longtooth

Absolutely right Reg'. Same standard was applied to the late SSR and Aztek. They touted the living daylights out of those waaaay in advance, at least they did in-house, and both landed mightily with a THUD! High profile failures.I don't gratuitously critcize here. I want GM to suceed. But, when I see what I see, and view it through the prism of some long years of what experience I have or think I have, it just causes me to be beside myself with puzzlement. I realize that the new Camaro was not intended to be the saviour of GM. Just imagine though, the halo effect to have Corvette's affordable relative out there defending the honor of the division. It is about perception, and the cascading affects of success building upon success. AAGH!

: You "wish" it were summer '08, huh? I'm sorry, but that isn't even the point. The New Mustang'll be into it's 2nd iteration already. I don't know what type of sentient being decides to lay up on a project which is so critical to the image of the "new" GM. There should be/should have been a "Manhattan Project" styled effort to get these vehicles to market as rapidly as possible. In their infinite wisdom, the corporation shuttered the Lansing Craft Center, the one facility which could've have brought a credible number of the Camaros to market much sooner. So then, instead of waiting until after our next president is sworn in a year and a half from now, these cars would have been in the capable hands of the faithful in time for a drive to the beach this coming summer. Well, at least I know the corporation still has a fondness for anachronisms. Oy!

As Wilmington currently boasts a very cosmopolitan workforce (from within GM and from all over) don't expect unanimity in the opinion as to whether folks even want the plant to stay open. BTW, did you know that if it were not for "fat ladies", operas would never end? Lots of "bad blood" there which could only be neutralized by an infusion of new blood by way of a comprehensive big-bucks (to really light a fire under those fence sitters) buy-out strategy. So, you're employed there too, "S"? -'tooth

You are right. We know Chevy should have gotten theirs first. We see this happen time and time again, as if re-watching our favorite movie where we shout at the screen because our hero doesn't see that bad guy lurking in the shadows. But we do, and we're powerless to intervene. Perhaps as the dust settles over the next 3 or 4 years, in the aftermath of the recently concluded negotiations with the UAW, GM's appetite for glorious "train wrecks" ala Aztek, SSR will wane.

absolutely doggone right! who has your back at walmart, mcdonalds or circuit city? or your innotech's nationwide?

I have heard that Mr. Lutz favors this as well. Would be another jewel in the crown. Some type of announcement'd due soon wouldn't it?

damn small volume. we're a "boutique" operation. we'd like to build the Volt here as well...

it's what we're conditioned to believe.

My Opinion: (some background first) I've worked for GM in 4 different states, 6 different sites, for the past 31 years. I am an hourly employe(e). From what I can gather by watching, listening is that everything is in play right now, but things are more stable than they appear, and as they are presented in the mainstream media. GM's goal is to finally get the "two-tier" wage system this year. Th UAW's aim is to hold on to what they (we) have now. There're roughly only about 90,000 full time hourly folk left. This is out of about a half million or so when I first got my start at a Fisher Body plant way back in the mid '70's. The times, they are a changin'. I was fortunate to have been hired by the Corporation. My Grandmother, who'd been working at the Fisher plant as a "Rosie the Riveter" type for 25 plus years, repeatedly told me to go to the plant to complete an employement application, as they were hiring. For months I resisted. Finally after filing an application in November of '75, I was soon informed by GM that I had an offer of a job. I was to start on the first Monday of the new year. I was 19 years old. I'd tried my hand at various manual labor type jobs since graduating High School in '74. Jobs that paid reasonably well, with some type of benefits, but none with the allure, the cache' of working for the mighty GM. Oppurtunities of the likes that I had had, just 30 short (or long depending on the age of the reader) years ago, simply don't exist today. I experienced much jealousy from friends, relatives, acquaintances for having what must've appeared to them as to have snatched the proverbial brass ring. It was all Serendipity. I was in the right place at the right time. I look back on all that I have experienced over the past 4 decades wistfully. I know in my heart, can say to myself that I did put it all out for my job as it was/when it was required. I don't mean to say that there weren't times that I "dogged" it some. That I'd drag my exhausted butt to the tool shed at lunchtime (while I was working 3rd shirt; took me years to figure out what a killer that was) set my alarm on my wristwatch, put it right under my ear and sink into oblivion for 26 minutes. The environment in which I worked allowed for some perks, so long as the desired goals of the managers were achieved. So then, did I get my share. As it stands today, I wait. Listening to news reports, scouring the internet for some clue, any foreshadowing of what may be in terms of the future of the Company/Union I've served these past many years. I find that I'm less inclined to be anxious now as opposed to the past. Facing my first bout of "contract hysteria" in the early Fall of 1976, remembering it all now... ...just be patient. To put it all into perspective: The will of all multi-national corporations will be served. To save face, to some extent, even the will of the ever-diversifying UAW will be served. GM will maintain an American flavor for some time to come. There'll still be a need for us. (the wrench-wielders/the screw shooters/the metal finishers). But, our ranks are dwindling. People can still be petty, vulgar, wishing behind our backs that we lose it all. Pay them no mind. Try not to epitomize the domestic version of the "ugly American", done GM/UAW style. I still silently rebuke myself whenever I catch myself doing it. Try to honor the best traditions of American Labor Past. Everytime I hear that song by the country superstar group Alabama (the title escapes me now) which goes through a litany of thanks and praise for American workers, it still makes me want to go out and; plow a cornfield, erect a skyscraper, build a ship and so forth. Hoist the Cup, to American Labor. By the Strength of our Hands, The Sweat of our Brows, the Bending of our Backs. Thank You.

Amen. Tell everyone about it after you've done it.

This sounds like a rational approach to the matter, and should quiet the dissenters.

that vehicle'd validate me as a person.

At age 50, I'm nowhere near the demographic for such a vehicle, but that's one sweet looker, and an original too. The Scion tc'd be invisible next to it. :AH-HA_wink:

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

'Biz, I see them going to Mexico frequently enough. A smattering go to Saudi Arabia as well. See a lot of the short wheel base Pontiacs going to Canada as they're not being sold in the US after the '06 model year. We changed over to run the '06's in mid July of '05. With downweeks and Christmas shutdown, the '06's were produced for just under 9 months. We started producing the '07's on May 12, 2006. Through last Friday, just over 36,000 of all the models combined have been produced. Speculation (mine primarily) is that up to 60,000 total will be made for '07, after that know one's saying. Management has spent a prodigious amount of cash to rework numerous flaws in some vehicles to enhance their "saleability". We're scurrying to build this out before years end I think.

We're hammered over and over again with " Yes, it's GMS"! (Global Manufacturing Standard). Assembling the 4 mini-van/crossover clones for GM in Doraville GA only demonstrates the lemming-like adherence to following the leader over the precipice. Defects in bodywork and body fit which were designed into the product are as apparent today as when the redesign began to be cranked out two years ago. Our plant manager's told us that 80% (?!) of the vehicles are destined for fleet use. Unsold Uplanders are languishing on dealer lots (backlots) while consumers ignore them in droves. Come to the issue of "Temp" or replacement workers; since the assembly jobs are more or less standardized, with any luck, an individual can learn most of the jobs here in under 3 days if they're reasonably attentive. The larger issue is that while the pay looks good in the near term, there's no investing on the part of the "Temp" who knows going in that he or she'll never have a stake in securing a future toiling for the Corporation. Last Friday, we at Doraville said goodbye to all of our "Temps", all of the remaining "Buy-Outs", and a large group of retirees. The plant goes to one shift beginning on Tuesday 9-05-06. At 6 am., no less. My Supervisor told me that some areas are getting up to 20 employees who're unfamiliar with the work they'll be doing as the re-shuffle/redeployment goes forward. So, picture 500 plus cranky 50-somethings who've just come onto the 1st shift after years of working 3 to midnight trying to sort out things on their new jobs while bleary-eyed and having their body-clocks straining to come to terms with the out of whack situation. Doraville will be shedding additional hundreds of workers who'll be transferring to other GM facilities thru the end of this year and into '07. I wish everone well, as I've done this now myself, going on 3 times. Ah, the shifting fortunes of World Trade, the Global Marketplace. I know that at age 50, with 30 plus years working for the same employer, that I am an anachronism. No one stays in any one place anymore doing unskilled manual labor for that long. This'll be my last move though. Going back to my native soil up North by some turn of luck, and I thank God for it. I wish GM well. We've had a symbiotic relationship these past decades. I, and many thousands of individuals will depend on a lean, healthy and prosperous GM for years to come.

Stern hasn't been funny since 1991 IMO.

I work on the GM Minivan assembly line in Doraville GA. To see the number of vehicles that come down the line without the Onstar or XM "bump" up there on the roof is mystifying. I rationalize it as hardware availability. I have both in my personal vehicle in addition to the DVD GPS nav unit. I am spoiled I suppose, but I am waiting for the day when I can punch in a destination and have the vehicle deliver me to my chosen location.

Think about it, legacy costs are being winnowed out more with each passing week. Taking the long view, say the next 5-10 years, GM looks as viable as anyone. Provided that the focus becomes and continues to be on PRODUCT!!!! For the love of heaven, they (GM upper Management) need to concentrate their efforts on holding onto what they've got now, solidifying that, and then expansion.GM, as currently constituted, exists as a corporation whose business is building machines for people, and in my 30 plus years with 'em, they've shown contempt for both.

there're aspects to all of 'em which i like. i'm sure discerning caddy buyers would too. nice work artistes!

agree with your "Uplander debacle" comment. The resources being consumed to build this perennial also ran, lackluster van could be better spent to make the Lambdas sparkle, or to polish the Cobalt to into a sparkling jewel, or any one of a myriad of uses. ditto the Colorado not having a six, or even the 4800 '8. (i tried not using your post as a quote, and to just post my comment, but there is the whole thing of yours)

How about, can this be worked to the detriment of the UA-stinkin'-W? Plus, in about 5 years or so, here comes one hell of a funky Pick Up Truck.

Krink', you should've copyrighted this gem of yours.... "and by the time 2008 rolls around wagoner is on a beach in tahiti earning 20%. and hes with amelia earhart and bigfoot swimming in the fountain of youth" .

Ah Hah! Yes, a Camaro stole his girlfriend! Think about it.

It looks good to me. Now, can anyone picture it as a replacement for the Uplander?There's talk about that actually happening. Or does America demand that sliding center door?