TKR

The 2006 Holden Rodeo (I think Colorado is based on the same platform) is about to arrive with the HF 3.6. We have not been told what the power output is yet (Do dealers all over the world share this problem?) but I believe it will be somewhere around 235hp. This engine should also give pretty good fuel economy. Why does GM USA stick with the I5 when it has the HF V6 that is supposed to be in everything? Torque maybe?

I am still having problems getting my head around this idea. It just seems very bizzare and where can I join up. My only issue would be keeping busy as I get bored easily. :rolleyes: I have worked for a car company in NZ as a 'white collar' employee and I can assure you that alot of 'those' office people put in hours way beyond what they are paid for. If you work out their hourly rate on hours worked things don't look so rosy. A normal work day (what you get paid for) would be 7 to 7 1/2 hours but arriving at 7:30am and leaving at 8:00pm is not uncommon (no overtime here guys). Then you can go into the office on a Saturday and find people spending their day off there.

GM is still at a major disadvantage in China (as in Japan) in that it cannot set up by itself. GM must buy into another company to sell in these markets hence the tie ups with Suzuki, Isuzu etc. This then allows the locals to have a say on product placement and marketing. Does everyone still think this is how business should be done?

I think I read somewhere recently that the Duramax may loose a couple of cylinders to create a 'smaller' diesel. This may just be rumor. Has anyone else heard of this? :rolleyes:

Ha ha. I have a Holden S Ute as a drive car. It is 'only' a V6 (175kw) but I love it. It is great to drive, has an easy to use soft tonneau cover, goes reasonably well (but not as good as the V8 - 250kw yeah baby) and looks great. ....and if we need more than 2 seats we take the other car! :CG_all:

And dealers then sit and wonder why people walk away when they find out the residual in 3 years! I know everyone wants to make some $$ out of a new vehicle but you have to look long term - I bet Toyota does.

QUOTE As far as GM is concerned, what is wrong with the Opel (GM) Vectra being sold in different markets whilst remaining essentially the same except for specs / badging? So the UAW would rather see GM go bust instead? Worst case scenario - if GM closed the doors (very unlikely I know) then what chance is there that the employees will continue to get paid? Or continue to get health benefits? Maybe they could get jobs with Toyota or Nissan. Maybe the UAW is in bed with Toyota? (ok - just joking) <_<

Hey, I love Subey's but to sell a GM badged WRX against a Subaru badged WRX in a new vehicle market of 80,000 (New Zealand) would be mad. What product would I have available to sell instead? Also Subaru cannot supply a 1 tonne pickup (which Isuzu does very well). GM needed to buy all of Isuzu. Why? An example is that when Isuzu redesigned the latest D-Max (Holden Rodeo) they made the frames too complex. I am led to believe that every different engine / trans / body style has a different frame. If this is correct then someone should be fired on the spot! Why not just change engine / trans mounts? If the sales of GMDAT product continue to do well all over the globe then we can expect to see more $$ spent on product. Will this help - heck yes. The only question I have at the moment is 'Why can GM not get the 'global V6' into the new Magnus for launch? It sounds as though it will continue with the inline 6. :alcoholic:

Don't talk to me about fair trade. Farming subsidies?? New Zealand now has bugger all manufacturing because global companies (not all American) have been manufacturing in cheap places for a long time and a small country cannot compete. Nike anyone? Consumers demand cheaper products so companies respond as long as governments let them. Welcome to the 21st century. As far as GM is concerned, what is wrong with the Opel (GM) Vectra being sold in different markets whilst remaining essentially the same except for specs / badging? If Toyota can do it with Camry / Avalon / Corolla then so can GM. Totally redesigning a car for different markets is why GM is loosing money. From what I have been reading lately US tastes are not as different from European tastes as every designer seems to believe. If it costs $80m to design 1 car and GM does it twice for different markets but Toyota does it once but spends $100m instead to make the car reliable and have quality interiors who wins? I have been a Holden / GM fan since I can remember and now sell the product so I really want to see GM not only survive but to be the best (not only in volume). Really looking forward to next year - VE, S3X etc.

Europe is a problem for GM. Opel has moved upmarket - too far upmarket and is now a competitor for (you guessed it) SAAB. Opel cannot move down now because Chevrolet is doing well with the GMDAT product (which is going to get much better over the next few years) Is the US market big enough to sustain SAAB, especially now that Cadillac has once again become the brand of choice for many people - I don't think so unless SAAB is treated as a niche premium product that will appeal to those who love SAAB's (you know who you are....). You do have to wonder how GM managed to get itself into this? Someone mentioned selling Holden to buy the rest of Suzuki - you have got to be kidding me. As for Isuzu, well until GM find another place to design and build mid size pickups they need Isuzu. The biggest problem with Isuzu is that they thought they could continue make cars. They need to concentrate on commercial vehicles and diesel engines (which are usually almost bulletproof).

Because the journo's in Australia are looking high and low for photos of the new VE Commodore, my guess is that GM has decided that the car may be a bit more inconspicuous being tested in the US. I can't wait to get this into our showroom next September / October, and I am just drooling over the thought of the HSV modified versions shortly thereafter.

What about fat American comapnies that have killed jobs in smaller countries? Shit happens - but not to America? ie America wants free trade agreements but then protects some industries that other countries (at American insistence) have stopped protecting. I am not in any way anti USA but in order to protect jobs you need to find the edge in different products or by building a better product at a similar price - the CONSUMER demands this!! When was the last time Nike was made in the USA?? Lets face it - GM has p****d around for enough years and is only now starting to look like the global company it should have been years ago. GM is now starting to design vehicles that can be build around the world in simialr plants and altered to suit local conditions as we do not all share the same tastes in styling or powertrains. Flex is the only way to go - or maybe you would like Toyota to be #1?? btw - I love the new Tahoe and I think the 3.8 was a great engine. Not the smoothest but bloody economical and reliable. Only the journo's hated it because it was harsh high in the rev range.

As long as they don't put the tank in the boot as per GTO cause it really stuffed up the boot space and customers here did not find that too appealing. Hopefully they will finally get rid of the internal boot hinges in the move to VE as well!

Zeta is supposed to be a modified version of the Sigma platform (to make it cheaper allegedly) and as I live a ocean away from the closest Caddy dealer, can anyone tell me where the gas tank is located in a Caddy CTS? In front of the rear axle line? If so this may give a clue about the location of the fuel filler in the VZ/VE mule.

Any news about RHD and Diesel?? Thhis would give the rest of the GM world the vehicle (finally!!) to take on Toyota Landcruiser.