smk4565

For the most part, GM cars perform on par with the middle of the class they are in, but they don't have a lot of class leaders, the low weight will help there. The 4,000 lb Camaro vs the 3600 lb Mustang is the best example, imagine if the Camaro lost 400 lbs. I don't think GM should copy Toyota at all, or any one else, because the copy is never as good as the original. But Toyota has done a great job proving that it isn't about styling to most car buyers. So I don't think styling needs to be GM's top priority. GM beat Toyota in the US last month, but worldwide Toyota is #1 and Toyota has the deepest pockets of any car company. They rose to power with crap styling, and had a $17 billion net profit a few years ago. It may take GM 10 years combined to produce that.

I agree. GM overall is fine on most of these as you said, but weight drags them down. Weight makes the car slower, handle worse, brake worse, and use more gas. Weight is often a top complaint by car magazines reviewing GM products. Toyota styling is bland and boring, yet they are the biggest and richest automaker in the world. I however disagree about Hyundai, I don't think they will cut their warranty, it gives them an advantage that no one else is willing to match.

I actually think #1 is making, stronger, more focused brands, because people are attracted to strong brand images. That is why they buy a $5 coffee at Starbucks or a $70 shirt from Ralph Lauren or a $5,000 watch from Rolex. But of that group I voted weight. It isn't something a customer would look at, but lower weight means better acceleration, braking, handling and gas mileage. Lower weight creates positives in many other areas, where as exterior style or interior quality is only helping one area.

I've seen a couple, back end is way too big. The car looks more bulky than sleek or sporty. The grille on the current CTS is an improvement, but I like the first generation's body more, it was much more sleek. The current car looks wide and over weight.

The Fusion was a competitive car though in 2005-2009, and the refresh really helped it, especially adding the hybrid that beat the Camry. The Sebring is not even remotely competitive, so that refresh isn't going to make much of a difference. I doubt the 200 is any better than the Altima, Malibu, or Mazda6, and those cars have been out a few years. I'd slot the Fusion a little higher than them the Camry and Accord are sales champs, and the Sonata is rock solid, so the Kia Optima should be solid too. Then there is the Legacy and Passat to factor in. I doubt the 200 is better than any of the cars I listed.

Looks like the same body/greenhouse of the current Sebring, but with an Asian looking front end and some reworked tail lights. Same 4-cylinder as the current car, and a new V6. They might have leapfrogged the Galant, but my I doubt they've topped much of anyone else.

As tested, the Volt was over $44,000, even with the rebate it is a $36,000 car. To me, that is too much money for a 4-seat compact has compromises. Having to prepare to climb hills, or worry about it dropping speeds halfway up the hill seems like a bit of an inconvenience. And I'm sure the plug-in Prius and Leaf are just as bad. The problem I see with electric cars is you are paying $15,000 or more than a traditional gas car and getting less car. I know they have to start somewhere, but I don't see plug-ins as viable until they equal or exceed acceleration and range of a gasoline powered engine at equal cost.

Yes, it looks like they want to copy the Sonata. However, the Chrysler will no doubt be bad, because they haven't built a competitive sedan in my lifetime. I mean, when was their last decent sedan, like the 1950s? This company has gone bankrupt twice for a reason, only government welfare has kept it alive. This car will sell for the first year because some will get suckered in by styling, then sales will fold like a house of cards, just like the PT Cruiser, Crossfire, Pacifica, and 300C that came before it.

The Sonata is now the #3 selling car in the country behind Camry and Accord, and it almost outsold the Accord last month. And that was before the turbo or hybrid went on sale. So it seems plenty of people do want to buy them.

If the government's wish is to cut down on SUV sales, CAFE isn't the answer, just tax gas more. Europe has $7 a gallon gas, they aren't driving Tahoes and Grand Cherokees over there, it is all wagons and hatchbacks with diesels.

True, people want their tall AWD wagons because they think they are safer than a car, and it gives them more status than driving a sedan. This buying preference isn't helped any by the fact that many small-midsize cars, especially domestic aren't that good. And if the Kia Soul, Nissan Juke, and Scion-type vehicles are classified as SUVs, over 50% is no surprise. Many younger people like the versatility of them or that they are different from the sedans their parents drive. If better sedan options arise however, cars can take some of that share back.

Sonata Turbo for $24,145 is the way to go. Or a 2012 Focus Titanium for $22,000.

I don't think there is, that is why I don't think CAFE makes that much sense. Obviously more fuel efficient cars is a good thing, but people drive more miles than they used to. CAFE makes cars more efficient, gas stays cheap, people drive more, thus consuming more fuel. If gas was $5 a gallon, people would drive less, and thus burn less gas. Demand for electric cars or public transport would rise. Personally, I hope gas prices do stay where they are because I like being able to drive a V8 car without going broke. But if it did go to $7 a gallon or more, I'd have to use public transport, change cars, and reduce the amount I drive.

While rehashing the engine out of the failed (in the USA) Astra s a weakness, I actually don't think engine is the Cruze's biggest problem, it is price tag. And once they sell them to rental agencies, the resale value is going to drop on them, especially compared to a Corolla or Civic that hold value fairly well. The Cruze may turn out to be a big hit, but I remember reading in late 2003 how the Cobalt was going to go toe to toe with the Civic and Corolla, and it would be a savior to GM. That didn't pan out, and the Cruze might buck the GM small car trend, but price tag and engine are chinks in it's armor that the 2011/2012 Elentra and Focus are just waiting to crack. Not to mention a new Civic is around the corner.

He is a bit extreme, but has some valid points in there. We should raise the gas tax, that is far better than messing with CAFE. CAFE in a way regulate out freedom of choice, and it drives up the cost of cars. I'd rather see $5 a gallon and let consumers choose if they want to continue with their V8 (like I would) or switch to a hybrid to save money. $7 a gallon is too high, it would shock an already fragile economy. But $4 a gallon people can afford, and it would discourage those that don't need an SUV and buy it only for image (or fake feeling of safety), to buy a car instead. The additional $1 a gallon in taxes can go to improving our pathetic rail system. Japan, Europe and China have had Mag-lev trains doing 180 mph for years, and we are still messing around with diesel trains at 45 mph. Of course it is a large undertaking to build Maglev across the USA, but there was a time when we had no interstate highways too and we built those. And at the risk of getting political, I do agree with him about Afghanistan. Why spend money anywhere in the middle east, when that money could be used at home in the USA, and help the people that live here. Above all though, higher gas prices are the only way to discourage gas consumption. CAFE ONLY LOOKS AT MILES PER GALLON NOT GALLONS CONSUMED. Higher gas price means people would drive less, try to live closer to where they work, combine errands into one trip, car-pool, etc. By reducing miles driven, you reduce wear and tear on the roads as well.

Can't argue much with those choices, but GM doesn't really have them in the stable yet, and GM loves to pull engines from the parts bin. I do think 270 hp is a bit much for a small front driver though, that might torque steer all over the place.

They still sell cars?

They have a solid lineup, the weakness is the Focus and that will soon be resolved. The other good thing about Ford's lineup, is the Econoline van has only one competitor (GM's vans) and the Transit Connect has no direct competitor. The Fiesta is carving out it's own niche as well, Ford does a good job of being a mass market brand, but also finding segments that aren't overly crowded with Hondas and Toyotas.

Funny stuff, but the Cruze is made in Ohio. I think the execution on the Cruze is good, aside from the anemic engines, but $24-25k for a small Chevy is too much.

The new Elantra isn't even here yet, and it looks better and better every day. Cruze is too expensive, Jetta is all cheaped out and plain looking.

I think the Cruze goes too high in price, I am all for upgraded interiors and equipment like bluetooth, nav and a hard drive for music, but that stuff shouldn't cost that much. An iPhone does that for $300. Plus the Cruze engines are weak. The Chevy Cruze I think still needs to be about value and be affordable. A Buick version of a Delta 2 car could be in the $23-27k range and offer a comfortable, more luxurious interior with leather and some wood trim, kind of like the current Jetta does, minus the stiff suspension. There are a lot of 55-65 year olds with the kids gone that are downsizing, and would like a car like that. But for a Cruze to be $25,000, that prices out people with a lower income looking for a starter car.

I don't like how the CTS coupe looks at all, the A5 or 335i coupe looks better, especially the A5. I haven't sat in the CTS coupe, but I've been in the Camaro and it was super hard to see out of, so if the CTS is worse, it must be pretty bad. The sedan is a better buy, but there is a lot of plastic in the CTS and the leather quality isn't Lexus or Mercedes.

I think GM should just save time, and not even make a new Malibu and forfeit the segment to the Sonata, king of all mid-sizers. The Sonata is on pace to make up 50% of all new car sales by 2020, and studies suggest that driving a Sonata may cure cancer.

The Sonata's 198 hp engine is naturally aspirated. It makes 200 hp with the sport package. The Sonata is currently the #3 selling mid-size car behind the Camry and Accord, with only one engine. This fall, the Sonata Turbo with 274 hp, and Hybrid with 39 mpg city go on sale. Then they've got 3 engine choices.

The difference is Mercedes still offers a V12. So they fool the greenies in Europe with the diesel 4-banger, but then turn around and sell a 600 hp V12 in Saudi Arabia.