Drew Dowdell

December 3, 2011

The Fender Audio in this car is FANTASTIC even to my hobbled ears. I don't generally comment on audio systems because my hearing doesn't really pick out the details that everyone else seems to comment on. VW included a demo CD with the car showcasing a variety of music and the clarity was amazing.

December 2, 2011

And we'll be there to cover the unveiling!

December 2, 2011

better to be proactive than reactive.... always.

I mean.... it's better than being hauled in front of a Congressional Inquiry about "what you knew, when, and what are you going to do about it?" like Ford and Firestone.

December 2, 2011

Nothing like this for me. In my house for 8.5 years. Albert and I just passed 4 years and still going strong. My job has lost all of its challenge and my boss and I have actively been discussing my next steps (today actually, during my yearly review). Hopefully the next year will be a career change for me, but I do like my house and my Albert.

December 2, 2011

Why the reliance on 5-speed autos while the rest of the industry moved on to 6-speeds and greater? It's not like their 5-speeds are all that good in the first place, they've had reliability problems with the early ones and they've never really been smooth.

December 2, 2011

What I am more interested in is how many people take GM up on these offers. The buyback offer could be a really big PR coup for GM. Consumer reports says that 93% of Volt owners would buy another one.. That makes them rather unlikely to want to give their current Volt back to GM. That leaves only 503 out of 6,300 Volt owners as even remotely likely to be interested in a buyback. How many of those are going to want a buyback.... 1%?

December 2, 2011

No need to move the engine, Hyper.

Just the drive motors.

The drive motors are also the generators - they have to be directly connected to the engine.

December 2, 2011

January

December 2, 2011

I would.

December 2, 2011

Is the Malibu even still in production? I think they stopped manufacturing the 2011 Malibu in August or September. Inventories are going to be dwindling by now.

December 2, 2011

I'm still rollin on 15s yo

December 1, 2011

and none of that, other than small displacement, made it to their largest market..... why?

December 1, 2011

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.

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December 1, 2011

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%.

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December 1, 2011

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>

December 1, 2011

I don't think any set of 22" wheels could be considered "affordable"

December 1, 2011

I like the almost first gen Toronado look to the rear end.

December 1, 2011

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.

December 1, 2011

Anyone here ever drive one of those? The G6 with the 3.9 and a manual?

December 1, 2011

I like that idea too Dwight, but I see room for both in Cadillac's lineup.

December 1, 2011

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.

December 1, 2011

it is overcome by max torque at zero RPM

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.

December 1, 2011

it is overcome by max torque at zero RPM

December 1, 2011

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.

December 1, 2011

Too much junk in that trunk, but otherwise I like it.

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