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Davegess
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 12:53 pm: | 
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Ford, hired a guy with no automotive experience and they seem to be doing OK
Of course he had manufacturing expereince. |
Crackhead
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 12:56 pm: |
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Chevy Aveo = Daewoo Kalos
Do I need to go into more details? |
Swordsman
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 01:09 pm: |
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"I've seen two or three new Tauruses on the road, none have been SHOs. "
Must be a demographic thing. I've seen nothing but the SHOs. But then again, I've only seen SS Camaros around here as well. I guess if you live in GA, you have to buy the fastest trim available. You know how we rednecks are.
~SM
(Message edited by Swordsman on December 02, 2009) |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 01:34 pm: |
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I drove an SHO a week or so ago when I bought my new Ford and it rocked.
I'm still vacillating over the "is it worth $45K?" part of the equation but there is no doubt it's a world class car. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 01:43 pm: |
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You can't compare a luxury lineup like BMW to a run of the mill line like Pontiac or Chrysler. Pontiac did try to market the G8 GXP against the M5, as the G8 is a serious competitor for a fraction of the price. Didn't work.
Also, GM has no problem selling its RWD Caddilac CTS, another large RWD sedan, but its in a different segment than the G8 and attracts a different buyer, the same type of buyer that would go for a BMW or Mercedes.
quote:I wish they had been allowed to crash naturally. Someone would have taken up the slack. At least they don't seem to be doing as badly as the "saved" cry-slur.
And overnight add several million bodies to the unemployment line? That sounds like a great idea!
quote:Chevy Aveo = Daewoo Kalos
Do I need to go into more details?
Yes. What is wrong with basing a car off another one that was done right? Also, look at its replacement, Chevy Spark which gets 47mpg (probably imperial gallons). |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 08:13 pm: |
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Lutz spoke at the L. A. Auto Show today . . . |
Texastechx1
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 - 10:57 pm: |
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The popular concept...
the "WTF" production model.
anyone see a problem???
can there not be a cool eco car that isn't expensive as hell, impractical, or not in high production numbers? |
Froggy
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 01:35 am: |
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quote:anyone see a problem???
I don't.
quote:can there not be a cool eco car that isn't expensive as hell, impractical, or not in high production numbers?
You just posted one that won't be expensive (depending on how you look at it), very practical, and may have a production run in a day that would dwarf Buell's annual output. |
Crackhead
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 07:04 am: |
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the top pic looks like muscle retro crap. the bottom pic looks like 20 to 30ish demographic car.
The bottom pick looks like a Chevy that finally does not use 80s parts.  |
Benm2
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 08:18 am: |
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quote:And overnight add several million bodies to the unemployment line? That sounds like a great idea!
Don't beleive that ghost story crap. All the manufacturers cut back when the economy tanked, the complete loss of GM would not have had that great of an impact. The other companies would NOT have dropped production as much, so those jobs would have been "saved". Likewise, most OEM suppliers aren't reliant on a single OEM, they will supply parts to Ford, GM, Chrysler, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai, etc.
Your "several million" number makes for good press. Goes right along there with AIG and their "too big to fail" bs followed by MASSIVE bonuses.
Erik Buell Racing will be a scrappy, hardscrabble startup run by a determined man with a mission. That is in stark contrast to the silver spoon thiefs who convinced the government (and its populance) to not remove the feathers from their cushions. |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 08:49 am: |
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Ya gotta love a 555HP SUV that will smoke a Ferrari . . .
 |
Rfischer
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 08:56 am: |
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but quakes at the prospect of tilting with a 'Caddy. Driven by a 77 year old man.
Sorry, couldn't resist....
(Message edited by rfischer on December 03, 2009) |
Froggy
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 09:37 am: |
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quote:Ya gotta love a 555HP SUV that will smoke a Ferrari . . .
I am disappointed the direction went with the Cadillac SRX. The older one was based off the CTS/STS platform, and was an excellent crossover. They could of taken the new CTS-V and turned that into a crossover to give the X6-M a run for the money, but instead they based the new SRX off a premium version of the Chevy Equinox platform. Tough times call for tough decisions. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 12:49 pm: |
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It's not violating the laws of physics until they can make 500+ HP and get 35 mpg
Cool for sure though! |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 12:58 pm: |
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I like the "plug-in hybrid" idea. Diesel trains have been doing this forever and it's a very efficient method of operation.
The Volt concept looked the tits. The production model is very subdued...but still looks good and will likely attract more of it's core (niche) market. I doubt it'll be the success they're expecting it to be. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 01:24 pm: |
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Reepi, the Corvette Z06 is 505hp and rated at 26mpg, in fact its the only vehicle over 500hp (possibly 400 too), that doesn't have a EPA mandated gas guzzler tax. 
Basically my point is, your request isn't much of a stretch.
About the volt, the only thing that will hurt its sales is the price and the economy. It will cost about $30-35k after tax incentives. Question is, when it goes on sale in a few months, will anyone have the money to buy it? Also don't forget, there is a Cadillac version of it too not far behind.
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Rfischer
| | Posted on Thursday, December 03, 2009 - 02:21 pm: |
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That 'Caddy looks pretty skookum! Not that I'd ever buy an electric car mind you; I want my motor vehicles to make noise - lots of noise - and belch flames.
Sorry...product of the 60's |
Froggy
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 01:49 pm: |
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Big shakeup this morning in the board room of GM, looks like they are playing musical executives....
quote:GM Announces Leadership Changes
DETROIT – To improve accountability and responsibility for market performance in North America and around the world, several key leadership changes were announced today by GM Chairman and CEO, Ed Whitacre.
"I want to give people more responsibility and authority deeper in the organization and then hold them accountable," Whitacre said. "We've realigned our leadership duties and responsibilities to help us meet our mission to design, build and sell the world's best vehicles."
Mark Reuss is named president of GM North America. Reuss was briefly vice president of Engineering after leading GM's Holden operations in Australia in 2008. Reporting to Reuss will be Susan E. Docherty, who is appointed vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing operations. Also aligned under the new North American group will be Diana D. Tremblay, who is named vice president, Manufacturing and Labor Relations. Tremblay was most recently vice president of Labor Relations. Denise C. Johnson is named vice president, Labor Relations. Johnson was most recently vehicle line director and chief engineer for Global Small Cars.
Nick Reilly is named president, GM Europe. Reilly has been leading the restructuring efforts in Europe with the Opel/Vauxhall operations and will leave his role leading GM International Operations.
Tim Lee is named president of GM International Operations, overseeing GM's Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and Middle East operations. Lee was most recently group vice president, Manufacturing and Labor Relations.
Bob Lutz remains vice chairman and will act as advisor on design and global product development.
Thomas G. Stephens remains vice chairman of Global Product Operations, and will now take on global purchasing in his organization, which will continue to be lead by Robert E. Socia, vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. Karl-Friedrich Stracke is appointed vice president, Engineering, reporting to Stephens. Stracke was most recently executive director of Engineering.
J. Christopher Preuss, vice president, Communications, will now report to Whitacre; he previously reported to Lutz.
The balance of the direct report staff remains unchanged and includes CFO Ray G. Young; John F. Smith, vice president Corporate Planning and Alliances; Terry Kline, vice president IS&S; Mary T. Barra, vice president Human Resources; Mike Millikin, vice president of Legal; and Ken C. Cole, vice president Government Relations and Public Policy.
Biographical information on all GM's corporate officers can be found at www.gm.com/corporate/about/officers.jsp?evar10=gm_ investor_corporategov_officers#.
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Swordsman
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 02:05 pm: |
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Froggy, is that Caddie you posted up the final rendition, or is that just one more concept that's destined to be watered down?
Concept cars annoy me. They get great feedback, and the people say "YES! We want THAT car!" And then the bean counters and bureaucrats get involved, and we get "new" cars that look very much like what we already have.
That production Volt reminds me very much of a Scion, but 4 doors.
Slightly OT, I would have killed (literally) for one of these: Toyota RSC concept.
~SM |
Dwardo
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 02:41 pm: |
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The '49 Caddy is so much better looking that that Porsche it's not even funny. Don't get me started on the Subaru. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 02:48 pm: |
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It is concept, we haven't even gotten a hint of what the production model looks like yet. Concept cars usually just a mental masturbation and allow artistic freedoms as they aren't confined to the DOT laws and practicality. As you stated concepts allow the automakers to gauge designs and ideas and then use them to inspire production. For example, that Italian styled mustang a few years back became the current mustang.
GM has a good track record for keeping production models close to production. Only difference with the Volt, is that it was an aerodynamic disaster and wouldn't have anywhere near the 40 mile range of the production trim. Also, that back door was hard to open 
Here are some recent GM concepts and production models:
Camaro Concept:
Production:
Biggest difference was the slightly raised roof to improve headroom, and usable mirrors.
Pontiac Solstice concept:
Production:
Caddilac SRX concept
Production:
Pontiac Aztek concept
Production:
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Court
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 03:01 pm: |
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>>>>The '49 Caddy is so much better looking that that Porsche
I agree.
I went to the grand unveiling and confess I'm not interested . . . and much LESS interested at $200,000. |
Svh
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 03:08 pm: |
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$200,000?? That must have been one fancy Porsche Panamera. |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 03:43 pm: |
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>>>That must have been one fancy Porsche Panamera.
They, all 3 I saw go over $200K, were. Granted the base price is "only" $132,600 but they new model is bringing full boat (that won't last long) and the folks that are buying cars at that price has no reservations about going for the pricey options.
The car does zero for me. |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 03:55 pm: |
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(If ya REALLY want a surprise . . price the optional luggage)
If I want to go over 200MPH . . I want to be in an airplane not on the Interstate. . . I'm funny that way.
The food was fabulous and the Huntington dealer is GREAT ! |
Scott_in_nh
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 04:04 pm: |
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The car does zero for me.
A local (Portsmouth NH) jewelry store closed down a side street next to their store and had some high end cars on display.
There were Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes, Lotus and a couple of original muscle cars - GTO and 442 there along with champagne for their customers (not me!).
The Panamera had a great interior, great fit and finish and so on, but was HUGE!
Lower, but probably just as long as that Caddy!
I spent maybe 30 seconds looking at it and moved on....
The cheapest car there (not including the Olds and Goat), and the one I couldn't stop looking at was the little Lotus Elise. |
Svh
| | Posted on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 06:29 pm: |
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I went on the Porsche site and optioned out as much as I could a Turbo S and came to $180k. Pricey ugly car. That BMW X6M is fantastic though.. |
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