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I don't think it's ugly, but I would definitely delete the black plastic fakeout on the C-pillar (which comes in as the second most ridiculous and overused styling element of the decade next to fake front fender vents). The roofline would look sportier, less contrived, and more upscale if it simply followed the car's existing side window shape instead of trying to alter it with a cheap looking piece of black plastic (although the overall shape of the car would somewhat mimic the Mazda3). I would then completely surround the side windows with chrome instead of having it just follow the bottom of the window line. Other than that, I think it's a pleasant departure from the Cobalt as well as the last gen Lacetti/Forenza/Excelle. My only hope is that the next gen Opel Astra sedan (which will probably be a compact Buick in North America) gets a completely distinct exterior design. A Chevrolet/Holden Cruze with a waterfall grille will not cut it for Buick.

I agree. Most of the time renderings don't truly represent the real look of the actual production vehicle (if at all), but these renderings look quite a bit similar to the overall shape of the car in the spy shots in the link below. Of course, the details could turn out quite a bit different from the renderings. Visit My Website Source: Motor Authority

Sorry! The link has been fixed.

I guess I'm being a pessimist or a realist, but I believe Holden will increasingly become more aligned with Chevrolet/Daewoo in the future. I wouldn't be surprised if the next gen Commodore doesn't turn out to be a rebadged LWB Eps II next gen Impala. If you don't like rebadged Chevy or GMDAT vehicles in Pontiac's lineup, then you definitely don't want Pontiac lined up with Holden. I'm not implying that there is anything wrong with the Cruze or a LWB Eps II based Impala/Commodore. I'm just saying that aligning Pontiac with Holden will produce the same results for Pontiac's lineup that we all have been complaining about: Pontiac essentially being used as an outlet for rebadged Chevrolet products.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Holden Cruze!: Visit My Website Source: Motor Authority P.S.: Link has been fixed.

I agree. The Forte appears to be a sharp looking compact sedan (although the fact that it doesn't have an IRS sort of disappoints me) and this looks to be a nice looking followup (if the actual vehicle looks anything like the renderings). Everyone better start taking Hyundai/Kia seriously as a potential threat because they definitely appear serious about becoming one. The fact the automaker has started to create designs that have caught my attention is an indication that they are stepping up their game, because I'm definitely not a fan of the company's past efforts.

I know this is just an artist's rendering, but every other mainstream midsize sedan maker needs to watch their back if the next gen Hyundai Sonata turns out to look anything similar to these renderings. A Hyundai midsize sedan that looks like this would surely steal sales away from the Camry/Accord/Altima segment mainstays. I would possibly consider buying one if it turns out to look like this (and I am definitely not a big Hyundai fan). Visit My Website Source: GlobalMotors.net P.S. The accompanying article is from December. For some reason, I didn't see these renderings until today. If these renderings are old news, then I apologize.

That alone would make it stand out as a more premium choice in a crowded segment of FWD appliances. Something the Chrysler brand has needed for quite some time.

I hope so. This car would make an incredible replacement for the current pitiful Sebring. Imagine the Chrysler brand with a beautiful and competitive midsize car! Wow!

I also like the looks of the Altima coupe from the A-pillar back. Like the G6, the front end design of the Altima coupe doesn't match the dynamic design of the rest of the car. If both brands were to give these coupes front end designs that matched the sportiness of the rest of the cars (without resorting to the garishness of the GXP trim level of the G6 coupe), then both cars would be quite attractive to me. I know for marketing cost reasons it is cheaper for these coupes to share model names with their sedan counterparts, but I think it somewhat forces the company to saddle these coupes with bland front end designs. If the coupe versions were treated as entirely separate models, maybe the designers wouldn't feel pressure to give them front end designs that are similar to their more mundane sedan counterparts. Although I am not fond of the previous gen Camry (or any Camry for that matter) or its Solara coupe counterpart, at least Toyota did try to completely differentiate the coupe's exterior design from its sedan counterpart (the success of the design is strictly dependent on the eyes of the beholder, though).

Nice thought, if it was only feasible. I doubt SDC will be able to buy anything. They will be fortunate enough if they find anyone other than a pitiful Chinese or Indian auto company to sign a distribution deal with them.

I know, but I just never cared for the "Grand Am" name. To me, the G8 should be the "Bonneville" and the G6 should be the "Grand Prix" (although I think the Aura is more worthy of the name than the G6). The "Grand Am" name should remain in the vaults (although I realize it was a big seller for Pontiac). It's just my personal preference.

I thought the same thing when I saw the photo of the production CTS coupe. It is sporty enough that it could very well sway some people away from the G37.

This is one great looking Cadillac! I like the in-your-face grille and stubby decklid. It makes this car look aggressive and ready to pounce on anything that dares to cross its path (which is appropriate for a coupe). As for whether people will buy the coupe body style; this car is an "image" vehicle, not a volume model. The sedan version appeals to the heart of the segment as the volume variant (especially in the U.S.), the wagon version provides more utility (while sort of replacing the Sigma based first gen SRX), and the coupe version serves as a sort of halo product for people who like the look and corresponding sporty image that a coupe bodystyle provides. To me, the CTS coupe will do more to reinforce Cadillac's presence in the luxury segment than the XLR roadster ever did. It's gorgeous and much better looking than its German competitors. I can't believe anyone would want this car to look more like the 90's era Eldo. The 90's Eldo looked more like a grandpa car (as well as a second hand ghetto gangsta special) while this beautiful CTS coupe looks like a product that could possibly attract a much younger demographic to Cadillac while also making the brand relevant again.

I have never been fond of the G6 sedan. To me, it is simply an unremarkable design that fails to represent Pontiac. The mild facelift does look better, but it isn't enough to make me appreciate the exterior design. To me, the Aura should have been the Pontiac product and the G6 sedan should have been the Saturn product. The coupe and convertible are attractive from the A-pillar back; the front end design simply fails to gel with the rest of the car. Again, the facelift is an improvement. The problem is that the front end design still doesn't fit well with the rest of the car, even with the minor restyling. If I was GM I would pull a little switcheroo and give Pontiac the Aura (with some version of a Pontiac grille and red interior lighting) and Saturn the G6. Since Saturn is going to be the corporation's red-headed stepchild, it should get the less attractive product. Saturn should sell the G6 (of course the name would change) as a value product with the 4-cylinder/6-speed auto combo only. As for the G6 coupe and convertible: I would give them an Aura-esque facelift (again, with some version of a Pontiac grille), a red lit Aura-esque interior, Aura-esque taillights, and chrome side window surrounds/door handles and let it continue in Pontiac's lineup (especially since it happens to be the only FWD midsize coupe GM offers). I would also permanently banish the silly, over-the-top Bugs Bunny inspired grille on the GXP versions. I would also dump the lame G6 moniker and resurrect the "Grand Prix" name for the reassigned Aura sedan and Aura-fied G6 coupe and convertible.

I personally think the Bravo would make a nice Dodge product while the Lancia Delta (which Chrysler has no access to since it is not a Fiat product) would make a nice entry vehicle for the Chrysler brand to replace the dearly departed PT Cruiser (which should have been redesigned or replaced a long time ago). Fiat Bravo: Visit My Website Visit My Website Visit My Website Visit My Website Visit My Website Source: NetCarShow.com Lancia Delta: Visit My Website Visit My Website Visit My Website Visit My Website Source: NetCarShow.com The 500's trek across the Atlantic is exciting (although it will need to be branded as a Fiat to retain the vehicle's mystique). I am also excited about the MiTo and 147 replacement, as well as Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S. I'm not as excited about a Dodge-branded Fiat Panda; this looks like a somewhat lame attempt to give Dodge a Soul/xB/Cube/Element competitor (except the Panda is even less attractive than those hideous Asian sourced boxes on wheels). The C-Evo based products sound exciting; hopefully they give Chrysler (or Dodge) some competitve compact and midsize products to replace the poorly executed ones that were developed under the ruthless Daimler regime.

Puegeot and Citroen have some interesting products, but I'm not sure about their quality/reliability standings. I would come closer to buying a product from one of these 2 brands than some cheap and horrid Chinese/Indian deathtraps. This might be an interesting alternative for SDC, although highly unlikely. Another longshot would be for SDC to approach Renault/Nissan about utilizing Saturn's dealership base as a way for relaunching Renault (which also has some cool products) in the U.S. The products would have to be assembled somewhere other than Europe to avoid the unfavorable exchange rate issues that plagued the pricing of the Saturn Astra. I doubt anything like this would happen since Renault/Nissan has announced that it is losing money and are planning to downsize their operations. Heck, I wouldn't even mind seeing SDC cut a deal with Volkswagen to set the dealership base up as a bargain outlet for Seat/Skoda products. Before the economic meltdown hit, Volkswagen was claiming that they wanted to pass Toyota in global sales. This would give them the opportunity to do just that. Since Saturn started their existence as an affordable car make, this could be an interesting hookup for SDC (although it will probably never happen). Basically, I wholeheartedly agree with your commment. I would much rather see SDC linked to a distribution deal with an European brand that wishes to launch/relaunch in North America than to see it hookup with a Chinese or Indian brand.

The scariest thing about what is revealed in the viability plans is that midsize products and smaller seem to be conspicuously absent from the plans (except for the mention of the 200C and the EV roadster). Maybe "absent" is not the correct term; maybe "the plans for midsize and smaller products seem extremely vague" would be a better way to phrase it. I guess Chrysler is really counting on the Fiat deal to supply them with some nicer vehicles to complement the 4 fullsize products showcased in their viability plans. I'm surprised that the government hasn't blasted them for appearing to be so focused and dependent on this end of the market. I do hope that these products and the Fiat deal produce the desired results that the company so desperately needs. As far as making judgements about these upcoming products based on the leaked images: I have learned that you really can't make any judgements until you see actual production versions of the vehicles. The eventual production versions are almost always significantly different than what is revealed by these images. I do hope that they can return the Grand Cherokee to its former glory; the current one seems like such a wrong turn for this esteemed model name.

I hope my post didn't come across as sarcastic, because I really didn't mean for it to sound that way. I just simply wanted people to realize that they probably don't want Pontiac completely aligned with Holden (which would place GMDAT vehicles in Pontiac's lineup). I think they really want Pontiac aligned with Holden's Zeta based products (which are the only "real Holden" products left in the brand's lineup as far as I'm concerned). If GM and Holden decide to abandon plans for next gen Zeta based products, then there really isn't anything "Holden" to align with Pontiac. Holden is only cool because of their Zeta products. The brand is just another GMDAT/foreign market Chevy (with the exception of the Astra) without the Zeta products. If Pontiac is supposed to be a sporty and youthful "niche" brand, then I would give them the next gen Tigra/Astra "TwinTops" (if GM and Opel develop next gen versions). "TwinTops" would define "youthful and sporty" much more than some of the brands current offerings (Aveo based G3, Cobalt based G5, the Vibe, and the Torrent). If the G6 hardtop convertible could be moved to Eps II with a more refined Opel-esque front/rear treatment and interior, it could serve as the brand's range topper (assuming that there won't be a next gen Zeta based G8). The brand's future lineup could be: * Fiero: Next gen Tigra "TwinTop" * LeMans: Next gen Astra "TwinTop" * Grand Prix: Updated G6 Convertible on LWB Eps II If GM and Opel don't develop next gen "TwinTops" or even coupes (fixed roof Tigra/Astra coupes would also make nice Pontiac products along with an Opel-ized G6 coupe), then I can see GM giving Pontiac the next gen Corsa/Astra 3-door/5-door and positioning the brand as an entry premium sub-brand. In this case, Pontiac's lineup would be: * LeMans: Next gen Corsa 3-door/5-door * Phoenix (or Tempest): Next gen Astra 3-door/5-door Either of the options listed above would effectively position Pontiac as a more youthful complimentary sub-brand to Buick. I would love to see GM give the brand the RWD affordable performance lineup that they have hinted at in the past, but I don't think it will happen at this point. I still have concerns that GM is only keeping the brand going at this point because it has products in segments that are vital to B-P-G (Vibe and G6 sedan). Once the current Insignia and next gen Astra sedan (and possibly hatchbacks) are inserted into Buick's lineup, GM might simply shut Pontiac down. I sincerely hope this is not the underlying plan, but I wouldn't be surprised if things unfold in this manner. I do see a lot of potential in expanding Buick's role as the high profile premium brand in B-P-G, but Pontiac could play a strong supporting role if the brand is given the proper Opel products.

I agree. GM has had countless opportunities to make this brand relevant and well defined and has dropped the ball every single blasted time. GM has allowed the brand's dealers to push this brand into total irrelevance and extinction by giving in to the dealers' demands for too many "me too" products. Now all that's left is a severely damaged brand with a huge identity crisis. I think GM is correct in trying to expand and reinvent Buick. Buick still has a somewhat premium perception in the market, it's just a matter of shifting the brand's image from stodgy to cool. The right products and marketing can do this (Hint to GM: Please don't allow the same people who came up with Saturn's dorky "RETHINK" campaign to handle this crucial assignment for Buick). Pontiac has been saddled with so many Chevy clones over the years that many people view it as just another affordable alternative to Chevrolet. Trying to elevate Pontiac's image and pricing structure to premium or near luxury levels would require much more effort and resources at this point.

I don't quite understand all the posts about aligning Pontiac with Holden. From what I can tell on Holden's website, the only products that are 100% Holden are the Zeta based products. With GM abandoning future RWD projects at an extremely rapid pace, Zeta''s future seems to be quite uncertain at this point. The rest of Holden's lineup is made up of GMDAT products (which will more than likely be aligned with Chevrolet in North America) and one Opel product (the Astra). Even the sketch of the upcoming new Holden small car looked like a Cruze/Lacetti Premiere with a Holden-esque front end treatment. I think Holden will eventually become Australia's outlet for GMDAT/Chevrolet products, which will eliminate any possibility of aligning the Australian brand with Pontiac. P.S. Holden also offers a "Colorado" pickup (I am not sure how much it is related to the NA Colorado/Canyon) and what appears to be a "Combo" commercial vehicle, but these are not products that belong in Pontiac's lineup either. GM is abandoning most of its RWD projects in addition to its perfomance divisions. I am having a hard time imagining where GM is going to get any youthful and sporty products to place in Pontiac's lineup unless GM gives it a couple of Opel products that it couldn't stuff in Buick's lineup.

The 200C is mentioned on page 101 under "Establish a More Customer-Relevant Product Portfolio". Could it be that it might eventually emerge as an actual production vehicle? They need it sooner than later. The Sebring needs to go and fast! To me, a production 200C would be much more exciting news than a redesigned 300 or Grand Cherokee.

I don't get the "Dealer Throughput" goal for B-P-G. Nissan? Nissan is a mainstream Asian brand (although it has a sportier image than Toyota or Honda). B-P-G should be aiming for premium brands such as Acura and Lincoln-Mercury as well as Volvo and Audi (to a lesser degree maybe). Maybe I'm not understanding what the phrase "Dealer Throughput" means. I'm assuming it's sort of a target brand that the corporation wants to pursue with their brand. If it means something different, then can someone please submit an explanation please? B-P-G = Nissan?

Until the next gen Opel products are ready for North America (starting with the current Insignia), I would say the G3 (it's on the roster for a Spring 2009 launch according to the website), Vibe, Solstice, G6, and G8 will define "youthful and sporty". The Solstice and G8 will be the last RWD products Pontiac will carry. After the next gen Opels arrive, the G3, Vibe, Solstice, G6, and G8 will exit and Pontiac's "youthful and sporty" lineup will consist of the Corsa 3-door/5-door and the Astra 3-door/5-door. If GM is really pushing it, they just might throw the next gen Tigra TwinTop and Astra TwinTop in for good measure (if GM even bothers developing any next gen TwinTops). That will probably be the extent of it. Buick, being the "core" premium brand, would get the sedans, wagons, and MPVs. Any CUVs would go to GMC. OR This is just a smokescreen until GM can get all the B-P-G dealerships consolidated and GM can start pumping most of the next gen Opel products into Buick's lineup. The Insignia will knock off the G6, the next gen Astra will knock off the Vibe, the next gen Corsa will knock off the G3, and then Pontiac might limp along until the Solstice and G8 are discontinued. After that, it's lights out Pontiac. These are just predictions based on GM's fear and abandonment of most of their future RWD projects.

I don't believe there will be a next gen G6 or G8. The G6 will be replaced by the Insignia at B-P-G, probably as a Buick. As far as the G8, I think it will be a one and done deal (like the GTO, Solstice/Sky, and probably Camaro) since GM is rapidly abandoning most of their RWD projects (which I don't particularly agree with, RWD can have a place in the auto market of the future if done right). I guess I am looking at a transformation for Buick like I perceive the transformation of the Malibu and Taurus. The 2007 Malibu was a rather dorky and bland midsize sedan that almost rendered the model name totally irrelevant in the auto market. The 2008 Malibu radically changed that perception. The 2009 Taurus is a pleasant but extremely bland looking large sedan, but I believe the dynamic looking 2010 Taurus will change the perception of that name as well. The Malibu and Taurus both had reputations as bland rental car queens in their recent past, but the new versions of those cars radically changed (or will be changing in the case of the Taurus) that. I think GM can do the same thing with Buick. It currently has a stodgy image, but it has been saddled with outdated, geriatric products. The Enclave was the first blast to shatter that image (and I do see a lot of them being piloted by a much younger demographic than Buick's traditional age group) and the 2010 LaCrosse (although inappropriately named) will be the followup shot. Once the Insignia and some other next gen Opel products join the lineup (and the current LaCrosse and Lucerne are put out to pasture), the transformation will be complete. I do agree that the current Astra hatchbacks would never fit in Buick's lineup, especially next to the current LaCrosse and Lucerne. The styling direction of the next Astra hatchback does fit in with the Enclave, 2010 LaCrosse, and a Buick version of the Insignia. Buick is still viewed as a premium brand (although somewhat outdated); fresh modern products and a cool advertising campaign could work some wonders for the brand. I realize that this is just my opinion, but I think it's completely feasible.