[alerogl2]

Well Mittar, I would completely disagree with you anaylsis. The companies that are doing the switcharoo as you call it, are those that require their customers to purchase hardware they simply don't need or care about.

How many average people get their car in excess of 3-4k RPMs? Not many, so the engine differences are not important, infact the OHV performs better at those speeds so it is ultimately the superior engine. Not to mention the fact that it is smaller, lighter and CHEAPER, thus providing a better value to the owner.

GM should and is deploying 6-spds, so that is a moot point. For many engines the difference again is like 5% fuel economy which is good but not critical.

The reviewers tend to always review the top of the line model and that is what GM is catering towards initially it appears. The Aura that will be tested is the 3.6L w/ 6spd, do GM doesn't have much to worry about. And offering such packages makes the car desirable to those that care about such things. (minority)

Critics are just that, critics, lets face it GM is going to get negative press because these folks by in large drive German or sometimes Lexuses and have a liberal form of snobbery against almost anything US. Americans by and large are smarter then these folks and for the most part don't even pay attention. The average consumer looks to design, functionality, reliability, and crash test scores. In all of those catagories GM is doing a wonderful job and should see the fruits of these successes in the coming year or two.