Drew Dowdell

The problem is that it is not. At least it is not as economical as it could have been if GM went with a bigger engine with higher compression and taller gearing. Conventional wisdom has it that smaller displacement engines are easier on gas. This has lead to some governments passing displacement taxes to encourage the sale and adoption of cars with small engines. It has also lead to the new government owned Chevrolet introducing the Cruze with a decidedly tiny 1.4 liter – 1364cc to be exact – turbocharged four with the aspiration to claim the fuel economy crown of the compact segment. But conventional wisdom is wrong. As it turns out, the 1.4 liter turbocharged four was not only more expensive to build and made less power compared to its competitors – 138 hp versus 160 hp in the Ford and 148 hp in the Hyundai respectively – it was using burning more gasoline. When equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the 1.4 liter Cruze Eco's 26 / 37 mpg was easily beaten by the 2.0 liter Ford Focus's 28/38 mpg and the 1.8 liter Hyundai Elantra's 29 / 40 mpg. How did that happen? To start with, the Cruze's power plant was geared in such a manner that it spins at a relatively brisk 3000 rpm at 75 mph. This is considerably higher than the competition. And it has to be gear in this manner because highway cruising is typically done at very low engine loads and with the turbocharger making very little boost. The tiny displacement means that the engine has to be geared in a manner that will allow the engine to easily maintain highway cruising speeds off-boost. In addition, the combination of turbo-charging and the lack of direct injection meant that the engine operates with a relatively low compression ratio of 9.2:1 – a far cry from the Focus's 12:1. Combined, these more than negated marginal savings in pumping and frictional losses gained through displacement reduction. That is apparently only true for the automatic. The manual ECO is doing very well with MPG, I'm regularly seeing reports of over 42mpg.

That would be a very good option to add, too bad they did not do that. Course who is to say someone does not update this again. It could show up if GM is watching our chat. They are. They won't.

GM is Back! Reports Net Income of $3.2 Billion GM Reports first quarter profits of $3.2 Billion on $36.2 Billion in Revenue

GM Reports Net Income of $3.2 Billion Net income of $1.77 per share including a net gain from special items of $0.82 per share EBIT of $3.5 billion and EBIT-adjusted of $2.0 billion GM Europe achieves breakeven results on an EBIT-adjusted basis DETROIT – General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) today announced first quarter net income attributable to common stockholders of $3.2 billion, or $1.77 per fully-diluted share, marking the company's fifth consecutive profitable quarter. Revenue increased $4.7 billion to $36.2 billion, compared with the first quarter of 2010. "We are on plan," said Dan Akerson, chairman and CEO. "GM has delivered five consecutive profitable quarters, thanks to strong customer demand for our new fuel-efficient vehicles and a competitive cost structure that allows us to leverage our strong brands around the world and focus on driving profitable automotive growth." Net income attributable to common stockholders includes gains of $1.6 billion and $0.3 billion respectively related to the sales of the company's ownership interest in Delphi Automotive LLP and Ally Financial Inc. preferred stock. It also includes a $0.4 billion goodwill impairment charge at GM Europe (GME) resulting from a change in accounting standards and charges totaling $0.1 billion at GM International Operations (GMIO) related to revised tax regulations affecting the company's India joint venture. Combined, these special items increased net income attributable to common stockholders by $1.5 billion or $0.82 per fully-diluted share. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were $3.5 billion. EBIT adjusted to exclude special items was $2.0 billion compared with $1.7 billion in the first quarter of 2010. GM Results Overview (in billions except for per share amounts) Q1 2010 Q1 2011 Revenue $31.5 $36.2 Net income attributable to common stockholders $0.9 $3.2 Earnings per share (EPS) diluted $0.55 $1.77 EBIT $1.8 $3.5 Less special items $0.1 $1.5 EBIT – adjusted $1.7 $2.0 Impact of special items on EPS diluted $0.08 $0.82 Automotive net cash flow from operating activities $1.9 $(0.6)* Automotive free cash flow $1.0 $(1.9)* * Includes $2.5 billion negative impact related to wholesale advance financing agreement termination GM North America (GMNA) reported EBIT of $2.9 billion compared with $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2010. On an EBIT-adjusted basis, GMNA increased its earnings by $0.1 billion to $1.3 billion compared with the first quarter of 2010. The company expects GMNA's quarterly EBIT-adjusted results to improve on average for the remainder of the year compared with the first quarter as better pricing and improved fixed cost should more than offset commodity cost increases and unfavorable mix. GME reported EBIT of $(0.4) billion. GME's results improved by $0.6 billion on an EBIT-adjusted basis compared with the first quarter of 2010 and it achieved a significant milestone by delivering breakeven results on that basis. Based on current plans, GME is targeting to achieve breakeven results on an EBIT-adjusted basis before restructuring for the entire year. GMIO reported EBIT of $0.5 billion compared with $0.9 billion in the first quarter of 2010. On an EBIT-adjusted basis, GMIO earned $0.6 billion in the first quarter, a decline of $0.3 billion compared with the first quarter of 2010. GM South America (GMSA) reported EBIT of $0.1 billion, down $0.2 billion from the first quarter of 2010. There were no adjustments in either period. GM expects that full-year 2011 EBIT-adjusted results will show solid improvement over 2010. GM continues to expect no material impact on full-year results from the Japan crisis. For the quarter, automotive cash flow from operating activities was $(0.6) billion and automotive free cash flow was $(1.9) billion. Both figures include the $2.5 billion cash impact of GM's decision, announced in October 2010, to end a wholesale advance agreement with Ally Financial. GM ended the quarter with very strong total liquidity of $36.5 billion. Automotive cash and marketable securities, including Canadian Health Care Trust restricted cash, was $30.6 billion compared with $27.6 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2010. "GM has great potential to deliver profitable growth around the world as the recovery continues," said Dan Ammann, senior vice president and CFO. "While we're encouraged, we keenly recognize we have more opportunities to leverage our scale, improve spending and investment efficiencies, and optimize our strong balance sheet."

I'm guessing the Charger and 300 are both suffering from changeoveritis right now. They'll be back, especially after the updates.

The SRX is second only to the RX in sales volume yet at the same time it gives up nothing to the X3 or GLK in transaction price. The X3 is brand new and the SRX approaching it's 3rd year, yet the X3 would need to increase sales by at least 33% to match the SRX in volume and the SRX is showing no signs of slowing it's own sales growth. Who is chasing who now?

doesn't that 3-1 collector also make turbocharging the thing quite a bit easier?

The softtop also has the advantage of allowing more interior and trunk space.

A way to do it will be to build a 60 deg V8 of 4.8 liters using the HF V6 architecture. You can build it on the same lines, they'll used the same pistons, rods, valvetrain parts, etc. A balance shaft can be used to smooth out the 60 deg configuration (ala Volvo's Yyamaha built 4.4 V8). It'll be a DOHC 32v engine making about 420~430 hp. But, again, such a V8 will be a heck of a lot more work and money than a variant of the LFX V6 with different pistons and a cam grinds. What about a 90 degree V8 from scratch, or by using blocks of the 2.0, 2.4 or 2.5 liter ecotecs? The Germans seem to come up with a new V8 every other month, Cadillac had the Northstar for 18 years and now nothing. No, they just have better marketing departments.

I think Mercedes clawed back most of their reliability.... it is still not where they were in the 80's and early 90s, but it's not an '01 M-class anymore either.

oh, they're a lot smaller than I had imagined.

Would it surprise any of you to learn that I'd really like to test one out? I have a long love affair with the W-body (second favorite platform after the E-bodies) and I think this engine + transmission could really change the character of the car. Not that the current one is bad just that it's old.

It sounds like your compass is out of calibration. There is a reset procedure in the owner's manual. Apparently you need to drive the car in a circle three times as part of the procedure, so find an empty area if a parking lot.

I've never even heard of a sand boil! Got pics?

The only thing propping up the Sentra is cheap leases and more fleeting. Our Enterprise and National fleets here in Pittsburgh are all Nissan, Toyota, and Kia now. The G coupe and sedan combined is being outsold by the CTS. Why are they building the Armada/Qx56 again?

What is funny, a bunch of other manufacturers used that phrase in their press releases. It's almost as if they were all collectively mocking Toyota

First time that all of VW 11 models surpassed Subaru's 5.

Lucerne has been up almost every month for the past 6 months. I haven't check further back than that. I wonder if there are production constraints that keep the Traverse at 9,000 - it seems to have leveled off around there while the Acadia and Enclave continue to have growth.

X3 still has to double that rate if it is going to catch the SRX.... and the SRX is getting 2 new engines and an interior/exterior freshening for 2012

Vans down here too. CR-V is going into it's final year as this model very strong. Is the ZDX the worst selling model currently in production for any brand now?

yeah really, where did the Van sales go?

2012 Chevrolet Impala Changes hit the Dealerships Drew Dowdell - Chief Editor - CheersandGears.com May 3, 2011 By now most of you have heard that Chevy is doing a final update to the aging full sized Impala. Well those changes had finally hit the dealerships parts books. We knew about the 3.5 and 3.9 liter V6es being replaced with the High Feature 3.6 producing 302 horsepower while maintaining the Impala's FlexFuel designation and the 4-speed auto shifting to GM's 6-speed unit. But lets get the low down on the other changes. While we had hoped that a new Impala would be waiting on the lots for us in 2012 (2010?) These updates aren't a bad thing for a proven platform. As is, we're waiting till at least the 2014 model year before a full replacement will land. Update: NEW! Engine, 3.6L SIDI DOHC V6 VVT (302 hp [225.2 kW] @ 6800 rpm, 252 lb-ft of torque [340.2 N-m] @ 5300 rpm) For review, here is the list of published changes: Deletions (80U) Red Jewel Tintcoat exterior color (R6J) Additional 9 months of XM Radio service (PCK) Luxury Edition Package (for 2012, would now order LTZ model) (QB5) 16" steel wheels (PY0) 16" 5-spoke cast styled aluminum wheels (RS8) 17" fascia spoke wheels Fog lamps on LT model (LZE) 3.5L V6 engine (LGD) 3.9L V6 engine New Features (LFX) 3.6L V6 DOHC SIDI engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and 6-speed automatic transmission (FHS) E85 FlexFuel capable New front grille and fog lamps New rear end appearance with dual exhaust outlets standard on all trims (GAR) Black Granite Metallic exterior color (extra cost) (GBE) Crystal Red Tintcoat exterior color (extra cost, not available at start-up) New interior woodgrain trim (70*) Two-tone Neutral interior New leather shift knob, standard on LT and LTZ models (PDC) LS OnStar and Bluetooth Package (Fleet orders) (PDV) LT Sunroof Package (Retail and Fleet orders) (PDD) LT OnStar and Bluetooth Package (Fleet orders) (RV5) new design 16" aluminum wheels Changes (RS7) replaces RPO code (PFH) for the 17" machined aluminum wheels (RSX) replaces RPO code (NW2) for the 18" machined aluminum wheels (MX0) Automatic transmission changed from 4-speed to 6-speed Now standard on LS Retail: leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth for phone and floor mats Now standard on LT Retail: Cloth flip-and-fold rear seat and rear spoiler According to our dealer contact: The "new" grilles for the LS are the same as the ones used in the 2006 SS model, part number and all. The LT grille appears to be similar but different part numbers. The fascias remain the same as 2011, part numbers don't change. The new 16" wheel (RV5) is the same as was offered on the 2008-2010 Saturn Vue and Chevy Captiva. The V6 engine part numbers are new, but the transmission is shared with the Buick Lacrosse. RV5 16" Wheel New "old" Grill

Did they spell Isuzu different back then?

I thought they could take out cylinder sleeves to get the 3.6 mighty close to 4.0?

Cruze has roughly the same power as the other models on sale in it's price class. The Civic is going to be in trouble due to parts supply problems in Japan.