bowtie_dude

I think the interior looks great design wise, though I prefer a little more organic flow to an interior, ala Mercedes or Lexus designs.

*pokes Fly and Camino in the nose* HA! *runs away*

Aura needs that center stack design in a BAD way...

enzl has far more insight on GM and the industry as a whole than you and I put together. Dismissing his opinions and observations as nonsense just because the FACTS he gives you don't align with your particular point of view doesn't make him wrong. Sad fact is, its yes-men like you working in GMs upper management that have led GM to its current position. Were there more people like enzl and evok making the decisions, we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

I just don't understand GMs thought process behind the black plastic surrounding the radio/HVAC units.

Thats a full-size cargo van that comes with V8s and 4WD and is an almost exclusive fleet vehicle used for work.

I still don't like the Maxima-esque headlights.

The only proof she needs is the fact that GM has went from 60% marketshare to 25% in a matter of two decades, that GM hasn't had a #1 selling car in ANY segment in years, and that GM is now sliding deeper and deeper into the red. And no, all that isn't because of the media bias, its the cause of the bias. You don't build $h!ty cars for 20 years and then expect everyone to jump back on board when your cars because also-rans instead of never-rans.

I would like to see the Altima best Camcord sales, if only because I actually LIKE Nissan and have a deep, seething hatred of Toyota.

I totally agree with you on that point. GM always puts out a car that competes well and bests the CURRENT competition, but when the competition redoes a vehicle, GM is back in the doghouse for almost an entire generation.

I don't see any other way, at least in the short term, for GM to manage it. Killing off corporate alternatives to the Malibu won't make more people but the Chevy, just send them to Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and Ford.

The question is, though, can GM have a SINGLE #1 selling sedan when its mid-size cars are broken up between 3 divisions? Doubtful. I can see their approach working. Sell Aura to premium Camry and Accord shoppers, sell the G6 to Nissan shoppers and sell the Malibu to lower-trim 4-banger Camcord shoppers. Instead of having one do-all be-all car, ala the Camry, have 3 that fit specific needs, but together accomplish a total volume go. I dunno, maybe I don't have the insight, but it makes sense to me. IF the G6 and Malibu were actually competitive that is. Problem though, as it stands the 3 have too much overlap in price and powertrain. Give the Malibu the 2.2 Ecotec and 2.8l DOHC V6 (base CTS engine). Give the G6 the 2.4 and 3.6 and the Aura the 2.8 and 3.6. You'd essentially have 3 cars with specific needs for specific buyers doing the same thing that the Camry does with its, what? 6 trim levels?

A niche car is synonymous with low-volume, they go hand-in-hand.

C&D is probably one of the worst autorags I've seen, from a journalistic perspective. At least they're TV show was. When they reviewed the GTO, in the specs blurb at the bottom of the screen it said "5.7L DOHV V8." I kid you not. I'll take Top Gear anytime, who, btw, LOVE the Monaro.

This is so depressing...

Word to that.

What cheap plastics? You can tell plastics are cheap from pictures?

Where is there a lightly used 6.0 Goat for ~20 grande? Thats what you pay for a Mazda 3 5-door Grand Sport. I love the GTO and all, but interest on used cars is crap and insurance on the GTO would be high.

Whose still talking about it though? And who will care once the GMT900 PUs debut and go on sale BEFORE the Tundra?

Doubt it. That wouldn't fit in with their US Opel plans.

Thing is, there are no old GM cars I'd even consider, much less want. I've never been a fan of late model Camaro/Firebirds. And add to that the fact that past GM cars were total crap and, well, I'd just rather have a shiny new Mazda3 5-door.

evok, Well, my question is, then, WHY is GM still not able to bring out products that it needs? Is it management? Funding? A combination of factors?

Problem is that GM doesn't make a car that I both want and can afford at the same time. I'd love to own a Solstice, Sky, or Aura, but all are out of my budget range ($380+ for a decently equipped Solstice or Sky which comes standard with the optional equipment on the Solstice) and the Aura will probably be priced the same as a Mazda6. Of course, I get Fords (Mercs, Lincs, Mazdas, et al) at a discount because CompUSA is a fleet partner with them, so that doesn't help GM out any...lol.

I wish you two (evok and enzl) posted more often. I love both of your insights on things, as I believe you two have a much more clear and unclouded view of GM and the industry as a whole. =) What obstacles, from your points of view, has GM not overcome that is still causing them to faulter in key areas such as perceived quality and design? I mean, GM of today isn't the GM of the 80s where engine blocks where cracking and trannys were falling off. They've fixed the major stuff, but still can't get the many small details that, when summed up, make for one large problem area. And even THAT isn't consistent. You look at the Sky interior which is probably the best anyone has ever (at least IMO), seen in a GM vehicle. And then you sit in the Aura which just wreaks of GMs problems of late. The quality is there, but the presentation isn't. Doesn't make sense.