turbo200

silverado sold in mexico under the name cheyenne. i like the new silvy more and more as I see em more often, which is starting to be frequent, I like their presence and think it adds to the road. i've seen a lot fewer tundras, which was expected, otherwise chevy would have a flop

what about g-money? the fact that vibe is the only 30+mpg city car at GM is ridiculous.

one of the biggest reasons to go RWD in my book is the proportions that allow that incredible sleek and long look. Look at the 3-series and 3-series coupe today; you can find no fault in thier proportions and stout stance; this is the single greatest and simplest feature of thier design, and it simply works incredibly well. Do a study of the best looking FWD cars and RWD cars and you will find the RWD cars will always have better proportions. A good reason for the switchover to RWD that is specific to GM is simply lack of funding. There is a demand for RWD cars that simply could not be satisfied by FWD cars in certain markets [luxury]; and because of this GM must have RWD platforms ready for the next decade to compete in the most lucrative segments, Cadillac's market. Because they must have RWD, and they have no money to do all the platforms they really need, FWD must be sacrificed. one of the other huge great reason to turn to RWD in my book is simply the inherent neutral nature of a RWD car, where the weight is shifted to the rear. I have never driven a GM large car that didn't immediately disgust me with its dynamics, heavy-plow nature, and big boat feel. GM has to get away from that to compete in trendier markets, where consumers are more discerning than in the Midwest where the roads are long flat and straight. They have to have cars that are smaller on the outside and bigger on the inside, that feel small, direct, and completely balanced. They have to replicate the feeling of the 1988 Honda Accord that I have yet to see duplicated in any GM car [those who have driven Honda's products will understand the balance I am talking about]. Until that time, I will not consider GM the best choice for me, but maybe for my sister....

it's already been said in this thread, but I'll reiterate it: these would make a good replacement for HHR. It's already successful, and has had lots of marketing support thrown into it, and has a quality image thanks to nice exterior trim and interior quality [for its class]; but it lacks versitality, fuel efficiency, and isn't appealing to it's intended market in terms of DESIGN. It's not a bad-looking car, but it's not exactly a car young people want to be seen in; it's also big-looking on the outside and small on the inside; a little more space and attention to comfort [since the idea is this is a people-mover] would go a long way. Fuel efficiency is a must; you can't sell a compact car based on efficiency and lower price-to-own if that isn't the reality. Call it HHR though, it has good image now.

not to mention by 2010 all GM cars will have standard stability control, including ABS. AWD will also be an option for those who can't help but worry about something they have never tried. nor is it a solution for image. Do we want GM to be a rental car company in the US, eventually relegated to where Ford, DCX, and Hyundai are stagnated at, or do we want them to become world class competitors worthy of being sold around the globe, and top sellers around the world?

borrows elements from too many cars, but it could be nice if the concept and then production version translate from this. Still a Hyundai, and still can be seen as a somewhat copy.

Cadillac needs a car like the RWD BLS. A compact BLS starting at 28/29k would be a perfect target for the small sedan market that also prefers 3-series and smaller sedan market. A real 3-series [smaller even] competitor for cheaper than the competition, but with BMW beating dynamics. The CTS has already helped atain an image of "cool" [for Caddy and cars]; why not build with a more direct response towards IS, 3 and other compacts but with fully edgy cutting edge design. If it drives better than the 3-series it would be a mass market success. Caddy does need fleshing out; and this is one arena it has never competed in but could stand to seriously benefit from participating in, especially when considering all the different possibilities from the Alpha platform. The usual cutting edge interior design/quality is necessary and the right vision for design. This car could stand to appeal to the youth market, and be a strong draw for the affluent youth; but that would just be one segment that it could draw. It should start at 28k. It would not compete with the CTS because it would be a vastly different car from that one. A strong BLS could position CTS for increases in pricing. Cadillac needs to diversify. They are the strongest platform for GM, along with Chevy. Cadillac needs truly competitive and mind-blowing product. CTS is an example, and it can only stand to be bigger; they need to build on this success, like yesterday. Alphas for Caddy, Buick, Pontiac, Saab [roadster], even Saturn and Chevy. They could stand to have a flexible platform in the small RWDs to make all kinds of small performance cars. The possibility for V6 should be built in, because you never know when you might want to throw one in; unless they can get above 400hp reliably out of Ecotec engines. But I believe there can be more mainstream products off this too, like a G6.

I really couldn't agree more with everything you've said. All this second-guessing, hesitation, doubt, and lack of vision is seriously disheartening and disappointing. GM is squandering time and potential profit by not having a full lineup of RWD vehicles for Caddy, along with the platforms to support this and provide the other brands with exciting premium feeling cars, like Pontiac and Buick. No other word for this than stupid stupid stupid

I think it's pretty great looking. I like the Sportcombi equally, but only because I really like Saab style, but this is actually fresher and cooler looking.

wow that's beautiful, black on black too, very manly

market adjustments are the nature of any retail product-driven business. when a product is hot, there are people in line and willing to pay the price for it. look at PS3, or any other successful brand that has had a huge launch recently. market adjustments didn't kill the gto; they solstice is a much bigger success than gto ever was, in spite of huge market adjustments, even the sky had dealer add ons forcing the sticker up by $10k in many cases. it was the style or lack of and lack of interest in it, that killed the GTO.

we'll see. it's way too early to let the ballons and confetti out just yet. but they were encouraging signs. i'd like to see consistent increases.

i love this car; i would like to see what this treatment looks like on the 4 door. oh and, the corsa needs to get here as a saturn as soon as possible, for around 12k to start out with.

it would be less so impressive in the mid to hihg 30's price range, but still a looker

cool looking subcompact from mazda that would do well here in the states; it follows mazda's theme of aggressive design, and the face is truly good looking.

buick will need to rid itself of these cars if it wants to rid itself of its "conventional" [read: better said geriatric] image; AND produce stunning new designs

it's beautiful. considering it is fwd-based, and would probably be EPII, and so fall in the mid 20s range, I think it's pretty damn nice.

i'm with the smaller is better crowd.

Honda's are more reflective of what they've been in the past, which is close to zilch, and the fact that Ridgeline needs some money to pump it up. curiously odyssey and pilot seem to post improvements, but they have a lot of money too.GM's incentive spending is dwindling, which is admirable. I bet Toyota's was higher than last year's already high level [relatively].

really? you don't think the 800s had good ride handling characteristics? especially when they first came out? the composed ride was about all everyone praised on for a while after the intro of those trucks.but, yes after a while, the inhernet handling problems came out, especially in the achilles heel of GM, the steering feel.

that interior is one of the most freakin perfect interiors on the planet. I will say that side line doesn't work [when viewed from the side profile, or front 3/4 profile, from rear and rear side profile it works real well], but other than that this car is really sexy. that back end is pure sex, reminds me of my favorite car butt, the aston martins.

it does nothing for the future and image of the brand either. the exact reason why Pontiac's are viewed as cheap is because cars like the Gran Prix were allowed to exist for so long, Grand Am was purely rental and discount car, and G6 has uninspired interior, chevy rebadges, uninspired driving dynamcixcs, etc

I don't think that argument holds any water, and is silly. If the argument is the rebadge killed any chances of different Pontiac style, then say that, but there is nothing wrong with this car being a rebadge.Bimmer, I'm allowed like 30 minutes to browse the net a day. I took the time to read your piece, and it was worth it. You gave a fair and balanced report, and it's optomistic, which is great. About the only thing I can add is the perspective of the impact of the G8's design should have been included. You included all the analysis on it being a great car, and your own thoughts about the design, which were all great, and true. But you could have stated something about the level of impact future Pontiac designs need to make to score with the public, adn that G8's conservative but handsome and strong dress has yet to receive a verdict.

I don't think either of them are really attractive. The Viper has a neat shape and proportions that are pretty cool, the Vette's small size and oversized features are neat, but overall they could both stand to be a lot more attractive. my favorite is the 911. But that's just an unimportant side note to whether they could both stand together and be relevant from the same company. When it comes to that argument, I tend to think of them as seperate brands with seperate identities; so yes, both are established enough that they could co-exist in this hypothetical GM marriage to Chrysler. I would keep them on seperate platforms though.

I like the tone of the press release. It comes from Cadillac Europe; to the point, direct, and no self-aggrandizing like our press releases like to do; just simple straightforward intent.