Drew Dowdell

I agree with Dodgefan. That top Crosstour, even if photoshopped, is much more attractive than the one we got..... just to quell those who would suggest that we've only been hating on Honda's latest designs because they are a Honda.

That would have been Ford's subsidiary of Volvo. I had the impression it was implemented in some Volvos and on the U.S. Ford Focus, a PZEV vehicle. But you do have a valid question.... Maybe I can ask Mulally next week.

+1..... for some people

I'm in favor of not shooting ourselves in the foot.

All you've proposed is that we're slower than volcanos but can do just the same amount of damage. A fire can destroy your house in 10 minutes. Termites take 10 years. Either way, in the end you still have a destroyed house.

Market share went from 15 to 20 in a year.... not shabby

*places bet on the Pacific Ocean winning..... eventually*

Yes.

I'll take it. I don't at all mind it going to a FWD bias platform with this kind of sales performance.

GM Getting Sales Momentum Core Brands up 30% Fourth Consecutive Month of Retail Sales Gains for GM’s Four Brands Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX Retail Sales Up 161 Percent Fleet Sales Comprise 29 Percent of Total Sales Chevrolet Equinox retail sales increased 67 percent; estimated retail share of the compact crossover segment is up 5 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) GMC Terrain retail sales were up 162 percent (compared to the vehicle it replaces, Pontiac Torrent); estimated retail share of the compact crossover segment is up more than 3 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) Cadillac SRX retail sales were up 218 percent vs. last year, the fifth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year; SRX gained approximately 15 points of retail share in the Mid-lux SUV crossover segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) In their first year on sale, GM Compact Crossovers – Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain – have become the second best selling crossovers in the industry GM sells more crossovers than any other automaker, representing approximately 20 percent of industry crossovers sold Buick LaCrosse retail sales were up 142 percent, the fourth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year; LaCrosse gained an estimated 12 points of retail segment share, making it number one in its segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) Chevrolet dealers sold 5,371 Camaros – the eighth straight month it has outsold Mustang Discussion: GM January 2010 Sales Results

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Retail Sales Up 3 Percent Total Sales for Core Brands Up 30 Percent Fourth Consecutive Month of Retail Sales Gains for GM's Four Brands Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX Retail Sales Up 161 Percent Fleet Sales Comprise 29 Percent of Total Sales DETROIT – U.S. dealers for GM's brands – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac – reported retail sales of 102,420, up 3 percent compared to January 2009, and 145,098 total sales (up 30 percent). These results were driven by the continued strong growth of new GM crossovers and passenger cars. For the month, GM dealers reported 146,825 total sales (including other brands), representing a total sales increase of 14 percent from the previous year. "This is the fourth month in a row that Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac have shown a collective year-over-year retail sales increase," said Susan Docherty, GM vice president, Sales, Service and Marketing. "Our long-term plan to continue to focus and strengthen our brands is delivering results." Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac comprised 98 percent of the company's retail sales in January, compared to 85 percent a year earlier. Retail sales, including other brands, in the U.S. were 104,122 during the month. This represents a 10 percent decline from a year ago, driven by other brand sales – Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and HUMMER – that were 90 percent lower. GM dealers delivered 42,703 fleet vehicles, comprising 29 percent of total deliveries for the month. Other Key Facts: Chevrolet Equinox retail sales increased 67 percent; estimated retail share of the compact crossover segment is up 5 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) GMC Terrain retail sales were up 162 percent (compared to the vehicle it replaces, Pontiac Torrent); estimated retail share of the compact crossover segment is up more than 3 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) Cadillac SRX retail sales were up 218 percent vs. last year, the fifth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year; SRX gained approximately 15 points of retail share in the Mid-lux SUV crossover segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) In their first year on sale, GM Compact Crossovers – Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain – have become the second best selling crossovers in the industry GM sells more crossovers than any other automaker, representing approximately 20 percent of industry crossovers sold Buick LaCrosse retail sales were up 142 percent, the fourth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year; LaCrosse gained an estimated 12 points of retail segment share, making it number one in its segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010) Chevrolet dealers sold 5,371 Camaros – the eighth straight month it has outsold Mustang "Our launch vehicles such as the Chevrolet Equinox and Camaro, Buick LaCrosse, GMC Terrain, and Cadillac SRX continue to attract new customers to our brands," Docherty said. "In addition to styling and fuel efficiency, customers have told us they want safe, high quality vehicles. They can have peace of mind knowing that our vehicles come standard with our 5-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and OnStar." Management Discussion of January Sales Results "Global economic recovery is picking up pace," said Mike DiGiovanni, executive director, global market and industry analysis. "In the U.S., we are seeing a strong rebound in manufacturing and stabilization of consumer confidence, which will support a slow but steady improvement in the vehicle market." U.S. Economy Leading economic indicators point to a continuing recovery in 2010, although risks remain Job losses continue to decline, but initial claims of unemployment remain high, indicating continuing reduction in the labor force. Unemployment is likely to stay near 10 percent Consumer confidence stabilized at the December level. Consumer vehicle buying attitude is improving, but consumers don't anticipate a strong recovery in jobs and income Home prices have stabilized in large parts of the country. Housing starts dropped 4 percent in December, but rising housing permits indicate construction will pick up in coming months The manufacturing sector continues to expand. Corporate profit reports show the corporate sector is positioned to expand as the economy improves U. S. Auto Industry The U.S. January 2010 SAAR is estimated to be approximately 11.0 to 11.3 million (total industry estimate) – largely on par with Q4 2009 sales Based on the strengthening U.S. economy, we are increasing our 2010 CY sales outlook to 11.5 to 12.0 million (total vehicle)

Ah. I know that Cochran has/had a Solstice Coupe in the showroom recently. I think it was a CPO. If you wanted, I could get out to Smail and take more shots of it for ya.

More good news for Ford: Sales up 24% for January 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury January sales up 24 percent versus year ago Cars up 43 percent, crossovers up 20 percent, SUVs up 8 percent, trucks and vans up 14 percent Ford brand sales up 26 percent, Lincoln up 16 percent and Mercury up 6 percent Ford's U.S. market share estimated at 16 percent, up 2 points versus year ago Fleet customers are back in the market – and buying Ford; fleet sales more than doubled versus last January's depressed levels Retail sales were 5 percent lower following December's 18 percent increase New products drive Ford's brand favorability and purchase consideration to record levels Discussion: Ford posts 24% sales increase

That looks a lot like "my" dealer. Is that Cochran?

.... when up up down down left right left right B A Start is how your start your day.

I think this case is slightly different in that it's not that Toyota had a need to recall but how they handled the whole situation. If it comes out in those congressional hearings that Toyota did in fact know of this issue since 2004, they're going to be deflated quite a bit.

I think Ford will gain the most. The new Sonota isn't in showrooms en' mass yet and the old one just isn't up to snuff <had one for a rental last week>. With all of the positive press out for Ford, Car of the Year, 2.3 Billion profit, didn't take government bailout, didn't declare bankruptcy, and the fact they have their ducks in a row with the Fusion and Taurus, the only way it could have been timed better would be if the new Fiesta and Focus were on lots today. Hyundai will be second with SUVs uptake. Buick might snatch a few ES and RX drivers, IS drivers might look at a CTS but they're more likely to head to BMW or Infiniti. No telling where all three GS buyers might end up. Malibu should do ok, but it's been on the market long enough now for the "new" to have worn off. Cobalt doesn't have a chance except with bare bones Corolla drivers. Chevy dealers will have an even tougher time keeping Equinoxes on the lot if they can get a RAV-4 driver through the door. The "obvious" ones of Honda and Nissan I think won't gain as much. Altima seems to be the oldest in it's class at the moment and the "new" has washed off the Accord just like it has Malibu. Some of the drum beat I'm seeing on the twitterverse is there is a small but growing distrust of Japanese brands now. First Sony and then Toyota, followed by a much smaller recall by Honda. Edit: I voted Ford and "4% - 5%". With the largest market share, they naturally have the most to lose.

Underpowered relative to... what exactly? It's 10" to 12" longer than any crossover competition. Relative to one of the biggest sellers in the market, the Honda Pilot, it's got more horsepower, more torque at lower RPM, and a 6-speed transmission instead of a 5-speed. Honda Pilot 0-60 is 8.85 seconds. GMC Acadia is 8.72 seconds. Seems quite competative to me. The Terrain's looks of course are subjective, but I don't think you can call it ugliest ever up against things like the Aztec, Isuzu Vehicross, and the new Hyundai SUV lineup. Keep in mind that the primary competition for the Terrain is the Honda CR-V. Just comparing 4-cylinders, the Terrain has more torque and one extra cog in the gear, but then there is a 6-cylinder option also. While you'll never win a drag race with any vehicle in this segment, the V6 model still has plenty of gusto. In day to day driving you'll never notice it doesn't have the most power in it's class unless you routinely race for pink slips with Toyota RAV-4s.... but then again, they just might have a stuck pedal.

No, but that's a good one too. It's a clip of Giulianni commenting on the State of the Union..... by the end if it you wonder if he even watched the thing.

The reason I don't watch faux news isn't because I don't want to hear the other side, it's because they and their guests so frequently get basic provable facts grossly wrong and then hang their commentary off of those falsehoods. In the politics forum I have a video posted of Rudi Giulianni, on Fox, demonstrating that he has clearly lost his mind.

You must be from north of I-80 if you think that about western PA

She's a show woman... a diva to be. A few years ago, Cher issued a challenge to Christina A., Britney S. and the like, to try and one up her after the last tour that was frequently referred to as "Cher 'de Sole'" The challenge "Follow this you bitches!" Out of those other train wrecks, I think Lady Gaga is the only one who has any hope of coming close. My impression of her is that Lady Gaga is a character and nothing more, she seems relatively down to earth when not in character.

Well.... what was it!?

This is the first time I've ever heard of Mancrunch and the poor production quality of the ad make me think CBS was being punked.