Recent Comments:
2009 Honda Pilot holds the line on pricing {Autoblog}
May 24th 2008 8:54PM It's almost as ugly as the Element! The Pontiac Aztec has nothing to be ashamed of. Honda's design studio must be run by laid off domestic designers.
Fiat still considering new brand for low-cost car {Autoblog}
May 24th 2008 8:49PM Maybe GM's failed acquisition of Fiat would have paid off after all! GM wasted alot of resources in that failed venture. Trade Hummer for Fiat, that sounds like a good deal considering Fiat builds small high mileage vehicles, something GM doesn't do very profitably. If ownly GM had a crystal ball.
Camaros, turbos, mpgs and the underappreciated V8 {Autoblog}
May 24th 2008 8:38PM I have owned five Firebirds all with V8's, other GM vehicles with V6's and 4 cylinders including previous turbos and they all got an average of 20 mpg. Considering the performance advantage of the V8, the LT1, LS1 & LS2 won hands down. I presently own a HHR/SS turbo, 5 speed and it's a blast, but the heavier Camaro needs more torque at low rpm's. The current 3.5V6 is probably the best alternative for the base model, maximum mpg's and decent power. Since females will buy most of these, it will provide the most while keeping the base price competitive. The Camaro must remain competitive with the Mustang or it won't survive. GM didn't sell too many 2.5 4 cylinder iron dukes in the early eighties when GM restyled the F-body in 1982. Several power trains are needed, but a 4 banger ruins the overall intent of the original pony car and it's heritage.
Confirmed: FWD Impala around through 2012 {Autoblog}
May 23rd 2008 7:08PM The W-body FWD platform was introduced as a 1988 model, that explains why GM isn't as competitive as it needs to be. Constant upgrades have helped during the last two decades, but the switch to the Zeta is long over due. The Impala remains one of Chevy's best sellers, but offering both platforms would increase choices and in this market that is key. The Camaro was built on the Zeta to make it more viable, sharing parts with additional volume RWD cars like the G8 and a planned switch for the Impala, Lucerne and DTS. Without high volume vehicles to share the expensive Zeta platform, profitability is doubtful. The G8 and Camaro aren't high volume sellers. Offering both is a win, win for consumers, but delays aren't helping.
2010 Chevy Camaro caught in first stages of production {Autoblog}
May 22nd 2008 10:53PM Transformed right before your very eyes! The Challenger seems to be well recieved intially, but lower production numbers will keep it in demand. The Camaro must sell a volume like the Mustang in order to be profitable. The base models will be at least 2/3 of the production with high gas prices. Producing the Camaro in the U.S.A. at a dedicated plant like the Corvette would have insured the Camaro's long term success. Cheaper UAW labor, with the low dollar also would have made it more feasible to build the musclecar here. I guess i'll have to settle for a museum and plant tour at the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY. GM missed a grand opportunity, the Camaro deserved a home where enthusiasts could tour the plant during the assembly. The Camaro was most popular during the 70's and 80's when thet were built in Ohio and California. In 1993 the F-body moved to St. Therese, QB and sales continued to diminish until it was discontinued in 2002.
Obama picks worst car ever to come out of Motown {Autoblog}
May 11th 2008 6:37PM Detroit might have been guilty of producing the worst cars during the seventies, but let's not forget Toyota, Nissan and Honda were putting out low quality cars also! Foreign brands didn't set any standard for mileage or quality at the time. Better gas mileage was achieved because Asian brands built smaller cars for their domestic market. The oil embargo of the 70's resulted in Japanes brands taking advantage of the opportunity. During the past decade Japanese rivals have expanded the size and power to accomodate American tastes. Thus, they are guilty of being out of step during the latest rise in oil prices and consumption. Foreign brands have copied domestic brands, offering fullsize trucks and SUV's. Other than Toyota's Prius, they no longer offer advantages over domestic brands. Politicians and the media seem to have forgotten the importance of a strong domestic industry. American coporations don't enjoy access to foreign markets, making it difficult to compete on a level playing field. I haven't seen very many Asian brand vehicles still on the road, that are older than ten years old. The Ford Granada was not the reason Detroit failed to be competive, government regulations like the NHTSA, EPA and CAFE. The lack of trade legislation plays a bigger role in the current situation. Lobbyists and NAFTA have made the odds almost unsurmountable for the domestics. Yet, the recent drop in the dollar value now gives American industry a much needed advantage, lower labor cost. Maybe if politicians were more aware of industry needs, investment in infastructure for alternative fuels, etc. CAFE punishes industry, no incentive to develope new technology. CAFE hasn't worked in the past, it takes too long to improve consumption. Japan and Europe don't have CAFE standards, they have paid much more for fuel in the past. The Smart4Two didn't sell well in Europe despite high gas prices. Unless everyone starts driveing a Tata, demand isn't going to go down enough to help anytime soon. Maybe if politicians quit flying across the country in campaign jets or armored Suburbans their example on fuel consumption might start to rub off.
Pontiac El Cami-"NO" {Autoblog}
May 9th 2008 9:39PM I'm a big fan of the Zeta platform and the potential it has to rejuvenate the Pontiac lineup. The G8 is a winner, although the V6 is overpriced because of the low dollar and the Australian currency. It would be cheaper to build Zeta/RWD in the U.S.A. The Holden Ute, wagon and Coupe 60 should be built for the Pontiac division. A significant investment was made to design the Zeta platform, sharing with Pontiac makes good sense. An entire lineup is just what Pontiac needs ASAP. I don't like pickups, but the Ute is tight! No bouncing bed in back, economical, powerful and handles like a sports car. A GM division selling primarily RWD cars is just what Bob Lutz wants to compete against foreign rivals. Why wait? CAFE isn't adversely affected by the mpg of cars, a large volume of SUV's and trucks are the culprit. These decisions should have become a reality by now, constant delay of new products is GM's main problem. FWD/RWD the mileage difference is minimal, aerodynamics and power to weight ratio present the biggest obstacle. Small cars don't get as much mileage as advertised, but pose a safety risk. I don't think 100,000+ Zeta units sold by Pontic is going to make that much impact on GM's fleet average. GetRDone General, the Challenger's are already rolling off the line with the popular Charger. Very little investment is needed to make several G8 models a reality for the languishing Pontiac division.
Pontiac El Cami-"NO" {Autoblog}
May 9th 2008 5:46PM I agree Jeremy, GM should stick with the original names of most models. When GM started using strange names like Aurora, Alero, Achieva, Bravada and Intrigue for Oldsmobile models, the death sentence was on the way. Buick goofed up their names using Lucerne(a milk brand), LaCrosse, Terazza and Rainer. Who is coming up with these horrible names? Brand name recognition is priceless. GM has spent millions in advertising, name association is classic marketing 101! Now Pontiac is gutting it's entire lineup, why? GM certainly hasn't proven this new strategy is worthwhile. Continued loss of market share indicates that! GM's marketing department could use an overhaul, review past performance before renewing an advertising agencies contract. "We Build Excitement" was an excellent Pontiac theme from the eighties until it proved no longer true. Chevrolet has proven Malibu and Impala are worth alot, GM brass don't underestimate the popularity of past icons. We all know how important the Corvette and Camaro names are. Copying foreign makers with letter and number recognition isn't in our best interest.
Why hasn't anyone created a 2.0L DI turbo Fiero? {Autoblog}
May 8th 2008 5:35PM The 2.8V6 was introduced in the Fiero in 1985 during the second model year. Rated at 140 hp vs the standard 2.5 iron duke 4 cylinder rated at 98 hp. The V6 grew in displacement to a 3.1V6 and is currently sold in several midsize GM vehicles as the 3.4V6 at 200+ hp. It would be easier to mount one of these 60 degree V6 in the Fiero. The Chevy minivan 3.4 generates a generous 240 hp, it would be the most bang for the buck, but the 5 speed manual tranny would be a must. The 20th anniversary since the demise and there still seems to be interest in this unique little pocket rocket. A fixer upper should be affordable, with alot of potential for speed demons.
Why hasn't anyone created a 2.0L DI turbo Fiero? {Autoblog}
May 7th 2008 8:19PM A 2009 Solstice targa hardtop is a great replacement for previous Fiero owners. The price might be too much for the economy minded consumer. The Fiero was an experiment for GM to develope the space frame design, which lead to the Saturn plastic bodied cars. The mill and drill body was built in an exclusive plant in Pontiac , MI for five model years. The inovative space frame was the beginning of use in many unibody GM cars during the mid 80's. The Fiero far exceeded initial sales projections for 1984, over 100,000 4 cylinder models. It was approved as an economy car, not a sports car that Pontiac desired to make it into. Roger Smith and Chevy executives wanted to put the Fiero out of it's recall misery. My 88 is still problem free and fun to drive. Much more fun to drive than five Firebirds that I have owned. The EV1 used the basic space frame from the Fiero. The battery was in the rear engine compartment, what a novel idea. Pontiac was needing a sales boost in the early eighties and the Fiero got the excitement back for a short time. Twenty years later and Pontiac could use another dose of excitement!
