enzl

According to LLN (and other sources) the Gamma platform (which will underpin Corsa) is also used for these...not sure how the dimensions compare, but that's where I got my (mis)information from... http://www.leftlanenews.com/no-beat-but-ch...us-by-2011.html "Whichever concept makes it to showrooms, it will be based on the automaker’s Gamma global platform — versions of which underpin the Opel / Vauxhall Corsa in Europe and will be used in the Alfa Romeo MiTo..."

Where's the US certified diesel available in Europe? That would solve all concerns about power and mileage.

Biz, you're simply revealing a level of bias that transcends reality and logic. This '09 refresh has been available for testing in other markets for 6 months or more. I haven't read a truly positive article on this car in any reputable source. I'll concede that the interior of the '09 is really nice for an Aveo. But that's it. This platform is no longer competitive...it wasn't designed to be, even when introduced...it's a cut-rate, Wal-Marted, bottom feeding competitor for the LCD shopper. That's all it will ever be. The fact that GM intro'ed 3 possible replacements (Traxx, Groove, Beat), had Americans vote on 'em and then not prepare the first versions for US consumption displays the level of concern and vision that GM has for this segment in the US. The 09 Aveo simply confirms this theory. (Wanna hear my pet theory on why 'Biz isn't here as much: Ironically, it's the same reason I don't come here...Too much bad news for GM. It's simply overwhelming how quickly things got so bad...check out today's financial news...that's record loses 2 of the last 3 quarters...Awful doesn't even cover it. It's really gotta chap some people's asses that me, OC and the rest of the outcasts on this board were right....)

Exactly. (And the mileage is about the same as well, so why buy a Korean-built Aveo when the Cobalt is there?)

The bailouts wouldn't bother me as much IF the government funded some, part or all of the program by prosecuting predatory lenders and the jokers who were valuing these homes at insane prices... The new American motto is "It's not my fault"...you can see it at work everywhere: Our overburdened legal system, insurance claims, investment banking bailouts. Don't worry, its just the honest, taxpaying, bill paying suckers that lose in this system.

That would make sense, except there are plans to replace the G5 and create G3 model(s), IIRC. Wouldn't tossing the G6 defeat the purpose of the other proposed G's?

Unfortunately, that's what happens when you make bad decision after worse. You end up without options. The good news is this management team (hopefully) won't last long enough to ruin everything...

I like the Insignia as Pontiac idea...the Beat situation is stupid, if only because the NY Auto show Beat intro basically invited Americans to vote for their favorite concept of the trio (Trax, Groove & Beat). The Corsa should be a Saturn--the Outlook was a dumb diversion... Saturn will return to its roots at some point. Or die.

They've found 3rd party lease providers for any dealer that wanted it, according to what I've seen & heard. It's certainly not a vote of confidence, regardless.

Noone but us car dorks know this Saturn Aura is an Opel elsewhere. I suspect GM's trying to recoup its investment in the current gen Aura, shift resources elsewhere, and then intro the Insignia/Aura EpII down the road. Remember, GM was predicting 100k+/yr. Aura sales that haven't materialized... As for Ep overlap--it's still going to be a problem. Buick, Saturn, Pontiac & Saab all have or will have Ep/EpII cars on the market at similar price points--for the next few years---taking 500k+ in sales potential and taking 5 times the marketing budget of a Camry or Accord to do it. It's hard to win a war being fought on this many fronts...

I always think...hey, isn't Saturn's 'new' plan the exact same mindspace that Olds was going for before they were euthanized? Wouldn't Saturn's wishfull pricing look like bargains if they sat in an Olds showroom? Saturn should have forever been the inexpensive (note: not same as 'cheap'), fun-to-drive odd ball from Spring Hill. Would've at least been easier to sell...

You're right...it's a chicken/egg argument...as I said, we've sold 2, but had more in stock...I believe we swapped or outright sold the other HHR SS inventory to other dealers, so somebody is selling them. I'm not sure that GM is really emphasizing the HHR SS in marketing---and I can't remember seeing an ad for one outside of the auto rags. (and the same applies to the Cobalt SS---except that we've sold all of the units we had in stock ourselves) To me, that 2.0 with DI and a 6 sp (man/auto) would boost the Cobalt immeasurably. Best in class Fuel Economy, simplification of manufacturing by eliminating the 2.2 vs. 2.4 choice & a chance to leapfrog the competition seem like compelling reasons to me...but what do I know?

The HHR SS is a great engine looking for a better home. In the year this thing has been out, our Chevy store has fielded exactly 2 phonecalls inquring about availablility and sold 2 total. It's another answer to a question noone asked---like the XUV or retro-hardtop 'vert pickup (SSR). The HHR is a decent drive---better than the Cobalt it's based on (which brings up a whole bunch of other questions)---but I'd rather see an improved Cobalt with a DI 2.0/6 sp combo as it's base engine than an HHR SS.

I love a snarky remark as much as the next guy, but....are you really impressed by the findings of this GM sponsored boondoggle? What impressive information has been provided? Coincidentally, this news and the Rickster's "let's slash some more costs" routine are more of the same from GM. You convinced that more of the same is a good idea for GM right now? What are the odds of success for these ideas when we could have proposed them (and a few of us have) years ago with just a few minutes of thought? I'm sincerely scared for GM, its workers, its fans & anyone tied to the auto industry right now. You should be too, based on the intellectual laziness and poor thinking going on at GM.

He may be wrong--but its only temporary---as the anticipated "turnaround" in 2010 is going to prove to be just as elusive as the 3 other 'plans' RW and the Funky Bunch have foisted on the BoD and GM's fans for the past few years. How is it that management has failed to meet its ambiguous goals EVERY time, yet intelligent people (at C&G or the BoD) continue to believe hook line & sinker? What is it that they say about the definition of insanity? Check back in 18 months--things will be just as bad, if not worse. I can't believe the free ride RW is getting. There's a catastrophe just waiting to happen over at the tubes--the fact that noone is truly acting like its a crisis is astounding.

Wow. 3 years and untold millions to come up with information that could have been formulated in 3 days and one or two threads here. Why does GM PR even bother to release this type of information? It's an embarassment and runs counter to what they need to be doing right now (but so is allowing future product pics to leak all over the place---I guess one of the 20% losing their jobs didn't feel like following orders?) To the posters above pining for the maintenance of all divisions: GM simply cannot afford it. They'll starve smaller divisions down to 2/3 models--unique or rebadges--doesn't matter. They can't develop all models needed and can't afford to buy out franchisees---that's simply the facts. At least upper management now admits there's a severe problem (unfortunately, they take no blame and seem to proscribe "the same, only more" as a solution) which is a start, I guess.

You simply can't wish the Union or Dealer-body away...GM needed to be creative about how they transition in both cases. Creativity hasn't been their strong suit for the last 30+ years. I'm not sure I'd hang my hat on that innate ability springing forth either.

06 Honda CRV AWD...last tank...15MPG! Avg (1 month of use): 19 MPG Not good.

Tata is a multinational conglomerate...IIRC, one of the largest in India and the world....what are you talking about? They have all the resources necessary to redevelop Jag, including the $ to bring in tech help. How often do you simply mislead with nonsense like this? Ford Sold because Mullally determined that Jag & LR couldn't be afforded, given the direction of int'l issues...

Or...the media is following the age-old maxim: "If it bleeds, it leads" The fall from grace of one of the most powerful, wealthy companies in history makes quite a story, doesn't it? RW should be frustrated with himself--he's presided over one of the hugest failures of any CEO in modern times...his name will be posted alongside other notables like Kenneth Lay as anti-examples in Biz texts for generations. Blaming the media for the sh!tstorm completely hides RW's complicity in this debacle. It's a lame excuse--just one of dozens that GM's PR department has attempted to sell in the past few years. War in the Middle East=Gas price uncertainty--49% ownership of RESCAP means they had advance warning of the weakness in home mortgages--to state that these guys had no warning is to reinvent the past with no regard for the truth.

Umm...other than the Enclave, I'd say Buick hasn't gotten any good press for its products. Buick's sales are down a greater % than the market itself & my comment regarding gas pricing was a sarcastic one--GM certainly HAS been caught by surprise, no? Otherwise, what's their excuse? I'd say Buick is an afterthought, a shining example of GM's cronic ADD problems. One decent new car intro in the past 5 years does not a rebirth make, my friend. The Lucerne was old at intro and the LaCrosse even older and uglier. If it wasn't for China, Buick would have gone the Olds route years ago...

Rebirth? I'd take a modest upgrade. The Zeta cancellations killed any chance of Buick coming back to full health here in the states--I think we're going to see a 3/4 product lineup for the forseeable future--the NG LaCrosse, Enclave, Lucerne & possibly something smaller (CUV, 4 cyl. Delta?)--and that's it. I'd say that we're in for a rocky few years, as product plans have been decimated by 'surprising' gas prices, a downturn in the economy and a cash-strapped General trying to tread water.

What does that email state that hasn't already been released officially? He's telling the Titanic's band to continue to play...if he makes it past the new year as CEO, GM is toast.

Are the Buick faithful really pining for the worlds nicest Malibu? Will GM have a 4cyl/6sp auto available upon intro? Those questions always come to mind when I see this car. Not that it won't be nice...it really needs to sell 75k units or more to make a difference for GM.

Noone said dump big trucks...making Euro-cars that would pass US emissions and safety (just like VW, MB, BMW are now) isn't some crazy, left-field notion. GM left itself exposed--now we're all going to pay the price. But it's OK because other companies were just as stupid? C'mon. The difference between Toyota and GM right now is that Toyota can afford its mistakes.