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
If Toyota or VW screws up and gives up market share, or there is some other windfalls along life's journey, all the better. If a Buick is a Rolls Royce in China, that's a good thing, no doubt. Focus on the Buick, and on the customer, and not on what Toyota is doing.
Loren
PLEASE, a data source! I have never found any credible data that is backed up.
Perhaps the CO2 is going up because we cut down all the trees and jungles.
I always thought that was a big part of it. Plus, the bulk of the Earth's land is in the northern hemisphere, so when we go into the winter cycle and plant life shuts down, the southern hemisphere in its summer cycle just can't absorb the same amount of CO2 that the northern does. Even WITH the rainforests, which are being depleted at an alarming rate.
I've seen graphs and charts on tv that show the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere spiking when the northern hemisphere is in its winter cycle, and dropping in the summer cycle, so there may be something to it.
http://www.oism.org/pproject/s33p36.htm
Having said that, I'm an AMERICAN, thank you, and I was raised on sound bites, so here's an (ahem,byte bite?)extract with the money quote:
Not only has the global warming hypothesis failed the experimental test; it is theoretically flawed as well. It can reasonably be argued that cooling from negative physical and biological feedbacks to GHGs will nullify the initial temperature rise (26, 30).
The reasons for this failure of the computer climate models are subjects of scientific debate. For example, water vapor is the largest contributor to the overall greenhouse effect (31). It has been suggested that the computer climate models treat feedbacks related to water vapor incorrectly (27, 32).
The global warming hypothesis is not based upon the radiative properties of the GHGs themselves. It is based entirely upon a small initial increase in temperature caused by GHGs and a large theoretical amplification of that temperature change. Any comparable temperature increase from another cause would produce the same outcome from the calculations.
At present, science does not have comprehensive quantitative knowledge about the Earth's atmosphere. Very few of the relevant parameters are known with enough rigor to permit reliable theoretical calculations. Each hypothesis must be judged by empirical results. The global warming hypothesis has been thoroughly evaluated. It does not agree with the data and is, therefore, not validated.
I feel very cool now, :shades:
As one who spent 30 years simulating (numerical model) cumulus clouds, I am aware of how difficult building a numerical model to simulate the climate is. Clouds reflect incoming short wave (sun) radiation, as well as trap long wave radiation. Clouds are a variable feedback from the water vapor....
I don't see eough reasons to believe Chevy, Pontiac or Buick is on the offensive. Well, Buick got a rebadged Outlook besides bloated sedans. Pontiac got a rebadged Sky. Cobalt, Malibu, Equinox, Impala are still not earning praises from Edmund's editors. And, GM has been completely beaten by the imports in the minivan segment. Only bright spot in the Chevy line-up is bigger vehicles (Tahoe, Silverado) --- but Chevy was always ahead of Japanese in the segments comprising bigger vehicles, and this does not indicate any change.
Really, I think the SUV's and trucks were done first. Then Caddy got their turn, Now Saturn is the darling.
I think that this is a smart approach, much better than throwing a little money and engineer power at everything at once. The SUV's and trucks were first because that was/IS GM's bread and butter. Then Caddy as it has the most halo effect for GM in general.
The choice of Saturn next is interesting. Does it suggest that Saturn is the best hope for the future? GM has a lot more control over the dealers than for the other lines.
Who is next to get the brain trust workout? Buick or Pontiac or Chevy??????
Saturn, per the data, does not steal sales from other GM vehicles. Almost all new Saturn volume comes out of the foreign competitors. So I believe that there is volume to be had there. issue is there are way to few Saturn dealers. They should offer the Buick dealers a Saturn dealership to drop the Buick Franchise.
I see a slew of new vehicles coming out of all divisions. The "niche" divisions will be losing models.
Buick will have a new Enclave/Eps 2 LaCrosse/RWD larger sedan. (down from 5/6)
Chevy will have the new malibu/RWD Impala (not losing any models)
Pontiac will have the new G6 (FWD or RWD?), RWD G8. A new G5 may be coming.
These are the new vehicles in the next 2-3 years.
"Cobalt, Malibu, Equinox, Impala are still not earning praises from Edmund's editors."
Well if Edmunds editors dont praise them they must be terrible. I dont think there is one Chevy (OK, maybe Tahoe/Silverado) that edmunds would recommend and yet Chevy is the best selling brand in the US. The Impala was the 3rd best selling car last year in spite of the fact that the media has a lukewarm reaction to the car. edmunds hasnt ever been too crazy about GM products and for the most part that hasnt changed. They wouldn't even give the Cobalt SS s/c it's due and focused on it's spoiler more than it's performance credentials. They arent even that crazy about the new GM SUVs. edmunds attitude towards GM trucks and SUVs is like "we dont understand the point of buying a heavy, hard to park, arhaic gas guzzler that weighs 3 tons when there are many superior import crossovers available but if you insist on having one the Tahoe is as good a choice as any".
Funny, but I was thinking the exact same thing!!!
About whom? what have I stated that suggests I'm not familiar with the auto industry? I dont think disagreeing with you makes one ignorant about the industry. I suppose it's your way or the highway. So if I were to leave a bunch of baseless posts talking about how bad GM is now and always has been I suppose I could be an expert on par with yourself. It's interesting how on these forums only those who bash GM (or other domestic brands) are deemed "objective", "realistic" or "knowledgable". The general thinking is that if you believe anything other than Toyota and Honda are perfect and every domestic car stinks you are somehow misinformed and biased.
Knew some people that had various years' Corvairs and one big problem was that engine would throw belts often. One had to be handy to fix this on the road if on a trip.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Sun spot and other sun activity causing warming perhaps? Also, heard a theory that solar system fluctuates up and down relative to plane of Milky Way. Another accompanying theory is that there are strong forces continuously generated across the plane from a massive black hole in center of galaxy. Each time Solar System crosses the plane (every tens of millions of years) bad stuff happens on earth. There is further speculation that we are nearing that event within 10 years. So, GM may be left off the hook.
That's the car I meant. I was off by one year. The front was boxy and upward and the rear was swoopy. There were at least two committees that styled that car and they did not talk to each other.
It's also hard to tell, but the windshield on the Seville may also be shared with the E-body coupes (Eldo/Toro/Riv). It has a more rakish, low-slung look than the typical sedan of the era.
I actually like the style of these things, but I know I'm in the minority. I wouldn't mind having an '80, with the Caddy 368. The '81's had the V-8-6-4, while the '82-85 were stuck with a 125 hp 4.1 V-8 that tried to match 125 hp against two tons of heft, not a winning combination. One thing I like about them is the fact that they gave them fairly big tires, and the wide track helped give the car a nice, stable stance. Kudos for GM for not trying to shove 14" wheels on these things. I'm sure the thought crossed their mind though, in a penny-pinching moment!
I also think the rakish windshield and frameless door windows help give the thing a customized look. The bustleback thing is odd, but all things considered I think they worked it into the design pretty well. Hell, it looks better than those fat, clunky Jaguars that the rear was trying to ape!
Actually, stylist Bill Mitchell, when accused of ripping off the Jag, made a comment along the lines of "Jag?! hell, I ripped off Rolls Royce!! If you're going to rob a bank, go for Fort Knox and not a kid's piggy bank!"
:shades: Loren
Every auto manufacturer has competitive analysis experts spread throughout their engineering organizations. They sell each other components as well. My chev truck has a Nippondenso a/c compressor. Honda bought all the Delphi alternators they could get and even told Delphi to raise the price to them. Everybody is reverse engineering everybody elses's everything every year. That activity is not leading anyone astray, it's a necessary side of the business.
And what about the 7 or 8 GM models that won awards this year from independent magazines and analysts? Hard to believe that could happen from the typical buzz on here.
The reverse engineering has yet to produce the Camry or for that matter the original clone of a VW Beetle. Perhaps the best GM car is one they develop from scratch or at the least, of its own character. A RWD Impala is something very much different than the Camry or Avalon, and should sell well.
Loren
The 80 Seville was moved to the FWD E-body platform. The bustleback style looked good on the old cars that had it because they had front fenders and running boards that balanced the style.
examples:
http://www.classiccarshop.co.uk/Cars/rolls_royce_wraith.htm
http://www.cofrase.com/artforum/bookshop/image/h24-046i.htm
http://www.rrab.com/rswraith.htm
http://www.prismacars.com/Silver%20Wraith%20For%20Sale/index.htm
the best perhaps: http://www.marriagecarriage.com/gallery/1955SilverWraithRollsRoyce/55_MJ_2
the point being that the Seville could have been better.
My '89 Gran Fury used Honda Accord starter motors. At least, that's what my mechanic told me. And it used them up on a regular basis, too! :surprise: Oddly, the Honda starter and the GM-sourced carburetor were the two most troublesome components on that car! :P
At the risk of getting flamed, I have to profess that I don't think the notchback version of the Mustang II is half bad. A far cry from the original, though.
Loren
Loren
On GM's WORST styling day EVER, they weren't responsible for anything like THIS
The Cadillac STS is plain awkward, as it tried to capitalize on the Art & Science CTS look, yet fails in execution once enlarged and blocked out, then rounded. Just odd.
Loren
Interesting that they are going to build them in Belgium. Probably a great thing for the buyer confidence since they have already been building them there.
We are now on track to see two massive supersized Pony cars once again. Both the Challenger and the Camaro will be as wide as a truck.
GM needs Mr. Iaccoca -- he's rested, he's ready, action-roll'em !
Loren
Now just the other week I told my wife, "Honey, I've been thinking about adding a Bentley to our fleet. Junior will have his temporary permit in a couple of weeks; we need another car in six months or so. Maybe I can get my employer to pay for a trip for me to travel to Norway in season now and test drive Bentleys on lake ice to see how wonderful they are. We might want one. Which money market fund do we want to use to purchase one if I like the Bentley?"
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I believe my answer would be "Warren Buffett's."
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Rocky
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=120499
WOW, maybe I should buy a Buick, just to get these once in a lifetime oppertunity's. :shades:
Rocky
Interestingly enough, that seems to be true, or close enough.
I don't know if it's ALL but Toyota is definitely a Delphi customer.....
However, it seems like Delphi had to change their ways to keep the business:
Early in 1990, Toyota Motor Corp. slapped Delphi's face with a figurative white glove for not paying enough attention to continuous quality improvement -- despite Toyota's own estimates that the plant's defect rate was a nearly pure three parts per million. When the Grand Rapids operation added up the feedback from Toyota and other customers, it received quite a wake-up call. Management realized it had to switch its strategy of running a 100-yard quality dash to focus on running a mega-marathon of continuous improvement.
IndustryWeek 1995
I think this article says quite a bit about a lot of things that GM has to confront...