FUTURE_OF_GM

I can tell you this; Picking Hillary would've been a disaster IMO because it would've divided the party. Not to count, people like me who usually vote R but are thinking of voting D this time around might be a little turned off. Obama has this traditionally conservative voters attention and I might vote for him. However, put Hillary on the ticket and I'm out. Ultimately though I think this election suffers the same thing that the last 2 or 3 have: lack of choice.

I'm guilty of long topic titles. That's because I want to get as many reads as possible. It does get a bit annoying though.

So there are 2 Zetas at Cadillac? The ULS (Which I thought had been shelved LONG ago) and the DTS/STS replacement? Yeah... We don't really need a V12 right now. But it is a shame that it didn't see the light of day because it would've given Cadillac an image boost on the technology and prestige scale. I certainly hope the next naming scheme isn't the stupid DT7 that we've read about.

I'm still not that sold on it... I want to like it, but then I see the wheels (ripped off from the G6) and the roofline (Ripped off from the Ion) and the overall asian-esque proportions and I don't know. Get used to it guys... It's almost as if GM has abandoned it's home market in favor of growth regions. Does GMNA actually do anything anymore? I mean, I can see spending some big change in the growth areas, but don't completely give up on us at the same time GM. I do kinda get a Camaro vibe from the proportions of the front end though. I think it is better than the Cobalt and I think it will do well if GM markets it right. (So, it probably won't do so well)

The oil market was deregulated so that anyone around the world can buy oil futures. I want that deregulation reversed. I'm tired of reading "Hurricane criples refinery" and paying more for gas, then reading "Oil is at a 15 year surplus" only to have to pay EVEN more for gas. To me, it's the same thing that is crippling this country (through mortgages) It's a way for the upper 10% to make more money on the lower (less educated) 90%.

I agree and disagree. I always want to drive an ICE car. But I'd love for the market to move to many other types of propulsion. Less ICE cars equals cheaper fuel and less pollution. Not to mention, I'd LOVE to see GM hit one out of the park with the Volt to regain respect and share.

For some reason I really want a Chevette. I saw the Pontiac version at a gas station the other day (Was it Le Mans?) A find of mine had one with a manual. We took the exhaust off of the car and it sounded mean! LOL. It was a tough little car that endured a lot of abuse until he threw a rod (Yikes)

I predicted $3.50 and we're still a bit above that (in the $3.60 range)

I know, but if demand keeps climbing like some predict it'll eventually have an effect. On a related note; what about oil shale? is it still cost prohibitive? And what about horizontal drilling in the Dakotas? Seems I heard that it could be justifies now that the price is over $100/barrel

But there are so many variables... americans are already driving smaller and less. New technologies such as hybrids and plug ins and alternative fuels will ease demand (albeit not much, but still) China just added a displacement tax to curb purchases (which I think is but whatever) The dollar will get stronger, we'll start drilling off shore, hopefully the next president will CHANGE the way the oil industry swims in profit. I know all of that is speculative, but it's no different than some analyst flying off at the mouth and predicting doom.

I agree... It's all about psychology. I read something a while back that said as long as gas prices gradually increase, people will adjust and continue buying what they want. It's the spikes that kill us and scare everyone into a panic. I'll admit, this summer was pretty scary to me. I don't like waking up to a 10 cent increase in price overnight. But then again, it pisses me off because speculation is what's driving the price, not supply. So some fat cat on "The Street" is getting a bit more rich off of my back, basically. We should regulate the price of oil (on the market) and gradually raise prices to where they naturally should be. That way, the economy doesn't crash. I think Russia or Germany did that very thing, or something similar, this summer.

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleD...=12&IsPgd=0 The bad news: The hybrid looks to be postponed. (Probably because GM doesn't have the money)

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=130591 "in July, consumers' consideration of presumably out-of-favor segments including large crossovers, minivans and sports cars began a significant recovery, while consideration of small cars and hybrids actually began declining from levels in June."

Always... I've always had really sensitive sinuses. It's one of the many reasons I hate rain

Yep, and the sad part is that it's not even a supply issue.

I really can't wait until this green scare relieves us of what little freedom we have left... Displacement taxes? Fuel usage tax?!? A crime to live more than 5 miles from work?!/!? Then, after they zap 9pun intended) the fun out of our car hobby, they'll start dictating how we live. NO houses over 900 square foot! No stand alone houses! NO property ownership of over 1 acre. NO excessive use of electricty to heat! All the while, the fat cats like Al Gore live in their mansions and fly around in their gas guzzling personal jets preaching for the rest of us to change... Looks like my gun hobby is about to see some substantial investment.

Which is fine, because the 'big time' american character can flow over into Pontiac... Oh wait... I do want Chevrolet to keep some american flavor though. And if this country/culture weren't so self loathing, they might appreciate that. Then again, if this is what sells, maybe Chevy can do this and keep the american flavor in models like the Camaro and Corvette.

Or Insignia

If anyone is interested, the new Slipknot "All Hope Is Gone" apparently dropped today too... Umm, yeah... Ima just go ahead and purchase a hearing aid now, because after these two months, I'm going to need it

LMFAO!!! My thoughts entirely! I guess we can be happy while it lasts, because it appears that this small bubble in GM design just popped with the forthcoming Cruze and Lavicta. Guess that rumor I heard about all work in NA being frozen held some merit.

FRONT: Freakin' awesome!!! SIDE: Generic and bland. BACK: Terrible crossbreed between a GME model and a Korean car. I certainly hope it sells, but unless GM comes out with a more aggressive package with bigger wheels, better performance and revised taillights; not for me.

Market value and PR? :shrugs:

Samples of some of the stuff: "A little taste of death" http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=601104 The entire recording of "Cyanide" from Ozzfest can be found at www.myspace.com/metallica It's kind of poor quality, but still cool.

I still want to get an H1 or H2 and paint "f*** you hippies" on the side of it in 4 foot tall letters.

What's wrong with that? Last time I checked, Toyota was kicking GM's ass. Any help we can get to sell cars (especially at a 'damaged brand') is fine by me. Seen the Altima coupe? It's nothing more than a Ford Fairmont for the 21st century design-wise. Seen the Solara? The G6 slays BOTH in appearance. At least GM can get the proportions right, which is more than the asians can do. (Eventhough the Accord coupe is pretty sexy IMO... Oops, did I say that?) Probably not, given development. So, Pontiac has exclusivity there, why not exploit it? Well, maybe that was the plan since Buick showed 2 different Cielo concept cars. But, for now at least, people who buy Buicks DON'T buy convertibles. Guys, people aren't going to start buying more Buicks simply because GM phases out the Pontiac division and funnels Buick its products. It's NOT about product! Sure, the product has to be good, but so does the marketing, image and even fashion. Do you think the same thing about GMT900? Should GM 'stop making trucks' simply because that isn't the market leading niche anymore? I don't think so... GM needs a well rounded line up (and has needed a well rounded line up for the past 15 years) in order to truly succeed. They can no longer afford to push tons of money into one place and completely ignore buyers in another place. Sure, the market isn't very hot for big cars right now. but how much money do you think it took to graft a Pontiac nose onto a Holden? How much money do you think the G8 makes, especially if it were to be produced here? Case closed. No. There is no indication that GM will even survive another 2 years in the market. GM management is MIA on most stuff and ALL of the divisions have a lot of problems right now. Something tells me that worrying about Pontiac and it's rebadges (like them or not) is at the bottom of the list right now in the meetings.