jrockb4

Both DC cars together sold about 160k and the sedan outsells the coupe about 2 to 1, I think. I agree with what other people have said here that as long as that 160k includes other cars, then it is a no brainer. If they expect 160k from the various individual cars, they will be hard pressed. The $30k+ coupe market is dormant right now. Think of all the great cars that have passed on (Eldo, Mark VII, Fbod, etc). The only real one left is the Stang and with the market all to itself it only bearely breaks 160k/yr. But as much as we fantasize, the 300 hp, V8, coupe market is in a coma. Now with sedans, we are easily talking 250k units per year.

That does not bode well for the Camaro. The last 4 years of Camaro sales probably did not come close to that total. The 300 which is considered the sales hit of the year by some, only sold 144,068 for the year and it is a sedan. The Mustang with it's loyal following and numerous models only sold 160k last year. How in the world would or could GM hope to sell 160k+ of any coupe? I just don't think that niche is too big. Now if they could use that platform to replace the Monte Carlo and add a large RWD sedan (Chevy SS), then maybe. But I just don't see it from any one coupe. And if I am not mistaken, the Mustang is the number 1 selling coupe in the US. They would have to sell it in Canada and maybe 1 or 2 more countries.

I laugh at how people talk about how big the DTS is, it's wheel base is almost 7 inches shorter than a 7 or S series, Audi A8L or even the Jag XJ8L. It is less than an inch longer than the LS430. But it does have some long overhangs (10 inches longer than the LS). Is it a perception problem with the DTS (a mental this is the biggest Caddy, so it must be long), or is it the extended trunk and hood that make is seem long?

As a person that lives about 3 miles from that spot and uses it almost daily I remember that we had an ice storm just on the 8th. Many places that were shaded and did not get any sunlight remained covered with ice. If you look to the far right of the picture, that looks like that may have been ice. The car was headed North bound on the service road, it is a common place to really get up to speed as you are approaching an entrance ramp to the freeway in the background of the second picture. There was also a lot of sand left from the trucks the night before, especially in the intersections. I just got my car back, either I truned off the TC or they did during service. Open road ahead, let's go lol.

New thread states that Chevy is getting a version of the Aura and that GM is showing it off. If so wouldn't this car be the one filling that Malibu space (whether that is the name or not)? See the thread about Chevy's Future and the 50's.

Article about Chevy's future on CNN. Says Chevy is getting it's own version of the Aura and it is more striking than the Saturn!!!!!! http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/funonwheels/...cool/index.html

While I agree that happened with all of the vehicles you mentioned, this is supposed to be a high volume seller. I say sell as many as you can right now and develop whats next. The cars you mentioned are no longer the rage, but I bet GM would love to have a solid 'you can count on XXXX sales/month' vehicle. Especially one that can exist with low or no incentives. Toyota nor Nissans strength is built on wow that is a rare vehicle cars, it is built on that vehicle will sell this month, next month, etc.

I was cruising on the George Bush Turnpike in Dallas when this yellow Z06, pulled up next to me. It was georgeous before disappearing into the distance. When did they hit the dealer lots?

The issue is very complicate and long running. Much of it comes down to Americans being patriotic of everything but our manufactured goods. We have let our electronics industry die, we are losing our automobile industry and that will be the death knell for the middle class. We want our products cheap and good, regardless of where they come from. I have been to places where people will pay a premium for local made goods that may not be as good. How else do you explain Renault, Citreon and Pugueot :-> If you look at the bigger picture, you will find that if these wage cuts stick then the buying power of this group falls by around $300K per hour. $2.4 Million per workday. Imagine the economic fall out from that to all of the associated persons (cleaners, dealers, stores, diners, phone providers, etc.). Imagine the drop in income taxes and increase in bankruptcies (under this new corporate slanted law). The affects to all will be chilling. Now also imagine a Delphi strike, GM would stand the possibility of being idled for quite a while. This could be devastating. I think Delphi could be less draconian in their implementation, 20% wage cuts until some performance metric is met. If we make money, you make money (continue profit sharing). No wage increases for a specified period of time, Vision and dental but with premiums and deductibles (reasonable ones).

I like this line 'GM estimates the wide ratio spread can help cut 0-60 mph times by as much as 7 percent and enhance fuel economy by up to 4 percent'. This could drop a 6 second car's time by 4/10's of a second or a 4 second cars time by almost 3/10's.

Doesn't add up too well for me. I can get the V treatment on an STS for an additional $15k, but it is going to cost me an additional $24k for the XLR. Oh, well I would take a base XLR and an STS-V. I guess it is close to the markup from a base vette to a Z06.

I wonder how much cash they can ultimately get for their share? Subaru is hot right now though still a nuiche boutique maker. GM could sure use a big infusion of cash.

GM could use more uncompetitive cars like the CTS. Sales are up almost every month, and it has increased sales every year in a segment that Caddy had only the valiant attempt at an entry-level luxury car and Catera in previously. If this is failure or uncompetitive, then keep it up. While August was an off month, up 10% for the year in it's fourth year on the market is pretty successful in my book (43k+ through August). On top of that the STS sold as many cars in August as the Seville sold in the first 8 months of 2004. Now, I am not saying the CTS is perfect and could not use some tweaking. But it is very competitive in the market place for a one body style lineup (no coupe, no convertible or wagon). Who would have ever thought that the Deville could be off 20% for the year and that Cadillac's cars would still be up 22% for the year!!!!!!!!!!! I think the question should be ' how do you make a very good thing great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?'