thegriffon

The Swift is a half-class down from the Aveo etc.—closer to the Yaris hatchback and Mini (and Lancia Ypsilon) and the broader range of A-segment hatches such as the Daihatsu Sirion, Proton Savvy, Chevrolet Celta and Nissan Micra, and the three-door Ford Ka and Citroen C2—thus the larger Suzuki badged Kalos is called the Swift+. Notice only the Yaris hatch is offered in the US. For the record, a Chevrolet Metro hatch is longer than even the Swift Sport with its bodywork extensions (not as wide, but that's progress).

Not this generation. It just wasn't designed for the US market and the revisions required (as Honda had to do with the Fit) would ruin the design.

Flexible-fuel vehicles will be used by the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) at various operations in Northern California and the state's Central Valley. Chevron Technology Ventures will work with CalTrans to provide E85 fuel and install the necessary refueling pumps in these locations. Pacific Ethanol, a California-based ethanol production and marketing company, will provide the ethanol to Chevron Technology Ventures for the project.

There's a new producer building a plant in CA at the moment - Pacific Ethanol I think. Marketing arm imports fuel from Colorado and the Midwest: Kinergy Marketing 5711 North West Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711 (559) 435-6161

Well, you may be better of if enough other people take the buyouts offered instead.

You'll love this too "Toyota sales continue to suffer while Chevrolet sees record sales in Europe" For the first two months of 2006 sales of Toyota vehicles in the European trade zone (EU+EFTA) continue to fall, down 5%. Nissan sales have suffered even more with an ageing lineup, off more than 12% so far this year. Controlling partner Renault has seens sales decline almost as much, down an even 12% including the booming Dacia brand. The winners in Europe? An agressive Volkswagen, with big incentives and a revitalised lineup up 21%; SEAT and Skoda, up 12 and 9.4 % respectively; Chevrolet, up 5.4%; FIAT, up 20% with the new Grande Punto; KIa, up 4.1%; and Suzuki, who have scorched past Mazda (+8.3) and Honda (+6.7%) with sales up a staggering 38%, despite easing in Feb.

For clarification Chevrolet has three seperate distributors in Europe—US SUVs (Tahoe and Trailblazer), also assembled by Avtotor in East Prussia, Chevrolet Europe (GM DAT), including some assembly by ZAZ in the Ukraine and by Avtotor, and GM AvtoVAZ, producing the Viva (modified Astra) and Niva (former Lada SUV). Former Daewoo factory FSO in Poland provides stampings for sister-company ZAZ, and Daewoo Romania supplies engines and driveline components for GM DAT.

Zurich — General Motors (GM) sold 522,200 vehicles in Europe's total vehicle market in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 8,100 units or 1.6 percent over the same period last year. GM's first-quarter share increased slightly from 2005's full year share of 9.4 percent to 9.5 percent. In March of 2006, GM sold 241,160 vehicles in Europe, up 6,570 units or 2.8 percent. This represents a market share of 10.2 percent, 0.2 percentage points below last year's record share of 10.4 percent. First-quarter sales growth for GM, compared to the same period a year ago, was particularly marked in Russia (+ 25.6 percent), the Netherlands (+ 22.6 percent), Sweden (+ 20.6 percent) and Ireland (+ 17.9 percent). more …

Yes AJ-V6>>Duratec>>MZI V6 family Mazda even keeps the AJ- engine codes from Jaguar for the MZI V6 family. It's apparently not a stretched CX-7, it just looks like one. Expect it to be a full E-segment crossover like the Endeavour and Subaru B9. The Edge and Aviator share the smaller CX-7's Mazda6-based platform.

It was thought to be the new Altima (why else would it be there?), but apparently not, based on Edmund's teaser photo: Samsungs anyone?

Miller is correct, it's probably a Nissan Teana-based SM5 or SM7 (Renault-Samsung–branded Korean Nissans).

Strange, I get the whole thing and I'm only registered. Are you logged in?

Apparently you don't need to subscribe, just register.

They should have said "so little power low down …"

Base engine was officially announced as the 3.5 L V6 some time ago. "… The Aura will be equipped with GM’s new 3.5L V-6 engine with variable valve timing as standard equipment. Or, buyers can opt for the sophisticated, dual overhead cam 3.6L V-6 VVT with an estimated 250 horsepower that’s mated to GM’s new, advanced front-wheel drive six-speed automatic transmission. It features Euro-inspired precision-tuned hydraulic steering and it’s going to be a blast to drive. …"

Judging from the Aero-X GM has decided this type of car would best suit Saab.

Looks 90+% to me, but maybe I was being more realistic to start with. Some of thye apparent differences are the paint color and lighting. The extended wheel arches and rocker panel were never going to survive. The front bumper is deeper, probably for pedestrian safety, but otherwise is the same as the concept. In a darker color (blue, dark grey/black) and with similar shadows it would look much like the concept photo.

Not a 6-8% power increase (obviously), just a 6-8% improvement in performance.

The STS already has an available 6-speed auto. As capacity increases you'll see it become more widely available.

Morici is a recent "find" by the media, due to some self-promotion oh his part. BM may like him, but he's far from an expert and seems to know almost nothing about GM. He should know better than to just believe the common perception.

He was at some point based in Detroit, but the articles don't make it clear if he was actually working for GM up until taking the job at SAIC. Perhaps some people here know more?

Where's the hybrid of course.

You didn't notice this was for release on April 11, did you?

"Staff" usually means the original article has been reworked to some extent by one or more people without consulting the original author, but not enough for the last writer(s to take credit for the whole thing. It's not a matter of avoiding identification, but more about not taking credit for work you didn't do.

So make them an offer for the website.