CSpec

I went on a tour of the Boeing factory in Mukilteo this summer. They were agog over the Dreamliner--it has the promise to significantly improve air travel. Bigger windows, better lighting, higher cabin pressure, higher humidity, quieter engines, shorter takeoff length, and more! I can't wait to ride in one.

Maybe you should move to North Korea? They seem to have the kind of economy you think is equitable.

What's your point? Are you arguing that foreign competition in the auto industry was a bad thing?

You have it backwards--it's theoretically possible for protectionism to increase domestic welfare, but it's basically never happened.

Really? I think the fact that their economy has been deteriorating for 15 years might say otherwise.

Guys, protectionism creates poverty in the country in which it is instituted. How does responding to Japanese protectionism by making ourselves worse off help anything?

Looks more like a refresh? That Dodge grill is pretty revolting.

Sounds like Chrysler was much, much worse than Fiat thought when they bought it.

I'm glad to hear the 9-5 is as good as I thought it would be. The DC auto show is in late January--hopefully I can see it there.

Cool! I last went to the New England show in 2004 I believe... It's unfortunate that it's at the very very end of the previous year's autoshow cycle.

Recharging takes an entire day? Brilliant. Why are we voluntarily ruining our lives like this?

This is great news. Sort of taking over for the 9-3 in some ways in the GM lineup I think.

Cool vid. I think the Cruze will do well, at least initially, but I wonder how it will stack up to a new Civic that is also presumably coming out relatively soon.

I'd be interested in hearing PCS's take on this. If it's true then it's a shame, but at least Sweden is smart enough to not shovel a pile of money into a losing concern (cough cough).

The Droid seems like a great device. Google is slowly taking over the world, but I want one anyway.

Opportunity cost of capital. Even if the government "profits" on this loan, that same money almost surely would have created more value in the hands of private profit maximizing entities.

Sooo if you can get 40 MPG in a Cruze for $18k (presumably), is the Volt really worth a 100% premium, especially considering they ride on the same platform?

Oh boy, more government handouts.

Peak oil? That's laughable. The world's proven reserves are the highest they've ever been and they continue to rise with new cheaper, more efficient drilling technologies. I think what's more interesting about Dubai is the fact that they have debtor's prison, which has been exacerbated by the pop of their property bubble. There are stories of debt-ridden foreigners buying a one-way ticket out of there and abandoning their car at the airport.

We've heard the same song and dance about Saturn.

I can't believe they picked the AVALON to win of all cars! That car was terrible when it was launched a few years ago, and it has surely gotten worse relative to the competition since.

It's completely out of proportion. How big are the wheels, 10"? The front is gaudy and over the top.

I don't really like the look myself, but I guess I'm not really a Cadillac person. I'll hold final judgment until I see it in person.

This is certainly a surprise. When you say that Saab will be integrated into GME, does that mean their Swedish facilities will face the ax? I thought they were already part of GME before the sale?

I don't think this is right for the US.