Z-06

I think the DI 2.4 should be standard on the cobalt nee cruze.

I agree with you if Caddy wants revenue they need to have a sub CTS. I wanted to understand what Croc thinks about the platform in his plan. I wanted to understand whether he thought it would be a viable alternative to keep a sub-CTS vehicle in Caddy lineup if so the reasons behind it.

Hun

Other than that what do you think about my response?

Linkity GM releases turbo upgrade kit for Solstice GXP, Sky Redline and HHR SS The Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Redline, and Chevrolet HHR SS are plenty of fun with 260 horsepower underfoot, and we can only imagine that the joy quotient increases as power improves. General Motors' performance division knows as much, and it's now offering an LNF Turbo Upgrade kit to kick its 2.0L turbo direct injection engine into gear. The kit consists of a new engine calibration and MAP sensors that will push your turbo four to 290 horsepower and up to 340 lb-ft of torque with the six-speed manual transmission (315 - 325 lb-ft with a slush box). The new factory turbo kit also keeps the precious warranty intact, which is a huge bonus over other aftermarket setups. The LNF Turbo Upgrade also gives the GXP, Redline and SS the same "no-lift shift" functionality as the Cobalt SS Turbo, which enables you to shift without taking your foot off the accelerator. The kit also bumps the redline by 200 to 6500, but the hulkified 2.0L engine will now demand premium fuel to deliver its increased power delivery. The General is also working on a similar upgrade kit for the Cobalt SS, and it should arrive at your local Chevy dealer during Q1 2009. The LNF turbo kit delivers some added pop to three already fun vehicles, and it can be purchased at a GM dealer for $650. Is it worth the extra coin? It's up to you, but we're guessing it couldn't hurt. You can check out assembly instructions for the LNF Turbo Upgrade kit here.

No he was out way before the f@#k up. He quit in 2001 after making boat loads in the software bubble. He is one of those who knows markets pretty damn well and somehow made sure he was out of all tech stocks before April 15 crash.

So true. This is and will never be a volume vehicle.

This is what I wrote to him: Udaymama, I think I disagree with this article that starts with saying GM has a low quality, wasteful production system. To begin with that is not only an understatement but a statement showing lack of knowledge of what GM has done in terms of production system. First off, 2 out of 5 top plants in North America, in terms of productivity are owned by GM - not Toyota. In terms of average productivity defined as number of man hours per car, GM's Oshawa plant betters most of the world plants and even the likes of Toyota's in their home field. This incorrect underlying assumption of the article itself makes me doubt the viability of the rest of the article. What was out-dated for GM was its pro-Union system and Union's outrageous desire of milking the Capitalists of GM in the past. But things are certainly taking shape for better. When you are at top of the world everything looks trivial, can't we say the same thing about team Australia too? It is human mentality. Even, ubiquitous Toyota is showing cracks in its efficient system since they are now No. 1. While GM has made mistakes in the past and should deserve the death according to hardcore Adam Smith's capitalism, for the first time I believe it is not GM's problem which has caused them to go for loans, but it is the total American disaster which is pushing it to the brinks. GM as a matter of fact after its turnaround in 2006 had started to make profit in the second quarter of 2007 including the North American operations. Currently as the scenario holds: 1. Toyota is sitting on 57 Billion dollars of cash, so 50 million is a chump change for it. While, GM has to burn cash through its reserves. If Toyota was in such a position as GM's, I certainly do not think training its employees would have been management's top priority. 2. Toyota's American manufacturing plants (known as transplants here) do not have unions and therefore do not have to worry about a) paying idled workers, b) legacy costs even if they do not sell any vehicles. 3. Most of Toyota plants are young which means, there have been no retiree compensation or insurance benefits as their burden. 4. While it is true that Toyota has not fired workers it has sent part of its workforce on a "leave". As for the safety comment, do you know that GM has the only plant in the world which has been approved as the Green Plant, meeting all safety and hazardous requirements of the international standards. Not even Toyota with their green image can match that feat. While sentiments are strong on either sides, one should have balanced approach. I think the article does not follow that princinple. Regards,

Linkity 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP priced at $39,995 PRESS RELEASE Pontiac today confirmed pricing for the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP will start at $39,995, including $685 destination and freight charges and $1,700 in applicable federal gas guzzler taxes. With 415 horsepower and 0-60 times well under 5.0 seconds, the G8 GXPs is the most powerful production Pontiac ever created and comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission or an optional ($695) six-speed manual transmission. A $900 sunroof option is also available. Final EPA fuel economy ratings for the G8 GXP are 13 miles per gallon in the city, 20 miles per gallon on the highway.

Linkity GM delays Volt engine plant, car still on track General Motors has said that it won't allow ongoing financial hardships to put a damper on the Chevy Volt development program, but a recent announcement that its plant in Flint, Michigan may be delayed could have cause for some worry. The Flint plant is where the 1.4L four-cylinder engine that will be used as a range-extender in the Volt is scheduled to be built. This plant is also expected to assemble powerplants for the upcoming Chevy Cruze that will replace the aging Cobalt when it goes into production at GM's Lordstown, OH plant in April 2010 as a 2011 model. Because the Volt and Cruze are still so far away, this plant's delay isn't likely to have any effect on either car's proposed production dates. Regardless, expect to hear plenty of doom and gloom-style news over the next few days regarding the future of The General's new fuel-saving hotness on account of this plant's delay. The reality, though, is that there won't be a Volt program to worry about if GM is unable to keep its doors.

Linkity PRESS RELEASE GENERAL MOTORS' NEWEST ENGINES HELP SAVE FUEL AND MONEY New technologies and vehicle enhancements will enable GM's 2009 domestic car and light truck lineups to save 700 million gallons of fuel over vehicle life as compared to the 2008 GM fleet Chevy Equinox four-cylinder model to offer class-leading highway fuel economy PONTIAC, Mich. – Owners of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox crossover will hit the streets next summer in a vehicle equipped with a highly efficient, all-new engine that will help save both fuel and money. The 2010 Equinox will be offered with a choice of two new direct injected (DI) engines that use less fuel yet make more power – a 2.4L four-cylinder and a 3.0L V-6. The 2.4L engine delivers an estimated 30 mpg in highway driving (EPA certification pending), placing the Equinox at the top of its segment in highway mileage. Consumers who drive the 2.4L-equipped Equinox 15,000 miles per year will save 134 gallons of fuel or about $270 to $400 annually (assuming gas prices of $2 or $3 per gallon as compared to 2009MY Equinox). The Equinox will join a growing roster of direct injected vehicles from GM, including the all-new 2010 Cadillac SRX crossover and 2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan, which, along with the Equinox, debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In fact, for the 2010 model year, GM will offer more DI models in North America than any other manufacturer. "We first introduced direct injection in North America in the 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line and the Pontiac Solstice GXP," said Tom Stephens, executive vice president, GM Global Powertrain and Global Quality. "We've been rolling out the technology across our portfolio as quickly as we can so that our customers will have additional fuel savings options. Direct injection is a state-of-the art engineering solution because it enables improved fuel economy and lower emissions without sacrificing power." In the 2009 model year, GM offers six engines in 18 models globally with direct injection. By 2010, GM will have eight direct injected engines in 38 vehicle models, covering 10 percent of its global volume. In North America alone, GM will offer 18 models with direct injection. GM's fuel-saving lineup GM's direct injection push is part of a larger effort to implement multiple fuel-saving technologies across its 2009 portfolio. The all-new 2009 Chevy Traverse crossover, for example, enjoys best-in-class highway fuel economy (24 mpg for FWD models) of any eight-passenger SUV, thanks in part to its 3.6L direct injected V-6 engine with variable valve timing. In 2009, GM expects to sell 500,000 vehicles with gasoline direct injection. Here are additional fuel-saving facts about GM vehicles: Twenty models in GM's 2009 lineup deliver EPA-rated highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or more – more than any other automaker. GM's non-hybrid models rank first in highway fuel economy in both the midsize sedan and subcompact segments. (Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura with 33 highway mpg; and Chevrolet Colbalt XFE and Pontiac G5 XFE at 37 highway mpg.) GM's 2009 domestic car and light truck lineups will use 700 million fewer gallons of fuel than the 2008 lineup, during the life of the vehicles, saving $1.4 to $2.1 billion in fuel costs, assuming gas prices of $2 to $3 per gallon. It's estimated that GM's 2010 lineup will add another 1.1 billion gallons of fuel savings and $2.2 to $3.3 billion, relative to the 2008 lineup. GM's advanced engine technologies are already saving fuel today in vehicles on the road or expected to be sold in 2009. They include: More than 3.7 million vehicles with variable valve timing (VVT) 700,000 vehicles with direct injection 600,000 vehicles with Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology, which automatically lets the engine run on half of its cylinders when full power is not needed 200,000 vehicles with turbocharged gas engines 42,000 vehicles with both direct injection and turbocharging More than 2 million vehicles with fuel-saving six-speed transmissions 2.4L DI details The new 2.4L DI engine delivers an estimated 180 horsepower (134 kW) @ 6700 rpm and 172 lb.-ft. of torque (232 Nm) @4900 rpm. It uses technology based on GM's other four-cylinder direct injection applications, but with unique features designed for its specific application. This includes an 11.4:1 compression ratio that helps build power, slightly dished pistons that increase combustion efficiency and injectors with an application-specific flow rate. GM benchmarked the best fuel system and noise attenuation products to provide customers with quiet operation. 3.0L DI details The new 3.0L DI engine is a variant of GM's family of high-feature DOHC V-6 engines that also includes GM's 3.6L DI engine in the Cadillac CTS – an engine named to Ward's AutoWorld's 2009 "Ten Best Engines" list for North America, for the second consecutive year. The 3.0L is rated at an estimated 255 horsepower (187 kW) and 214 lb.-ft. of torque (290 Nm), for an impressive power-to-displacement ratio of 85 hp per liter. (Output will vary by model.) The 3.0L DI features an isolated fuel injector system that reduces the direct injection high-pressure fuel system pulses for quieter operation. Rubber isolators are used with the fuel rail to eliminate metal-to-metal contact that would otherwise transmit noise and vibration from the high-pressure fuel system. Along with direct injection technology, both the 3.0L DI and 2.4L DI engines use variable valve timing to optimize power and fuel efficiency across the rpm band, as well as reduce emissions. How DI works In a conventionally port fuel injected engine, air and fuel are mixed before they enter the combustion chamber. With GM's DI engines, fuel is sprayed directly into the cylinder where it is mixed with air. As the piston approaches top-dead center, the mixture is ignited by the spark plug; and when the fuel vaporizes in the cylinder, the air and fuel mixture is cooled. This enables the use of a higher compression ratio in the combustion chamber, which improves the engine's power and efficiency. On cold starts, direct injection can be controlled to create a richer air/fuel mixture around the spark plug, making it easier to ignite in a cold engine. This results in a smoother operation of the engine and lower emissions during the cold start and warm-up, when most harmful tailpipe emissions are typically created. GM's direct injected engines reduce cold-start vehicle emissions by 25 percent. Because the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber, direct injection uses higher fuel pressure than conventional fuel injected engines. This is enabled by a special high pressure pump driven by one of the engine's camshafts.

Linkity What Toyota knows that GM doesn't I replied the sender who happened to be the ex-VP of Meryl Lynch India operations. I will post it later.

Will you please clarify?

What about the supposed alpha then? There should not be a Caddy on that platform?

Corker's plan indeed was a simple and practical one. Unlike his other southern counterpart, he laid down some practical points. What GM, Ford and Chry must accept is in short terms they may have to sacrifice market share if they want to make long term viable. In order to go five steps ahead you sometime have to put a step back. Unfortunately, modern captains of industry do not see that as an effective strategy, as they believe going negative is doom and gloom. It is always easy to battle to the top spot, and always difficult to maintain the top spot. Given current resource crisis, GM would be better off to stave off their dream for volume for time being before it makes itself profitable, and then gun for the top spot again.

Von, I pass my condolences to you and your family. I hope you guys stay strong in such a terrible time.

So a FWD EPII with all those body styles?

They have lower speced i7 CPUs for like $230 and change. Glad to know about their problems. Sadly AMD has been left in dust by Intel. I hope they do not die and make intel the sole chip maker.

I disagree. In modern terms the success of a platform, or a car judged by its volume not by its exclusivity. Those plain vanilla brands bring volume because the number of people showing up in the vanilla showroom is higher than those showing up in specialized one, thus having higher probability of people looking, knowing and purchasing the product. Low cost vehicle can bring money back that is spent in the R&D of the platform by their sheer volume. As can be seen from the Sky-Solstice example, despite being a better looking product, Sky was outsold by the Solstice. I have met some people who in 2008 did not know that Saturn made sky, despite being in the market for nearly three years. This is the exact reason why Toy is working on a RWD along with Subaru or that Porsche builds Cayenne on Tuareg's platform.

Or it could be an alpha. Since zeta is too heavy and not geared to CAFE 2020 according to some folks. I would however like to see a convertible and wagon in the mix too.

Motif: Not what you drive but how you drive matters.

Intel i7 with its tri memory technology. I have heard initially testings show that it runs circles around the current 45nm processors from intel. Phenom tri core might be fun for budget people. Android - so much for the google hype. Better and cheaper SSD's. Intel already has made one which is faster than a 10k Raptor.

Chevrolet would have been better off with a Kappa. That would have bode well with fighting off 350Z and would have justified having both coupe and convertible version. It would not have stepped into Camaro or Cobalt SS, both different animals as one has 4 seating capability despite being a RWD like the kappa, while the later is a FWD. As for the baby corvette version, what Chris meant was rather than the name a vehicle that sat underneath the vette. Trust me, I would not like to dilute my favorite owned car's name either.

Giant conspiracies like these to work in unison will require too much coordination, patience, skill, and farsightedness which none of these people have.

What surprises me that these very people who wanted the so called Archaic and out of touch car companies to be killed (remember one yahoo correspondent-ess - who said GM must die) are now supporting these companies. Are people so short-memoried, fickle and short-sighted?