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Someone knowledgeable at GMI (Docray1) about Cadillac's future plans says that the current DTS will survive through 2014, although the direct injected 3.6 will replace the Northstar at some point. I don't know if this means the Lucerne will also survive through 2014. Since the Volt will supposedly be produced at Hamtramck, I could see the DTS and Lucerne move to Oshawa, but of course, I am no insider.

For what it's worth, aatbloke's logic and high level of intelligence has presented many reasons for me to respect him. I hope he stays around here for a long time.

I am sure GM appreciates your efforts.

With all due respect, I don't think anyone in the United States thinks that the LaCrosse competes with the Passat and Maxima. The only people interested in the LaCrosse are the rental cars companies, 3800 afficianodos like Trinacriabob, and elderly condo dwellers in Florida looking to replace their 1998 Century.

I can't see this car having better sales than the current car, although it will be more expensive and hopefully more profitable. I also thought of the G6 comparison when I saw this car.

G8 GT

I don't think the G6 sales would drop if the next generation were a Malibu with a Pontiac grill. The 1986 to 1991 Grand Am had the same body as its platform mates (Calais, Skylark) with a Pontiac grill and sold very well. I don't think the G5 would sell any better if it were radically different from the Cobalt. I don't care for the current G6, and a Malibu rebadge would look better to my eyes.

What management team could do any better? What is Mullally doing, besides mortgaging almost everything the company owned back in 2006, that is radically different from what Wagoner is doing?

I visited Toyota's UK site recently and noticed that it sells two models there smaller than the Yaris, sells only two crossovers - the Land Cruiser and the Rav4, and its largest model appears to be only slightly larger than our Corolla. I think the Yaris and Prius are the only cars sold there also sold here.

Considering that Toyota may drop the Avalon and it appears that the largest Buick sedan may be the LaCrosse/Invicta in a few years, unless the 2010 Taurus is a hit, I think by 2015 you will not see mainstream brands sell anything longer than 190 inches. CAFE and changing demand may result in nothing larger than the Camry/Accord/Fusion/Malibu class, except for luxury brands.

I imagine that PCS has more fans here than any other current poster. Reading PCS' posts is a highlight of the day.

Also, the EcoBoost Mustang won't be out before 2012, if then, and the 400 hp 5.0L V8 won't be ready until the 2011 Mustang. The 2010 will still have the current 300 hp 4.6.

I have read rumors we may well see the 1.4 turbo in the Malibu.

This idea makes more sense than what GM is doing now. All of GM's efforts to move its brands upscale have failed. I would probably give Saturn a small crossover based on the Delta platform, though. Same roominess as the Vue, but much lighter.

I hate the name but I will consider the car if there is a wagon as PCS said.

PCS has already told us that is the case. My prediction is that 3 years from now Pontiac's lineup will be Vibe, G3 (Aveo rebadge), and G6 (Malibu rebadge). Buick will have the LaCrosse and the Enclave. Either Buick or Pontiac will have a Cruze rebadge. That's it.

I would still like to see small station wagons like the late Focus return to the U.S. market.

I highly recommend reading "On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors" by John Z DeLorean.

If Alpha is meant to compete with the BMW 3 series and considering the M3 has a V8, I would think Cadillac would strongly consider a very limited edition high performance V8 Alpha to compete with the M3, making a limited edition V8 Alpha Camaro possible also but probably very expensive. By 2015, most cars within the means of middle class buyers will surely be 4 cylinders, probably 2.0L or less, and by 2020 most cars will be hybrid.

I am sure the Camaro will do extremely well for the first year. After that will depend upon the economy and gasoline prices.

I wish I could agree with you, but I have heard that around 52 percent of the American public won't consider a domestic product under any circumstances, and I don't know how GM gets around that and that it has the time to find out.

I am glad that I am not the only one who thought that LaCrosse and Insignia/Aura interiors were very similar.

Happy birthday to one of my favorite posters here.

Good article.

But who wants to pay $50,000 for a Buick or Pontiac?