smk4565

This Equinox is 187.8 inches long, the Edge is about 186, an Escape is only 175. Size-wise the Edge and Equinox are very close. All 3 tow 3500 pounds, but the Escape is body on frame, the other two are crossovers. Most people won't know the crossover vs SUV difference though, to me they are all SUVs and crossover vs suv is splitting hairs. We'll have to see what the pricing on the Nox is. Escape starts at $20k for a really basic version with manual. Edge starts at $26k.

I too was just thinking from the side it is really similar to the ML350, so that can't hurt.

I am not a fan of the C-pillar and rear window design, but I don't really like any SUVs. The plastic on the door panels looks a little cheap, this is a weakness of the Malibu as well. Massive improvement over the current version, but I think the Edge is slightly nicer. 4 and 6 cylinder options should attract a wider range of buyers though. The Saab, Cadillac and GMC versions look like they share some sheet metal, this is going to be the Lambda quadruplets competing with each other part 2.

Pontiac is going to be phased out eventually. They'll drop to G8 and Solstice while they close down Hummer, Saab, Saturn. Then around 2012 I suspect Pontiac will go also. They just can't close every brand at once. GM will be better for it also.

I wasn't impressed with the interior plastic on the door panels, this is a weak spot of the Malibu as well. The new Equinox is a massive improvement over the old, but I think the Edge is a little better. I am not a fan of the C pillar or the center console. The exterior looks much more expensive than the current model, but it looks too much like the Vue or Acadia up front.

Bottom line is the date on the bankruptcy filing will read March 30, 2009 rather than December 30, 2008.

The Regal is larger, it is identical in size to the Aura, the 9-3 is about 7 inches shorter, and sportier I can't see Saab being alive in 3 years though. I think Saturn will be dead also, so the Regal basically takes the place of the Aura.

I agree Chrysler is done for and headed to Chapter 7 liquidation. Wagoner even admitted that in 2007 GM spent $8 billion on labor costs, while Toyota spent $4.5 billion. UAW contract is a problem that needs torn up.

Agreed. This doesn't solve the problem, it just delays the day of reckoning. What if they haven't become "viable" by March 31st and the government recalls the loan, there is no way they will be able to pay it back then.

I have 2 concerns with Cadillac sharing Alpha with Chevy. First is people will be able to knock the BTS and say it is on a Chevy platform, just as the Lexus ES gets knocked because it is a Camry. 2nd, if the platform has a low enough cost to be in a Chevy, is it going to be as good as the 3-series platform? And by the time Alpha gets here, BMW will have an all new 3-series. Cadillac is already sharing the 3.6 V6 with the other brands and will share the 3.0 V6 as well, which is okay on a low end Cadillay, but they have to have some exclusive, leading edge stuff to pull buyers in. If you buy a BMW, you can't get that engine in any other car. If you buy a CTS you can get that engine in a $24k Chevy.

That will be too many cars on one platform, the Cadillac version will seem cheaped out. Buick only needs 3 cars, small, medium, large with lengths about 183 (cobalt size), 190 (aura size), 196 (G8 size) inches. How do you price the alpha Buick if there is a DeltaII car which would be $23-28k (assuming the Curze goes to $23k and Buick picks up there). If you price the Alpha Buick at $28k it overlaps with the Regal or LaCrosse. A rwd compact Buick will struggle to sell and could sell worse than the G8 is now.

No alpha Buick, Delta II makes sense. Buick buyers want soft, front drive is fine, it is easy to handle. Alpha has to be stiff and able to crush the Camaro SS in handling, because Alpha has to go against the 2012 3-series. So the Alpha platform will need a lot of time on the Nurburgring, no Buick needs to undergo testing in Germany.

For $42k you can get a Genesis loaded, a $42k CTS would be DI and some options, but not all. So both would have nav, heated seats, power windows, locks, etc. CTS wouldn't have cooled seats or 18" wheels, wood trim package or a spare tire (spare tire is an option on a Cadillac for some reason and the car doesn't come with run-flat tires either). The Genesis has a couple extra features that are negligible, but a huge advantage in stereo. The difference is powertrain. 304 hp V6 vs 375 hp V8. Genesis is faster than a CTS, Genesis' braking beats a 550i, and beats the CTS on the skidpad. Cadillac bragged about 3 mm panel gap tolerances on the CTS, the Genesis is 1.3 mm, tighter than an S-class. I haven't driven a Genesis, so I don't know what it feels like, maybe it doesn't drive as well as a CTS and is just good on paper. But I doubt it. I sat in the Genesis, the interior materials and build quality are equal to the CTS, the Genesis' leather is probably better. The Genesis isn't here to compete with the luxury brands though, it is here to boost Hyundai's image and I think it is working.

People underestimated Lexus 20 years ago, look at them now. The Genesis has really solid specs, and they have updates already planned for it. The Genesis may sell slowly now, but it's mission is to change Hyundai's image. 10 years from now Hyundai could be thought of as equal or better than Nissan, Chevy, Ford and for sure Chrysler if they are still around.

The Genesis is the car Cadillac wishes it had.

I hate how they did the gauges and how that part sticks up, the dash should have been one piece. Otherwise it is good for Buick and it has push button start. I like the 2010 MKZ more, but I am guessing the Buick will be a little cheaper than that. Better than an Azera or Avalon.

here is a picture of a Buick to get back on topic

This is what the CTS needs as options (it isn't all BMW stuff, some is STS or Merc stuff) 4 years free maintenance upgraded leather, leather on dash, not leatherette, brushed aluminum trim, not plastic wanting to look like metal upgraded carpet and floor mats 7.1 surround with at least 14 speakers, 400 watt (a Genesis has 17 speakers and 520 watts) 14+ way power seats heated steering wheel tool kit and rechargeable flashlight Blind spot monitor and lane departure warning LASAR adaptive cruise control power rear sun shade, manual side sun shades heated rear seats push button start headlamp washers electric close trunk (e-class you can shut the trunk from the driver's seat) voice command head up display night vision auto high beam headlights that switch off when oncoming car approaches cashmere headliner magnetic ride control On a side note, an 09 STS V8 premium luxury performance package is $68,165. No one in their right mind would pay that, the STS isn't that good and 07 STS V8s are like $25,000. If they revamp the CTS they can make a legit $47-67,000 car.

Ford is on their way to fixing problems, they don't need a loan right now and might get $6 billion for Volvo and can keep their focus on the Ford brand. If Ford could shed the legacy costs and get the pay rate (including health care) equal to the foreign transplants they would be in good shape. GM has a lot more problems than Ford right now.

Fully agree. The people that plan on spending $55-60,000 on a midsize sedan are looking at M-B and BMW and aren't even stopping at the Cadillac dealership to give the CTS a chance.

VanDevere Buick-Pontiac-Hyundia/Kia in Akron, OH has a 2008 DTS that looks pretty well equipped for $21,995. They also have a 2007 Accord with cloth is $20,995 (both are gray with about 28-29k miles). A 1 year old Cadillac should not cost $1000 more than a 2 year old Honda, but that is the sad reality of Cadillac resale value. STS is basically obsolete, it should be killed off and the exclusive features (blind spot, lane departure warning, etc) it has should be put on the CTS and the CTS should go up in price to make room for the Alpha car. The features that the 5-series and E-class have should also be on the CTS and material quality (leather, carpet, etc) should match up. Put the CTS directly against the 5-series in price. Bring on Alpha, make it outstanding, sell 80-100,000 of them a year here and then send it global.

It is bland, but it is well equipped and performs well. Cadillac, Acura, Lincoln, Volvo, Lexus, etc don't have a 375 hp V8 and 17 speaker stereo for $40 grand. Genesis is a great car in a boring package. I think the Azera is supposed to go away when it's life cycle runs out, but it is $7,000 less than a base Genesis and front drive vs rear drive, so that isn't much overlap. Especially compared to the Malibu and Impala or Acadia/Enclave intra-dealership competition.

It sounds as if there aren't too many requirements and conditions tied to this, aside from becoming viable and having a positive net present value on March 31. It is doubtful that they will reorganize in 3 months, and be able to prove viability. I think in March we'll be having the same discussion we had this month, and GM and Chrysler will be looking for another loan. They should be forced to bankruptcy on March 31 if they haven't fixed the problems by then. If they just keep kicking the can down the road, they will never fix the true problems.

Agreed. I sat in a Genesis and it was nice, it wasn't even the top of the line version. I am curious as to how they drive.

And it is going to win North American Car of the Year.