ZL-1

The Peugeot is sort of a rebadge of the Outlander, with a Peugeot front-end.

Seems like good news, when compared to June 2004 which didn't have any firesale effects. Any info on fleet/retail mix, or will we have to wait until the Q2 earnings report is released?

Volga rules, dude!

1. Every tech goody, without the funky controls. Technology with user-friendly controls is a good seling point. 2. A class-leading (i.e., flawless) assembly, especially in the interior. 3. A 2.8L gasoline engine, and a diesel engine for Europe. If it fits, use Fiat's 2.4L I5 diesel while the new diesel V6 is under development.

Neat!

I think GM has enough brands and reach to be involved in a merger or a full-reaching alliance. GM should pursue alliances with other manufacturers in specific issues or programs, like the development of the Hybrid drivetrain with BMW or the FWD 6-speed developed with Ford.

That's the only place where they can insert the euro-reg rear fog lights without ruining the car's looks. I'd prefer a single rear fog light, located at the centre, like the Mini has.

It isn't just you. I was thinking Opel Corsa or a lightly used Astra but ended up with the Mini: it is just so much fun to drive!!!

Best of luck with your new job.

Also, if Cadillac wants to crack the Euro market, they'll need a gas engine that is smaller than the 3.6L. Just as an example, BMW sells two 2.5L gas versions of the 5-series over here (we even get a 2.0L turbodiesel I-4 on the 5-series).

Yay! I wonder why everyone complains about rear-biased AWD. Isn't the Audi RS4 a great example of rear-biased AWD? Maybe GM is banchmaring against the best instead of against the mid-pack cars this time around.

Nice interior!

Design-wise, this interior is leaps and bounds above the Aura's interior.

Sure! Not only growing sales, but also growing market share, where the market has more growth potential. This is the stuff that will ensure GM's long-term future.

I don't see any of this as an issue of smoke and mirrors. It's a logical business decision. It doesn't make sense for Azambuja plan to keep operating, becasue it only produces one model, the Corsa-derived Combo, and some of the components are transported from a Spanish plant which builds the Corsa. What makes sense is to consolidate production of different vehicles in each plant, preferably in different segments (Nissan's Sunderland plant in th UK is an excellent example of this). For example, a plant that produces both the Opel Astra and the Opel Vectra can adjust to shifts in demand easily and keep running at or near peak capacity.

Of course it sports euro-style tail lights, it's a euro-spec car (note the amber rear side-markers and the rear fog lights between the exhausts)!

GM Europe said they would wait 5 more weeks until they announce the decision on Azambuja. I pretty sure the plant will close, and others will follow.

No diesels in the CTS and STS is one of the reasons. A pretty bad reputation for quality and driving dynamis of American cars in general is another. Finally, The cars are big for our standards. The argument of a bigger car at a smaller car's price might work over here for the Chevy Epica, but not in the luxury segment. BLS is a distinctive design. It looks nothing like the Saab (on the outside). A limited dealer network and the Cadillac / American cars brand image in Europe are the main factors in sales being so slow. EDIT: the above is IMO

American buyers are not ready to embrace small cars, IMO. I think the average American consumer will go for a Hybrid or a mid-size car with diesel engines before he/she goes for a smaller size class.

There were a few 'dark clouds' over the last 4 and a half years, but I feel happier than ever! EDIT - @ ocnblu: best of luck with your job search.

Could this be the GM preparing to develop unibody mid-size SUVs, like shortened Lambdas or extended Thetas? EDIT: or maybe GM's taking a 'wait and see' posture, and might use the NG Colorado frame as the base to mid-size SUVs in case the BOF market picks up again.

So would it be logical for me to come to the conclusion that it's an issue of Cadillac not being able to charge the kind of prices BMW, MB and Jaguar are able to charge for their cars? An image issue, basically? And another issue comes to mind reading your posts: how can GM expect to have Cadillac gain volume globally without taking the risk of going head to head with the competition at all levels, including price? Coming to Europe and advertising a larger car based soleely on 'bigger size at a lower price' doesn't work. I suspect it wouldn't work in Asia either, where cities are really crowded.

The concept's wheels were better looking. I think the portholes will be on the production car. My guess is they're not on the test vehicles because they're just cosmetic.

Thanks, Northstar. @ evok: wouldn't you agree that the next STS/DTS needs to compete by offering similar content/features to the 7-Series/S-Class/A8/XJ for a lower price, and not just by being a 7-Series-sized car at a 5-Series price?

What's the GMX276?