ocnblu

Thanks everyone. Major upheavals like this usually mean every department gets scrutinized, and some changes are inevitable. The bodyshop has been a major income generator for the business for years, so we're all hoping we come out the other side relatively unscathed. We'll see. It's almost like starting at a brand new company, with all those uncertainties.

Thanks, Camino. Things will be very uncertain for a while. First to come is a name change for our business. I hope we can go on for a long time. I just want work stability, is that too much to ask?

Well yes.

I learned on January 14th that Ford has pulled our Lincoln-Mercury franchise as part of its consolidation effort to sell all its products together at one dealership. The owner of our dealership has told us that our store will go on selling used cars, and that all departments, except for new cars of course, will proceed as usual. FoMoCo apparently paid a handsome sum to buy us out of the franchise. So everything's up in the air at the moment. Just one more reason for me not to sleep at night. Our used car department has been going like gangbusters since a new manager was hired several months ago. His team was able to sell 80 cars last month, with a goal to reach and maintain 100 cars per month, which is good, and, we're told, outsold many, if not all, larger dealerships in our area. Our location has been a Lincoln-Mercury dealership since 1948.

I was off early last night and unable to get on this morning, but I want to wish you congratulations and tell you with all honesty that I haven't been near her since that day we all met at Camino's mom's house. So there's a good chance it's yours.

unwarshed

"Restored" Metro convertible, metallic orange with a parchment-colored top, and little alloys.

faulty

Great job there, SS623!

I think they'll look awesome on there. What size tire can you fit without rubbing?

I know a badger that's about to get drop-kicked.

The clueless individuals Cadillac is aiming at with this car may not care if the engine is transverse and it is based on a mass-market platform, but they can certainly see the proportions of the car. It certainly does not have the proportions of any other top tier luxury car.

It's definitely wicked. They never could have done it without the Subaru engine, though. That flat four really lowers the hoodline.

bobo omg dizzy

Well, I guess a teardrop is the purest shape from an aerodynamics standpoint...

The gravity of the situation is immense.

<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyLznsUdXPQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyLznsUdXPQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyLznsUdXPQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Zoiks, suddenly I feel so old-skool for panning this thing.

...but not with the back seat up, I'm sure.

Yeah, I saw this over at Autoblog earlier. It's not bad looking, a huge step above the current iteration.

I agree with you on all points, Camino.

I wonder how much square footage of luggage space is in a Camaro v. a Mini Cooper, both with seat up.

Hehe, the V6 isn't that powerful alone, it needs the complication of electric motor assist to meet the 350 hp figure.

caddycruiser's moving to New Hope?

I am almost ready to agree with you, RJB. GM just didn't have it at the Detroit show this year. Ford's small cars appear much more desirable than Chevy's. If small cars truly take center stage to stay (a big IF in the USA), GM has a thin selection of cool stuff. The Aveo appears nice as a Concept, about on par with Fiesta, which was shown in PRODUCTION form... I fear the production Aveo will lose its edge. Spark is ugly, and Cruze, while pleasant, appears dull and old compared to the snazzy Focus, which has already been shown in two bodystyles, with more promised. Nothing concrete has been published regarding any other Cruze bodystyles for the USA. XTS strikes an odd chord, imo, and seems almost science fiction in a lot of aspects. Aside from the interior, which is rich in Cadillac Style, everything else about it just seems off, somehow. Its stubby nose attached to a nice Cadillac face, long but dramatic greenhouse, short decklid, combined with long rear overhang and short wheelbase throw the proportions into EV-1 territory... it's a teardrop that doesn't translate. Of course, MKS hasn't really jumped off the lots, either, so it appears to be a draw at this extremely early juncture, with Lincoln having a more appealing Ecoboost over the future-think 3.6L/hybrid assist Cadillac. Regal trumps Milan and creeps onto MKZ territory for niceness. They have a winner in this car, I hope. A tiny whisper of a coupe version coming has me hopeful, as well. The coupe should have been shown in Detroit this year, though. It's already designed and sitting, ready. Taurus/Impala is a complete and utter blowout in favor of the Ford. Fusion is more lively than Malibu, with a better hybrid and sporty trim packages. Mustang is lighter than Camaro, and holds its own pretty well. The 3.7L F-150 will sell to folks who like to drive a truck but don't need to pull much of a trailer. Not sure what GM will have in store with the next Silverado/Sierra, it remains to be seen.