Dsuupr

I think they do need a name change. Perhaps Chevrolet Motors would work best as it would not only be a name that does not carry a lot of negative connotation, it would also create awareness to the brand, just like toyota does with their name.

Portland, Oregon is down to one Cadillac Dealer now. The other had great service and a decent building, they had just decided the profit was in BMW and Lexus instead of Cadillac.

I think those tax rates did help and are something we should consider today.

Something to consider: Taxes for the 3% richest in the United States was not below 70% until the 80s. Infact during the strongest growth period of our country, 1940s, 50s, and 60s, taxes where at 90% for the upper income group. Something else to ponder: In Japan and Europe, where CEOs make modest wages, income tax reaches 90% for those making in the millions. In the US, where CEOs make millions, taxes are 35%.

If GM added BAS II to every car they had now, they would achieve the government requirement without changing a thing. Yes, a V8 Camaro might cost $1500 more, but in the end atleast we would get to keep the 400+hp V8 in all it's glory, and you could have the opportunity to use the "pulse and glide" technique to try and get 30+ mpg with it.

Why not both? Also BAS II gives us the opportunity to keep cars like the Camaro and G8 while still achieving the EPA requirements.

My local Chevy Dealer, Loren Berg, is rated #1 in the Oregon so they are here to stay. The GM rep told them they are the model Chevy Dealer. The next nearest Chevy Dealer towards Portland is being closed down, Russ Chevrolet (poor service, crappy building, bad location). The one in our county seat, Jim Doran Chevrolet, got a warning letter. Rumor has it that the Buick/GMC/Cadillac dealer in the same town was approached by GM to take over the Chevy Dealer.

Something else to consider. GM could increase product they have beyond the government requirements by making BAS II standard equipment in every vehicle. At a cost of $1600 to $1700, they would be able to make up the loss by eliminating incentives, which would be easy to do when every product you have eliminates the competition in gas mileage. GM could easily have a 3 to 5 year advantage by doing this. Also consider that the government is stating it should cost automakers $1300 to improve the mileage and with GM building BAS II in bulk, I'm guessing they could quickly get the cost below the $1300 mark.

The Cruze is being introduced to the US in 2010 and so is BAS II. GM has stated that BAS II is platform flexible, unlike BAS I. The press release and interviews about BAS II seemed to focus alot around the use of a turbo with the system. Could GM be "smart" enough to introduce BAS II with the Cruze? What about the Orlando? If the combined gas mileage for a 1.4L Turbo Cruze was 32 mpg, which is not unreasonable considering statements made by the company, than a Cruze with the 1.4L Turbo, with flexfuel capability, and BAS II could/should be 38 to 39 combined mpg. That would provide some major help to GMs EPA #s and would be great PR.

My local dealer (Loren Berg Chevrolet) ordered a sign to state they are "GM Approved". They sell a fair number of units, have a newer building, and are one of the top rated dealers in Oregon (if not the top) for Chevrolet.

Sadly, yes. We do the same with walmart, mcdonalds, toyota, etc.

Well put. Thank you.

IT has been going through what GM, Ford and Chrysler went through years ago. I do wonder if it makes any IT people reconsider buying "foreign". At some point in time, the IT industry will learn they can get people cheaper in the south, just like the automotive industry, and they will move. As they move there will be no job protection, as they are non-union, and there will be union to blame for companies execs getting greedy and making stupid moves. On a more positive note: I do love the Northwest. We have good weather overall, assuming you can get used to the spring, fall, winter, summer rains. Never to hot for long, never to cold for long.

Funny, I was feeling the same this morning. Like the end of the world is near, even though you know it's not true.

Good pick. I know someone who switched from a newer toyota to an older Impala, and they love it.

I found the interior on the RS to be nice, not Audi nice, but decent overall. I like that it didn't have to many buttons like an acura or honda. It was an easy to understand layout.

Closes to a Regal is a Century, not a car kids would approve of really.

The Buick webpage has been updated. It no longer has the 2009 LaCrosse on the opening page.

That's what my wife said, though she thought an orange one would help it stand out more against our home.

Older person owned, non-smoker, well cared for, still smells new, it must be a Buick. Park Avenue or LeSabre?

Thanks

My wife and I went over to our local Chevy Dealer (Loren Berg Chevrolet) to test drive the new Camaro. We got to be the first "customer" to drive it, so we took it home and got some pictures of it in front of our home (for proof). In typical Loren Berg fashion we took it out without any salesperson in the car. It does help that I am friends with the owner, Loren. The car drove just like all the reports said it would, darn near perfect. It is a Silver V6 model with the RS package. You can see pictures of it at www.flickr.com/dsuupr

We can only hope the whole company does.

Over the years I have learned that an independent is considered to have a Republican mindset in the Northwest and a liberal mindset in the South. As my Father-in-Law says, he is a liberal in Arkansas and a conservative in Oregon.

There are advantages to living in a state full of "liberal hippies".