Robert Hall

I wonder how bad GM and Chrysler's November # loss will be

Heh-heh..I've always wondered if there was a correlation between the fact I was born 9 months to the day after my Dad's 50th birthday, which was a few months after my folks' 20th wedding anniversary...

Kewl...throw in diesel options for NA, and they should definitely get better MPG.

I can only imagine how bad morale is within GM now--infinite dispair, a bleak future, the downward spiral...not to mention being stuck in dying gray Michigan. Hard to be forward looking and optimistic in a reality like that.

Those are growing companies, though. GM is shrinking...I still don't see how they can continue to adequately fund 8 brands in NA with 20% market share. Maybe 6 (eliminate Hummer and Saab).

Lexus is a global brand, Infiniti is going that way. Acura remains NA only AFAIK.

Saturn, though, like Pontiac, relies on GM platforms and engines. How do you separate those dependencies?

Global brands do work, though...look at VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, etc. they each have many models common across many markets, coupled with many market-specific models in the mix (like the US Accord and Camry, etc).

Ya...Hummer and Saab have more autonomy and an identity separate from GM, they seem more separatable. Saturn and Pontiac are too tightly integrated into GMNA to separate, IMHO.

Since Pontiac is so tied to GM for it's platforms and engines, I can't see how this would work...and who would buy it? Avis?

I was at airport once in the loo and I think the guy in the stall next to me was watching pr0n on his phone/iPod/whatever...

My ex-g/f, my sister, my Mom, and friends have given me a hard time about hearing a flush in the background when I'm on the phone w/ them Got to watch out not to drop the phone in the toilet, a friend did that once, ruined the phone (poo and water aren't good for electronic gadgets).

That is cool..I haven't seen a '68-72 A-body wagon of any brand in a loooong time.

The office tower I'm in has a basement w/ a loading dock and two sub-basements, haven't been down there yet, but I think they have some offices down there.. The 10th floor cafeteria is actually pretty nice, with some great views of the mountains, downtown, and I can watch jets go by on final approach to Sky Harbor Airport..(downtown Phoenix west-to-east in right under the airport landing path, a couple miles from the runways).

Heh-heh... I'm working in a very drab office tower that looks like the cubes, carpet, etc are at least 20 years old or more. Quite different from the fancy suite w/ the catered food and the Mac Book Pro I had at the startup, but at least I'm paid more now and don't have to work with smartass 25 year olds.

I'm doing that now... myself and another contractor in one cube, and the guy in the next cube over all share a phone. But I rarely use the work phone except to call the help desk... my current gig is wierd--we are using Lotus Notes, but I almost never get email... and have 2 scheduled meetings per week, which usually get cancelled..so I have a lot of autonomy. Working for a city government client is very strange because they move so sloooowly on new development...quite a nice contrast for the hurry, hurry, overtime, insane 'agile' startup I was at previously (and the gov't gig pays a lot better also... )

Ya, that '60 Pontiac is hot..though I prefer this style: The '61 is one of my favorite Pontiac designs. Though the '80s Firebird wheels are out of place, it would better w/ the 8 lug wheels or Torque Thrust D's w/ gray spokes, IMHO.

Well, the Wrangler is available in a 4dr... Speaking of interesting car choices, friends of mine that had an '04 Accord and a '97 Corolla for years had twins early this year...they bought a new Wrangler 4dr for a family car for the wife (she likes Jeeps and it's a manual), an '05 Mustang GT convertible as a family fun car, and an '02 DTS for a family commuter car (it was my friends Dad's car, he bought a new DTS and sold his old one to his son).

Poopie phone...I do it all the time. Working in a cubicle, when I need to take/make a phone call, I usually go to the stairwell. Sometimes, I'll get a call while I'm in the bathroom, and I'll answer it. Normally, when I'm in there doing my business, I read my email or news headlines or my phone ( I do that also when I'm on the elevator or waiting for my dish at restaurants..always reading email and the news headlines).

Also saw a lt blue 4dr Ford Fairmont. Haven't seen one those in ages!

A buddy of mine in Denver who is Canadian (part of the Regina crew) had a Canadian flag painted on the roof of his white Suburban.. I'd like a Scottish flag or Irish flag, to recognise my family roots in those countries... or a Yorkshire flag or Australian flag for my dogs..

Saw 3 Chevy oldies on the way home--an off-white '63 Chevy pickup (shortbed fleetside), a white '72 Impala 4dr ht, and a mildly donked bronze w/ black top '75 Impala Sport Coupe. Also, an early Dodge Aspen in silver w/ black top, blingy wheels.

cuisine

Some good points there, but I can't see Pontiac axing the G3 and G5, even though they are just rebadges--without them the BPG dealers are going to scream that they can't compete with Chevy. Interesting proposal about a SSC division..combining the dealers, etc. Not sure about cutting Chevy trucks--seems like Chevy is the stronger truck brand than GMC. But there is a lot of redundancy in models between the brands--the compact pickups and full size vans are identical save the grilles; only the full size pickups and SUVs have any differentiation, however superficial. I'd trim GMC..(again, though, the BPG dealers would scream they couldn't compete against Chevy)

Speaking from experience, that's the way it is with many cars when they get beyond a certain amount of miles..they become money pits. Better to trade before 75k miles, I've heard (which I probably should have done w/ my Jeep).