Robert Hall

Autoblog Podcast #89.

Sounds delusional and isolationist. Wouldn't work in the modern reality. 1950 is gone and isn't coming back.

We need to find a fuel source that comes from something that doesn't have to be grown..something that is abundant and naturally available. Sand, rock, dirt, something like that...

I'm surprised they haven't started building the Prius in the US yet...maybe the next gen model will be built here.

They've been gone around here since around '99 when Carl's Jr bought them out.

I almost got rear-ended this morning in congestion...the light was green, but the traffic wasn't moving, and the driver of a Neon behind me didn't seem to comprehend why I was stopped at a green light... A couple of days ago on the freeway I had to lay on the horn when a zombie minivan mom on her cellphone started moving into my lane while beside me..

So demand for their newest bloat beasts isn't what they thought it would be?

Space exploration is a collasal waste of time and money, IMHO. But since Bush has been talking about Mars alot, I'd love to see him and Cheney take a one-way trip to Mars (or the Sun).

Or the Yukon Denali was already under development and then Caddy jumped in at the last moment (after all, the differences between the '99 Denali and the Escalade are trivial, probably took 10 min to come up w/ the Escalade changes..

Many people on this forum are disconnected from reality, so I wouldn't expect realistic responses from many.

He's the all-seeing, all-knowing oracle of knowledge about GM's future..he's a well-connected playa in the game. (Or so that's how he portrays himself in his PCS persona)

IIRC, Hammond owns a '67 Mustang 2+2...he drove it one of the episodes.

Swerving back to the original topic---10 years ago, GM NA had 8 brands. Now, GM NA still has 8 brands (-Olds, +Hummer). What was their US market share in '98 vs. now? How many models now vs. then?

I wouldn't compare the T-Bird/Cougar to Taurus/Celebrity...t The T-Bird and Cougar competed with G-bodies (Monte Carlo, GP, Regal, Cutlass Supreme) until they were dropped, and then their GM-10 replacements (GP, Regal, Cutlass Supreme) which were certainly personal-lux coupes in both their G-body and FWD forms.. It was interesting how around 1990 Ford had 4 ranges of 4drs (Escort, Tempo, Taurus, CV--the usual subcompact, compact, midsize, full size ladder) while GM had 5-6, depending on the brand (J,L/N,A,GM-10,H,C,B).. When the Taurus first came out, I suppose it's closest GM competitor were the lookalike A-body siblings... then the GM-10 sedans followed 4 years later. Of course, in retrospect relative the '80s thread, 1989-1990 is a period in GM history best forgotten...

Sex Farm- Spinal Tap

Yeah, it wasn't clear from the thread if it was multiple yards or not.. the cars in the woods have way too much rust for Wyoming, Wyoming is dry and sunny like Colorado... I'm pretty sure the first set (Camaros, Firebirds, Mustangs) are in the West, judging by the paint fade and foliage...maybe Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, AZ, NM...

As bad as some of the GM FWDers were, the Tempo/Topaz were worse, I think. I had a good experience w/ a diesel Escort, though. As far as Chrysler, the K-cars seemed to be a mixed bag...I knew kids in my high school in '87/88 that had '83-84 Dodge 400s/LeBarons that were falling apart.. I've never been much of a FWD fan, but as far as the '80s, I've long liked the styling and overall design '79-85 E-bodies (Riviera/Toronado/ElDorado) and the '80-85 Seville...and the later C- and H- body, esp. the coupes (the Electra, slick LeSabre and 88 coupes, etc). Too bad they didn't do an '87-90 Bonneville coupe. It seems that for the most part, in the '70s and '80s, GM was at it's best with larger cars.

I think the rise of the SUV over the last 20 years is directly tied to the demise of the station wagon...fullsize, midsize, compact. Manufacturers realized it was cheaper to build their wagons on truck platforms and far more profitable...

I saw a gray Peugeot 405 today...it's probably the same gray 405 I see every couple of years. (There can't be very many Pugs still being driven in the US).

Fascinating pics...lots of vintage GMs.. Junkyard Pics

That seems the most plausible. One other development that I think is likely is that Prius is going to become a distinct brand with a range of models.

Guns? Canadians? That doesn't compute..

Yeah... I'm getting a Malibu/Traverse vibe as to what I can see of the grill..

Not a surprise that the minivan won...it's only rational that the boxiest vehicle would most likely have the most usable volume and practicality.

Yeah... though the Camaro will probably turn up in the rumoured Transformers series...