thegriffon

That could very well be what he is describing. If so, it is good news, the concept looks superb.

Are you sure this isn't an issue for fleet buyers only? Several models are restricted, and some available only at special request from GM Fleet. Perhaps the CXS is unavailable for fleet orders. If you want them, you have to buy retail, or settle for the 3800. How else do you limit on fleet sales?

Mazda to Showcase All-New Mazda2 Sedan World Premiere at the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show * Mazda completes the consolidation of its China business foundation in terms of production, sales and products Mazda Motor Hiroshima, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today revealed the all-new Mazda2 (known as Mazda Demio in Japan) sedan at the 2007 Guangzhou Motor Show. This version of Mazda's latest model has a dynamic and elegant form that was designed to capture new customers in the rapidly growing Chinese B-car segment. The all-new Mazda2 sedan is produced by Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. at its Nanjing plant, and will go on sale in the first half of 2008 through the Changan Mazda Motor Sales Company's network. … Go to full release and gallery at AutoReport

In your market, too expensive. The Yaris, Accent and Rio are all offered with a small diesel, and of course all European A- and B-segment models (including the Corsa) have at least one if not two or three diesel options. But of course, you pay a lot more for them. There should be a 1.5 L diesel for the Aveo, but perhaps they can't keep up with demand for the 2.0 L engine.

What I meant was the mpg. You beat me to replying.

Officially no, effectively yes. Toyota usually does a full replacement every second generation, but this is less of an update than you will normally see, on a par with the "new" Expedition, not as substantial as the new Land Cruiser or GMT 900s. The major update to the body was the introduction of the "widebody" version with the late Matrix and Vibe, which has since spread to the hatchback and MPV variants (Corolla Verso in the previous generation, Auris, Blade and Corolla Rumion this generation). The basic structure is shared with the late Celica, the longer wheelbase Allion and Premio compact sedans (formerly Corona/Carina), the late Caldina wagon (temporarily unavailable), and the lower midsize European Avensis etc.

It could be worse, have you seen the new Murano yet?

please send all complaints and suggestions about the Astra and Saabs to PCS …The only one I can think of is the handling particularly of the higher-power versions, partly, but not entirely the result of pushing so much power through the front wheels. Ford has made greate strides, but Opel/Vauxhall are still way behind. I have no complaints about the last Corsa 1.4 (I like the way GM engines rev, and crawling up car park ramps in 2nd gear with no throttle), but it does tend to get disturbingly jittery near top speed on undulating road surfaces.

The Equinoxes are on the road (Project Driveway). It doesn't cost anything , but you had to be in a certain area (with access to refuelling) and fill in an application. http://media.gm.com:8221/us/chevrolet/en/n...rojectDriveway/

That's not inflation, that's easy credit and no sense of value.

I agree. Lots of dealers are going under simply because there are too many of them to begin with. That many dealers could be supported when you have 50% market share, but not when you have 25%. The game has changed as well. The days of Mom and Pop dealers with a dozen cars in inventory are numbered. You can't depend on service income because cars don't break down like they used to, and need servicing less often as well. People won't stand for expensive day-long services anymore either. Check fluids and TSBs and go. Too many dealers are still a guy with a mobile office building , some cars and bunting in a vacant lot.

No, but you won't get better unless you downsize to the Yaris.

It did, quite a bit.

Actually it is easy to compare since we do have measurements for both. Fullsize Cargo Room Weight WB OAL Width Height Headroom Legroom Shoulder room Hip Room SUVs 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd Tahoe 109 60 17 5233 116.0 202.0 79.0 76.9 40.3 38.5 38.2 41.3 39.0 25.4 65.3 65.3 61.7 64.4 60.6 49.1 Sequoia 121 67 19 5680 122.0 205.1 79.9 74.6 39.7 39.4 38.5 42.5 36.4 35.3 66.4 65.6 65.7 62.1 59.9 50.4 Expedition 108 55 19 5578 119.0 205.8 78.7 76.7 39.6 39.8 38.3 41.2 39.1 37.7 63.2 63.7 51.9 60.2 59.9 50.2 Armada 97 57 20 5372 123.2 207.7 79.3 77.2 41.0 40.0 35.9 41.8 41.9 32.2 65.0 64.7 63.7 61.4 60.8 48.8 Expedition EL 131 86 43 5928 131.0 220.5 78.7 76.7 39.5 39.7 37.6 41.2 39.1 37.7 63.2 63.7 67.1 60.2 59.9 51.8 Suburban 137 90 46 5613 130.0 222.4 79.1 76.8 41.1 38.5 38.1 41.3 39.5 34.9 65.3 65.2 64.7 64.4 61.8 49.4

"Toyota makes trucks?" In comparison to the Camry, Toyota's trucks have been so far off the radar that the people who complain about SUVs didn't notice them. They do now, and they're starting to get mad. Unlike edmunds, I'm not impressed with the fuel economy, and the GM SUV's do get better economy, even in 4wd.

They've also built updated versions of Suzuki's old F-series engines (widely built in China as well, including by GM JV partner Wuling Motors), as the S(Suzuki)-Tec II. Daewoo's Family 1 engines are of course the E-Tec II engines (E for Ecotec?), dubbed A-series. Beside the F-series and A-series engines Daewoo uses engines supplied directly by GM Holden (Family II) and GM Powertrain Europe (1.8 L Family 1); and its own engines based on the Suzuki block, dubbed B-series. The original SOHC B10 is pretty much the same as Suzuki's F10C, but the new DOHC B12 (also built by SGMW) is all-new, and will soon be joined by a new DOHC B10. The XK-series straight sixes are also pre-Daewoo, designed when Aston-boss and former Porsche engineer Ulrich Bez was running Daewoo's R&D.

Umm, no. I would say it is a version of GM Powertrain Europe's new 1.6 L Dual-CVVT Family 1 engine. This version is tuned for economy, rather than power, it will be interesting to see what the ratings are for other markets (already higher with the old Daewoo Family 1 engine, which was also a Daewoo version of a GM engine). The 1.6 Dual-CVVT in the Astra gets 113 hp and more torque to boot.Specs list mileage as 27/34 (man) and 24/34 (auto).

The different partners have different responsibilities. GM developed the initial design and the primary large truck application. Daimerl/BMW are working on a rwd luxury car version, while GM is also working on fwd versions for crossovers and compact cars.

It's most direct competition is the Buick Lucerne CXS, and despite the slight power disadvantage and the greater weight, I can see people preferring the MKS. Next closest will be the Cadillac DTS, but with more power and a higher price, that's a step up from the base MKS.

By way of Comparison: Premium Sedans Pass. Cargo Total Weight Wheelbase Length Width Height Buick Lucerne 108.0 17.0 125.0 1707 3764 2936 115.6 5161 203.2 1874 73.8 1473 58.0 Buick Park Avenue (new) 1875 4134 3009 118.5 5175 203.7 1899 74.8 1480 58.3 VW Phaeton 108.0 13.0 121.0 2187 4822 3001 118.1 5175 203.7 1903 74.9 1450 57.1 BMW 730Li 111.0 18.0 129.0 1910 4211 3128 123.1 5179 203.9 1902 74.9 1484 58.4 Lincoln MKS 105.9 18.4 124.3 1872 4127 2867 112.9 5185 204.1 1927 75.9 1565 61.6 Audi A8L 3.2 FSI 106.8 14.6 121.4 1740 3836 3074 121.0 5192 204.4 1894 74.6 1455 57.3 Mercedes Benz S350L 109.4 16.3 125.7 1925 4244 3165 124.6 5206 205.0 1872 73.7 1473 58.0 Jaguar XJ8 L 16.4 1714 3779 3160 124.4 5215 205.3 1942 76.5 1455 57.3 Buick Park Avenue 112.1 19.1 131.2 1714 3779 2891 113.8 5253 206.8 1897 74.7 1458 57.4 Toyota Century 2050 4519 3025 119.1 5270 207.5 1890 74.4 1475 58.1 Cadillac DTS 113.2 18.8 132.0 1818 4009 2936 115.6 5274 207.6 1901 74.8 1464 57.6 BTW, the estimated price for the 270 hp MKS is close to that of the 275 hp Lucerne CXS.

Your head is fine, but hers imploded years ago after too much partying when she should have been studying.

There are probably no FRA compliant electric freight locomotives out there, so electrification is out. GE and EMD both built them many years ago, but the market dried up and the electrified lines have mostly been removed. Only passenger locomotives and EMUs operate n NA today, and many of them only because they run on dedicated light rail and don't need to be FRA compliant. BNSF and UP instead use new low-emission switchers the LA area, including hybrids and genset switchers (genset locomotives use two or three smaller, palletized engine modules instead of the single large engine of a road locomotive, which can be swapped out for easy maintenance and alternately shut down when not needed to reduce emissions and fuel bills).

There are probably no FRA compliant electric freight locomotives out there, so electrification is out. GE and EMD both built them many years ago, but the market dried up and the electrified lines have mostly been removed. Only passenger locomotives and EMUs operate n NA today, and many of them only because they run on dedicated light rail and don't need to be FRA compliant. BNSF and UP instead use new low-emission switchers the LA area, including hybrids and genset switchers (genset locomotives use two or three smaller, palletized engine modules instead of the single large engine of a road locomotive, which can be swapped out for easy maintenance and alternately shut down when not needed to reduce emissions and fuel bills).

He probably can't afford to upgrade to a new Tier II diesel. It's normal practice—truck buyers buy up big just before new regulations increase the cost of new vehicles with better emissions. You should see the amount of soot that accumulates on the cartons that arrive at your local supermarket or discount department store. Railroads in some states have incentives to trade older locomotives for new tier II and low-emission models (fueling a boom for hybrid and genset switchers), truckers as far as I know don't get that incentive to upgrade. If Green groups are serious about lowering fuel use and CO2, they should be lobbying for full funding for high-speed intercity rail in all metropolitan corridors, and major increases in funding for commuter rail, so people don't have to drive anywhere near as much. Where is the hue and cry about NH refusing to fund the Downeaster (OK so it mainly channels commuters, shoppers and tourists to work and spend money in Maine, which is going to fund the train), or about the loss of federal funding? I like to drive, but sitting in traffic for two hours or more everyday burning fuel is not my idea of fun. I believe there are emission regulations for lawnmowers and off-road vehicles etc., but of course people buy a new lawnmower only when the old one breaks down, not every 2-5 years like they do with cars. How often do people upgrade their furnace or A/C system? Almost never. It would be like buying a new engine, even though the old one works just fine.

Working on Chevy-badged Opels?