Comments on: We’re Not Declaring Victory … But We’re Here to Report Progress http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html The FastLane blog is your source for the latest musings of GM leaders, like Bob Lutz, on the topics relevant to the company and the auto industry Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:07:07 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: KenZ300 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html#comment-142700 KenZ300 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:54:59 +0000 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/?p=1344#comment-142700 November 2009 Sales data GM down -1.8% Toyota up +2.8% Ford up +0.1% Nissan Up +20.8% Hyundai up +45.9% Kia up +18.3% Do you see a pattern here? Where are GM's small and mid size flex, hybrid or high mileage vehicles? November 2009 Sales data

GM down -1.8%

Toyota up +2.8%

Ford up +0.1%

Nissan Up +20.8%

Hyundai up +45.9%

Kia up +18.3%

Do you see a pattern here?

Where are GM’s small and mid size flex, hybrid or high mileage vehicles?

]]> By: KenZ300 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html#comment-142691 KenZ300 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:02:43 +0000 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/?p=1344#comment-142691 Toyota launched its Prius Plug-in Hybrid lease program. Toyota will be building and deploying 600 plug-in Prius's for testing primarily in Japan, United States and Europe Toyota launched its Prius Plug-in Hybrid lease program. Toyota will be building and deploying 600 plug-in Prius’s for testing primarily in Japan, United States and Europe

]]> By: Edwin http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html#comment-142481 Edwin Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:26:47 +0000 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/?p=1344#comment-142481 Actually there is a way it gets 230 mpg city mileage. It follows the formula for commuting patterns the same as the Prius, except the Volt beats the Prius. One one gallon of gas commuting around town, the Volt gets 230 mpg city. Actually there is a way it gets 230 mpg city mileage. It follows the formula for commuting patterns the same as the Prius, except the Volt beats the Prius.

One one gallon of gas commuting around town, the Volt gets 230 mpg city.

]]> By: Ben Dewberry http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html#comment-142478 Ben Dewberry Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:58:30 +0000 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/?p=1344#comment-142478 Patrick- A car company ought to be willing to paint one of their cars whatever color the customer orders. If body shops can mix custom colors, surely a GM assembly plant could do that. It just shows they aren't willing to provide the service it takes to close a sale. Patrick-

A car company ought to be willing to paint one of their cars whatever color the customer orders. If body shops can mix custom colors, surely a GM assembly plant could do that.

It just shows they aren’t willing to provide the service it takes to close a sale.

]]> By: Patrick McCoy http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html#comment-142469 Patrick McCoy Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:11:42 +0000 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/?p=1344#comment-142469 I have a 2008 CTS and just purchased '10 SRX. Love both and anxious to see the CTS Coupe, or maybe a Buick Coupe. I plan to replace teh CTS with a coupe and chort of the CTS or Buick, GM doesn't offer me anything. My only disappointment with SRX was lack of exterior color selection - is it me, or what's happened to GM and exterior colors - very few and pretty bland, nothing memorable. I'd like to see something beyond grey, dark grey, black, navy blue and white! I have a 2008 CTS and just purchased ‘10 SRX. Love both and anxious to see the CTS Coupe, or maybe a Buick Coupe. I plan to replace teh CTS with a coupe and chort of the CTS or Buick, GM doesn’t offer me anything.

My only disappointment with SRX was lack of exterior color selection – is it me, or what’s happened to GM and exterior colors – very few and pretty bland, nothing memorable. I’d like to see something beyond grey, dark grey, black, navy blue and white!

]]> By: Vern http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html#comment-142457 Vern Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:37:33 +0000 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/?p=1344#comment-142457 Most Americans are appalled at GM-UAW's bailout. Most want a US built auto by a US company not controlled or owned by the govt or UAW. Most Americans are appalled at GM-UAW’s bailout. Most want a US built auto by a US company not controlled or owned by the govt or UAW.

]]> By: Edwin http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html#comment-142314 Edwin Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:49:55 +0000 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/?p=1344#comment-142314 Its really exciting to see a new Regal finally on the way. I'm much more of an optimist on Buick. It really can be done with Buick if they keep listening to enthusiasts. It appears you all are going to be surprised at the success. Just get those LaCrosses on the road and Buick will keep rising in awareness. <i>Regal has great potential and strong appeal for the Cutlass enthusiasts out there who've been hoping GM will come to their rescue. <i> <b>Regal hasn't been thought of as an 'old persons car', thats just a ridiculous attempt to distract the discussion,</b> even though the last style wasn't what we wanted to see Buick do. Regal carried a higher price tag and more options than the Cutlass. Civic is a boring name, so is Accord and Camry. Civic like in civic center? Accord like a 'treaty?" The styles of the Accord is enough to put you to sleep, a Honda Accord is about as old looking as it gets. Honda appears to be the first of the Asian brands to be heading for a collapse. I see why some are auto media might be worried that Buick will take the market by surprise. Just think, establishment auto media elites will have to go through 12 step rehab and honda withdrawl for weeks. The Regal has the potential to lure the tuner crowd to Buick if they do a Regal Grand National like we've encouraged GM to do. The Regal Grand National could have the 3.0L DI V-6. Buick's new styling is very encouraging, it looks like they are listening. I favored doing the car comeback with Oldsmoble leading the charge, but it can be done with Buick and the Regal is just the car to kindle the enthusiasm. Its really exciting to see a new Regal in the works. The Regal Grand National is revered to this day by all ages groups. Regal has high name recognition with a quality reputation. GM classic names are important in the market place and energize base customers to lead the market trends. Regal has a premium luxury sport image. A Regal should focus on a performance edition with a black grille look like the Grand National as well as a luxury sport edition. It should command a lots of attention and sales. The design they are showing appears very encouraging. The new Regal appears to have great styling, though the grille design might take a page from the 2010 Mercury Milan update with the solid bar going across. The rear angle and profile look fantastic in photos. We'll have to see what it looks like in person. Have an increasing feel that Buick will lead a car comeback for GM. Especially encouraged by the 2010 LaCrosse. The car is a head turner. Recently saw a young couple driving their new 2010 LaCrosse CXS through an upscale neighborhood, and sure enough it was turning heads among the luxury car owners. The simple reason is that new LaCrosse is convincing and looks so much better than the Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti counter part. If Buick takes it up one level they could easily smash the foreign luxury competition with a full size sedan with the LaCrosse styling targeting the BMW 7 series on looks. And it wouldn't take away from Cadillac with its bold and edgy looks. GM is missing so much sedan business that when it finally gets the great looking cars to market, its going to be surprised at the market share gains. Riviera is a great name, it would be fantastic as a sedan to lure the Oldsmobile Aurora customer to Buick. Wild Cat would be a great name for a Buick Roadster like the Solstice. Its really exciting to see a new Regal finally on the way. I’m much more of an optimist on Buick. It really can be done with Buick if they keep listening to enthusiasts. It appears you all are going to be surprised at the success.

Just get those LaCrosses on the road and Buick will keep rising in awareness.

Regal has great potential and strong appeal for the Cutlass enthusiasts out there who’ve been hoping GM will come to their rescue. Regal hasn’t been thought of as an ‘old persons car’, thats just a ridiculous attempt to distract the discussion, even though the last style wasn’t what we wanted to see Buick do. Regal carried a higher price tag and more options than the Cutlass.

Civic is a boring name, so is Accord and Camry. Civic like in civic center? Accord like a ‘treaty?” The styles of the Accord is enough to put you to sleep, a Honda Accord is about as old looking as it gets. Honda appears to be the first of the Asian brands to be heading for a collapse.

I see why some are auto media might be worried that Buick will take the market by surprise. Just think, establishment auto media elites will have to go through 12 step rehab and honda withdrawl for weeks.

The Regal has the potential to lure the tuner crowd to Buick if they do a Regal Grand National like we’ve encouraged GM to do. The Regal Grand National could have the 3.0L DI V-6.

Buick’s new styling is very encouraging, it looks like they are listening.

I favored doing the car comeback with Oldsmoble leading the charge, but it can be done with Buick and the Regal is just the car to kindle the enthusiasm. Its really exciting to see a new Regal in the works.

The Regal Grand National is revered to this day by all ages groups. Regal has high name recognition with a quality reputation.

GM classic names are important in the market place and energize base customers to lead the market trends.

Regal has a premium luxury sport image. A Regal should focus on a performance edition with a black grille look like the Grand National as well as a luxury sport edition. It should command a lots of attention and sales. The design they are showing appears very encouraging.

The new Regal appears to have great styling, though the grille design might take a page from the 2010 Mercury Milan update with the solid bar going across. The rear angle and profile look fantastic in photos. We’ll have to see what it looks like in person.

Have an increasing feel that Buick will lead a car comeback for GM. Especially encouraged by the 2010 LaCrosse. The car is a head turner. Recently saw a young couple driving their new 2010 LaCrosse CXS through an upscale neighborhood, and sure enough it was turning heads among the luxury car owners. The simple reason is that new LaCrosse is convincing and looks so much better than the Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti counter part.

If Buick takes it up one level they could easily smash the foreign luxury competition with a full size sedan with the LaCrosse styling targeting the BMW 7 series on looks. And it wouldn’t take away from Cadillac with its bold and edgy looks. GM is missing so much sedan business that when it finally gets the great looking cars to market, its going to be surprised at the market share gains.

Riviera is a great name, it would be fantastic as a sedan to lure the Oldsmobile Aurora customer to Buick.

Wild Cat would be a great name for a Buick Roadster like the Solstice.

]]> By: Edwin http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html#comment-142300 Edwin Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:15:17 +0000 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/?p=1344#comment-142300 GM cars are better than the foreign competition. . . . The Malibu is a better car than the Camry, Accord, and Altima. And the Malibu is better looking, better warranty, better all around. The Malibu is priced right. The LaCrosse is better all around than the Lexus ES . . . The LaCrosse is priced right. The CTS likewise. Stop complaining, buy one and you'll see. What the liberal media doesn't like to tell you about Honda and Toyota: Honda/Acura owners continue to sign this petition against their transmission troubles (read complaints by clicking on signatures (owners give their names and vin numbers): http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?acura Toyota recent steering defect lawsuits consolidated (the wheels fall off while you are driving): http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/toyota-steering-defect-lawsuits-in-california-5932/ 3.8 million toyotas recalled recently for unintended acceleration while you drive: Toyota owners file class action lawsuit over unintended acceleration: http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-owners-file-class-action-suit-over-uninteded-acceleration.html Toyota defective gas pedal recall on millions of cars: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_toyota_floor_mats Toyota Prius steering recall can cause you to loose steering control: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2006/prius.html Toyota SUV steering recall (2004-2007) can cause you to loose steering control: http://www.pritzkerlaw.com/toyota-sequoia-tundra-recall/ Toyota sued for faulty steering rods: "Allegations of faulty steering relay rods — an embarrassment to Toyota in Japan three years ago — have come back to haunt the company in the United States." http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/43886728/Toyota-is-sued-over-faulty-steering-rods GM cars are better than the foreign competition. . . .

The Malibu is a better car than the Camry, Accord, and Altima. And the Malibu is better looking, better warranty, better all around. The Malibu is priced right.

The LaCrosse is better all around than the Lexus ES . . . The LaCrosse is priced right. The CTS likewise.

Stop complaining, buy one and you’ll see.

What the liberal media doesn’t like to tell you about Honda and Toyota:

Honda/Acura owners continue to sign this petition against their transmission troubles (read complaints by clicking on signatures (owners give their names and vin numbers):

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?acura

Toyota recent steering defect lawsuits consolidated (the wheels fall off while you are driving):

http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/toyota-steering-defect-lawsuits-in-california-5932/

3.8 million toyotas recalled recently for unintended acceleration while you drive:

Toyota owners file class action lawsuit over unintended acceleration:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-owners-file-class-action-suit-over-uninteded-acceleration.html

Toyota defective gas pedal recall on millions of cars:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_toyota_floor_mats

Toyota Prius steering recall can cause you to loose steering control:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2006/prius.html

Toyota SUV steering recall (2004-2007) can cause you to loose steering control:

http://www.pritzkerlaw.com/toyota-sequoia-tundra-recall/

Toyota sued for faulty steering rods:

“Allegations of faulty steering relay rods — an embarrassment to Toyota in Japan three years ago — have come back to haunt the company in the United States.”

http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/43886728/Toyota-is-sued-over-faulty-steering-rods

]]> By: Edwin http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html#comment-142298 Edwin Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:06:17 +0000 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/?p=1344#comment-142298 And . . cut or eliminate capital gains taxes so people will spend their money on new cars like they did in the late 1990s when the stock market did so well, the auto companies made money, and the federal budget was balanced. And . . cut or eliminate capital gains taxes so people will spend their money on new cars like they did in the late 1990s when the stock market did so well, the auto companies made money, and the federal budget was balanced.

]]> By: Edwin http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2009/11/we%e2%80%99re_not_declaring_victory_%e2%80%a6_but_we%e2%80%99re_here_to_report_progress.html#comment-142297 Edwin Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:03:53 +0000 http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/?p=1344#comment-142297 It would be better for the federal government to take regulations off the auto companies and eliminate or cut corporate income tax rates in the U.S. It would be better for the federal government to take regulations off the auto companies and eliminate or cut corporate income tax rates in the U.S.

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