited January 2012
    If I was President, I would do what I felt was best until my last day in office. Your term is 4 years, not 3.75 years.

    Bush cannot blame the bailouts on Obama "because he wanted them."

    You are the freakin' President of the United States, and Obama was a NOBODY (or at best a Senator) until January 20, 2009.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    WOW, that is surprising! Didn't realize Killadelphia was that liberal!!!! :surprise:

    -Rocky
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    edited January 2012
    Don't be talking trash about the "D" it is coming back slowly but surely thanks to the saving of GM buy Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and about 30 other Mayors who saved GM and Chrysler a few years ago and GM is #1 in the world once again. Michigan, is finally after all these years growing again. The job market is still tough but there is a lot of job fairs happening FINALLY and automotive is starting to hire. Have a long ways to go but Michigan, "The D" is making a come back!!!! :shades:

    -Rocky

    http://www.facebook.com/edmunds

    https://twitter.com/#!/edmunds

    http://www.facebook.com/rbellenger

    https://twitter.com/#!/rockylee54
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    edited January 2012
    The last I heard the plan was to turn large parts of Detroit into community farms. "Advocates of urban agriculture blame the provision for making it practically impossible to convert Detroit's abundant fallow land for use by commercial farmers, because the city is reluctant to cede regulatory control when issues -- like traffic and farm odors -- might arise.

    "We've got a lot of open space," Smith said

    http://www.freep.com/article/20111128/NEWS06/111280346/Bill-would-create-Right-F- - arm-Act-exemption-Detroit

    GM is #1 in the world once again.

    LOL. Did you read the last few hundred posts, before posting this?

    Have a long ways to go but Michigan, "The D" is making a come back!

    If you're making $50K /year but your bills are $70K /year, are you cheering because you're doing okay after getting some new credit cards and loans? Because right now that's what's making things seem stabilized or okay. If you've heard of the PIGS in Europe, or Japan, they're just further down the road toward crashing due to unsustainable debt, than us.

    GM was saved with borrowed $. That borrowed $ came from the U.S. Treasury. Does the U.S. Treasury have money or are we $15T in debt? The $ to save GM came from places like China, my friend. The $ we're living on this year is coming from China. Someday China is going to say much-less credit or no more credit, you owe us too much already. What do you think happens then?

    If you want an idea of what the state of the union is, this sheds some light -
    http://www.usdebtclock.org/
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    Good to see you posting! I don't do facebook or the other social media.

    >Don't be talking trash about the "D"

    Are you meaning D as in Detroit or D as in the Detroit metro area. E.g., the mayor was mayor of the City of Detroit, not Westland, Canton, Plymouth, Novi, Hamtramck, etc., all of which would be included in the Metro area.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,035
    The last I heard the plan was to turn large parts of Detroit into community farms. "Advocates of urban agriculture blame the provision for making it practically impossible to convert Detroit's abundant fallow land for use by commercial farmers, because the city is reluctant to cede regulatory control when issues -- like traffic and farm odors -- might arise.

    Over the years, Youngstown Ohio has been, literally, rolling up the sidewalks and turning off the lights, as their population shrinks. At its peak, I think Youngstown had something like 250,000 residents, but that's shrunk to something like 60K or so now (don't hold me to those numbers, this is just a guess). Anyway, as houses become vacant and abandoned, the city has been coming in and razing them. And, once a block becomes empty enough, they'll often entice the one or two remaining residents to move to a more populated part of town, and then simply turn off all utilities to that section, and cease all street maintenance.

    Personally I hate seeing a still-useable home destroyed. But, I guess if there's no possibility that it'll ever be used again, and that the population base will never return, I'd rather see that land go to some good use. And, in many cases, I'm sure that by the time these houses are torn down, they've probably been vacant for awhile, trashed, exposed to the elements, and just not worth keeping around.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited January 2012
    "The D" is making a come back!!!!

    Hey Rockford, I was at the Opera House in "The D" last Saturday night. Easy city to drive in, plenty of parking, lots of foodie spots. Leaving at 10:30 pm, I had the GPS on mute and missed a turn and would up driving down Gratiot past 9 Mile. We survived, and stopping for a case of liquor was always an option if we got thirsty. Liquor store on every corner. :shades:

    Not really GM news, but we were on the People Mover at one point and there were about as many people going to and from the auto show as there were heading for the Red Wings game. Bigger attendance this year and more "excitement" about the show. Noticed that Hyundai was still giving away fancier bags than anyone else again this year; didn't see any Ford or GM bags on the train.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    I have a book called "Setting the Pace" about the history of Oldsmobile. You can see how important Oldsmobile was to the city of Lansing.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Philadelphia's only operating farm is in my neighborhood - Fox Chase Farm.
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    Hi Rock, it's nice to hear from you.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    >Noticed that Hyundai was still giving away fancier bags than anyone else again this year; didn't see any Ford or GM bags on the train.

    Did you go to the NAIAS?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    I lived in MA during most of the Billy Bulger (State House Leader) rein, and I would have to say that Billy Bulger was absolutely brilliant in manipulating the system.

    Billy Bulger did do quite the job of protecting himself and his cronies over the years. He ws Sentate President for 18 years and was the most powerful figure in MA politics.

    Now the last 3 Speakers of the House have left office in disgrace and the current one is probably on the same course.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    AN is reporting that the Sonic will be featured prominently.

    There should also be an ATS commercial.
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,905
    Just got back from having an oil change done on our Malibu (11K miles). They had two Corvette base coupes in the showroom--one, $57K sticker and the other, $58K sticker. One was an optional color; the other had a glass roof--only two basic differences. Both had the optional Magna-Ride suspension (sorry if I didn't spell it correctly). I sat in one, and it wasn't that hard to get out of IMO as others have told me. They struck me as a great value when one looks at what else starts stickering not way south of those amounts. And people whine because of the looks of the steering wheel. What else out there is like that for that money--and I'm told they're dealing off-sticker too. Especially for one who wants an American ride.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • fho2008fho2008 Member Posts: 393
    Its true!!!!!!
  • fho2008fho2008 Member Posts: 393
    Obama wanted em, Bush did it, didnt say it was right, but it happened.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited January 2012
    Z06 is arguably the best bang-for-the-buck in its segment.

    My brother-in-law has owned a bunch of Corvettes. He flips 'em, gets beaters and cleans them up, some times does body work, then sells for a profit.

    $57-58k is dirt cheap when you consider that the GT-R is starting to break $100k.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    From another thread, posting only the relevant portion here...

    Source: http://stage.autonews.com/article/20120113/DATACENTER/120119883

    GM is managing inventory much better, down from 86 days' last year to a near-ideal 67 days' now.

    Ford as well, from 73 last year to a perfect 60 days' supply now.

    Chrysler's at 64, also good.
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    edited January 2012
    If you wait a few months you will be able to buy (well you'll probably have to wait a few more months for the dealer markups to fade away); - but you'll be able to buy a stock 650 hp Ford Shelby Mustang GT500. I don't know the pricing but given the current pricing and a slight bump, the Shelby will be priced right there with those Corvettes. And in a straight-line comparision, it'll be no contest.

    If you ever watch Barrett-Jackson or Mecum, you'll also see that Shelbys can hold their value really well.

    But if you really like the Corvette, you should be able to get some good deals, as the model has been around for some years, and its due for a redesign. I've checked some on-line dealers and the discounts and rebates are usually $9K+ depending on model.
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    edited January 2012
    $57-58k is dirt cheap when you consider that the GT-R is starting to break $100k.

    The GT-R probably should be compared with a ZR1.
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,905
    The Mustang is still...a Mustang, though. It doesn't look all that different from the six-cylinder automatic ones out there. I'd line 'er up next to the Camaro, not the Corvette. But that's me.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    $57-58k is dirt cheap when you consider that the GT-R is starting to break $100k.

    Well I don't think many people would compare a base Corvette's performance = to a new GT-R (MSRP = $90K). If someone were cross-shopping they would need to consider a Z06 (MSRP = $76K) or a ZR-1 (MSRP = $112K).

    Here's an interesting Top Gear race - between a 550hp Jaguar and the GT-R. Enjoy, and learn the advantages of AWD.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KBW5A03N6k
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    edited January 2012
    Well I think I can tell a Shelby from a 6 cyl Mustang from quite a ways, even without the stripes and hood-scoop. But I think what you are judging a performance car on is "looks"; instead of "performance."

    While the Corvette certainly looks quite different then other Chevies, and the Shelby doesn't look as different, not being a totally separate model, if you're shopping for "performance" or bang-for-the-buck, the Shelby will have no equal. Once the 2 hookup their rear-tires, the base Corvette windshield will be covered in rubber. The best thing then is for the Corvette driver to get in the Shelby's draft.
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,905
    edited January 2012
    I'm driving 169 hp (Malibu), 148 hp (Cobalt) and 195 gross hp (Studebaker) now, so 430 net (is that what the base Corvette has? Sounds familiar) should be fine for me!

    I tend to try and stay away from whatever is mainstream popular, for whatever reason, so a red 'Vette, or black, is a turnoff for me. I'd try to keep the price down, and get a light blue metallic or other new or uncommon color on a base coupe. I'd have to have the glass top though.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    I keep wondering which would be better for short drives to work, a 1 mile drive to the favorite coffee shop, and the grocery in Ohio snows in the winter? the 700 horsepower Shelby or the 430 horsepower Corvette?

    And do I need to put snow tires on them? ;) :P

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm a *HUGE* fan of AWD but that's some serious price creep.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,682
    I keep wondering which would be better for short drives to work, a 1 mile drive to the favorite coffee shop, and the grocery in Ohio snows in the winter? the 700 horsepower Shelby or the 430 horsepower Corvette?

    And do I need to put snow tires on them? ;) :P

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    Don't get me wrong, I always liked the Corvette, and there have been years when it absolutely was the best performance vehicle out there for the $. The Corvette now is nearing the end of it's lifecycle and the C7 is needed to freshen the styling, and try to again get a performance edge on the competition. If you do a search on Corvette sales, you'll see that demand is down quite a bit.

    Glass top is good. I like the Orange with white interior. It's a fun, exciting car, but being eclipsed especially for the price-point.
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    Same thing here; I can afford it, but I don't really need it. I want it, but a Dodge Dart + many vacations is the option I favor.

    Until the housing industry turns around, and people feel they are $10K wealthier every year ... well that sure puts a crimp in auto sales, especially if it's a luxury.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Shoot, I've been feeling $10K poorer every year since the second depression started.
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    edited January 2012
    I suggest you do a bit more research on the topic, instead of simply following the "party" line.

    http://projects.propublica.org/bailout/main/timeline
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,905
    I'd be interested in Corvette base coupe pricepoint. Is there something at Ford with similar to 430 horses for the Corvette's price point?

    I think it's pretty obvious that demand for Corvettes is down since the Camaro was introduced. That was a huge hole in the Chevy lineup since 2002 that Ford enjoyed.

    I like the current Corvette...and this is after not liking 'Vettes at all since about '85....I always hated the C5's fat behind. I think the C6 is handsome in a modern way, tauter looking than the C5, with a tip o' the hat to earlier Corvettes. If the C7 has the split window, I'll throw up. I'm one of those weird guys that would take a '62 Corvette over a '63 any day of the week.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Good to see all of you.... :)

    Yeah, Detroit despite it's flaws is a pretty cool city. I had heard that Kernick about the farms. I'm not sure what the right answer is. I guess it's better than handing the city over to rats. It would be nice to bulldoze those vacant sections of the city and rebuild. But you need investment aka jobs. Flint is coming back a little bit now that GM has pumped some money into the city and hired. I can tell you that Grand Rapids and Western Michigan's economy is finally coming back again. We went through a dry spell for awhile nobody was hiring unless you wanted to work temp jobs and never get hired in. :sick:

    -Rocky
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    I'd be interested in Corvette base coupe pricepoint. Is there something at Ford with similar to 430 horses for the Corvette's price point?

    Not IMO, but a Mustang Boss 302 is under $50k and has a 440HP V8 that can scream at 7,500rpm:))) Though a Mustang is not a Corvette, so it really is apples to oranges.
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