Z-06

[source: Motor Authority] Cadillac tops brand satisfaction survey for the second year running In today's competitive market building reliable cars that customers are satisfied with is the key to improving sales and maintaining market share. A number of companies conduct vehicle satisfaction surveys to offer consumers a comparison between brands and specific models, and one of the most influential is California's AutoPacific, which has just released its list of 2009's most satisfying vehicles. Taking out the title for the 'Highest Satisfaction Brand' was Cadillac, which won the same award last year. Despite the financial turmoil surrounding its parent company General Motors, there appeared to be no affect on customer impressions of Cadillac vehicles after long term use, at least in this round of testing. While Cadillac stayed in the same position it achieved last year, Hyundai managed to improve the most by jumping 11 positions in the overall brand satisfaction rankings. Hyundai also managed to take out two vehicle-specific awards for the Genesis and Sonata sedans, which were reportedly the most satisfying cars in the 'Aspirational Luxury Car' and 'Premium Mid-Size' segments, respectively. Meanwhile, the vehicle registering highest overall satisfaction in 2009 was the Lexus LS luxury saloon. The LS scored 99 points above the industry average to place first among all 2009-model year vehicles in AutoPacific's survey of more than 25,000 new vehicle owners and lessees. The truck or SUV with the highest overall satisfaction score was the Cadillac Escalade. In terms of its methodology, the survey was given to buyers of new vehicles that were purchased or leased during the fourth quarter of 2008, a period when the public was just realizing that a major economic downturn was occurring. Incidentally, AutoPacific also recently released its list of 'Most Recommended' brands and vehicles, which saw Porsche take home the title of most recommended brand in the country by owners and Infiniti's G37 take home the gong for an individual model. The full list of individual segment winners for the most satisfying vehicles can be found below: Passenger Cars: Premium Luxury Car - Lexus LS Aspirational Luxury Car - Hyundai Genesis Luxury Large Car - Lincoln Town Car Luxury Mid-Size Car - Lexus ES Premium Mid-Size Car - Hyundai Sonata Mid-Size Car - Ford Fusion Image Compact Car - Toyota Prius Compact Car - Mitsubishi Lancer Economy Car - Honda Fit Sports Car - Porsche 911 Sporty Car - Scion tC Light trucks: Large Pickup - Dodge Ram 1500 Compact Pickup - Ford Explorer Sport Trac Luxury Sport Utility - Cadillac Escalade Large Sport Utility - Chevrolet Tahoe Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility - Ford Explorer Mid-Size Sport Utility - Jeep Liberty Luxury Crossover SUV - Land Rover LR2 Large Crossover SUV - Mazda CX-9 Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV - Toyota Venza Mid-Size Crossover SUV - Volkswagen Tiguan Compact Crossover SUV - Kia Sportage Minivan - Toyota Sienna

[source: Motor Authority] GM ties with Saab will remain in future models The future of Saab is starting to look much brighter, thanks in part to important concessions from General Motors to help it build and design its own range of cars in the future, as well as a likely extension from Swedish courts for its restructuring deadline. For a while it looked as though Saab may go the same way as Pontiac, but its chief engineer is confident the brand will be able to survive without GM. The GM concession being referred to is the investment in the Saab brand over the past few years, which has led to the company today having the best equipment, tools and engineers that it has ever had. Speaking with Automotive News, Saab's Mats Fagerhag explained that GM has given the company "new architectures and lifetime licenses to use them". Fagerhag went on to reveal that Saab also has the facilities to design and build its next generation of cars. The specific platforms Fagerhag is referring to include GM's global Epsilon II midsize architecture, the same architecture that the Opel Insignia sits on and soon the 2010 Saab 9-5, as well as the Delta FWD platform, which underpins the 2010 Opel Astra and Chevrolet Cruze. On top of already having vehicle architectures in place, Saab also has some specific engineering skills that it can use to develop its own identity as a brand. Its experience with all-wheel-drive gives it the opportunity to become the Subaru of Europe, and aligning itself with brand values such as safety and offroad performance will only help develop a unique brand identity. However, not everything will be a smooth transition for the Swedish company. Saab will face trouble due to the smaller volumes it will be working with in the future, including higher prices for materials and parts. Additionally, Saab will have to source its engines from other companies in the future. Despite these disadvantages, separating from GM will allow Saab to make quick product decisions and to work in its own best interests, rather than the entire group's interest. Despite some hurdles Saab is expecting to come out of the crisis with a new, unique approach and a move away from its past with GM - only time will tell whether or not it will be a winning strategy.

Identity crisis

Given his age, he needs a sugar sonny.

+1. The magazine writers are fuel to people's whim. When Cobalt was released. Magazines lauded the level of standard accessories equivalent to loaded Jetta's and Corollas at a lower price. It fails in the looks department and some questionable fit and finish issues, otherwise it is a great effort from GM.

And why is it a bad thing if it is a great product, and can be used as a free advertising and test drive source, yet making some profits by going into the fleets?

And how is that?

Camaro looks gorgeous in all colors and trim levels I have seen so far.

HD radio the dudes had apparently put in my car that I accidentally located last week. Love the HD radio sound.

Nice. Is it a Z06 (I do not see the badge) or you added the Z06 wheels? Pretty neat.

I am not digging the tall box design granted it will be more practical. If GM packages this car good and prices it right it may do a decent job even if it is not class leading.

Neuter

A Black Pontiac Solstice GXP and a Black Chevrolet Cobalt SS are calling my name constantly.

If I may ask, why the second thoughts?

Green Cobalt

Kimura as always great job.

Hey Blu. Take the tape measure and show us your size and same for other Cobalt owners. We want to see how much travel is there.

Sexiness. I was wondering which pornstar to watch while I shag tonight. This video fulfilled my wish.

True. They got half right, which is not bad for their first effort. GM should take competition by heart and move a step ahead. Trash talking the competitor is nothing but repeating the mistakes of the 70's when so called Japanese POS boxes were introduced and ignored and now those same POS are eating D3's breakfast, brunch, lunch, linner/dunch and dinner.

I never liked white cars. But this one is aggressive and in person photography in real world makes it look good.

Hyundai currently is in the mode of Good Concept to WTF happened to the current version? GM was like that not too long ago after it lost its design mojo in the late 70's.

Classic American writing in style of the 60's, 70's writers missing in the current twitter, facebook, blogosphere world. Pure facts with writer's emotions not biasing or forcing the judgment. Seriously Chris, have you taken any writing lessons?

Good Lord Man.

:rotflmao: What does the song mean? It does not have any theme, other than just some music and lyrics. And I am like, I don't get it.

You won't go wrong. In handling department it is a BMW/Corvette-lite on a wrong set of driving wheels.