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Z-06

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Posts posted by Z-06

  1. The CTS isn't the issue. No CTS coupe means less total sales (the CTS coupe was an instant hit as shoppers in that segment like their cars to be a little bolder unlike ATS segment shoppers who tend to prefer more conservative coupes), and to boot we have higher transaction prices for the new CTS vs. the old one.

     

    It's the ATS that isn't doing so well, and then, of course, with only SRX and Escalade, cadillac is missing on the booming CUV segment.

     

    I agree that CTS needs a coupe and in some ways a radical one.

  2. But does the sales numbers really support the cost of R&D to put a manual into the auto's? Seems more and more people are wanting the stronger Auto than the manual.

     

    I fear that us manual drivers are a dying breed.

     

    As Drew stated, it has already been done. And the problem is equivalent to the chicken and egg. For this one the egg came first. GM is killing the manual transmission breed not the other way around.

  3. This is good news - competition is always good. I like how fast Toyota is reacting. Let us see how GM raises the ante.

     

    One thing GM does not have compared to Toyota is manual transmission for the 4-cylinder and V6 with 4x4.

     

    • Let us assume that the current generation Tacomas on sale are representative to that of the brand new Tacomas sold over the time period.
    • As of this moment, around the country approx. 12,400 current body style Tacomas are for sale; approx. 1,620 are manual transmissions.
    • Of that 9,000 are V6, 850 are V6 with manual.
    • 6,025 are V6 4x4 and of that 627 with manual transmissions.
    • There are only 935 4x4 in 4-cylinders, out of which 444 are MANUAL.
    • That is not a bad take rate, contrary to what GM claims only 2% will buy the WT manual. That is because dear GM, no one wants to buy the crap base be it Automatic or Manual. Manual transmission owners want gizmos also. Typical BS manufacturers throw for not producing manual transmission vehicles.
    • Also note from 2004 to 2009 top of the line 2WD V6 Tacomas did not have manual transmissions. That may skew the overall V6 numbers towards automatic. At any rate, ~13% manual take rate is nothing to sneeze about especially GM's analysis shows 2%, which I think is BS.
    • Agree 2
  4. GM transaction prices are up because GMT900 sales were up. Those are GM's cash cows.

     

    Bitch Please!! And that is a bad thing? Guess what more money = more development dollars. Just like what VW is doing with Macan and Cayenne to sustain 911 and Cayman. At least that is what it is telling its gullible sheep.

  5. Very well written. Yes, it is a cafe racer indeed a cross for people who want to have the cake (sport) and eat it (street) too.

     

    The looks were beautiful.The Helicon is a gem and the 8 piston front brake is a bomb. Too bad EB went under. The company would have really challenged the Japanese 4, Italian 2 and German 1 if this hooligan had a chance.

  6. It is a near complete package for a compromise body style - sedan. Good sleeper looks with amenities comparable to any mid-level Lux sedan, good power train, and that handling! This car is a rare gem.

     

    What can be improved? LT1 and 7-speed, but those imperfections are acceptable. I can see GM not using those to keep the price below $50K.

  7. But remember Audi is the #1 selling luxury brand in the world, they sell like 400,000 cars a year in China.

    This is where the problem for Cadillac is, they don't have the economies of scale or volume for GM to give them a massive R&D budget. So Cadillac gets limited to 3 sedans, a couple SUVs and maybe a coupe. It has been that way for 15 years. And they haven't expanded the line yet or got the money to do so.

     

    You are okay to justify Audi to be tarted up VW so as long it is #1 in sales, but yet you have reservations for Cadillac to be sharing anything within GM. If you want Cadillac to chase volume then you should be ready for Cadillac FWD based on Cruze, Equinox, Trax, Impala. Because like it or not FWD sells in masses.

     

    Cadillac should not be chasing Germans for sales crown. It should focus exclusivity. Let Buick handle the low rung BMW, MB and Audi. There is no need for a FWD Cadillac to compete the A3, 2 series (sedan) and CLA. Make Verano and Encore more potent, slap a GNX line and more features; that should do the trick. GM was already ahead in the FWD game with those two before the Germans jumped in, make them better.

     

    GM can make excellent case of economy of scales by diversifying Cadillac platforms with Chevrolets and Buicks/Opels. Cadillac does not need its own platform unlike BMW or Mercedes does.

  8. If I am spending $30B only to produce manatee faced FWD vehicles of different sizes, then please dear board of directors, fire me.

     

    I have been reading about Audi's 11-figure R&D for past three years from SMK. Audi has yet to produce anything of significance from that figure. May be it is going to have a nuclear fusion propulsion system tomorrow.

     

    A R&D of $1 with significant outcome is 1 billion times better than R&D of $1B with no outcome.

  9. Hey, I'm happy, it's got freakin laser beams.

     

    It needs a nuclear fusion reactor to make me happy.

     

    Also where is its off-road capability and to be fastest car while being uber leader in technology and luxury, yet being priced below the Spark? And it better give me 100,000 miles on one charge of nuclear fusion material. Otherwise I can show you how Land Rover, McLaren, S Class and any other moving goal post being better than this car.

  10. The Range Rover would own the Escalade off road though. The Escalade isn't made to be a true off roader. Secondly the Ranger Rover Supercharged has 550 hp and weighs less. Now if they give the Escalade the off road credentials and a 600 horse V-series then it could be game on.

    The Corvette is a fast car, but compare it to an Aventador or Ferrari 599 or a McLaren and it isn't even close, let alone something like a Koenigsegg or Pagani Huayra. Depends on where Cadillac would want to go, if Aston Martin Vantage and Jaguar F-type is their target, the Corvette performance level would be enough.

     

    Moving the goal posts as usual, aren't we?

  11. For engines with similar displacement, the one with lower cylinder count is more efficient than the one with higher cylinder count. The reasons are obvious - less heat and friction losses.

     

    For this comparison, there is more than it meets the eyes:

     

    1. We (at least I) do not know the turbo boosts of the Baby-Du/Di and Venturi.
    2. How much is GM holding back in this engine through compression ratio, etc.,
    3. How much room the engine accoutrements have to bring it to similar level of power as the Venturi.
    4. Torque and HP curves with peak RPM for the engines.

     

    Remember massive diesel engines like Cummins SX-15 family, have only up to 625 hp at max RPM of 2,000 and a torque rating of near 2,050 lb-ft from a 15 liter engine.

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