Variance

Just doing my job. Nice work on a solid review.

Good God, I saw a lot of Explorers today (new and old). About 15 give or take. Seven of them were new ones and four of those were seen within a thirty second span. Freaky. Two other sightings; both pretty rare vehicles: -Land Rover Defender -Maserati Coupe (that thing has a sexy exhaust note )

In addition to what CD/BP said, Kia just released the new Sedona.

Toyota, Fuji Heavy to brief on alliance on Monday Reuters / March 10, 2006 - 8:15 am TOKYO -- Toyota Motor Corp. and its affiliate Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. said on Friday that they would announce details regarding their business alliance on Monday, March 13, in Japan and the United States. Toyota and Fuji Heavy, the maker of Subaru cars, have been exploring ways to cooperate in the areas of development and production since Toyota became Fuji Heavy's top shareholder in October after Fuji Heavy dissolved its capital alliance with General Motors. Toyota now holds an 8.7 percent stake in Fuji Heavy. The two firms in December agreed to make Toyota-brand cars at Subaru's factory in Lafayette, Ind., as the factory has been underused since the withdrawal of Fuji's former joint venture partner, Isuzu Motors Ltd. Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe and Fuji President Kyoji Takenaka will attend the briefing. Link: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...G/60310002/1003

Saab Aero X Concept Named 2006 Geneva "Best of Show" by AutoWeek Magazine American premiere at 2006 New York International Auto Show next month Detroit , Mich. -- The Saab Aero X concept car, which made its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show press days on February 28, has been named “Best of Show” by the editors of AutoWeek Magazine. Highly regarded by automotive enthusiasts throughout North America , AutoWeek is published by Detroit-based Crain Communications and is a sister magazine to Automotive News. “We are extremely pleased by this important recognition from the expert editors of AutoWeek,” said Jay Spenchian, Saab Automobile USA general manager. “The way the Aero X was welcomed by the world’s press and the public in Geneva has exceeded our most optimistic expectations. No other product in Saab’s nearly 60-year history as an auto manufacturer has generated such massive and positive response as the Aero X. If anything, it demonstrates that the Saab brand has tremendous potential for further development in the future.” The Aero X concept, which will make its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show press days on April 12, harnesses the power of Saab's aviation and Scandinavian roots to make a unique statement in performance car design. Conceived as a study to explore future design directions, its innovative features preview the development of an enhanced design language that will inspire future Saab products. As one would expect from Saab, this dynamic two-seat sport coupe breaks with automotive design convention both outside and inside. First, there are no doors…or windshield pillars. That's because the Saab Aero X adopts a cockpit canopy, just as you would see on a jet aircraft. It offers the Aero X pilot full 180 degree vision, and also facilitates entry and exit from its low-slung cabin. Thrust for the all-wheel-drive Saab Aero X also comes from a powerplant with a difference. The 400 bhp, twin-turbo, BioPower V6 engine is fueled entirely by ethanol, a sustainable energy source that is kinder to the environment by cutting fossil CO2 emissions. The “green power” of this advanced engine gives new meaning to the phrase “performance with responsibility.” Inside, the Saab Aero X's cockpit also adds a new dimension to clean Scandinavian interior design by completely eliminating conventional dials and buttons. Instead, Saab has applied techniques derived from Swedish glass and precision instrument making, displaying data on glass-like acrylic “clear zones” in graphic 3-D images. All exterior and interior lighting is by LED (light-emitting diode), which has given the design team new freedom to exploit the compact packaging benefits of a technology that will be featured increasingly in future Saab products. With weight-saving carbon fiber bodywork, a lightweight powertrain, electronically controlled suspension and all-wheel drive, the Saab Aero X is an exciting driver's car that promises a level of performance to match its looks. C omputer simulations anticipate zero to 60mph/100 kph in just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph/250 kph (limited). Despite being so tightly driver-focused, the Aero X still offers surprising practicality, again, a quality one expects to find in all Saab designs. That dramatically sculpted tail conceals a useful twin storage facility, with a conventional hatch opening and sliding drawer underneath. "This study shows how the strength of the Saab brand heritage can inspire bold, innovative design," says Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, GM Design Europe. "As we move forward with new Saab products, we will remain focused on carefully cultivating this brand equity in the context of Scandinavian design values." "This concept shows the exciting possibilities that are open to us as we evolve a more progressive design language for the brand," says Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile's Managing Director. "Our designers, engineers and marketers in Sweden are ideally placed to nurture and communicate the unique DNA of the Saab brand. Their work will ensure that future product proposals express core qualities, such as progressive design, sporty performance and emotional functionality, in a way that is specific to Saab." The Saab Aero X is the latest in a series of concepts from Saab, each accentuating different brand qualities. These include the “four-dimensional” 9X (IAA Frankfurt 2001), the 9-3X Cross-over Coupe (Detroit 2002) and the 9-3 Sport Hatch (IAA Frankfurt 2003). Saab Aero X Background From Aircraft to Automobiles Saab's aviation roots go back almost 70 years to 1937, when Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Swedish Aircraft Company Limited) was founded in the town of Trollhättan , 45 miles/70 km north of Gothenburg, where Saab cars are still built today on the site of the original aircraft factory. The company supplied military aircraft to the Swedish Air Force and began diversifying into civil aviation in 1944 and the automotive business in 1947, when its first car, the Saab 92, was unveiled (Saab 91 was a light aircraft used for pilot training). The 92's streamlined, teardrop-shaped bodywork was clearly the work of aircraft engineers and radical for a small production car of the time, as was the use of wind tunnel testing during its design. The adoption of front-wheel drive for sure-footed handling, excellent roadholding and efficient space utilization was also unconventional for the time -- more than a decade before the layout was to become popular in the rest of the auto industry. Another innovative design from Saab's newly-created car division was the Sonett 1, a lightweight sports car for competition use, unveiled exactly 50 years ago this year. Its “monocoque” chassis was made from aviation-specification aluminum panels, instead of the usual arrangement of steel beams and tubes. Although common in aircraft construction, Saab was using this design six years before it was introduced to Grand Prix racing. Today, more than 4 million cars and 4,000 aircraft later, Saab is one name and two companies. The car business, Saab Automobile AB, is now wholly owned by General Motors, the world's largest auto maker, and the Saab Group is a global leader in the application of advanced technologies, specializing in aerospace and defense systems. Over the years, Saab cars have continued to incorporate aircraft-inspired design features, from wrap-around windshields and cockpit-like ergonomics to green instrument illumination and need-to-know information displays. And the innovative spirit of those early aircraft engineers, including their pioneering attention to safety, continues to be reflected in Saab's unconventional approach to car design. Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and distributor of Saab 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5 cars and the 9-7X SUV for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden . Link: http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet...n=2&docid=24093

I have to say the s80 and XJ are a bit of a suprise to see on a "top pick" list. Jaguar rarely gets any serious respeect (though they deserve some) and the S80 I thought was never really taken seriously by the general public.

AAA Names Its Top Car Picks for 2006: Fuel-Efficient Hybrid SUV Gets a ''Green'' Thumbs Up and Corvette Named Cool BURNSVILLE, Minn.--March 8, 2006--AAA, one of the nation's leading consumer organizations for "all things automotive," has selected its top cars for 2006 in 13 distinct categories, including "Cool Car of the Year." They are: Category Car EPA Miles Per Gallon -------- --- -------------------- ((a)estimated city/highway) Under - $15,000 Mazda 3 25/35 $15,000 - $20,000 Honda Accord Sedan 26/34 $20,000 - $25,000 Dodge Charger 19/27 $25,000 - $30,000 Toyota Avalon 22/31 $30,000 - $35,000 BMW 3 Series 20/30 $35,000 - $40,000 Volvo S80 21/30 $40,000 - $50,000 Infiniti M35/M45 17/25 $50,000 + Jaguar XJ8L 18/27 SUV $30,000- Ford Escape Hybrid 36/29 SUV $30,000+ Mercedes-Benz M-Class 16/20 Minivan Honda Odyssey 18/28 Pick Up Truck Honda Ridgeline 16/21 Cool Car Chevrolet Corvette Z06 16/26 (a) EPA estimated miles per gallon. Actual mileage may vary based on an individual's personal driving habits and road conditions. "From fuel-saving hybrids to sporty, high performance vehicles, those looking to purchase a new vehicle in 2006 will be pleasantly surprised to see they have many makes and models from which to choose from," says John Nielsen, director, AAA Auto Buying and Auto Repair Network." The difficult decision consumers may face now is how to narrow their selection to just one." To read the full reviews for each of the vehicles selected, please visit the "On the Road" section found at www.aaaexchange.com . Every year, AAA takes a comprehensive look at more than 200 vehicles and then judges them according to many criteria's like their ride and performance, braking, handling, passenger and cargo space, value, and fuel economy. To help you narrow your automotive search, let your fingers take you to AAA Automaker®. This exclusive application, which can also be found under the "On the Road" section in the AAA Exchange Web site, allows users to research hundreds of vehicles with a few clicks, compare vehicles side-by-side, build their own vehicles, and save their research. Using the most comprehensive vehicle data, AAA Automaker® helps users make an educated decision about the best vehicle for their lifestyle and budget. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 49 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA (www.aaa.com) offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 48 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA Minnesota/Iowa is part of The Auto Club Group, with 4.1 million members in eight Midwest states. Link: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/03/08/000028.html

I thought this exact cable recall happened already.

It sounds like you've been the vitcim of a "swoop and squat". A popular insurance scam.

A month before its showroom debut, we take a close look at — and a hard drive in — Honda's entry-level hatchback By Peter Lyon Date posted: 03-09-2006 Honda's mighty little Fit is already big news in Japan and Europe. Arguably the most practical super-mini on sale in both markets, the Fit will finally land in U.S. showrooms in April. So why did Honda wait until now to introduce its four-door hatchback into the U.S.? Ask the PR types and they'll tell you that the company wasn't sure this small people mover would catch on. Or they might say that it didn't have the size or space for the local market. Well, things have changed over the last couple of years in the U.S. since the Fit took on Europe (and won). Gasoline is more expensive, and with the high-profile hybrids making waves, the mood is changing stateside. People are starting to care more about emissions and mileage. And the success of the chunky Scion xB has proved that compact, well-packaged crossover types have a place in the U.S. market. Enter the Fit with its sharp looks, great packaging and class-topping performance and handling. Employing a simple, but uniquely Honda-like, grille and bulbous headlight design inspired by the S2000, the Fit offers best-in-class interior space, on-road performance more like a sports sedan than a minivan and above all, mileage topping 33 mpg (city mode). Dropped onto a newly developed "global small platform," the technical highlight of this "big" small car is its centrally located fuel tank. Positioned right under the front seats and nestled between the reinforced side members, the 10.8-gallon tank configuration gave designers the chance to pen a flat floor, thus opening up substantial legroom and headroom in addition to a sizable luggage area. Although it's only 157.4 inches long, 66.2 inches wide, 60.0 inches tall and sits on a 96.5-inch wheelbase, the Fit feels as spacious as a minivan one size larger. The Fit doesn't just seat four adults in comfort; it actually offers minivan-like cabin height and 41.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats down. And its numerous seating configurations give you the ability to carry three adults and a 7-foot surfboard — at the same time. It might be packaged like a mini-minivan, but it handles corners like a sports sedan. The Fit is powered by the latest in Honda's new generation of compact, lightweight i-series engines. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder VTEC produces 109 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 105 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. Married to either a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic, the low-vibration front-drive unit delivers strong power and torque response from low down in the rev range right up to the 6,500-rpm redline — surprisingly low for a Honda. The torque curve is flatter than most rivals and comes on power like a much larger engine. To add to the thrill factor, Honda is offering steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the automatic. Obviously, the manual extracts the most performance out of this engine, with its tightly spaced ratios and short-stroke gearshift, but the auto's paddles and unexpectedly quick gearchanges make you feel like an Indy driver, and in a minivan! So the Fit's VTEC power unit might not be as dramatic as that of the Civic Type-R or NSX, but the little hatch's gearbox ratios are superbly matched to its 1.5-liter's torque curve, thus delivering surprisingly quick acceleration. But it's not just the well-balanced, fuel-efficient engine and transmissions that enhance the Fit driving experience. A quantum leap in chassis and suspension rigidity takes the Honda into a league of its own in the handling department. One minute of driving is all that is needed to realize just how rigid this minicar is. You soon find yourself leaning into the next corner a little quicker. With bend rigidity jumping 210 percent and twist rigidity up 116 percent, the car feels planted to the road. Completing the Fit's underpinnings in a very un-minivan-like style are MacPherson struts and coil springs up front, an H-pattern torsion beam setup at the rear and side-force-canceling springs — which work to counter body roll. The speed-sensitive electric power steering is well weighted, if a little heavy, and could do with a touch more natural feedback from the road. Ride quality is stiff but compliant enough for U.S. roads. The end result is that you can throw the Fit into corners at speeds you shouldn't be able to. Choose your line and enter a corner at 50 mph, and the Fit traces the arc with perfect balance, with just the slightest hint of understeer. Honda has also incorporated its G-CON high-integrity body frame, which passes the world's most stringent crash standards, including 40-mph offset, 35-mph side impact, and 31-mph rear-collision absorption. Dual front and side-impact airbags, antilock brakes and Electronic Brake Distribution with brake assist have all been fitted as standard equipment. On the earth-friendly side, HC and NOx emissions have been reduced by 50 percent and more than 90 percent of the Fit is recyclable. Each model also gets power windows, power mirrors and central locking. Set to raise the stakes in the small car market, the Fit will start at around $13,000. Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Featu...rticleId=109580

Personally, if I was going rock-crawling, I'd swap them out for steelies, too.

Oh, like this:

Toyoguy, do you mind downsizing the pics? They're entirely too large.

DaimlerChrysler's Toluca Assembly Plant Marks 1 Millionth Chrysler PT Cruiser Manufacturing Milestone Toluca, Mexico, Mar 8, 2006 - To the cheers of a large crowd made up of DaimlerChrysler Toluca Assembly Plant employees and invited guests, Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour announced that the Toluca facility recently reached a major milestone: the production of the 1 millionth Chrysler PT Cruiser. The Toluca Assembly Plant is home of the Chrysler PT Cruiser sedan and convertible models. Production began in March 2000. The celebration came on the heels of a $1 billion joint investment announcement between DaimlerChrysler and its suppliers to modernize and re-tool its Mexican Manufacturing Operations and to create two industrial parks for suppliers. "This significant manufacturing milestone reflects the global market demand for the Chrysler PT Cruiser," said Ridenour. "The Chrysler PT Cruiser set new world standards with its unique styling and interior roominess. The bottom line is that consumers are demanding more of our remarkable products, and our Toluca Assembly Plant employees played a key role in the success of this vehicle." Other special guests at today's ceremony included Mexico President Vicente Fox; Joe ChamaSrour, President and Managing Director – DaimlerChrysler de Mexico; Roberto Gutierrez, Vice President of Manufacturing – DaimlerChrysler Mexico; Jose Chaparro, Plant Manager – Toluca Assembly Plant; Mexico Governor Enrique Pena Nieto; and Hugo Diaz, General Leader – DaimlerChrysler de Mexico Union. "Six years ago, DaimlerChrysler launched a whole new generation of segment-busting vehicles when we began building the Chrysler PT Cruiser at this plant," said ChamaSrour. "From the beginning, these vehicles have won wide acclaim from automotive writers and from the global car-buying public. It's unique, it's popular and most of all, it's an important part of the DaimlerChrysler family." Completely updated for the 2006 model year, the Chrysler PT Cruiser continues to lead the segment in style, versatility, quality and performance. In addition to many exterior upgrades, the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible feature all-new interiors, improved performance and a boost of horsepower, giving the available High-Output Turbo engine a power boost for 2006, now rated at 230 horsepower (171.5 kW) and 245 lb.-ft. (332 N•m) of torque, up from the previous 220 horsepower. Chrysler PT Cruiser sales have also seen a boost. Sales of this one-of-a-kind vehicle were up 16 percent in the United Sates for the 2005 calendar year. Since the launch of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, DaimlerChrysler has received more than 30 international awards for the innovative vehicle. Awards the vehicle has won include: 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Consumer Guide, "Best Buy - Compact Cars Category" 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Consumer Reports, "Recommended" 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Edmunds.com, "Most Significant" 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, AutoPacific, "Top Vehicle customer satisfaction" 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, North American International Auto Show, "North American Car of the Year" 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, African Americans on Wheels and Latinos on Wheels, "Car of the Year" 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Strategic Vision, "Compact Car Segment" 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Industrial Design Excellence, "Gold Award" 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Automobile Magazine, "Best Small Car" The Toluca Assembly Plant is the sole producer of Chrysler PT Cruiser. The vehicle is sold in 60 countries around the world. Source: Chrysler Group

Accidents still happen to even the best of drivers. There are some accidents and crashes all the driving skill in the world won't prevent.

Days 1 and 2 of their evaluation: 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS: In the Autoblog Garage Day 1 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS: In the Autoblog Garage Day 2

The J30 was based off of the second-generation Nissan 300ZX (which is why if has the same powertrain). As far as I know they're pretty rare (rarer than most cars in its class sold around the same time). I hear they're not really the roomiest cars out there. Here's some info on it: http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/re...ex.cfm/id/2183/

Well, yes and no. The next Ion could be a rebadged Vauxhall Astra.

Personally, if was was springing that much for a Jetta (and it's a pretty low possibility that I would), I'd go for the GLI that is much more attractive, IMO. Between the Lucerne and Azera, I really like the Lucerne but the Azera doesn't look to be a bad package, either (aside from the cheap-looking center stack). That said, for my taste the rear of the Azera is a bit too sedate but the much more powerful V6 is a pretty big plus for the Azera in my book. My choice? If the Lucerne had the V8, it'd be no question but V6 Lucerne to Azera...I might still pick the Lucerne bit it would be more of a tossup for me. I know a lot of guys here loathe it but out of curiousity have you looked at the Avalon?

LX 470 losing star power By Paul & Anita Lienert To test the redesigned 2006 Lexus LX 470, we headed out to Los Angeles with another couple for a sightseeing vacation. What better way to put the Japanese luxury sport-utility vehicle -- the expensive sibling of the Toyota Land Cruiser -- through its paces than to load it up with four adults and a week's worth of luggage? The LX 470's chronic weak point, an underpowered engine, has been addressed on the '06 model. Its 4.7-liter V-8 engine now makes an extra 40 horsepower compared with last year. But despite the improvements, the Lexus still felt a bit old and due for a major overhaul. We drove an amply equipped, eight-passenger LX 470, with five options. Bottom line: $73,108, including shipping. SHE: We spent a lot of time in L.A. hitting the tourist attractions. But the time we spent in the LX 470 was pretty entertaining, too. For 2006, Lexus has made the impressive 11-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system standard on its flagship SUV. You can get a rear-seat video entertainment system for an additional $2,469 and even the optional night-view system triggered some oohs and ahhs as we navigated our way down dark Mulholland Drive one night. That system projects a picture that looks like a black-and-white TV screen onto the windshield just above the steering wheel. It's designed to improve your nighttime vision. HE: In fact, it does just the opposite. I found the night-vision system distracting, especially when I was trying to negotiate some of those tight turns on Mulholland in a tall vehicle that weighs too much and has a steering system that feels disconnected from the road. I'd advise you to save your $2,200 -- or spend it on some of the other amenities, like the video entertainment system. SHE: Big picture: The Lexus was a trusty road companion, providing lots of room for four adults and lots of luggage. We all were grateful for the standard navigation system, which helped us find landmarks. There was a bit of a learning curve figuring it out. HE: I don't like to come back from vacation feeling crabby, but I had some gripes about the Lexus. No. 1, we got lousy gas mileage. According to the dashboard readout on our test vehicle, we averaged just over 11 mpg over three days. And gas was not cheap in California. Toyota may have tweaked the LX 470's looks a tiny bit --redesigning the front grille, the taillights and the 18-inch alloy wheels -- but the overall silhouette is still the same. By that I mean, boxy, traditional styling that no longer seems to merit a second look on Hollywood Boulevard. SHE: The ride was occasionally bumpy, depending on where we had set the adaptive variable suspension, and our friends complained that the running boards on the LX 470 needed to be wider to help passengers hoist themselves up into this tall vehicle. Our friend Ken said the amenities back there weren't very user-friendly, either. He griped that you have to twist your wrist to reach the rear-window switch and that the rear light needs a dimmer feature so a passenger can peruse a guidebook en route without blinding the driver. These may seem like small things, but the expectations are high when you are riding in a $70,000-plus vehicle. HE: I appreciated the additional boost in power, which was sorely needed. Toyota hiked the output from 235 to 275 horsepower, and nudged the torque from 320 to 332 pounds-feet. The extra horses are really noticeable when you're zipping around the Hollywood Hills, although it probably matters less when you're off camping in the deep woods or down at the beach. SHE: I imagine that few owners will go off-roading in the Lexus, which feels more country club than campsite, with its upscale wood and leather cabin. And you can't argue about the safety features, either, which are plentiful and include standard side curtain air bags, antilock brakes, vehicle skid control and a sophisticated tire-pressure monitoring system. I'd say the LX 470 still possesses a certain amount of star quality in the SUV world. 2006 Lexus LX 470 Type: Front-engine, four-wheel drive, eight-passenger SUV. Price: Base, $67,945 (inc. $650 destination charge); as tested, $73,108. Engine: 4.7-liter V-8; 275 hp; 332 lb-ft torque. EPA fuel economy: 13 mpg city/ 17 mpg highway. Where built: Japan. Estimated 12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan : $2,080. Anita: Likes: Accommodates four adults and lots of luggage with ease. Command seating gives you great view of the road. Conservative, yet pleasing cabin. Great safety features. Lexus Link communications system helps with emergency calls, directions. Lots of amenities, including standard navigation with rear back-up camera. Bright white gauges pop at night. Dislikes: Ride can be bumpy, especially for rear-seat passengers. Navigation system not intuitive. Rear-seat amenities need a bit more work. Difficult to get in and out. Boxy, traditional styling needs an update. Paul: Likes: Decent, but not stunning acceleration. Gorgeous light wood in the cabin. Comfortable front seats. Great audio system. Dislikes: Too pricey. Dismal fuel economy. Steering felt disconnected from road. Night-vision system was more distracting than helpful. Bulky and difficult to park. Narrow running boards are dangerous when wet and slippery. Link: http://info.detnews.com/autosconsumer/auto...ex.cfm?id=22382

GM saves $420M by freezing pensions Firm joins the growing ranks of major U.S. employers shifting financial risks of retirement to workers. Bill Vlasic / The Detroit News The cost-cutting ax at General Motors Corp. fell on salaried workers Tuesday with the announcement that GM will freeze pension benefits for 36,000 U.S. employees and move toward so-called "defined-contribution" plans in the future. The changes will save cash-strapped GM an estimated $420 million a year and reduce the automaker's overall pension liability for white-collar employees by $1.6 billion by the end of 2006. By freezing current pensions, GM joins the growing ranks of major U.S. employers such as IBM, Verizon Wireless and Hewlett-Packard in shifting some of the financial risk of retirement to their workers. GM Chairman Rick Wagoner called the pension modifications a "difficult, but necessary" component of the automaker's restructuring strategy in the wake of an $8.6 billion loss last year. "Global competition is truly changing the auto industry, and we must restructure ourselves to compete successfully in it," Wagoner said in a statement. The move was the latest measure by GM to slash employee costs for both hourly and salaried employees. Last year, GM negotiated $1 billion in health care cuts for hourly workers and retirees, and increased monthly health premiums for salaried employees. In February the automaker halved Wagoner's salary and reduced compensation for other top executives. GM is also embarking on a historic restructuring of its North American operations, with plans to shed 30,000 manufacturing jobs and to close or downsize six assembly plants by 2008. Auto industry analysts said the pension changes represent another critical step toward achieving GM's goal of reducing annual costs by $7 billion and returning the corporation to profitability. Along with health care savings previously announced, GM will reduce its cost of salaried workers by nearly $1 billion annually, according to David Healy of Burnham Securities. "You take a billion here and a billion there, and it adds up," Healy said. "No question, it's major." GM said the pension changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2007, and that any benefits earned before that date will be preserved. After that, GM will divide its white-collar workers into two categories -- those hired before Jan. 1, 2001, and those hired afterward. The group hired before 2001 will remain in GM's "defined benefit" plan, but will receive reduced retirement benefits based on a percentage of their average monthly base salary. Workers hired after 2001 will be transitioned into a "defined contribution" plan that calls for GM to contribute 4 percent of their annual base salary to their 401(k) plan. GM also said it will freeze benefits earned by company executives who participate in the company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. The moves reflect the belt-tightening agenda of GM's newest board member, Jerry York, who is an adviser to billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, GM's fourth-biggest shareholder. By spreading cost-cuts through its white-collar ranks, GM appears better positioned to ask the United Auto Workers for concessions in connection with the company's overall restructuring. "It goes to the 'equality of sacrifice' principle embraced by the union," Healy said. "It may make it easier for GM to get concessions from the rank and file." Wagoner said the pension changes cut to the heart of the cost-advantage that Asian and European competitors have over domestic automakers. "In many cases, our non-U.S. competitors do not have comparable legacy costs, because retirement benefits for employees and retirees in their home countries are more heavily government funded," he said. One GM salaried worker said Tuesday that the pension cuts had been expected since GM first signaled changes were coming last month. "I really don't think a lot of people were surprised because we know things are getting tighter," said Kumasi Rayford, a design engineer at GM. "We're not getting raises and bonuses. This was expected." The pension announcement came a day after GM said it will sell the bulk of its 20 percent stake in Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corp., a move expected to raise $2 billion in cash. Wall Street responded to the moves by bidding up the price of GM's stock. GM's stock closed at $20.29, up 48 cents, in trading Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange. Link: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../603080394/1148

Guys, the March edition "Car Spotting" thread is here, so you know: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...?showtopic=6462

Yeah, but I can't recall so many famous persons dying within such a small range of time of each other.

All of these famous people are just dying left and right. Darren McGavin, Dennis Weaver, Don Knotts, Kirby Puckett yesterday and I've just recently heard Dana Reeve passed on last night. Puckett and Reeve weren't exactly what you'd consider old, either. What is going on??

The article is massively long (5 pages), so here's the link: World Car Fans: Cadillac BLS In Depth