FUTURE_OF_GM

Meh... Sorry, Zeta hasn't been in NA longer than a few weeks, yet it seems to be doomed already because of a "poor performance" Am I going to cut GME some slack? I don't think so... GM needs to learn that politics can come from both sides of the pond.

I have a question: Anyone remember those Malibu threads where I was made out to be the enemy because I wasn't jubilant about a few kind words from the media? Ladies and Gentlemen; I'd like to introduce you to REALITY... Like I said; the positive media exposure was fleeting. All it took was a few negative remarks about GM's finances, an 'industry doomed by CAFE' and some speculation about which division dies first and voila! We're right back where we started with Consumer Reports rating the Malibu last and every other media outlet in america trashing GM & Ford for the sake of watching them die. I'm sure days like today are only the first of a wave of bad sentiment.

OKay.. Am I asking for every car in the GM stable to be RWD/V8? I don't think so... All I ask is that I have a few more options than a Corvette or a Cadillac. Gas is not an issue for some of us. Like it or not; Pontiac should ALWAYS have a V8 flagship car if it is to be the 'performance division' of General Motors. Leave the turbocharged V6 halos for Buick, Saab and Saturn. Jesus man, it's no wonder america gets eff-ed over so much these days... 2 months into the fuel economy regs and most of you "enthusiasts" are already throwing in the towel and swallowing whatever is shoved down your throat. Whatever happened to innovation? Why do people buy Abercrombie Jeans when American Eagle Jeans will suffice? Why do I buy a V8 when a V6 will suffice? Freedom of choice! (Which is slowly being taken away in our new homogeneous misery that is reality)

Yeah, I got heavily involved last year when I took up the position of Publicity and Marketing Chair and this year I'm that as well as Event Co-Chair. My GF has chaired the event now for 3 years, and actually, had it not been or her dedication, we probably wouldn't have a Relay now. But alas, we have established ourselves as a student organization and increased awareness probably ten fold from where we were a few years ago. Our school, despite being close to the largest in the UNC system has ZERO school spirit (76% commuter school) but we still usually manage to pull in $40 - 50,000 a year. For example; UNC Chapel Hill (roughly the same size as us) does about $250,000 each year. We've gotten a slow start this year, but hopefully we can meet our goal again. ($45,000) Too bad I'm broke, for a little bit I'd hit the road and come to your event. Not to hijack your thread, but our website is UNC Charlotte Relay For Life Donations are accepted

I play guitar and violin... Also growl really well. Next up: learning bass.

If that is the case, then I hope the company burns in an agonizing death.

So now my choice to buy a V8 is a "stigma" Well, I think the choice to buy a hybrid is a horrible one as well (The batteries will destroy our environment) but I don't insult people because of it. No V8 available = No sale. Simple as that. V8's need to be offered in stuff other than Cadillacs and Corvettes.

GOOD! The last thing Pontiac needs is an identical coupe to Chevrolet. And also, the LAST thing Pontiac needs is a sports coupe based on a heavy assed sedan platform. C'mon guys! Common sense. Pontiac needs SOMETHING, but a rebadged Camaro it ain't. ...f@#k... Someone needs to enlighten GM that RWD doesn't have to mean big n' fuel thirsty. Are they really this stupid? Kiss Pontiac goodbye fellas. And GM can kiss my ass goodbye. Obviously! So what is it going to be? I guess this bull$h! is a result of Chevrolet and Cadillac whining? (Since apparently those are the only two divisions that will matter in the future... apparently) I agree! But one V8 needs to be offered at least. Looks like GM's gonna water the Enclave down.

Umm... Hell no!

YAY! Another blob with a cut off ass. (Much sarcasm implied)

RichW5 -- FTW!!!

An ex-general once told me "War is no longer for the battlefield. Who says the United States isn't at war now?" He was referring to the continued buying and selling of our resources here in america to countries that are essentially our enemies. Likewise he mentioned that the we were also fighting a war of perception around the globe that was being perpetuated by our enemies. I'd like some of whatever you're smoking, please. I have this debate with my mom all of the time. She gets so frustrated that I essentially hold out no hope for this country. I'm just preparing myself for the inevitable fall of america.

Meh... It's not like it matters. History be damned; we're americans and by god we'll sell our soul to the highest bidder. This country has done nothing but whore itself and it's resources out for the better part of 20 years now. It's a sad day and it's only going to get sadder as the empire continues to collapse.

Awesome! I'm actually the Co-Chair for our event here in Charlotte. Relay is such a great cause. I actually wouldn't mind starting a career with ACS upon graduation.

I'd probably check out his new stuff.

Wow... Press is wasting no time draining the life out of ChryslerSoon it'll become perfect machine of mianstream bland (Just like Toyota before it) This is IMO. The Viper might not be the car that the Corvette is, but it's still a bright spot in the dying sunset that is becoming our car enthusiast culture. It has an image and history all it's own. I guess Chrysler fans can have fun trying to get enthustastic about chinese sports cars and a Camry with a Dodge grille, since apparently the death of both the Viper and Hemi are inevitable. How long until RWD follows? But, then again, I guess Cerberus is just preparing Chrysler for it's eventual chinese owners. Hell, the quality is already there.

I think Pontiac has a lot of potential with the youth. Most of them, car people or not, know of the almost exaggerated muscle car/Trans Am folklore of the division. In that respect, the division represents a certain freedom to a lot of them (Especially with 'vintage' being the in thing now) I see more young people in G6's than I see in Cobalts or Auras. (Too soon to judge on the new 'Bu and Asstra)

Best of luck, man! Sorry to hear about your dad, I hope everything is okay. Don't be a complete stranger, I always enjoyed your lounge posts as well as you industry related topics.

Yep, a history that I care nothing about. I'm not anti-Saab; never have been. I just think it was stupid to kill a perfectly healthy brand and continue one with less volume that has never made a profit for it's parent company. That's just common sense and business basics. If GME can't make money with a division as simple as Saab, how is their leadership (supposedly influencing GMNA and succeeding Lutz) going to manage the multiple divisions here and deal with the damage done to those divisions from years of criticism? I agree... But there are more important divisions. 150,000 units for a global division is barely enough to justify it's existence, if it even does. I agree there too. But I have a major problem with the projections. If they only want to sell 150,000 units, then what's the point? Especially for one of GM's supposed 'expansion brands' (Cadillac, Hummer, Saab & Saturn)

Yep... That's right GM... Giving GME power here in GMNA is an EXCELLENT idea! It's too bad Saab didn't die instead of Oldsmobile.

+1 Well... I'll still have the Focus hanging around. I could see myself buying another small car, as long as it's appealing. I'd consider an HHR SS, Caliber SRT-4, another Focus (if it ever gets redesigned) or a small Pontiac if it wasn't a rebadged Chevy. I'll prolly drive whatever I want though once I get out of school. I'm willing to make sacrifices in other areas of my life in order to afford fuel. For instance, I'll never have children.

I don't... Like I said; I'm all for choice as long as I have the CHOICE to buy an ICE. And I'm betting that's not a part of the technology humpers plans.

The new "badge engineering" spiel is just a ploy by the media to eliminate domestic divisions. There are few, if any badge engineered detroit products now. And if there is; then we need to start talking about Toyota/Lexus models and Honda/Acura.

Someone on Camaroz28.com brought this up too.. But the problem is the added weight of the batteries. Sure, you'll have torque at zero RPM but then how is the added weight going to counteract that in a pull? Besides, if the only reason I drove an ICE vehicle was speed, I'd buy a motorcycle. Here's hoping that fuel cells see major technology problems for the next 20-30 years.