Cmicasa the Great

well my bigger point was that there is no reason not to be hitting all of those mini-segments as it would cost them very little in terms of investment as the vehicles essentially already exist within their portfolio. The Cruze really only needs a more powerful engine and a sportier suspension. It currently is a compact luxury car for all intents. The Sonic only needs a more powerful engine. Its suspension set-up in the RS is quite doable. This doesn't take away or suggest that the Diesel Cruze should not exist. It is a welcome part of the puzzle. In fact.. the diesel option should also be allowed to avail in the 'Nox and Trax

GM should also be stealing potential customers from GTI and RS

Where do U come up with this stuff. The Camaro's age demo is according to Chevrolet ... Camaro buyers cluster in two age bands—20 to 30 years old, and 45 to 55. Where the age demo may have a lot to do with sales this time around is in the 20-30 stage.. as again... the price is up by an avg $4000 and quite frankly a lot of 20-30 year olds simply can't afford to jump the gun as easily as they could with the Camaro5. The 45-55 age rang might just be opting for the C7 Vette that wasn't out from 2010-2014.. in all its iterations. The XTS should be going fleet. Cadillac is in serious transition. It has two large Sedans carrying the the same price in some areas.. and a large Sedan and a mid-size literally starting and continuing in the same price range. Truth is as long as the XTS is selling.. along with the Impala, and Lax on Epsilon.. they should continue making it. That car.. along with the Escalade is a money mint.

20% was not on all Impalas across the board and only ran for like a week and a 1/2 I don't see a problem here with the Sonic vs Spark. They are virtually the same car... and like the Trax.. should have been named, in this case, SONIC "Mini" and SONIC "Tall" to begin with. Obviously better names could have been hashed out. The look may have something to do with it up to a degree.. as Camaro5 buyers might not see enough change to jump to the new model.. even though the performance is hands down better. I still say that the main culprit remains pricing.. as the Camaro is still decidedly about $4000 more than a Mustang or Chally

Cadillac looks to be up.. Wow.. XT5 outsold the MKC and MKX combined.. even with the SRX still stealing some of its sales at 1300. Malibu dropped tremendously.. what has happened? I see them everywhere. GM put a hurtin on F-150 with 10K more Silvy/Sierras. Add in the Canyon and Colorado being up 20% and WOW. Loving how Cadillac is boasting highest ATP these days. Makes one wonder what they could do if they had more CROSSOVERS in the higher range

You could argue the Corvette better off with a twin turbo DOHC V8 though, and Cadillac could use one for sure. If there is a mid-engine Corvette (which should be a mid-engine Cadillac supercar) a high revving DOHC unit would be better there too. It is possible by 2025 the the Silverado, Sierra, Yukon, Suburban all have a V6 as their big engine, the Camaro SS will be a V6 by then, probably the only V8 Camaro will be a ZL1. I don't think GM will have a V8 for sale for less than $60-70,000 come 2025. CAFE just won't allow that. So if they keep the LT series, it is for Corvette and big Cadillacs, plus it wouldn't parts share with their DOHC V6. It probably makes more economic sense to have a 4 liter V8 sharing a block with the 2 liter 4 or 3 liter V6. OK.. I can give U this for 2025, or 9 years away. But what I speak of is 2016.. RIGHT THE f@#k NOW.. when the entire Cadillac range would benefit from an engine that we all kno will not only fit in their cars, but have all the tech and capability of anything that Germany has to offer.

Your top statement simply is no longer true.. Ironically U prove me right with your second one. The new name of the game in luxury seems to be EV. I think this is obviously due to the smooth, quiet and clean characteristics of that tech vs the Combustible Engine. Until the range of those engines, not to mention infrastructure is capable of allowing for zilch range anxiety.. not to mention time wasted waiting for a charge.. Cadillac, via Voltec might be the best positioned to soldier onward into that battle. Voltech should be employed thru-out their line-up, but the EV proposition should be one of powerful and lagless capabilities. The Full system horsepower is 449HP and 5.4 seconds. to 60 is strong.. but going directly after Tesla's higher HP and 2.9 second runs wopuld kill any debate of a need for V12s which typically aren't utilized so much for speed, but smoothness. EV nullifies that need

U kno what.. I'll be the first to say it.. Despite the Mustang's sales success due to fleet.. and evidenced by the current profits.. the only thing great about that car vs the Camaro is the tail lights. YES.. I think that Ford knocked the ball outta the park on the taillights vs the boys at Chevy on the Camaro's. Outside of that.. what does Ford really have that is special? The Raptor? The Focus RS which is possibly just a ghost.

Is that the new LaCrosse pictured above? Whatever it is, it looks damn good. Yeah. Its lovely

No doubt.. but in Europe.. Ford did beat GM by about $300Mil. Both need to figure out away to stay ahead of the Brexit Bull$h!

New Lacrosse looks sexy as eff. I've seen several Cascadas since they went on sale.. The Envision will spawn a great deal of sales as well.. presenting to GM the fact that "water is wet" or rather if U have CUVs in the line-up your sales will outta nowhere increase.

Press Release

This happened and I knu it would. I'm sure fanbois of Ford are now trying to figure out how to respond to the over $1B difference in selling more to fleet vs retail while still maintaining a lead overall. Expect the GM amount to grow as margin per vehicle does, especially with more consolidation of platforms coming. I will say that in the end I'm quite happy with Ford making a nice profit.. even besting Hyundai, Nissan, and VW

This touches on why I truly believe that GM should just stick with its LT series engines and kill the intro of the TTV8s it has upcoming

Ford just posted a $1.97 Billion net profit. Looks like we can see that Fleet vs Retail has its drawbacks

Sales are no as relevant as some make it out to be.. Mercedes has 16 models.. Audi about 14.. BMW, 12. They should be outselling Cadillac's 6 models. We all kno that a great deal of BMW and Audi sales are BS in terms of luxury. Only in the U.S. are they truly conveyed as over the top luxury in fact. The 3Series is a sales king along with the 5Series because of their massive fleet sales in Europe.. often being used as cabs, cop cars etc. GM has Opel for that. If U really looked at the numbers.. GM's Luxury brands account for somewhere around 2 Million PREMIUM sales. Putting Caddy at 500K would sweeten that deal. Even better is that when U get right down to it... adding more vehicles to Cadillac volume really revolves around the $33K+ range.. not under. We all kno that a great deal of BMW and Audi sales are BS in terms of luxury. Only in the U.S. are they truly conveyed as over the top luxury in fact. The 3Series is a sales king along with the 5Series because of their massive fleet sales in Europe.. often being used as cabs, cop cars etc. GM has Opel for that. If U really looked at the numbers.. GM's Luxury brands account for somewhere around 2 Million PREMIUM sales. Putting Caddy at 500K would sweeten that deal. Even better is that when U get right down to it... adding more vehicles to Cadillac volume really revolves around the $33K+ range.. not under.

More at PRESS RELEASE

Why are Camaro sales so relevant to this conversation? The Camaro's price and avail lower models is the issue. When one can go get a Mustang GT for the same price as a Camaro 4cyl or one can't even find those Camaro 4cyls then you know the Mustang is going to be the sales leader. Simple logic. There is no LS trim, not to mention a $1200 higher starting price over the base Mustang. No cash incentives outside of a lease or 0% finance deal. The 2016 Mustang has $1,750 on the hood or 0% APR and $1,000 cash incentive. Add that to the $1200 price discount over the Chevy and the reason is seen . The backseat thing is out from left field. And the Camaro is not and has never been a family car. I say this as I have lived thru all 6 generations and not once can I remember anyone of my family saying, "hey we are driving to Martha's Vineyard, let's all 5 of us pile into the Camaro (or Mustang) for a long comfy ride." People are getting ridiculous and they found one small thing to harp on to try an explain why a more expensive car, that is selling 8% (very Mustang 31%) rental, isn't selling in the same numbers as it's cheaper competition. It's official I need to lay off the Crazy Hater Pills BTW from. CAMARO6 website: Fleet (i.e. Rental) Sales (%) YTD: Mustang 31% Challenger 24% Camaro 8% (may be left over 2015's - I haven't seen a single 2016 for rent) Average Transaction Price (ATP) after rebates and incentives Mustang $34k Challenger $36k Camaro $38k Retail sales of : Mustang: 43,446 YTD Challenger: 26,302 YTD Camaro:*34,338 YTD

No doubt. I like their 3 Year warranty as well.

Huh??? My experience working on cars is vast. Wheel bearing are the least of my experience. I used to build engines back in the 90s along with my dad.. Used to change tranny without a lift.. lol.. using railroad ties to sit the car up on all fours. Body work.. interior redos.. Crazy the things U will do when money is not available and determination to ride in a sound and sexy car is your game.

Yeah.. between $600-and 700+ dollars.. Not to mention the time. I don't kno about U.. but I can use that saving to do something fun this weekend

Almost Thought She was PERFECT Anyway.. For the last coupla days I'd been hearing what I was thinking was a "roaring" issue or even a drone of sorts coming from the driver side rear area. So. yesterday did a careful inspection of the tires.. wheel.. brakes.. and then decided to make a few calls. Talk to my Corvette guy at the dealership.. then to a guy I kno who works at Merchants Auto.. then of course my dad.. and all unanimously said "WHEEL BEARINGS." OK.. I am at 57K on the ODO (purchased in July 2013, traded in Taja my '11 Camaro RS 3.6L).. and drive her like she's the Vette all day.. every day that I drive her. 1) Checked to see if under Drive-train (5/100K) Warranty.. NOPE.. Years it would have made bumper to bump (3/36K).. but I am 20K over that.. not to mention: from the Warranty: Exclusions: Excluded from the powertrain coverage are all wheel bearings, drive wheel front and rear hub bearings, etc So the next step was to find out the cost to replace.. part and labor. 1) Dealership quoted me $485 per side (included Part) X 2= $970 2) Merchants and the like all quoted $220 for part X 2 (if both sides were being done)= $440 + $400 in labor= Total of $840 3) Went "EFF!!! THAT BULL $#!+!!" 4) Called Advance Auto and check to see how much part was.. MOOG Part #513288 for Rear were $151.99 ea side.. and I needed two cause I be damned if I was gonna do one side today.. then turn around have to come back a month later and do the other.. So.. Price was $304 and I got 20% off of that because I ordered ONLINE. Total then was then knocked down to $242. Labor would be ME.. Free of charge The Job ++++++++++ Tools Needed: 1/2 and 3/4 Rachet . 18MM Socket; 13/16 Socket, another 13/16 Socket or Wrench. U will also need a hammer.. preferably a small arm Sledge 1) Jack car up on each side and remove wheels 2) Place Jack Stands under rear of car. Use jack stands for both safety and the fact that U will need to have Jack handy to lift control arm up to release tension on bolt connection. That Bolt will have to come out as it prevents U from being able to get to the Hub Assembly Bolts (3). 3) Remove Brake Caliper and Rotor Assembly with 18MM Socket. Prop up on something so weight will not be on hoses. 4) Remove Rotors 5) Next.. Locate the 3 Bolts that hold Hub Assembly on. U will notice that the top Bolt is somewhat obstructed by Control arm. Place Jack under rear shock and raise to relieve tension on control arm bolt.. then remove that Bolt with 13/16 Socket 6) Once obstruction is clear.. Remove the 3 Hub bolts 7) Once Bolts are out.. Hub will still most likely be "Frozen" in place due to rust. Break out the Hammer and tap carefully away from car to loosen. I had to get under the car and bang it out, careful to miss any other parts Now that it is out.. grab new one and reverse what U already did. Reassembly Complete.. Enjoy the "Roar Free" Ride. Total Cost has I taken it into Dealership: $970 and about 4.5 Hours or more Total Cost has I taken it into Merchants : $840 and about 4.5 Hours or more Total Cost Since I did it myself: $242 and 3 hours (Started at 9am finished at 12pm after I washed her up) Damn Baltimore/DC for their love of that damn Salt every time they see a flurry on the road.

I stand by what I said the other day in the ATS/Japan thread. It was as if the boys at CAdillac saw my suggestion (LOL as if) and said "yeah.. he knows what he's talking about " From June 14th:

Yup. People just don't seem to get this and I believe that the foreign companies invented this idea of "American Content" (see Camry) to play on the naivety of many Americans.