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I think they blew it with the new xB and xD...the models went directly against the divisions mantra as "hip" and steered more towards a small Toyota with options. I think they lost their initial edge on the marketplace with these new launches, perhaps the philosophy wore thin.

Can't say I like it at all. The overall shape is pleasing, but the design is too heavy and poorly coordinated...not really exciting either. I really liked the Audi look that GMC was shooting for about 7 years ago...

That is one boooring design. Quite disappointing seeing that come out of GM Europe, especially, a division that has turned out some of the best concept and production vehicles in the past 10 years. Is the star fading?

Certainly hope that these photos aren't of the BRX. This looks like the new Equinox to me...I'm seeing a Chevy split grill in the front, am I correct?

Hate the front...too FWD...too misproportioned...too chubby to be a Caddy. Needs to be rethought. The rear 3/4, however, is a certifiable KNOCKOUT. Wow. And I thought they were hitting a creative dead-end with Cadillac rear's...GM Design has proved me wrong! Still think this car isn't appropriate for Cadillac yet...should have been Buick's.

I don't think it's worth the investment. These cars are turds...they don't do a single thing right! Why not put this investment to fast track the next-gen Cloud Cars...bring them up a year/invest in build quality etc.?

A big, giant, way-to-go to Honda. This seems like the first big step into a new generation of automobiles...the fuel cell, to quote Howard Hughes, is the "way of the future, way of the future." It's only a matter of time until they get it right, and bring the cost down, but things are seemingly speeding up. What is needed is a government who will commit to developing an infrastructure. Current politicians (without getting too into it b/c I know politics are taboo) seem to support bio-energy such as Ethanol and Bio-Diesel. This is not where things are going. Ethanol power is less efficient than gasoline (which in itself has about 20-25% efficiency) and it would require cornfields spanning areas greater the North America to achieve independence from foreign oil (which means, 50% of fuel comes from within). We need an Eisenhower-like commitment to help develop this infrastructure of hydrogen stations to not only achieve this independence, but to help the environment and strengthen the economy. My facts might be a little off, but I hope you see my point. BTW, where's GM in all of this? Making another pie-in-the-sky fuel cell concept? Hopefully they can throw something into the upcoming Volt...

Even in concept, this is going to be very, very hard to pull off. From the looks of this chubby design, GM could throw any front end/rear setup from one of its brands. The SRX was and is a great performing product, but had some inefficiencies built into it from the previous regime. A re-imagined SRX ala CTS (and of course, better pricing and awareness) would do wonders for the brand. A FWD wannabe ala MDX (which is a solid performer, but decidedly mid-lux) is not the way to go, but I assume market research found much better opportunity.

I take alot of photos, and this one incorporates a few of my favorite things: :AH-HA_wink:

Sadly, Chrysler LLC has a full lineup of hollow products that are outbuilt and outclassed in practically every way. First to go should be the Sebring, hands down the ugliest car & worst product since the ION. The Commander was too late to the market, and does too many things wrong to make up for the few that it does right. The Compass was a great idea...but absolutely 100% poorly executed. A rally Jeep: great idea. The result: an overwrought, thrown together econobox that excels in precisely nothing. The Aspen & Durango simply aren't what the market needs right now, or anytime soon. Same goes with the Dakota. These three need to be re-thought. The PT should be ditched...a new icon should be created in its place. Something to get the division going again (only to crash 4 years later...that's the Wheel of Chysler!) I think the Nitro should go once the Journey is on the market...the Journey is actually the first cohesive Chrysler I've seen in a while, and seems to be a better fit for today's marketplace, relative to the crude Nitro. Basically, Chrysler has a long way to go. Hopefully by going private, they'll be able to make more impactful decisions that allow for better LT results.

Gorgeous. Keeps the creativity of previous French designs, but in a much more accessible package. Why can't GM be this creative!?!

There's also CCS - Center for Creative Studies - in Detroit, I believe. If you're really passionate about it - do it. It's a crapshoot that you'll actually get a job designing cars once you've graduated, but if you feel you're truly destined, don't let that one caveat hold you back.

Ugh, there's those rear taillights they forgot to style....

Not great, not "gotta have." A timid evolutionary design with poorly executed headlamps (ie cheap looking). It doesn't look bad at all, designwise or stylewise...it's just really plain.

Hmm...quite a heavy design...very Asian. Definitely lacks the voluptuousness of legendary Buicks. We'll see what develops, but as of now, I'm not feeling it. Hopefully the devil's in the details, as they say. And is it me or do the NG LaCrosse and Aura/Insignia have the same center stack?

Finally, a Mopar product that went to finishing school. Long stay dead they days of cobbled-together product ala Sebring, Nitro, and Commander.

The results of these discussions will have a major impact on the future success of the American automakers. I think all of us are hoping that serious concessions are made on behalf of the UAW. Looking forward to good results (optimistically)...

Best of luck online...give it a shot! If there's one rule to stick by, it's don't knock it til ya try it. Personally, I haven't fully invested myself in that scene, but it seems quite popular. Statistically, you probably are going to get more wackos and less-camera-friendly ladies while dating online, but keep the faith, you might find the right one. Either way, you're going to get dating experience and increase your odds of landing the right chick. But IMO, the best way to meet potential dates is through friends. The bars are tough, even if you are good looking ;-)

Well, I'm in the market...for the first time with a dealership. I'm sure I'll have some stories to tell. But, under my arsenal lies my sales career and knowledge...so hopefully I won't take things too seriously. Regarding several of your horror stories, I must say that sales is an art. Persistence is part of that. So is objection handling. But along with that, you've got to truly listen to the customer, be able to read their body language, and learn to back off if you don't see any high impact needs. The latter is important, for you could lose a potential future sale as well as damage the company you're selling for...it's clear that happened to most of you.

Good to see Chrysler go private. I think that opens up a lot more opportunities...might even stop Chrysler's typical business cycle of excelling & crashing every four years.

Grill looks a hell of a lot better. Still could use a few more gears on the tranny. Actually looked at LaCrosse's for a company car today. Interior materials were better than I had thought, not a whole lot of plastic. Handled surprisingly better than my '91 5er...but I guess that's not saying much since Black Betty is pushing 17. Steering could have more weight to it. My major nitpick - and even though this would essentially be a company car - was the inconsistent build quality (which did NOT improve my negative views on the UAW). On one model, while sitting in the driver's seat, I could reach around the center console and get my whole hand under it and 'pet' the insulation. On another model, carpet was loose from the door sill in about a 4-inch area. Seriously, good luck at the contract negotiation fellas...you're really earning that $65/hr. So basically build quality - along with some more dialed-in steering and extra gears - is what I would've sought to improve (along with the better grill seen here). Otherwise, most of my assumptions were incorrect about the car, as its very livable... Looking forward to more adventurous styling and better buiild quality in the next generation...

Sadly enough, the real 'Marmalade' ain't that far off...BRX?

So...basically the GTO program was a short-term yet costly exercise in leveraging global resources and boosting the Pontiac brand's performance credibility. In the words of South Park, "nice."

Still needs work IMO, especially in the vocals department, but still promising. http://download.yousendit.com/332F512368919562 I'm still holding out for a proper reunion tour...

Regarding the GM FYI v-log, I would love to get a better look at those sketches in the background. I still can't get over how the rear is the definition of "afterthought," especially on such a decent design. Can't imagine that rear is what was originally planned.