longtooth

No, I think that you're right to be excited. Good luck with it.

Could keep as many as 3000 Mexicans right where they're living now.

that's 4 sure. old designs find life elsewhere it seems. presumably it's the toast of Sao Paolo.

To differ, until fuel supplies stabilize, and until multiple alternatives become mainstream (perhaps 20% of all sales and rising) the small car wave's yet to crest IMO.

i was serious. don't care for the wheels, though the slender spokes serve to make the vehicle appear taller to me. the Enclave looks sweet and'll probably see many iterations in the wheel department over it's run.

Seems like they're consciously restricting their efforts to compete effectively in the subcompact class as with the Cooper Mini, the 'ota Yaris. Seen the "New" Aveo? To describe it as ugly is being kind. Often, at work, I'll discuss with my superiors why we at GM don't seem interested in making sure that everything we produce isn't top shelf quality and class leading. I'll sometimes get the 1000 yard stare as a response to my queries, as if I'm reminding them of something uncomfortable. In March of '05, Mr. Lutz visited our assembly plant (Doraville, GA), and paraphrasing him, he said we'd "gotten the short end of the stick" with the mini-van to "cross-over" make over. Lovely, so the vans come down the line, we spend unbudgeted $ to make 'em right, and as a result, the product is the ugly step-child of GM, now that Baltimore MD is shuttered. Madness.

Yep, in Doraville GA, cradle of the Uplander, Terazza, Relay, and export-bound SV6 Pontiac Montana, over 1000 have signed on thus far. That's out of approx. 2800 currently active hourly. The "buzz" says that folks are waiting until near the deadline on the 23rd of June and will likely see another 500 folks (or more i'm thinking) rush the office to ink their separation papers. This location in particular is very ripe in terms of utilizing the SAP. Most'd rather not have to transfer again. And those who've never worked in another plant don't find the prospect of moving palatable, especially if they're close to retirement We're still assembling the cross-overs at a much reduced rate. For example, the 2006 model went into production in mid-July '05. There were 6 weeks of extra downtime factored into the run of '06s. We changed over to start production of the '07s in mid-May of this year. So, that means that the outgoing '06s were in production for less than 9 full months. Buy now! They'll be hard to find in another 8 months to a year. By the way, Gettlefinger's made some common sense comments re: the UAW's need to retrench to survive in a changing labor market. I suppose, that if you're quoted often enough, or "sound bitten" often enough, the odds are that you'll say one or two things which sound thoughtful, or lucid. He has lost touch with the backbone of the workforce which actually does get the work done. His minions on the factory floor still champion the miscreants, the slackers and slugs-a-bed. By default, and with any luck, some of those'll be grabbing the tin-ring and exiting GM stage-left. Because, since GM is slowly, but with undeniable certitude, gaining the upper hand, the word out on the floor is that if you stay, best be prepared to work!

Yes, agree those wheels, and others similarly styled are too "busy". What a joy to clean by hand too.

In this world/country, perception is reality. love those smilies. Thanks C&G.

How about a low-slung "Batman Begins" type tumbler w/ 4 or 5 seats.? 8)

No, it's cool. Be seeing alot of those around.

I disagree also. To paraphrase Bill Joel; " i love it just the way it are".

We know that you are correct. Beside the point, GM and Ford are in this together. Please take a moment to think on that.

You are absolutely F@#ckin' right!

So, can anyone say, with any degree of certainty whether or not the "Upchucker" gets the fork stuck in it within the next 6 or 7 months? Please, I have been saving a ceremonial fork for such an occasion.

As a slogan, it doesn't sing like "waste not want not", but it will do. And, a round of kool aid for the boys in the backroom.

What about Wal-Mart? They employ half of China, which is turning into a cesspool. All that pollution should melt an ice cap or two on it's own. Mr. Friedman response requested.

Yeah, we've seen a decided uptick in injuries to our "Temp" workforce. Mostly lacerations. According to freshly minted plant legend, there've been 3 walkouts 'mongst the "temps" who've been unable to fully embrace the horror. But remember, they have no stake in long range job prospects here in Doraville, GA since we are the "plant of the damned" being slated to close sometime between now and 2008. Also have heard (but not seen with my own eyes) that 4 out of about 180 so far have been summarily dismissed with less than one week of work under their belt. Contrary to the Company's and Union's stated position (I.E. "...safety is our overriding priority") an automobile assembly plant, indeed all related component plants are inherently dangerous places to work. But you know that for the "advocacy" of the two- faced beast that is Union/Management, you're basically on-your-own when it comes to leaving work at the end of the day physically safe and sound. If GM ran on hypocrisy, s*@t, they could sell hypocrisy credits to lagging competitors and still be flush with excess. And, if the UAW were really in the business of looking after their members they'd not be faced with a steady slide in membership. In summation, if you're really concerned with your safety at work, and you've been unable to get people to see things your way, just takes an articulate letter to OSHA to see 'em scramble at your plant. See, management doesn't like it when the Feds intervene. They'd prefer to continue on as "masters of their domain", so use that power wisely, and be prepared to deny writing that letter 'til your dying day. Enjoy.

Good Grief, I am getting old. First I'm shocked to've lived long enough to see a Transformers revival, and Second to see that it rates a movie based on them. That said, anything that keeps Camaro in the conciousness of the masses would be by default a good thing. And it looks good in the 'bee paint scheme. Has Chevy got so many of the new ones stockpiled already that they can be in more than one or two places at once?

Yes, I quite agree. Saw my first 2007 Camry up close, and thought the styling very overwrought, overthought. But I'm just one person.

Yeah, forget the fact that the assembly of all these highly touted, high quality vehicles is overseen by some obtuse, kool-aid chuggin' managers throughout the corporation. Try to reason with 'em to secure a long term fix, and you WILL be ostracized in short order. Perhaps I've been too strident in protesting in the past, but Shooting Themselves In The Foot as per the 'Vette snafu just makes me nauseous.

Two words: Liquid Nails. :AH-HA_wink:

Thank You all for the kind comments. I'll keep you "posted" re: any type of response from Mr. Phelan. I think the letter is something of a catharsis. There are hundreds of thousands of individual stories like mine.

born from jets. looks somewhat phallic. get my bullhorn.