http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/ Autoblog Comments for Detroit Auto Show: A conversation with Ed Peper http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/Accord sold in 2006 369,293 units.. Civic sold in 2006 308,415, with a combined number somewhere in the 670,000 range.

I dont think 2 cars equalling 400k from Chevy.. is much of a competitor.

But thats just me. And Im sure, if GM does another rebate firesale.. the number would double. But the resale value.. would take it in the pooper.]]>Jan 11th 2007 11:01AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/Didn't really say too much on the next generation Impala, and he didn't really answer the question about the threat from the Tundra very clearly, but overall, it was an interesting read.

Chevy definitely has some compelling vehicles coming out, the new Malibu looks good, the Camaro is frigging awesome obviously, and hopefully the rear drive Impala will be cool (I'm sure it will be). The problem for GM will be trying to get people in my age group to take the Chevy brand seriously. Especially college educated people in their 30s who don't live in the Midwest who would only consider import products. That's going to be very tough to shake themselves of the stigma of being a "lower class" or non-"hip" vehicle to own. Here in Houston, I see very few people in that demographic driving Chevy cars (I see tons of them driving Tahoes and Yukons though - those are extremely popular here in Texas, with every age group). I don't know for sure though, maybe that isn't necessarily the crowd they're going after, but you definitely need them, especially with cars that are going to be priced in the upper 20s to low 30s (I'm sure the Malibu LTZ or the next gen Impala will be kind of expensive). Hey, maybe that's what Saturn is for.?? I don't know.
The Malibu will sell well, if it's priced correctly and marketed well.

I owned a 98 Camaro Z28 - aside from the plasticky interior, the car rocked a donkey's ass. I loved it (and I miss it). It had a ton of character, and it was fun as shit to drive. Almost all of my friends, whether they were BMW fans, truck guys, not even really car guys, thought that car was cool as hell. I'm seriously considering getting a 2009 when it comes out - I'm 10 years older and probably don't really need one, but what the hell? Chevy is banking on a lot of those kind of sales - for their sake, I hope that get them.

]]>Jan 11th 2007 11:26AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/Malibu + Impala + Cobalt + Monte Carlo
Then you have an accurate #]]>Jan 11th 2007 11:34AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/Accord sold in 2006 369,293 units.. Civic sold in 2006 308,415, with a combined number somewhere in the 670,000 range.

I dont think 2 cars equalling 400k from Chevy.. is much of a competitor."

You also need to figure in the sales for the Cobalt, which is direct competition for the Civic rather than the Malibu or the Impala.

Oh, and then there's also G6 sales that have been strong since it's debut and some Saturn sales as well.]]>Jan 11th 2007 12:07PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/
Accord = midsize
Civic = compact

You are confusing market segments. Comparing purely the midsize segment -

2006 sales:
Accord: 360,039 (including Hybrid model)
Malibu/Impala: 457,721

Oh, and don't forget the other GM midsize cars totalling 383,542. (Century, Lacrosse, G6, Grand Prix, Saab 93, Aura)
I guess to be fair we should add in the Acura TL, but that's only another 71,348.

As you can see GM grossly outsells Honda in this segment.

Compacts are another story:

Civic: 347,891 (including Hybrid model)
Cobalt: 211,449

If you add in Ion & G5 thats another 109,944. But if you add in TSX & RSX thats another 55,031. So Honda comes out ahead 402,922 to 321,393.]]>Jan 11th 2007 12:27PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/
Toyota and Honda are selling 2 models to Ford & Chevy's 3.

Corola, Camry
Civic, Accord
vs.
Focus, Fusion, 500
Cobalt, Malibu, Impala

I'm sure each company has justifications, but this has lead to several things:
*late model Corolas and Civics are noticeably bigger.
*Honda and Toyota have a little more room in their ranges for the Fit and Yaris.
*Ford and GM are probably spreading their R&D dollars a little thinner on a per model basis.]]>Jan 11th 2007 12:37PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/
I have to admit I'm a little concerned that they will use the announcement of these concept cars more to clean up their image than clean up their product line. There is a lot GM can do between now and when we may see these concept vehicles actually on the road.
We all know increasing fuel efficiency is the direction automakers need to head – so let’s get past the hype of a handful of concept vehicles and look at what they are doing with the rest of their fleet.

Overall average fuel economy from the Big 6 is worse today that it was 10 years ago and GM is still heavily dependent on its gas guzzling truck lines. In addition to that they are still fighting tooth-and-nail against increasing fuel economy regulations, suing states that try to limit greenhouse gas emissions, and in December argued before the Supreme Court that carbon from tailpipe emissions was not even a pollutant. GM is still planning to expand their Hummer line to become 25% of their overall sales. Consumers still have limited options to find fuel-efficient cars that are affordable, well-built, and fun to drive. There are plenty of things automakers can do today to increase fuel economy – and I'm tired of being shown distracting concept cars that we won't see for 3-4 years if ever.

I've been working with the Freedom From Oil Campaign to make automakers honestly prioritize fuel economy and move beyond oil – check out what we do at
http://www.FreedomFromOil.org
]]>Jan 11th 2007 2:08PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/Jan 11th 2007 2:12PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/
The Malibu intro was fun. Not too drawn out, like the Chrysler intros were, yet people were talking about it afterwards, specifically Mr. Peper's willingness to be subjected to a reality TV style makeover.

I covered this and other bits from the third day here:

http://www.truedelta.com/pieces/naias3.php]]>Jan 11th 2007 2:28PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/
Ford: Focus, Fusion, 500, 6cyl Mustang
Chevy : Cobalt, Malibu, Impala, Monte Carlo
Honda : Fit, Civic, Accord, Accord 2-door
Toyota: Yaris, Corolla, Camry, Solara
Hyundai: Accent, Elantra, Sonata/Azera, Tiburon
Nissan: Versa, Sentra, Altima, Maxima (4 door, but really same segment)

The are huge differences in emphasis, of course, but they're all roughly the same. I can extend the list to Dodge, Mazda, etc., but you get the point.]]>Jan 11th 2007 3:38PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/The 2008 model year will see the series hybrid SUVs,
mild hybrid Aura and Malibu, 2 hybrid Vues and even real hybrid Silverados. Now we have to see how many people will actually BUY them. If that goes well and there no big quality gaffes, then you will see the
pace of ramp-up towards across-the-board hybrids rapidly accelerate. ]]>Jan 11th 2007 4:53PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/
GM is doing more than launching concepts, they will be launching 4 hybrid models this year and the Vue GL is on sale now. Next year the two model Vue with a 45% boost in economy is coming out as well as a two mode Silverado.

You cant knock them for being the forerunner in development of plug in technology. Would you prefer them to do nothing like everyone else? Any breakthrough technology needs time to develop and they are just showing they are in the lead with this system.]]>Jan 11th 2007 5:23PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/
http://www.rpmdaily.com has an interview with the Director of the Volt program... check it out.]]>Jan 11th 2007 7:43PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/
To all those in Houston driving the foreign cars (thanks for helping out the American workers by the way) - you need to look at the American Auto companies again - they are offering the same or better cars than the Japanese at a great value. The 100,000 waranty is great too.

My last car was a Honda CRV - I had to pay for a new Tranny at 56,000 miles - they aren't all perfect. I love my Malibu!

Ed
]]>Jan 11th 2007 8:52PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/#15

It's me, the Houstonian. Oh, I'll be hopefully driving a new Camaro in 2009! hahahaha! Unless my wife threatens to kill me or something. The only regret I hope to have is that I end up not liking the color or something. I'm thinking black...hmmmmm? ]]>Jan 11th 2007 9:54PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/Jan 12th 2007 12:08AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/
Stop stuffing rental fleets with older / stripped-down versions. Give Hertz / National a good discount on well equipped models. ]]>Jan 12th 2007 2:54AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-ed-peper/"Overall average fuel economy from the Big 6 is worse today that it was 10 years ago and GM is still heavily dependent on its gas guzzling truck lines."

And yet the sales growth that the Jap3 (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) is now in "gas guzzling truck lines".

1997 Cavalier Auto 4 cyl. 22-24 city / 31-34 hwy
2007 Cobalt Auto 4 cyl. 24 / 32

1997 Malibu Auto V6 20 / 29
2007 Malibu Auto V6 22 / 32

1997 S10 Auto V6 16 / 21
2007 Colorado Auto I5 16 / 22

1997 Silverado 4WD 13-14 / 17-18
2007 K15 (Silverado) 4WD 16 / 20

1997 Blazer 4WD 16 / 21
2007 Equinox AWD 19 / 25

Seems like the average fuel economy went up...]]>Jan 13th 2007 9:01AM