Variance

Don't be so sure about that. Ford has registered the name "Mark S" (not just "MKS") to be used for a future Lincoln.

Can Jerry York Save GM? Ace cost-cutter ratchets up pressure for major changes Bill Vlasic / The Detroit News DETROIT -- In the 1980s, it was a feisty Texan named Ross Perot who rattled the board of General Motors Corp. by calling his fellow directors "pet rocks" in the pocket of management. A decade later, retired Procter & Gamble Co. Chairman John Smale led a board-room coup that toppled a GM chairman and set a new standard for corporate governance. But no outsider ever joined the GM board with the expectations attached to Jerry York. The appointment to the board last week of York, the ace cost-cutter employed by billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, is a pivotal event in one of the most tumultuous periods in GM history. York is the wild card as GM prepares to undergo a restructuring that will slash tens of thousands of jobs, freeze pensions and benefits and possibly determine the survival of the world's largest automaker. "One thing about Jerry -- you have got to pay attention to him," said David Cole, director of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. Already, York has influenced GM to slash its dividend in half and cut the salaries of its top executives and board members. But GM insiders know there's more to come from the 67-year-old former finance chief of Chrysler Corp. and IBM Corp. Wagoner sees positives The question was posed to Rick Wagoner by one of 200 GM executives attending a high-level internal briefing Thursday: What impact will York have on their company? Wagoner, GM's embattled chairman, played it low-key, saying York will "add value" because he "knows the business." But at least one GM exec said York's arrival has clearly ratcheted up the pressure inside GM headquarters. "Inside the company, things are very tense," said the executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "There is a contingent that says York is a good thing if he can accelerate change. (But) there is a healthy fear." With speculation mounting on Wall Street and in the media that GM is headed toward bankruptcy, York comes aboard with a reputation as a hard-as-nails veteran of corporate turnarounds with no ties or loyalties to GM's past. In a symbolic changing of the guard, he took a board seat vacated by Merrill Lynch Chairman Stanley O'Neal, who worked on a GM assembly line as a teenager, launched his career in GM's treasurer's office and is married to a former GM financial analyst. "It's as big a shock that O'Neal is out as it is that York is in," said Gerald Meyers, a management consultant and former chairman of American Motors Corp. "Jerry is a change agent in a situation where change is necessary and appropriate." O'Neal reportedly left because of possible conflicts of interest and a lack of time. York has defused his own potential conflict by agreeing not to disclose confidential GM information to Kerkorian, GM's fourth-largest shareholder with a 9.9 percent stake in the company. A call for sacrifice Moreover, York has wasted no time in making his presence felt on GM's management and its board. His speech to auto analysts in Detroit on Jan. 10 appealed directly to the United Auto Workers, who are deep in negotiations with GM about health care, downsizing and the fate of workers at bankrupt Delphi Corp. York predicted little progress could be made with the UAW unless GM showed a spirit of shared sacrifice, namely a dividend cut for investors and lower salaries for Wagoner and his top deputies. "Historically, GM has been the most tone-deaf of the auto companies when it comes to labor issues," said Harley Shaiken, a labor professor at the University of California-Berkeley. "But York is speaking plainly and directly about critical issues between GM and the UAW." Pushing GM to cut the dividend and executive pay was important in the context of pivotal contract talks between GM and the UAW in 2007, Shaiken said. "Doing that doesn't necessarily make the 2007 negotiations easier," he said. "But not doing it would have made them far more difficult." Plain-spoken, direct, to the point -- that's York. A former West Point cadet, he's a throwback to "bean counters" of the past -- blue blazers and white shirts, wire-rimmed glasses and a tattered briefcase, an unrepentant smoker who drives an aged Jeep bought with his Chrysler employee discount. His intensity was legendary at Chrysler, where as a young analyst York once passed out in a meeting after working around the clock, fueled by cigarettes and coffee. At IBM, he rigged a snowplow to his Ram pickup during a blizzard to make sure he was at his desk before 8 a.m. "I've known Jerry a long time, and he isn't a guy who sits back, or tries to 'get along' with everybody," said Meyers. "He's a pleasant enough fellow, but if he's unhappy about something he's going to blurt it out." Wherever he has been, whether it be Chrysler, IBM or Apple Computer Inc. -- where he has been a director since 1997 -- York has helped deliver shareholder value. The prescription he laid out for GM's turnaround on Jan. 10 was characteristically blunt. "Time is of the essence," York said. "A 'sense of purpose' needs to be generated to galvanize the organization." York has declined interview requests since joining the GM board last week. According to people familiar with his plans, York will spend the next four to six weeks combing through GM's operations for ways to cut costs and improve the business. York plans deep dive York will serve on the GM board's Public Policy Committee and Investment Funds Committee and should have wide access to internal company information. In private comments to one acquaintance, York said he plans to "root around and find out what's not being exposed" in GM's vast North American business units. People who know York expect him to move fast. "We're in a time where the clock is moving much more quickly on GM," Cole said. "I think they're fortunate to have Jerry because this thing is going to be played out in the next six months, not the next five years." York joins a GM board led by former Eastman Kodak Co. Chairman George Fisher as the "lead director" and composed of corporate executives with minimal experience in the automotive industry. Historically insular and nonconfrontational, the GM board was shaken up in 1984 when Perot became a director after selling his company, Electronic Data Systems, to GM for $2.5 billion in stock. A classically opinionated entrepreneur, Perot clashed early and often with GM Chairman Roger Smith. His biting assessments of GM's culture were considered heresy at the time. "If you see a snake, kill it," Perot once quipped. "Don't appoint a committee on snakes." But after two years of verbal warfare, Smith had had enough. He bought out Perot's GM stock, and the diminutive Texan left the board. In 1992, Smale became the next outsider to put his stamp on the board. Smale was the polar opposite of Perot -- a dyed-in-the-wool corporate executive from tradition-bound Procter & Gamble. But when GM teetered near bankruptcy, Smale marshaled other directors to oust Chairman Robert Stempel and install a new management team. York brings a bit of both men's qualities to the GM of 2006. He combines the candor and independence of a Perot, with the Fortune 500 credentials and experience of Smale. Unlike them, York spent 30 years in the auto industry, having worked for Chrysler, GM and Ford Motor Co. at various times in his career. "He's different than Perot and Smale because he does know the business and he's been close to it for a long, long time," Cole said. "Jerry is a disciplined guy. His intent is not to blow the place up." Nose under the tent But patience is hardly a quality associated with York. He first advised Kirk Kerkorian in the mid-1990s when the casino mogul was the largest shareholder in Chrysler. In 1996, York used the threat of a proxy fight to get Chrysler management to approve a stock repurchase plan favored by Kerkorian. When Kerkorian asked him last March to look into GM, York dug deep and produced a detailed report on the automaker's strengths and weaknesses. Last fall, with GM reeling from huge third-quarter losses, York began pressing for a board seat. Talks broke down late last year, but York didn't back off. He went public in mid-January with his speech at the Detroit auto show, and waited for GM to respond. It didn't take long. At their next meeting on Feb. 6, GM's directors voted to appoint York to the board. Now, the question on the minds of everyone at GM is what York does next -- and when he does it. "York is on the inside now," said Ralph Ward, publisher of the newsletter Boardroom Insider. "Now that the camel has his nose under the tent, it's a whole new ballgame." Link: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../602120384/1148

Limited recall riles GM owners NHTSA monitors brake callback in 20 states and D.C. as complaints mount. Jeff Plungis / Detroit News Washington Bureau WASHINGTON -- General Motors Corp. last year recalled 1.35 million trucks and SUVs in 20 states and Washington, D.C., to clean brake sensors that could malfunction and cause accidents. Despite the recalls, though, GM is struggling to move beyond questions about the anti-lock brakes on its best-selling Chevrolet Silverado pickup and seven other models. Reports continue to pour in from states not covered under the recall -- and some from states like Michigan that are included -- of accidents and near-misses from truck owners experiencing braking problems. GM said the issue stems from road salt in cold-weather states. Corrosion from the salt gets in between the surface of the wheel hub and the anti-lock brake sensor, pushing the sensor farther away from the bearings. This gives the truck's computer a false reading of vehicle speed, causing the anti-lock brakes to engage at the wrong time, typically at speeds of between 4 and 10 miles per hour. Kevin Vagt, 45, said he had two near-misses in Alexandria, Va., with his 2001 Chevy Suburban following a February vacation to the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Vagt said his truck needed extra distance to stop, and he narrowly avoided two accidents dropping his children off at day care. But because Vagt's SUV is registered in Virginia, it was not part of the recall. Vagt's neighbors in Maryland, one of the states added in December, would be eligible for a free repair or reimbursement for previous repairs. But unlike his counterparts across the Potomac River, Vagt had to pay his entire $898 repair bill. "I'm beside myself," Vagt said. "If I was two miles away, I'd be covered. Somebody will get mowed down by this." Far to the north, Connie Wagenaar-Henning wonders why South Dakota was not part of the cold-weather-state recall. Wagenaar-Henning said she has had at least three close calls. "We're pretty cold here," Wagenaar-Henning said. "Normally, this time of year, it's 40 below. These trucks are all over the place, and we're all having problems. I don't understand why it can't be nationwide." Officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal agency that oversees vehicle defect investigations and recalls, said they would rely on customer complaints to determine if the recall needs to be expanded. "We're still monitoring the situation closely," said NHTSA spokeswoman Karen Aldana. "We encourage people to call our hotline and make us aware of their problems. We also encourage them to call their dealers." For those covered by the recall, Chevrolet and GMC dealers remove the anti-lock brake sensors and clean the surface of the wheel bearing casing. The casings are then treated with a zinc-based rust proofing compound. But even as GM has enlarged the recall and is promising to take care of the problem regardless of where a vehicle is registered, some owners say they are struggling to get their trucks fixed. Some say they have not been notified about the safety problem or have spoken with dealers unfamiliar with the issue. A number of truck owners have taken to removing a fuse to deactivate their anti-lock brakes, preferring conventional brakes to a system that was unreliable. GM customer Ryan Sigman of Grove City, Ohio, said he was told that there is a recall, but his vehicle identification numbers mean he will have to pay for repairs himself. Sigman said his 2002 GMC Sierra pickup has been experiencing the brake problems described in the government notices. A phone call to NHSA did little to clarify things, he said. "I expected the run-around at dealerships," Sigman said. "I figured GM would be more than happy to take care of a safety problem. I was very surprised." GM spokesman Alan Adler said the automaker is committed to fixing every truck experiencing the brake problems, even if the owners are not in the 20 states affected by the recall. GM issued recalls in the states that the federal government has identified as the ones most impacted by road salt, Adler said. "Anybody who has the problem -- in any state -- can get the service for it," Adler said. "They should bring their vehicles in. If it's the issue covered by the recall, it will be taken care of." Adler said customers who were having problems with their dealers should call the customer service hotlines. Safety groups in Washington, meanwhile, are challenging the notion of "regional" recalls, arguing that they are little more than a means for auto companies to save money while potentially dangerous defects go unfixed. A former NHTSA administrator said that Congress had examined the possibility of allowing regional recalls in the 1960s, as lawmakers considered the original highway safety law. Congress rejected the idea as unworkable, said Joan Claybrook, now president of Public Citizen, a watchdog group based in Washington. "Cars are mobile," Claybrook said. "It's a relatively ridiculous system to allow partial recalls. It's a financial issue. Recalls are expensive, and automakers don't want to do them." Public Citizen and the Center for Auto Safety, another Washington consumer group, lost their case in federal District Court challenging regional recalls. They have an appeal pending in federal court in Washington. In November, Wisconsin's attorney general wrote Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta decrying NHTSA's practice of allowing regional recalls. Wisconsin is one of seven states GM added to the recall in December. Truck owners say the real issue is stopping distance. As the brakes are malfunctioning, it can take two or three times the normal distance to stop. That means the vehicles can drift into intersections, garage walls or off the road. After several near misses in California, Richard Lopez Sr. became concerned about the safety of his truck. As an electrician in Fresno, Lopez drives about 30,000 miles a year. Lopez said his brakes have failed on numerous occasions, causing several minor accidents. Lopez is confused by GM's explanation that the brake problem relates to road salt, since he lives in a hot weather climate. "The dealers just laugh at you," Lopez said. "They treat you like a fool. At this point, I just want to give the truck back. But there's nothing I can do. I can't sell it because I have a conscience." Link: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../602120372/1148

Jeeps have never done anything for me, so... Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 (mainly for the power, the front end is hideous)

That's what I was alluding to near the end of the article. If there's one thing GM doesn't mess around with, it's their pickup trucks. The reason for my opening paragraph about the Camry was to make a point that I believe Toyota expected too much leverage from their brand name. That is to say, when the average American buys a Camry (or any Toyota car) they (not always but) often sell with the help of the "Toyota" name. Toyota used a simple recipe: -Good reliability -Inoffensive styling -"Toyota" name Blend together and serve to public for good sales. The problem though, is that this recipe doesn't work well for trucks. It's like using a cookie recipe thinking it'll make a good cake. Sure, some people might like it but it's not really the appropriate thing to do. Truck buyers are more demanding than car buyers. They need more assurances that the vehicle they buy is going to be able to do what they ask of it. The fact that the previous Tundra and T-100 were "Toyotas" only helped them so much but the name wasn't enough to outweigh their glaring deficinies. Toyota was able to take it relatively easy with the Camry in the past because quite frankly GM (and the other domestics) dicked around to some extent with their midsize cars (though today, they are improving on that front). But GM knows how important trucks are to them, so they pull vitrually no punches with them.

(I'm lazy.)

Now that you mention it... ...kinda.

"Yea, I'm going to go in a camoed prototype vehicle to a busy airport and not expect anyone to come along and take pictures." Durrr! Anyway, it looks like it might turn out ok from what detailing I can make out.

Harley, don't be like that. At least it's used. Let the guy enjoy his new (to him) car purchase.

Ok, remember the "GLK-Class" I mentioned earlier? Well, thanks to refining my search, I found the names "GLK63" an "GLK65". An AMG and a V12-powered version. The GLK name suggests it is a downscaled version of the GL-Class. But like the "SLK65", I can't imagine how they are going to cram a V12 in a small engine bay...

Floor shifter for me. I despise column shifters. I rode in friend's old Buick Park Ave. a few times and when you put it in drive, it would get in the way climate control system. I would have to change it for her sometimes. Plus, I just prefer floor shifters from an aesthetics point-of-view.

General Motors Heritage Collection Joins Elite Group Detroit, MI - February 10, 2006: Detroit When the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) chose General Motors to receive the prestigious AACA Plaque, it put the world’s largest auto company into some very exclusive company - - namely the great automotive collections such as those of the Smithsonian, Harrah’s and the Blackhawk Collection. Steven Moskowitz, Executive Director of the AACA noted that their National Awards Committee unanimously voted to honor the contributions General Motors has made to the sport “not only in terms of the preservation of great automobiles but also for their unselfish sharing of those remarkable cars at exhibits and shows from coast to coast”. The presentation of the Plaque is an important part in the AACA’s National Convention held February 10-11 in Philadelphia , Penn. “It is an honor for the GM Heritage Collection to receive the AACA Plaque” said GM’s Tom Conwell, Director, Auto Shows and Operations, “We are proud of the vehicles in the Collection and even prouder of the remarkable accomplishments they represent. Being able to share them with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic audience through the AACA, its chapters and affiliated clubs lets more people appreciate our great heritage”. The AACA, with over 60,000 members, is the world’s largest special interest automobile club with members in all 50 states and over 50 countries around the world. It is dedicated to furthering interest in and preservation of antique automobiles through education, the establishment of standards for judging, and active participation in shows, meets and tours. The General Motors Collection of vehicles includes more than 700 cars and trucks in America alone… hundreds more worldwide. When not appearing in exhibits and shows around the world, about 200 of the vehicles can be found on display at the GM Heritage Center located in Sterling Heights , Mich. The Heritage Center is a private facility, not open to the public. Its purpose is to provide an environment for business meetings and special events that will allow attendees to experience the inspirational milestones of the Heritage Collection that serve as the inspiration to propel GM into the future. Link: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/02/10/210240.html

The New Tundra: Success or Strike 3? -Variance February 11, 2006 Image: Toyota/Lexus/Scion Pressroom The Toyota Camry is the best-selling car in America. It has been thanks to its reputation for being impeccably reliable, styling that’s not unpleasing to the eye (but not particularly thrilling to look at) and being basically just a good Average Joe car. The 2007 Camry with its (slightly) bolder styling, increased power and available hybrid powertrain will likely allow the Camry to keep its best-seller crown. But I’m not here to talk about the Camry. I’m writing this to reflect on Toyota’s full-size pickup, the Tundra, which has been everything but a best-seller. A Forgettable Past Toyota first foray into the big pickup market was the 1993 T-100. The effort put into the truck seemed to have been as much as VW’s effort in bringing the Mark V Golf/GTI to the States in a timely manner. It was smaller than its domestic competitors, sized between a Dodge Dakota and “full” full-sizers. The truck also only came in a regular cab configuration. Also, the T-100 initially only came with a 3.0L V6 with a tire-smoking 150hp. Realizing their slip-up in offering this as their only engine, Toyota set themselves straight and offered another engine for 1994 model year: a 2.7L inline-4 with that same 150hp and 177 lb-ft of torque (which – by the way – is only3 lb-ft less than the V6 managed to muster). Fortunately, this could only be had in the stripper 2WD T-100s. For ’95, the T upgraded to a DOHC 3.4L V6 that pushed out a less embarrassing 190 horses and 220 pound-feet. But the damage of the first two years had been done. Even with a respectable payload of 2480lb payload capacity offered by its “One Ton” model, the T-100 did not win over a great amount of truck buyers. The Second Time Around Toyota took a 1999 model year hiatus to try to get it right the second time. The result was a brand-new truck with a brand-new name: the Tundra. Toyota took this one a bit more seriously. The 3.4 V6 made a return appearance but it didn’t come alone. The Tundra’s full power came in the form of a 4.7-liter V8 engine that brought 245hp and 315lb-ft to the table. The power was on par with the domestics but as with the T-100, the sizing wasn’t. It was still somewhat undersized compared to its competitors and it wouldn’t be until the 2004 model year (with the introduction of the Double Cab) that the Tundra would be truly full-sized. It also didn’t help that Nissan, with the introduction of the Titan featuring a powerful 5.6L V8, overshadowed Toyota in being known as the producer of the first true Japanese full-size truck. It would seem if Toyota’s designer were to ever get this full-size truck thing right, they would need a swift kick in the ass. Third Time a Charm? Well, it would seem with the new 2007 Tundra, they received two swift kicks in the ass with spiked-toed boots....coated in hot sauce. The Tundra was officially unveiled this week at the Chicago Auto Show and it looks like Toyota is dead set on making this truck a contender. The new Tundra is able to be called truly full-sized (not just the crew cab version). The premiered extended cab model meets or exceeds the domestic and Nissan full-size trucks in most dimensions. It also offers more engine choice than ever. In addition to a 4.0L V6 and old top engine, the 4.7L i-Force V8; the Tundra packs a brand-new 5.7L V8. Specific numbers are not known but Toyota has states it will exceed 300hp that will be mated with a 6-speed transmission. Another problem that plagued the previous trucks was that many felt that they had the styling of older Fords. The previous Tundra’s interior was criticized by some of having the interior of the previous generation F-150. You’d be hard pressed to find a copied styling element with the new Tundra. The “yin-and-yang” interior especially is very unique. In fact, Toyota tried so hard and to make the Tundra look original, that it borders on looking cartoonish, quite frankly. At it stands, though I think they pulled it off decently. The Next Level If there’s any real indication that Toyota isn’t messing about with the new Tundra, it would be the new San Antonio, Texas plant built for the new Tundra in which they invested $800 million. Also, it has become common knowledge that Toyota (as well as Nissan) plans on building a heavy-duty version of the Tundra. It was reported a little while back that Toyota was in talks with diesel-engine maker Cummins about producing a V8 diesel engine. Variance’s Verdict So will the new Tundra set the full-size pickup world on fire? Well, I certainly think it will take a larger piece of the pie than the previous Tundra did but the next Silverado and Sierra are around the corner and judging by the newest spyshots (and the already unveiled Avalanche), Toyota can expect GM won’t be giving up it’s market share without a bloody, knock-down, drag-out, boisterous, violent fight. (Have you seen the new HD GM trucks? Damn, those are some big-ass trucks...) Also in 2007, Nissan’s and Ford’s full-sizers, the Titan and F-150, are due to be refreshed and they both will likely see (at least) power upgrades. Grab some popcorn, guys. This’ll be a good one.

Guys...platform sharing...every mainstream manufacturer does it (as I'm pretty sure you know) and IMO, it's horribly inefficent and unneccesary not to do it.

GM focusing on Saab revival, sales chief says LaNeve says 'Born from Jets' ad campaign addresses Saab's lack of identity Dee-Ann Durbin / AP Auto Writer ORLANDO, Fla.-- General Motors Corp.'s vice president of sales and marketing said a new ad campaign and fresh vehicles should help the company's luxury Saab brand. "We don't need Saab to do a lot of volume. We just need them to do better than they've done," Mark LaNeve said at a conference sponsored by J.D. Power and Associates. Saab has struggled since GM acquired it in 2000, and sales have been weak. The Swedish automaker posted a 1 percent sales increase in 2005, on par with the industry but down compared to competitors like Audi AG and BMW AG. Jerome York, an aide to billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian who was voted in as a member of GM's board this week, recently suggested GM should dump Saab so it can focus on its core brands like Cadillac and Chevrolet. LaNeve said GM intends to keep all of its eight brands. "We're very confident that our portfolio of brands is not a weakness," LaNeve said. "These brands are alive and very much kicking." LaNeve said part of the problem is that Saab lacks an identity. "Everybody knows that Volvo stands for safety, and nobody was sure what Saab stood for. The products were just good, not better," he said. Saab's "Born from Jets" ad campaign launched several months ago aims to change that, LaNeve said. The ads focus on Saab's heritage as a company founded by 16 aircraft engineers, emphasizing the brand's performance. "People think jets are cool," LaNeve said. Saab currently sells the 9-3 and 9-5 sedans and the 9-7X sport utility vehicle. LaNeve said Saab has had some trouble with its product lineup in the past, and the ideal lineup would be an improved 9-3 and 9-5 and two crossovers based on those vehicles. A new 9-5 coming out this year is a start, he said. "It's fair to say we haven't been real tightly focused on what segments we wanted to compete in," LaNeve said. Link: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../602110312/1148

Euro King Kong: Mercedes-Benz G-Class Grand Edition Date posted: 02-11-2006 STUTTGART, Germany — Lucky European customers — at least those with lots of money — will soon be able to order a new Grand Edition of the classic Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen, or the G-Class, as it is now known. Produced in Graz, Austria, since 1979 with few major stylistic changes, the latest version of the G-wagen features permanent four-wheel drive, electronic stability and traction control, and three differential locks that can be selected by push button. The new Grand Edition is available only with a long-wheelbase and a V8 engine. Buyers can choose from the G500, with its 296-horsepower gasoline engine, or the G400 CDI, with its 250-hp turbodiesel. Mercedes has lavished extra attention on the cabin, which is fitted with matte silk wood trim and open-pored, non-embossed leather. Illuminated door sills and brushed aluminum trim strips feature Grand Edition lettering. The special variant goes on sale in Europe next month and will retail for around $89,000 plus VAT. What this means to you: No word yet on whether Americans will be able to order one, but MBUSA is in Montvale, New Jersey, if you'd like to raise the issue. Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109282

This is an actual A1 sketch from a German magazine, Autobild.

Sorry, not seeing it.

One is the manual gearshifter and the other is the selector for the 4WD system.

DCX has nothing to do with Mitsubishi anymore.

More: Nissan Versant: Registered about 2 1/2 weeks ago and I haven't the slightest what it could be. It could have something to do with the Versa... JX47 (Infiniti): Now this is interesting for two reasons. It's obviously a brand-new model (my guess is a conventional midsize SUV) but the "47" name tells of a new 4.7L engine. Maybe a bored-out (or brand-new) version of Infiniti's current 4.5L V8. Toyota Tundra T: Obviously a Tundra variant. DaimlerChrysler New Yorker: This one is funny. I stumbled on this one completely by accident. I typed in "DaimlerChyrsler" and this is the only result that popped up. Nobody's perfect it seems. It was registered last summer.

Yeah, but the thing with the Grand Am was the name had become tarnished. Renaming it to "G6" was GM's way of giving it a new start. Miatas still have a positive rep as desirable sports cars.

No matter what, Mazda will never toss the "MX-5" or "Miata" name. It holds too much clout. It'd be like Chevy getting rid of the "Corvette" name.

Speaking of subcompacts "Cube" and "Cube Cubic" have been registered for America courtesy of Nissan as of last summer. Damn, this is fun.