Ghost Dog

I have family in Buffalo and when I'm there (I haven't been there in a while) it completely BLOWS my mind at how many American cars I see when I pull up to a traffic light there.  In Houston - it's nearly the opposite (although GMT800s and Chevy and Ford trucks and SUVs and new GMT900s are everywhere, probably the only American products I see tons of here in Houston).  In Houston, Toyota and Honda rule the roost as far as your typical 4 door sedan or coupe, it's actually kind of annoying. 

Lately, I have been seeing more of the new Impalas and Buick and Pontiac products, but many of those have the bar codes on them, probably better than half actually.  Lots of Impalas, most of them with bar codes on the window or someone who obviously looks like a salesperson (fleet company car).  I would say the most popular GM *car* (not SUV) that I see in this market that doesn't have a bar code on the window might be a toss up between the G6 and perhaps the Malibu or HHR.  Now that I think about it, I see a lot of HHRs on the road here.  No bar codes either.  But overall, I'd say the market is definitely skewed in favor of the imports here in the Houston area, and out on the West Coast.

GM - you have a lot of work to do in areas that aren't close to your home or in areas where there aren't very many ties to the auto industry.

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Buffalo has Alway Been A Chevy/Pontiac Town. With a share for Ford as well. Chrysler has never been anything but distant third at its best.

http://www.ancasternews.com/an/news/news_607347.html

Styling is very Germanic with a hint of Audi A4 in the sweep of the front wheel well over the tire and the roofline that flows backward in a semi-circle into a very short rear deck with next to no rear overhang of the body. While 17-inch wheels are standard, the top XR model has 18-inch alloys that really fill up the wheel wells in the same fashion as BMW and Audi.

Aura is a whole new step up the ladder for Saturn. It has a premium car look and stance to it and includes the interior where Saturn is determined to use the best materials in its segment.

Its Germanic DNA is shown in the liberal use of low gloss dark trim punctuated by two-tone colour combinations along the dash and in the seats plus some chrome trim. The XR model I drove had two shades of caramel and mid-brown leather that is optional. The instrument panel gauges are LEDs with red-amber lighting at startup. The interior also features, to name a few amenities, power adjustable pedals, steering wheel auto controls and a four-panel sliding panoramic roof.

Because the media ride-and-drive has not been held at the time of this writing, driving impressions are embargoed until August 7.

What I can tell you from an up-close look is, if you like the look, feel and ride of an Audi A4, you will love the Aura XR.

I like The Aura still. The Red one the have pics of at Saturnfans is Gorgeous. It's a Fine Car and The Best of The Epsilons yet! Including the BLS!

Interesting that at this point Monney still has to pitch it to GMNA.

114.7 inch wheelbase?

118.5 inch wheelbase?

Wheelbases and such, along with pictures from the unveiling in this article?

http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/car-review/1903789.aspx

http://img.drive.com.au/drive_images/Edito...Gallery6M_m.jpg

http://tcimages.net/DisplayImage.aspx?PD=10784162&S=ISS

http://tcimages.net/DisplayImage.aspx?PD=10784161&S=ISS

http://tcimages.net/DisplayImage.aspx?PD=10784167&S=ISS

http://tcimages.net/DisplayImage.aspx?PD=10784175&S=ISS

http://tcimages.net/DisplayImage.aspx?PD=10784174&S=ISS

http://tcimages.net/DisplayImage.aspx?PD=10784176&S=ISS

http://tcimages.net/DisplayImage.aspx?PD=10784179&S=ISS

Seemed to me Ghosn is more interested in GM's Business in China,India,and Russia.

I wonder what's really going on? Merger? Nah. Partnership? Nah. Cash for Control of GM's India-China ops? Hmm .

It's unfortunate that the United States isn't part of the civilized world. Providing it's people with a national healthcare plan is a must.

Would alliance aid GM?

Many auto analysts very much doubt it

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060709/1035550.asp

It's a case of "armchair chairmen, people with just a dangerous little knowledge of the car industry," according to industry analyst Jim Hall.

The outspoken Hall, vice president for AutoPacific Inc., has little tolerance for those who advance a takeover of GM as the cure for what ails it.

"It's easy to identify a company's ills, but not as easy to make the fixes. Is an alliance the answer for GM? Not even close. If shareholders who think they can run the company from the 50-yard line don't see this [alliance] as a bad idea and it destroys their stock, then good for them."

I'm not sure equating GM to the Titanic is a good thing. I sort of remember the Titanic being slightly ill fated.

So Evok do you think Kerkorian will get it pushed through?

Hmm The Continental Teves Integrated starter generator system is used in GM's Full size hybrids. The Electric Rear drive unit in the Saab is unusual though. And I can't find info on it at continentals site.

Basically 2 systems.

The ISG Start stop system + Electric RWD.

Interesting system plug in charging and all.

But don't expect plug in charging from GM. My Impression is that GM overreacts to Failure. As Diesel left a bad taste in GM's mouth to the point of absolutley refusing to develope it for a longggg time. The E.V.1 has left such a bad sentiment at GM they destroyed them all. Anything even remotely reminding them of the Electric Car is'nt going to happen.

The only one that would make any sense at all would be SAIC.

Between GM Daewoo, GM Holden, and GM-SAIC The oppurtunity would be there to Dominate all of Asia/Pacific outside of Japan.

A while ago Hogan Mentioned the possibility that the GMAC proceeds (14 Billion?) could be used for a special one time dividend.( I think Hogan did'nt like the idea?) I think this is what Tracinda is pushing for, a payoff of some kind. Tracinda's share would have been 10% of the 14 billion.

Going public with the Nissan/Renault thing, is just another push for a Cash Infusion to be used as a special dividend. The Nissan/Renault thing would really have no Benefit to General Motors business or product. Or to Long Term Stockholders. The only benefit would be to those who want to take the money and run. (Via a 1 time special dividend)

Long time no see!

Yeah I got the Autonews Email alerts about the Nissan thing and popped in.

Where are all the NAFTA bashers?

Hi There !

So What does this mean for the Spring Hill Plant?

It Means Gm outsourced thier jobs.

http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=4855455&nav=0RYb

DETROIT (AP)  The UAW has asked locals representing Delphi workers to take a strike authorization vote. Union Vice President Richard Shoemaker called for the vote in an e-mail sent to all Delphi local presidents today. It says the vote should be completed by May 14.

Shows how weak Gettlefinger and Shoemaker are. The S.O.S. have to be voted in. GM's big plan to betray America has to be stopped.

Every American worker should pass the word to Boycott This Thing. NO Astra.

Define "fair wage." Is that $28 an hour for a janitor, and $100,000 a year for a forklift operator?

Fair is determined by the market. They are losing their jobs because they are getting paid more than fair wages, simple as that.

And Three Dollars an Hour is?

You Guys can get off this Market can bear crap to.Corruption and Collusion is all it has got us. It's over, the Socialy conscientious are rising up. We are taking back what 25 years of trickle down took away. We will resurrect the American middle class.

Rise Up Rise Up!!!!!

Show your power!!

VOTE!VOTE!VOTE!

Then level the playing field? I suggest that GM imediately switch to the same healthcare and retirement setup that Toyota North America uses.

Then I'll sit back with a gin and tonic and watch the UAW cry about it on T.V.

How about we level our selves with the Civilized world. National Healthcare!

I'm sure a lot of currently unemployed citizens wouldn't have a problem with it.

Well the Delphi strike could go on till sept. 07 The Gm workers could'nt be replaced they would be entirely within thier contractual rights to refuse to handle struck goods.

If Delphi workers strike, GM will pay for replacement workers.  And they won't wait very long to do it either.  I'd give them 3 full weeks at the very most.  I'll bet one of the reason why GM has been selling off assets as of late was to bring their cash reserves up to pay for temporary factory workers both at Delphi and its own plants in case of a strike.  They know they can't weather a long term strike.  A long term strike would force them into bankruptcy which  management absolutely will not let happen.  With its cash reserves GM could weather a short term strike and lost productivity while it trains new workers to get them up to speed.  The UAW has another thing coming if they think they'll bring down GM.  There will be lines around the block to fill their positions while they picket.  And after a few months, GM's factories will be churning out the cars like nothing even happened.

Struck Goods Clause. If Delphi Strikes and The GM U.A.W contract has a struck goods clause. GM U.A.W workers don't have to touch those parts.