Speaking of sales....
Today's LA Times business section carried an article outlining how GM's and Ford's sales took another hit last month, mainly due to reduced demand for SUVs & trucks (it's about freakin' time, there are too many in the hands of stupid people!) and the increasing popularity of crossover vehicles. On the flipside, DaimlerChrysler's sales were UP 7.5%, a 21% (!) increase over the same month last year, mainly due to (and I quote) "...sizzling car sales."
(RANT MODE ON)
Gee, could that be because it has products that people actually want to buy, mainly, a kick a$$ sedan (300), Magnum wagon, and a cheap fun-to-drive turbo car in the SRT4? Could be!!
Meanwhile, back at the "Big Two":
-- The new Impala: Upside: a 300+HP 5.3L V8 in a family sedan-- so far, so good. DOWNSIDES: Oops, its FWD!! And, its uglier than the 2003. The verdict: "You are not the next 'American Idol'!".
-- Chevy SSR: finally has the right motor, meaning all the other underpowered/overweight SSRs previously sold are on a depreciation schedule matching that of a Selectric typewriter. If they wanted to recreate a quasi-El Camino, import the Holden Ute from Australia! Unfortunately, it's GM Marketing's answer to a question nobody asked nor cared about.
-- Cobalt SS: A promising entry, but it's late to the party, sporting the latest in Gay Wing Attire and lacking the 25HP & 50 lb-ft of TQ its competition (the SRT4) has.
The new 'Vette and GTO can't sustain GM on their own!
At Ford:
Freestyle: a nifty crossover. Too bad it's underpowered.
Ford 500: Since the lawyers at Ford feel it's not important to protect little things like RECOGNIZABLE TRADE NAMES, this isn't a Futura. Another nifty entry that's underpowered and crying out for the 311HP 4.4L V8 going into the new Volvo XC90...and Ford owns Volvo!!
Mustang: A cool car...in V8 form. Too bad they waste so many parts building the 6-cylinder models for Hertz and that dealers (at least in my area) are being greedy with markups on the GT model! Villa Ford in Orange had a black GT sitting in their showroom with a $5000 "Market Adjustment" on its sticker, pushing the price to $34K. F'em, they can own it!
(RANT MODE OFF)