prototype66

I like the current Aura sheet metal as an Aura. This doesn't say it to me. Nice looking car though as a flagship. Are the dementions the same (similar) to the current model ? To me this car looks to be bigger than the Aura, I think this will hold the top spot above Aura.

Outstanding suggestion , There is the perfect vehicle that fits in the needs and with a fresh, dynamic style and a great track record. Yet it's the "New kid" around here.

GM To Invest $332 Million In Toledo Transmission Plant New fuel-efficient, front-wheel-drive, six-speed transmissions added to line-up Approximately 600 hourly jobs retained Nearly $1 Billion invested in Ohio in one year TOLEDO , OHIO – General Motors Corp. will invest $332 million in its Toledo, Ohio transmission plant to produce a new six-speed, front-wheel-drive automatic transmission that will deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy in GM’s mid-size vehicle segment. The investment includes facility renovation, new machinery, equipment and special tooling to support the production of the new Hydra-Matic 6T40/45 six-speed transmission. In addition to the $332 million facility investment, GM will invest an additional $57 million for vendor tooling, containers and investments at other locations necessary to support the Toledo operations. Construction is slated to begin in July, and production of the transmission is scheduled to begin in February 2010. The project will retain about 600 hourly jobs. “Six-speed transmissions play a key role in GM’s commitment to change the way the world drives,” said John Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice president of global manufacturing. “With more fuel-efficient transmissions and engines, as well as advanced propulsion technologies like flex fuels, hybrids and fuel cells, GM is transforming its product portfolio to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, while maintaining outstanding driving performance. The GM Powertrain Toledo plant and the new fuel-efficient products we are bringing here are integral in that transformation." The investment announced today is in addition to a $540 million investment GM announced last year for rear-wheel-drive six-speed transmission production at the Toledo Transmission plant. Construction of the 400,000 sq. ft. project is about two months ahead of schedule. “GM’s investments in Ohio, totaling close to $1 billion in the last year, is a significant vote of confidence in our employees and UAW Local 14 who have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to benchmark performance that is contributing to the company’s turnaround,” Buttermore said. Buttermore thanked Ohio’s leaders on the federal, state, county and local levels – including Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner – for providing the business case to support GM’s investments in Ohio.” “GM is making an enormous commitment to the State of Ohio and I commend them for their investment in our state,” said Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. “This is good news for Ohio workers and a testament to the great value of our highly skilled workforce and competitive business climate.” The new 6T40/45 transmission provides improved fuel economy and performance and features a compact, contemporary design. It allows the vehicle to stay in first gear longer, improving launch and acceleration. It also retains an overdrive in top gear for low-rpm highway cruising. The transmission’s gear set is on the same axis as the engine crankshaft centerline, which makes the entire powertrain more compact. This provides chassis designers more flexibility in designing the vehicle’s interior space compared to a conventional off-axis transaxle. GM Powertrain’s Toledo Transmission facility opened in 1916, and moved to its present location in 1955. For five consecutive years from 2000 to 2004 the Toledo Transmission Plant was ranked No. 1 in productivity by Harbour & Associates Inc.’s annual report on North American transmission and powertrain plants. The plant ranked No. 2 in 2005 and 2006. The 2.1 million sq. ft. plant employs 2,033 hourly and 265 salaried employees with an annual payroll of $276 million. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com. CONTACT(S): Sharon Basel GM Powertrain Communications Phone: 248-857-2083 Cell: 313-378-6647 E-mail: [email protected]

your a little thick arent you? jkMichigan is having enough trouble without you outside "policy experts" having all of these great solutions. "Thanks!"

Is there any word on any MCE in the Impala line between now and the new SOP? The two mode could really enhance the sales of the Impy until then. Some more dramatic sheet metal wouldn't hurt either.

I hadn't thought of that!A 2 door Imp and A 4 dr also, I think if they do that the 4 dr would have to be a Caprice. ......but who knows

The more I look at the blurry image the more I see an early (early) concept Camaro rendering in the Camaro room. The greenhouse is very close to the others and we all know there are probably well over 15 or 20 concepts that were passed on as a whole but kept around for references to certain cues or scale or whatever. I say real early Camaro.

I'm working on a cleaned up version but for now you can gnaw on this (very blurry) image. For sure not the MT rendering.

I couldn't agree more, the options are great but if it doesn't have original, attractive,exciting sheet metal they won't even get it on their radar.

I concur, Excellent work and extremely well written.You should have told me you were coming to Lansing, I would have bought you lunch and gave you a tour of the rest of the capitol city. I would have liked to show you the Chevy dealership I work at. We are the oldest Chevy dealer in town. 53 years young!!! Hell , I COULD HAVE PICKED UP MY CALANDERS EVEN! (jk) I live only 1 mile or so from the plant in Beautiful Grand Ledge. I hope you had a great visit to our fair city!!!!

Great article Fly, You brought a tear to my eye in the "Olds" section. Very well written. Saturn has always been the "New" Oldsmobile in my eyes. The paralells are there if you look. I hope to be part of the planet some day.

the pr shot looks like a totally different vehicle than the one on the flatbed.The RENDERING looks great. I believe that is what I said. From what I understand they put out PHOTOSHOPs for PR purposes.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiast...178.A12228.html Saab dealers are anxious to see the new generation of products headed their way. A new 9-1, based on the Opel Astra, is coming, as is a new 9-5 sedan that will share its running gear with the next Opel Vectra. A facelifted 9-3, with all-wheel drive, arrives soon. But it's the 9-4X crossover, due in concept form at the Frankfurt auto show this September, that has American dealers most encouraged. The 9-4X is a new crossover built from a new architecture that will also spawn a small Cadillac crossover. The Saab version, sources say, will be a sporty SUV with a lot of the Aero X look in the front, low side windows, and short overhangs. There's no word on engines yet, but these test mules and sketch reveal a little of what will become the 9-4X. The mules are shortened versions of the existing Saab 9-7X, used as cover for the new set of mechanicals. To me it looks like a warmed over leftover w/ a saab badge. the pr shot looks like a totally different vehicle than the one on the flatbed.The rendering looks great, the mule................................... blech!

Nice looking concept, looks more Saturn than Buick to me.

I have seen two running around town in the past 3 days. A White one (which looks fantastic) and one this color. By the way, here is two extremes on the back window.

I mean come on , they grabbed the nutsack on a hog and said "yep, It's a might cold out today."

1 The planets tem change is cyclical caused not by rotation but the wobble of the earths poles and gradually gets larger by the century (sourse; The science channel)and Http://amsforums.ametsoc.org/tool/post/ams...post?id=1209732 2 weathermen from 150 years ago were just farmers sticking their heard out the window. We've barely done a decent job in these passed 10 years. Who will you ask that was around 150 years ago befory they even recorded weather reports.

to each his own.personally,to me ford= from passed experience. what do ya do, it is what it is. The enclave looks very nice to me.

You know,your right. It really doesn't work for me, it looks odd imo.

5 6 2

bring it on, BRING IT ON ! Heck, while your at it put it in the cobalt and NuBu and why not add the Hybrid system as well. Badda boom badda bing >

Nice looking little car,kinda cool. Youger kids will eat it up. I would like it in a more evenly devided two tone or solis color myself but I think it would do well.

WOW,that is small! It is really a 4 seater? It has a cool retro-esc look to it inside and out. almost looks to be a two seater smart type of vehicle competiter (or should be) You go Fiat!

My guess is no. Vibe is a toyota based pontiac.(not a chevy/gmc) and the HHR is a sucsessful Delta car.This will probably fill the void left by the new Lambda platform replacing the trailblazer/envoy and not having a smaller 5 seater besides the nox(never a tb replacement) imo

Thanks, I needed that! rotflmas