bdubsee

It's all about price. I almost bought one of the "CSV's" because of the deal but then I saw the second row seat get ripped out in the crash test. They are all over here in Orlando but they are all rentals for the tourists.

I had a 1997 Catera. It is still my favorite car that I've owned. It was also the worse car that I've ever owned. I loved the solid, pinned down ride and handling. On the highway the thing felt better the faster that you went. The interior was comfortable and it was well laid out. It also went through 3 $250 headlamp switches, 7 ignition modules, and uncountable number of interior trim pieces and cupholders. The traction control was overbearing and would bog the car down at the slightest hint of wheel spin (such as quickly pulling out of a driveway). Luckily, they came with a 4/50k warranty and I traded mine at 47k miles because I was averaging $400-600 in repairs (warranty covered) in the final months. I was also in a wreck in mine on 4/20/2000 (no weed jokes please ). I t-boned a Chevy Celebrity that ran the redlight. I sent the Chevy to heaven and the Catera to the Caddy dealer. I was unhurt and impressed by the battering ram the little Caddy was. The front end was smashed short of the front wheels and the engine/suspension were not damaged. Well, I got my car back $14,000 and 67 days later. I still kind of miss the car though and I often wonder what a used one with a GM Performance crate V8 would be like. If the GTO had been available as a 4-door I would have gotten on as they are both based on the Opel Omega. Sorry if I am rambling...the Catera was a wonderfully terrible car.

Retro inspiration isn't bad per se. While I don't care for either the Camaro (go ahead and flame me..) or the Challenger, the Camaro looks like a modern design with "heritage" cues while the Challenger looks like Chip Foose overhauled a 1970 model. It's nice and all but more of a caricature of the original than an homage.

What is this "DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK" business for the Saab??? Sounds like they are simply going to leave it to each dealer to rig up a solution. That certainly would make me feel confident.

The guide shows the Morroco Brown leather and wood trim tied together. I've said this elsewhere but I wish they'd make the silver trim optional. I am sure that the designers wanted something "warm" go to with the brown leather but they are off on the selection. Maybe they should try something wild like a copper finish that would be warm, earthtone and original.* *Free suggestion. If GM wants the other 4,573 steps on my "Trail to Superbness", they will have to pay! Bwaha-ha-ha.

The wood in the Aura absolutely has to go when paired with that color leather. The colors are too close in a way that makes them clash and it washes the richness of each out. The wood doesn't look awful per se, it is just wrong in this context.

That does not look like the same car. I am a bit um, well, underwhelmed. It's just the little details - you know the little things that GM has been getting killed for in the press.

Doesn't Australia have multiple time zones? If my calculations are right for Sidney, we could looking at VE tonight. Sydney is GMT+10 and East USA is GMT-4 so this part of Oz is 14 hours ahead of us. Midday Australia = 12 GMT+10 = 10 p.m. EDT.

Right now it is 2:21 a.m. in Sydney Oz (according to http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=240 ) It's 12:21 p.m. EDT hear in Orlando. Noon in Sydney, Australia would be in about 10 hours... EDIT: Damn, chazman beat me. But I did include the link so I still get one point.

Nice bold, sweeping statement. I am 33, live in the southeast and I drive a Buick because I like it. FWIW, nearly every brand has been trying to make a BMW 3 series killer without a great deal of success.

I wouldn't boast about having a good relationship with Don Williamson. He is a shady character with a questionable (and criminal) history. He bought the mayorship of Flint for his personal gain and to feed his enormous ego by selling desperate people a bill of goods. The fact that you count him as a friend speaks volumes about your character. Perhaps this grandiose sense of self is what you two have in common? BTW - You may want to work with your friend Don on how to run his company: http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index....0590.xml&coll=5. I think he is finding (like you will) that being successful on a small stage such as Flint/Genesee County doesn't make you a big time player no matter how many times you proclaim it.

In the name of accuracy, I can't see where anyone suggested that contract workers were being let go. My post was about empathy with those being let go - it just happens that I was a contract employee.

My thoughts go out to those who are losing their jobs. I once worked at the General and I was let go in 2002 (though I was only a contract employee - a yellow badge). I was so miserable. Just remember that even though the first days/months will be dark, you'll probably come out much better in the long run. Think of it as more of an opportunity than a loss.

More hysterical headline writing - haven't we learned our lesson yet?

GM applied for the INVICTA trademark in 2004. The application is still in process. Try this link: http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/...&TEXT=78458218# Or go to uspto.gov and select "search" under "trademarks". Put in the word "invicta" and check out the fourth entry.

The US Patent and Trademark Office rules allow up to 36 between registering a trademark and actually using it. The filing now doesn't mean we will necessarily see it sooner than later.

Yuck! I surely won't be drinking the "BM Kool-aid".

Some pics on the Jeep website that they labeled a concept in Frankfurt : http://www.jeep.com/jeep_life/news/jeep/patriot_compass.html From what I've read, the Compass is 95% correct compared to production.

Actually, while declaring bankruptcy impairs the credit of individuals, corporations enjoy improved credit. Think back to K-mart. Once they declared bankruptcy, a number of financing sources materialized because the company had been relieved of legacy obligations as a debtor-in-possession. The filing will allow Delphi to secure new lines of credit that will keep it liquid until a reoganization plan is approved by the bankruptcy court.

The Futura was an odd case as there are at least a half-dozen other trademarks in both automobiles and tires. Examples include Cavalier (GM and Uniroyal), Charger (DC and Kelly-Springfield), Concord (DC and Lee Tire & Rubber), Eclipse (Mitsubishi and Toyo Rubber Industry), Explorer (Ford and Kelly-Springfield), Escort (Ford and General Tire). The USPTO usually allows these registrations because it is not reasonable to believe that it will cause marketplace confusion (their standard). As for the Invicta Car Company - it is an English company with no trademark on record in the USPTO.

This application is not related to the 60's era Invicta name use. In order for a trademark to be valid in a category, it must used in commerce. GM has applied for Invicta in category 12: Motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks, vans, engines therefor and structural parts thereof. This means that they have a bona fide intention to use the name on one of these products within 36 months of the date of the Notice of Allowance from the USPTO. They must file a Statement of Use (SOU) with USPTO when they actually use the name on product available for sale. FYI, GM also has registered the following names subject to filing a Statement of Use (SOU) for each: Piranha (expires 1/28/06) Bel Air (expires 1/14/06) GMC Brigadier (expires 9/17/05) Terrain Chevelle (expires 12/23/06) G5 G8 Bengal H3T Velite Del Rey Again, failure to use these names within 36 months of approval by the USPTO results in the cancellation of the registration. This is likely why we saw Sunfire editions of the Sunbird in 2004 and Trailblazer editions of the Blazer in 99-01 before the name changes. After a first use, the trademark protection is valid for 6-10 years and can be renewed indefinitely if still in use. If not in use at the point of expiration, it is cancelled.

Here are two photos of the 2003 Centieme concept: [attachment=31:attachment][attachment=32:attachment]

A quick search at the US Patent and Trademark Office website shows that GM filed for a trademark for "Centieme" but abandoned their filing in April 2004. http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=t3k96v.2.1 The car may live but the name seems dead. Interestingly, GM has an application pending for "Invicta" in category 12 (Motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks, vans, engines therefore and structural parts thereof).