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Drew Dowdell

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  1. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Interactive Review: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI"
    Joining us this week for a review is the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 6-Speed manual with Autobahn Package and Navi. The Jetta in this trim stickers at about $26,445 (the fleet manager is getting me the actual sticker later), and has very few options left to select other than automatic transmission and small accessories. In May 2011, we reviewed a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SE 2.5. During that week, I took the Jetta on a 750 mile trip. I had no love for the 2.5 liter 5-cylinder included in that car. The fuel economy I observed over my 750 mile highway trip didn't even match that of a V6 Chevrolet Camaro and the power wasn't even close. Like most 5-cylinders, that Jetta also had a rough feeling under hard acceleration. About the only positive thing I could say about the power train was that it had good torque to scoot around town with. It looks like Volkswagen might agree with my opinions. Recently rumors have popped up that Volkswagen will replace the 2.5 5-cylinder with a smaller displacement turbo charged 4-cylinder. The interior was letdown if you didn't keep your perspective on this car's entry price. It was built well enough, but there were lots of button blankouts and dial deletes. Driving this car for 750 miles, I had to keep reminding myself, "$16k base price... $16k base price". Considering $16,000 barely gets you into a FIT over at Honda... that makes the lower end Jetta a not-to-bad proposition. So the question becomes: Can the budget minded Jetta, that bases just above $16,000, be transformed into a performance sport sedan worthy of the GLI badge at $26,000. After 70 miles so far today, the Magic 8-Ball says: "Signs point to yes" More on page 2 First off, the 200 horsepower 2.0T in the GLI feels much more powerful than its rating suggests and part of that comes from the 205 ft-lb of torque also available. There is turbo lag present, but it is very easy to drive around and in fact makes things a bit more fun when you feel the surge kick in. The shifter has unusually long throws for a car with sporting intentions and the clicks between gears have a bit of grit to them. I'll get back to you more on that as I put more miles on the car. One of the main features that makes a GLI an upgrade over the other models is the completely replaced rear suspension. I haven't had a chance to try that improvement out yet. The interior feels decidedly upmarket. Flat-bottomed steering wheels are clearly the new black for sports cars and the Jetta GLI is no exception. Leather wrapped and trimmed with red stitching, it feels perfectly sized in your hand. The automatic dual zone HVAC system is upgraded from cable operation to electronic. My preliminary experience with the navitainment system has been positive so far, but I was listening more to the turbo whistle than the satellite radio. Even the gauge cluster has been upgraded. Naturally, interior dimensions don't change between SE and GLI models. The Jetta's interior room puts it almost into the mid-size class of vehicle rather than the Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus compacts it is priced against. Externally, the Jetta GLI gets some minor styling tweaks, but those tweaks seem to be enough to transform the pedestrian SE into something more aggressive looking. Personal opinion, but I really love the way the standard 18" alloy wheels with painted accents look on this car. We'll have this car until next Thursday when we swap into another Volkswagen. So fire away your questions in the comments section for our Interactive Review of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. In the meantime, here are some preliminary cell phone pics.
  2. Drew Dowdell
    December 1, 2011 - Drew Dowdell Of Volt owners surveyed by Consumer Reports, 93% of them replied that they would "definitely" buy another Chevy Volt. However, considering less than 6,300 Chevrolet Volts have been sold so far, that number could change. Another issue with the number is that the survey was complete prior to the NHTSA announced an investigation into potential Volt battery fires that can possibly occur in the weeks following a severe crash. Chevy announced a remarkable goodwill program to Volt owners offering them the option of a free loaner car, even a Corvette, while the NHTSA completed its investigation. Chevrolet had originally announced a goal of 10,000 Volt sales by the end of 2011. In a conference call today, they announced they would miss that goal, but that they would hit 10,000 Volt sales in January 2012. The other cars at the top of the Consumer Reports Survey are the Dodge Charger and Porsche 911 both at 91%. View full article
  3. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Chevy Volt Tops Consumer Reports Owner Satisfaction Survey"
    December 1, 2011 - Drew Dowdell Of Volt owners surveyed by Consumer Reports, 93% of them replied that they would "definitely" buy another Chevy Volt. However, considering less than 6,300 Chevrolet Volts have been sold so far, that number could change. Another issue with the number is that the survey was complete prior to the NHTSA announced an investigation into potential Volt battery fires that can possibly occur in the weeks following a severe crash. Chevy announced a remarkable goodwill program to Volt owners offering them the option of a free loaner car, even a Corvette, while the NHTSA completed its investigation. Chevrolet had originally announced a goal of 10,000 Volt sales by the end of 2011. In a conference call today, they announced they would miss that goal, but that they would hit 10,000 Volt sales in January 2012. The other cars at the top of the Consumer Reports Survey are the Dodge Charger and Porsche 911 both at 91%.
  4. Drew Dowdell
    GM’s U.S. Sales Up 7 Percent in November Chevrolet Cruze and Sonic drive 54-percent increase in small and compact car sales DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported total sales of 180,402 vehicles in November, up 7 percent compared with November 2010. Retail deliveries were up 15 percent compared with the same month a year ago and accounted for 77 percent of GM sales. Deliveries to fleets were down 14 percent. “We are seeing a broad spectrum of customers return to the market,” said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. “Truck sales showed a very solid increase, as we expected, but the momentum building behind our most fuel-efficient vehicles was even stronger.” In November, combined sales of GM small and compact cars, led by the new Chevrolet Sonic and consistently strong-selling Chevrolet Cruze, were up 54 percent compared with a year ago. GM’s total passenger car sales increased 1 percent, crossover sales decreased 9 percent and sales of trucks, which include full-size pickups, vans and SUVs, increased 25 percent. Highlights for the month include a 34-percent increase in Chevrolet Silverado sales and a 22-percent increase in GMC Sierra sales. Other vehicles posting double-digit sales increases were the Chevrolet Cruze, Camaro, Avalanche, Colorado, Suburban, Tahoe and Express van, the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and the Cadillac SRX. Calendar year to date, all four GM brands have increased their sales compared with the same period a year ago, on the strength of double-digit increases in retail sales. <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="620"> <colgroup> <col /> <col span="4" /> <col /> <col span="3" /> <col /> </colgroup> <tbody> <tr height="16"> <td height="32" rowspan="2" style="height:32px;width:153px;"> </td> <td colspan="4" rowspan="2" style="width:261px;"> November</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td colspan="4" style="width:203px;"> (Calendar Year-to-Date)</td> </tr> <tr height="16"> <td height="16" style="height:16px;"> </td> <td colspan="4"> January - November</td> </tr> <tr height="35"> <td height="35" style="height:35px;"> </td> <td> 2011</td> <td> 2010</td> <td style="width:65px;"> % Chg Volume</td> <td style="width:65px;"> %Chg per S/D</td> <td> </td> <td> 2011</td> <td> 2010</td> <td style="width:65px;"> %Chg Volume</td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;width:153px;"> Selling Days (S/D)</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 25</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 24</td> <td style="width:65px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> </td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> </td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;width:153px;"> Enclave</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 3,924</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 3,810</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 3.0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -1.1</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 52,837</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 48,792</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 8.3</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> LaCrosse</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,008</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,070</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -1.5</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -5.5</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 53,114</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 56,038</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -5.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Lucerne</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 824</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,866</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -55.8</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -57.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 19,646</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 24,197</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -18.8</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Regal</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2,120</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,979</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 7.1</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2.8</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 37,058</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 9,267</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 299.9</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Verano</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Buick Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 10,880</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 11,725</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -7.2</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -10.9</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 162,659</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 138,294</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 17.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> CTS</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 3,804</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 3,727</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2.1</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -2.0</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 49,622</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 40,485</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 22.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> DTS</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 264</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,384</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -80.9</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -81.7</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 11,423</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 17,102</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -33.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Escalade</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,274</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,347</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -5.4</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -9.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 13,189</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 13,832</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -4.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Escalade ESV</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 777</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 763</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1.8</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -2.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 7,269</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 7,412</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -1.9</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Escalade EXT</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 196</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 197</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -0.5</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -4.5</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,774</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,816</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -2.3</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> SRX</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,736</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,076</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 16.2</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 11.5</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 49,581</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 45,229</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 9.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> STS</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 94</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 307</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -69.4</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -70.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 3,260</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,144</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -21.3</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> XLR</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 12</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 187</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -93.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Cadillac Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 11,145</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 11,801</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -5.6</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -9.3</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 136,130</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 130,207</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4.5</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Avalanche</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,857</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,459</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 27.3</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 22.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 17,542</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 18,409</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -4.7</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Aveo</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 30</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 3,262</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -99.1</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -99.1</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 28,577</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 44,586</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -35.9</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Camaro</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5,127</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,164</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 23.1</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 18.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 81,495</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 75,685</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 7.7</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Caprice</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 167</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 781</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Captiva Sport</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2,915</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5,055</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Chevy C/T Series</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 9</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Chevy W Series</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 28</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 286</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Cobalt</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 931</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -99.9</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -99.9</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 851</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 96,740</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -99.1</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Colorado</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,978</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,598</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 23.8</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 18.8</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 28,056</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 22,255</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 26.1</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Corvette</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 910</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 836</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 8.9</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4.5</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 12,126</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 11,645</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4.1</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Cruze</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 13,238</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 8,066</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 64.1</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 57.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 215,057</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 13,630</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Equinox</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 14,936</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 15,387</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -2.9</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -6.8</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 175,079</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 127,215</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 37.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Express</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5,387</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,760</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 13.2</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 8.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 63,482</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 53,279</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 19.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> HHR</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 23</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,118</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -99.4</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -99.5</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 36,862</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 71,371</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -48.4</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Impala</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 10,851</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 14,693</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -26.1</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -29.1</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 160,955</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 160,667</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Kodiak 4/5 Series</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 6</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 10</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,189</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -99.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Kodiak 6/7/8 Series</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 245</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Malibu</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 10,269</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 11,651</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -11.9</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -15.4</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 191,774</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 187,250</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2.4</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Silverado-C/K Pickup</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 34,251</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 25,619</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 33.7</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 28.3</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 367,343</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 327,617</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 12.1</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Sonic</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,496</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 10,035</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Suburban (Chevy)</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5,787</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,726</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 22.5</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 17.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 43,497</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 40,888</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 6.4</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Tahoe</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 8,401</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 6,325</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 32.8</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 27.5</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 72,097</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 68,193</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5.7</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> TrailBlazer</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 33</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 216</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -84.7</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Traverse</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 7,144</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 9,954</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -28.2</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -31.1</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 97,805</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 96,221</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Uplander</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 76</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Volt</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,139</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 6,142</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Chevrolet Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 128,907</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 117,588</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 9.6</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,614,654</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,417,672</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 13.9</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Acadia</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 4,886</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5,541</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -11.8</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -15.3</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 71,933</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 60,677</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 18.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Canyon</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 462</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 598</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -22.7</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -25.8</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 8,874</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 7,166</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 23.8</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Envoy</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 82</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -93.9</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> GMC C/T Series</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 54</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> GMC W Series</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 25</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 382</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Savana</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 732</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 949</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -22.9</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -26.0</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 14,738</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 12,792</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 15.2</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Sierra</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 11,971</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 9,781</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 22.4</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 17.5</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 132,675</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 112,999</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 17.4</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Terrain</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5,654</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5,902</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -4.2</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -8.0</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 75,455</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 51,216</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 47.3</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Topkick 4/5 Series</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 6</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 5</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 907</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -99.4</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Topkick 6/7/8 Series</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 8</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 418</td> <td style="width:65px;"> -98.1</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Yukon</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2,987</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2,317</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 28.9</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 23.8</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 30,282</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 24,890</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 21.7</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Yukon XL</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2,778</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2,470</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 12.5</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 8.0</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 22,051</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 21,239</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 3.8</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> GMC Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 29,470</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 27,590</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 6.8</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2.5</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 356,026</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 292,822</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 21.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Brand Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 180,402</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 168,704</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 6.9</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2.7</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2,269,469</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,978,995</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 14.7</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> HUMMER Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 25</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 3,774</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Pontiac Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 7</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,052</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Saab Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 608</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Saturn Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 3</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 6,613</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="17"> <td height="17" style="height:17px;"> Other Brand Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 35</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 0</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 12,047</td> <td style="width:65px;"> ***.*</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> <tr height="18"> <td height="18" style="height:18px;"> GM Vehicle Total</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 180,402</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 168,739</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 6.9</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2.6</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> <td style="width:65px;"> 2,269,469</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 1,991,042</td> <td style="width:65px;"> 14.0</td> <td style="width:7px;"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
  5. Drew Dowdell
    I don't think any set of 22" wheels could be considered "affordable"
  6. Drew Dowdell
    I like the almost first gen Toronado look to the rear end.
  7. Drew Dowdell
    The HS failure had less to do with its power train and much much more to do with the fact that it looks, feels, and handles like a Corolla re-badge even though it isn't. They could have put a conventional power train in there and it still would have failed.
  8. Drew Dowdell
    Anyone here ever drive one of those? The G6 with the 3.9 and a manual?
  9. Drew Dowdell
    I like that idea too Dwight, but I see room for both in Cadillac's lineup.
  10. Drew Dowdell
    149 hp in Eco mode - 220 hp in Sport mode. Remember, horsepower is a function of torque over time. The Honda S2000 has 237 HP at 7300 RPM. The Buick Roadmaster has 240 horsepower also, but at roughly half that RPM. Now look at the torque numbers. The Honda has 163 ft-lb at 6,800 RPM, the Buick 330 ft-lb at somewhere in the high 2,000 range. This is a big reason the Roadmaster was able to get to 60 in about 8 seconds with just a 4-speed auto despite weighing so much. Put that S2000 engine in a Roadmaster and you'd fall asleep on the way to 60. Yet they have the same amount of horsepower. As we move to more turbo charging and electrical assist, the horsepower number will start to become less meaningful while torque @ RPM will take the dominant roll.
  11. Drew Dowdell
    Which is what, like 180 lb-ft? On a car heavier than a CTS. The only way for the ELR to work is to vastly increase the power over the Volt. It has to be faster than a Chevy, handle and ride better than a Chevy, otherwise why pay for it. Cadillac selling a Volt with an interior upgrade is a page from the Lincoln playbook and that doesn't work. Try 273 ft-lb. Which means that the Volt has same torque at zero that the Cadillac CTS 3.6 has at 4,600 rpm.
  12. Drew Dowdell
    it is overcome by max torque at zero RPM
  13. Drew Dowdell
    Well, I liked that base Camaro came with black steeles. I actually don't mind them on the car in certain colors (yellow, orange, black) with black stripes. What I didn't like was how much of a jump in price a set of alloys cost from Chevy. If they did this for the S-10/Colorado, they'd need to keep a respectable set of 15s, 16s, or 17s for a reasonable price available.
  14. Drew Dowdell
    Too much junk in that trunk, but otherwise I like it.
  15. Drew Dowdell
    Basically, instead of "Build a Bear", "Build a Truck"
  16. Drew Dowdell
    I want to see what Cadillac can do with a Delta II interior. The Buick is already rather nice.
  17. Drew Dowdell
    I'm not going to argue with you too much because I know you're love of Holden, but that is a bit of revisionist history right there. GMNA did the Sigma platform, the platform that the flagship of all GM rides on, the CTS-V. A platform that is only out handled by a BMW M3 when you put a 78 year old behind the wheel of the Cadillac and a 22 year old behind the wheel of the BMW. I'd say that GMNA got that platform "right". The revisionist history is this: Every Holden Commodore from 1978 to 2002 was borrowed from an Opel platform and modified for AU use. I am not discounting at all the great job that Holden did with these modification, but at their hearts, they are still Opel chassis that Holden built on. Think of Holden as Opel's performance division if you wish, but they are Opel platforms tuned by Holden. Contrast that to GMNA which did Sigma from the ground up and made it the best performing sedan, coupe, and wagon in the company.
  18. Drew Dowdell
    slow start up?
  19. Drew Dowdell
    No. It's not light. The CR-V AWD 3532, RAV-4 AWD 3494, Escape AWD 3504. Even the Tiguan AWD is only 3631..... and remember, this is between the Tiguan and Golf in size. Let's split the different exactly and call it 170". The Honda, Toyota, and Ford are all 5" - 8" longer. The Equinox AWD is 3963, the Venza is 3945. Both of which are much larger vehicles.
  20. Drew Dowdell
    Oh really? The folks at Holden do RWD right, I have zero faith that any other part of GM could take that over effectively. RWD development should stay there. Case in point: The lowly Opel Omega. GM gave it to Holden and to Cadillac (GMNA). GMNA created the much maligned, and unreliable Cadillac Catera - and nothing else. Meanwhile, Holden took that same platform and created an entire line of sedans, coupes, wagons, and Utes. They developed AWD versions, won races, and exported the cars globally. All on a relative shoestring. Then they created Zeta, and the Camaro. I rest my case. The Camaro development was done mostly by GMNA using the Aussie platform. The Catera's downfall was NOT it's handling (in fact they handle very very well, it was the engine that they were given that was the letdown). Cadillac had no budget and was consigned to taking Germany's leftovers while Australia was able to build there own cars there. GMNA also came up with this: Furthermore, Zeta was developed in Australia when Mark Reuss was in charge of things down there. Notice where he lives these days. Not true on the Camaro - the on the ground development was done in Australia by Holden. Holden also got the sow's ear leftover from Opel, but didn't build a turd like the Catera. Sigma is great and all, but is Cadillac exclusive and barely sells outside of North America. Ruess is certainly a reason for hope, but yanking RWD development from Holden is entirely a foolish idea. (and I'd bet he agrees). The Opel Omega is pretty well respected as far as handling goes. The primary issues with the car are the weirdo, underpowered, and troublesome 54 degree 3.0 V6, and some unreliable interior electronics (power windows/locks, windshield wipers). Both of which are relatively easily fixed. In the case of the 3.2 V6, Holden did the smartest thing and pitched it completely in favor of various 3800s and small blocks. Holden could do such a thing because they were actually manufacturing the car.Cadillac did not really have the option of a 3800 because their version was built in the EU and there were no plants making that engine over there. Cadillac had to literally take Opel's leftover scraps. They had no budget for the Catera. It was a total badge job with nothing done to the hardware of the car other than very minor suspension tuning to make it a bit softer for American tastes. My point is: Don't use the Catera to judge the capabilities of GMNA's RWD abilities.
  21. Drew Dowdell
    3864 lbs?!? That's Buick Lacrosse Territory!
  22. Drew Dowdell
    GM started rolling out Direct Injection in.. what, 2004? Start-Stop (generation 1 eAssist) in 2008? Cylinder deactivation first in 1980 and then again in 2004.
  23. Drew Dowdell
    I'm trying to figure out which network is playing them. I keep getting ads for treating heart disease.....
  24. Drew Dowdell
    <ol> <li>Yes</li> <li>probably about 6 to 9 total. Banners typically come in &quot;styles sets&quot; where you have multiple sizes of the same basic banner design. The sizes are</li> <li>728x90, 120x600, 300x250, 468x60 - in any combination</li> <li>We will <em>not</em> be using &quot;GM&#39;s biggest fans and harshest critics&quot;. I have some of the base graphics that can be modified as needed.&nbsp;</li> <li>All over/Yet to be determined.</li> </ol> <p>You can use any non-media image from <em>my</em> or BV&#39;s galleries, but you cannot use photography found randomly in a google image search.&nbsp; If it looks like a picture that BV or I took, then it is fair game.&nbsp; Some of the ads can be brand or model specific.&nbsp; For example &quot;Come discuss the hot new Cadillac XTS here&quot; with a picture of the XTS concept or something.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>No snark.</p>
  25. Drew Dowdell
    have a link to that thread?
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