Car Throttle

Much has been heard about the "New GM".  Post-bankruptcy the company would emerge with less brands, a fresh focus and a goal to truly listen to it's customers. Since then, we've had the G8 as Chevrolet fiasco and pretty much confirmed reports of a front-wheel drive flagship for Cadillac, the XTS. Needless to say, that isn't a promising start to me! Then came news of a Buick crossover! We've been expecting a "Baby Enclave" small crossover from Buick for quite some time. But this was that - it was something quite different. While Saturn is being purchased by Roger Penske, the deal didn't include the plug-in hybrid Vue that GM was planning to introduce.  Technology like that is too good to waste - where was it to

Bob Lutz, bearer of good news! He is fresh off his "unretirement" and back, better than ever. The reshuffling retains his position as Vice-Chairman of GM and actually adds responsibilities: he's in charge of “creative elements of products and customer relationships.” Bob Lutz is known famously in the auto industry for his propensity to speak his mind, and that hasn't changed. Pontiac's G8 has seen new life in it's sales numbers since the announcement about the Pontiac brand cancellation. Clearly the product has potential; it was critically acclaimed in the press. Not only that, there is multiple other reasons for keeping the car, like Australian production revenue that is vital to GM's Holden subsidiary. The logical reasons are there, which is why the response of GM's CEO Fritz

Oddly as it may sound, as GM has entered bankruptcy there has been more optimism about the future of the economy and the auto market even in the near term.  The Ford's and GM's numbers sales numbers have shown surprising strength and automakers are saying that they're seeing the the beginnings of recovery. That is good news indeed!  Ford may just be able make it through this without government intervention, and GM *could* be as profitable as as early as next year. Chrysler on the other hand; well we'll have to see how that whole deal works itself out. Regardless, it's true that through this process GM will be able to compete much better. Look at how much they have cut already and yet are still operating; talk about bloated!  I'd rather have fewer