$25 Billion Auto Bailout may mean some RWD projects will move forward at GM

[desmo9]

not even close! GM's burning a billion bucks a month, and it's apt to get worse. Buying power in the market's going down by the day, and those that DO return to the domestics won't be buying the high-margin trucks. If GM gets a third of that $25 billion, that's about 8 months of operating cash. let me say that again -- this bailout loan, at current rate of cash burn, simply prolongs the Bad Day by half a year or so. asuggestion that it'll create a sort of play pool for investment in stuff like rear-drive cars, is illogical at this point in time.

[Wm Holden]

Buick dominates in china.

[Gagarin]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

I literally laughed out loud when I read this headline.

Don't move up production of the U.S. Cruze.

Don't move up (and increase) production of BAS+.

Don't build a U.S. factory for production of a competitive Aveo replacement/Beat.

Don't invest in R&D to make direct injection affordable for every single car you sell.

Don't make a fuel efficient minivan to compete with the Odyssey and Caravan.

Don't start making the 1.4L turbo any sooner.

Don't replace ancient Buick models with fresh, efficient models being sold everywhere else.

No, instead, take $25,000,000,000 from U.S. tax payers and announce a new RWD platform for the Australian Commodore. Brilliant.

No kidding.

Take care of those product cuts and shortcuts that hurt market image and prevent real leading products from getting here sooner.

Leave Apha alone until it looks like you're not going to be worth 1 dollar.

[Tico]

Everyone is talking of GM bankruptcy and the best rumor we have it a new RWD program? Has anyone looked at sales volume for the Chrysler 300 in September? Wake up people! Just having this story on this site is a disservice to the future of GM!

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by vcs2600

you obviously haven't checked the sales figures of those cars lately.

You RWD Everywhere nuts keep coming up with genius plans to destroy half of GM's marketshare.

Its more because of their size, and somewhat lousy fuel economy,, not necessarily because its RWD. Sales for big cars have been down the toilet lately.

[Dr. Show-Me]

As gasoline drops back to $2.50 a gallon, people will return to larger, more comfortable cars and trucks and suvs.
There will always be a market for spacious cars that fit our driving needs, they'll just have to be more fuel efficient, and probably with less performance.

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by Dr. Show-Me

As gasoline drops back to $2.50 a gallon, people will return to larger, more comfortable cars and trucks and suvs.
There will always be a market for spacious cars that fit our driving needs, they'll just have to be more fuel efficient, and probably with less performance.

People are more worried about keeping their job, and cutting costs for the upcoming recession. Its almost a given that Christmas budgets are slashed for most families, and you really thing people are going to jump back to costly, oversized crossovers/SUVs that get rather poor gas mileage?

[Dr. Show-Me]

The country is large enough that enough people will do what you say and what I say. You will see truck and suv and more spacious cars sold with lower gas prices, since not all with be equally affected, nor make the same choices. Christmas this year looks pretty dismal, perhaps the worst since 2001.

[vcs2600]

Originally Posted by Xenon

Its more because of their size, and somewhat lousy fuel economy,, not necessarily because its RWD. Sales for big cars have been down the toilet lately.

You have to realize that RWD cars are larger and more expensive that FWD cars in the same class, by necessity.

Chrysler understood they could not compare the 300/Charger directy to cars like the Camry or Accord. So they hyped the performance aspect with the "It's a HEMI!" ad campaign. This was very well executed, but in times when people are worried about cost and fuel efficiency they don't really care what engine is in it.

The people here who want a RWD Impala are like those rednecks from the Chrysler commercials driving by and saying "Its a Chevy Smallbock!!!"

Guess what - those hicks in the commercials were not the target market for the car. They don't want to buy one, they're just looking forward to having one on blocks in front of their trailer in 15 years.

The actual number of buyers for V8/RWD is very low and IMO adequately covered by the Camaro and the Pontiac G8.

[ConcordeNick]

What is the latest news on the RWD Alpha? I just picked up the new issue of Motor Trend. They have a concept sketch of an Alpha Cadillac and the blurb says that there Pontiac will get a second generation of the Solstice out of the program. What gives? I know the situation is "fluid" and changes from day to day. Does anyone have anything more concrete or current to go on?

Nick

[Dr. Show-Me]

VCS2600, you seem to have a pretty bad opinion of a lot of people in this country.
There are those of us who remember when a Chevy smallblock V8 was pretty special, and exclusive to Chevy. GM diluted the Chevy brand, and the others by making them GM engines. With their current situation, that's probably all they can do, which is unfortunate. And those who want a modern, Chevy-powered Chevy Impala SS aren't red neck hillbillies.

[Carguy]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

I wonder if down the road, could E-Flex be used to create potent yet high mileage rear drive cars by placing the power train in what we now call the trunk, and have the trunk up front as a light weight crumple zone?

A new HIGH TECH CORVAIR line??????------I LIKE!!!!!

[vcs2600]

Originally Posted by Dr. Show-Me

VCS2600, you seem to have a pretty bad opinion of a lot of people in this country.
There are those of us who remember when a Chevy smallblock V8 was pretty special, and exclusive to Chevy. GM diluted the Chevy brand, and the others by making them GM engines. With their current situation, that's probably all they can do, which is unfortunate. And those who want a modern, Chevy-powered Chevy Impala SS aren't red neck hillbillies.

I have a bad opinion of this country because we only buy a handful of V8/RWD cars?

FWIW, I believe the Pontiac G8 should have been put at Chevrolet instead.

[Dr. Show-Me]

VCS2600, if you re-read your prejudicial drivel, you might see what I referrenced.