2006 Chevrolet HHR
Chevrolet calls this vehicle the HHR for "Heritage High Roof". It's styled after the 1949 Suburban, but built on the compact platform shared by the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion.
I call this model "inventory" because I predict that it will sit on dealers' lots even longer than Chevy's retro-styled truck, the SSR. The last time I checked, the SSR had one of the highest "days inventory" of any vehicle.
The HHR was clearly planned during the heyday of the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Now Chrysler is struggling to keep the PT Cruiser viable, and it looks like Chevrolet is late to a party that's already ending.
The Car Connection [ The Web's Automotive Authority ]
Monday, January 10, 2005
GM's Sequel Concept Vehicle - a practical Fuel Cell SUV?
GM has taken the wraps off a significant new concept vehicle. The Sequel is a crossover suv that runs on a hydrodgen fuel cell. GM reports a 300 mile range and 0-60 in about 10 seconds, both are practicality milestones that had not been reached in anything close to a practical car type fuel cell prototype.
The Sequel gets its name from being the sequel to the HyWire concept from a few years back. I wrote about that concept when it came out. The HyWire was distinctive because all of its mechanicals were based in a platform about a foot high, and the HyWire could be covered by different body styles depending upon the needs of the amarket. The Sequel takes the same approach. The mechanicals are in a module 11 inches high.
The Sequel is not cost-competitive with conventional cars in its current form, but it is conceivable that by 2010, the Sequel's sequel could show up in Cadillac showrooms as a niche vehicle.
Automotive News
GM has taken the wraps off a significant new concept vehicle. The Sequel is a crossover suv that runs on a hydrodgen fuel cell. GM reports a 300 mile range and 0-60 in about 10 seconds, both are practicality milestones that had not been reached in anything close to a practical car type fuel cell prototype.
The Sequel gets its name from being the sequel to the HyWire concept from a few years back. I wrote about that concept when it came out. The HyWire was distinctive because all of its mechanicals were based in a platform about a foot high, and the HyWire could be covered by different body styles depending upon the needs of the amarket. The Sequel takes the same approach. The mechanicals are in a module 11 inches high.
The Sequel is not cost-competitive with conventional cars in its current form, but it is conceivable that by 2010, the Sequel's sequel could show up in Cadillac showrooms as a niche vehicle.
Automotive News
2006 Lincoln Zephyr
Next fall, Ford rolls out the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr midsize sedan. This model is built on the same platform as the upcoming Ford Fusion (think Taurus replacement). From the early pictures, it looks every bit a Lincoln. It looks handsome and upscae. It remains to be seen if another Ford model will be crippled by the lack of a competent V-6 engine bigger than 3.0 liters. Ford planned to have a new 3.5 liter engine available at launch, but the 3.5 has been delayed.
The delayed engine, combined with delays in the Ford-GM 6-speed transmission program really show in Ford's current and upcoming products. The Ford 500 and Freestyle are modern designs saddled with an engine that is short on torque for vehicles of their size. Ford has to buy the transmissions from outside suppliers because the in-house transmissions were not ready on time.
Ironically, in 1999 Ford was on a roll with its trucks and SUVs. At that time, it seriously considered buying Nissan. Nissan was struggling with a product line in serious need of updating. Ford declined to buy Nissan, reportedly due to underfunded pension obligations in Japan. Renault came in as Nissan's saviour, and Nissan's new product pipelines soon bore fruit with a great 3.5 liter V-6, a modern midsized platform that became the current Altima, Maxima, Murano and Quest minivan, an updated midsized pick-up and a brand new full-sized pick up. Of all the Nissan product introductions, the only one that Ford matched was the full-sized pick-up. Ford is at least 5 years behind where it should be on midsized sedans and, even more importantly, on new engines.
Zephyr aims to revive Lincoln's luxurious past - 01/10/05
Next fall, Ford rolls out the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr midsize sedan. This model is built on the same platform as the upcoming Ford Fusion (think Taurus replacement). From the early pictures, it looks every bit a Lincoln. It looks handsome and upscae. It remains to be seen if another Ford model will be crippled by the lack of a competent V-6 engine bigger than 3.0 liters. Ford planned to have a new 3.5 liter engine available at launch, but the 3.5 has been delayed.
The delayed engine, combined with delays in the Ford-GM 6-speed transmission program really show in Ford's current and upcoming products. The Ford 500 and Freestyle are modern designs saddled with an engine that is short on torque for vehicles of their size. Ford has to buy the transmissions from outside suppliers because the in-house transmissions were not ready on time.
Ironically, in 1999 Ford was on a roll with its trucks and SUVs. At that time, it seriously considered buying Nissan. Nissan was struggling with a product line in serious need of updating. Ford declined to buy Nissan, reportedly due to underfunded pension obligations in Japan. Renault came in as Nissan's saviour, and Nissan's new product pipelines soon bore fruit with a great 3.5 liter V-6, a modern midsized platform that became the current Altima, Maxima, Murano and Quest minivan, an updated midsized pick-up and a brand new full-sized pick up. Of all the Nissan product introductions, the only one that Ford matched was the full-sized pick-up. Ford is at least 5 years behind where it should be on midsized sedans and, even more importantly, on new engines.
Zephyr aims to revive Lincoln's luxurious past - 01/10/05
2006 Saturn Aura
Saturn has used the Detroit Auto Show to preview its upcoming midsized car, the Saturn Aura. This car replaces the underachieving "L" series. Saturn discontinued the L series early, ceasing manufacturing in June, but leftovers will probably remain on dealer lots for the remainder of 2005. Saturn is getting the biggest top-to-bottom makeover of all the GM divisions, and well it should, sales were off 21% last year.
Even with the new Relay minivan, the sporty sky, and the new Aura, I predict that Saturn will have a hard time turning around its sales. The Chevrolet Cobalt compact, built on the same platform as the ION, blows the Ion away in terms of perceived quality, for the same price. The Aura, with a 3.6 twincam engine and a new six-speed automatic gearbox, as well as a deluxe interior, may be too pricey to generate high market share in a tough market.
I think GM should have merged Saturn and Oldsmobile a decade ago. What we are seeing now is the result of too many model programs for too long. GM is making some headway, but it's going to be tough.
Automotive News
Saturn has used the Detroit Auto Show to preview its upcoming midsized car, the Saturn Aura. This car replaces the underachieving "L" series. Saturn discontinued the L series early, ceasing manufacturing in June, but leftovers will probably remain on dealer lots for the remainder of 2005. Saturn is getting the biggest top-to-bottom makeover of all the GM divisions, and well it should, sales were off 21% last year.
Even with the new Relay minivan, the sporty sky, and the new Aura, I predict that Saturn will have a hard time turning around its sales. The Chevrolet Cobalt compact, built on the same platform as the ION, blows the Ion away in terms of perceived quality, for the same price. The Aura, with a 3.6 twincam engine and a new six-speed automatic gearbox, as well as a deluxe interior, may be too pricey to generate high market share in a tough market.
I think GM should have merged Saturn and Oldsmobile a decade ago. What we are seeing now is the result of too many model programs for too long. GM is making some headway, but it's going to be tough.
Automotive News
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Wikipedia - the world's most up-to-date encyclopedia
I can remember as a kid having an encyclopedia at home that we bought second hand from a relative. Even though it was five years out of date when we got it, and a decade and a half out of date when I went to college, it was still useful, but the march of time made some listings seem irrelevant or perhaps even deceptively wrong.
The free collaberative encyclopedia on line, the wikipedia, is marvelously up to date. I looked up Aceh, the northern province of Sumatra that has been devastated by the December 26, 2004 tsunami, and lo and behold, less than two weeks after the disaster, the effects of the tsunami are well-incorporated into the listing. Kudos Kudos Kudos.
Aceh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I can remember as a kid having an encyclopedia at home that we bought second hand from a relative. Even though it was five years out of date when we got it, and a decade and a half out of date when I went to college, it was still useful, but the march of time made some listings seem irrelevant or perhaps even deceptively wrong.
The free collaberative encyclopedia on line, the wikipedia, is marvelously up to date. I looked up Aceh, the northern province of Sumatra that has been devastated by the December 26, 2004 tsunami, and lo and behold, less than two weeks after the disaster, the effects of the tsunami are well-incorporated into the listing. Kudos Kudos Kudos.
Aceh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Walt Disney negotiating style:
Check out this article from the jimhillmedia.com site about Disney's negotiating style.
In a 1990 negotiation between Jim Henson & Jeffery Katzenberg, the Disney VP, Katzenberg (allegedly) said:
"The Mouse works a lot like the Mossad (the infamous Israeli Intelligence Agency). For every one of our guys that you get, we take out five of yours. Fair doesn't factor into the equation, Jim."
Check out this article from the jimhillmedia.com site about Disney's negotiating style.
In a 1990 negotiation between Jim Henson & Jeffery Katzenberg, the Disney VP, Katzenberg (allegedly) said:
"The Mouse works a lot like the Mossad (the infamous Israeli Intelligence Agency). For every one of our guys that you get, we take out five of yours. Fair doesn't factor into the equation, Jim."
Indianapolis Auto Show Impressions
Last week I went to the Indianapolis Auto Show. I didnt' get to see as much as I would have like, sheparding 3 kids but here are some general impressions, especally relevant to those of us whose living is tied directly or indirectly to the "Big 3" automakers.
1. The Chevrolet Cobalt is much improved over the Chevrolet Cavalier. The interior was head and shoulders above the Cavalier. It is also head & shoulders better than the Saturn Ion, whith which it shares the same platform. Whether it is good enough to take on the Civic and Corolla, only time will tell.
2. The Chrysler 300 is the real deal. I don't see how Lincoln Mercury can charge 10k more for the otherwise fine Lincoln LS in V-6 and V-8 trim.
3. The GM minivans, Chevrolet Uplander, Saturn Relay, Buick Terraza, have an improved feeling to their interior, but they also appear to have gained weight and become bloated with their quasi-SUV styling. Toyota, Honda, and Daimler Chrysler are all still well-ahead, and most of the sales of the GM vans will go to GM employees & die-hards plus rental fleets. In other words, expect high rebates and low resale values.
4. The 2005 Ford Mustang - is nice looking inside and out. Below is a review of the convertible:
The Car Connection [ The Web's Automotive Authority ]
5. The Buick LaCrosse: I haven't made my mind up about this car. I'll have to drive it.
6. Custom Vans are primed for a comeback. The kids fell all over the Explorer custom vans. First class seats, 20 inch LCD television with DVD and Surround Sound. For the price and fuel economy of a full-sized SUV like the Ford Expedition, you get much more luxury in all seating positions.
Last week I went to the Indianapolis Auto Show. I didnt' get to see as much as I would have like, sheparding 3 kids but here are some general impressions, especally relevant to those of us whose living is tied directly or indirectly to the "Big 3" automakers.
1. The Chevrolet Cobalt is much improved over the Chevrolet Cavalier. The interior was head and shoulders above the Cavalier. It is also head & shoulders better than the Saturn Ion, whith which it shares the same platform. Whether it is good enough to take on the Civic and Corolla, only time will tell.
2. The Chrysler 300 is the real deal. I don't see how Lincoln Mercury can charge 10k more for the otherwise fine Lincoln LS in V-6 and V-8 trim.
3. The GM minivans, Chevrolet Uplander, Saturn Relay, Buick Terraza, have an improved feeling to their interior, but they also appear to have gained weight and become bloated with their quasi-SUV styling. Toyota, Honda, and Daimler Chrysler are all still well-ahead, and most of the sales of the GM vans will go to GM employees & die-hards plus rental fleets. In other words, expect high rebates and low resale values.
4. The 2005 Ford Mustang - is nice looking inside and out. Below is a review of the convertible:
The Car Connection [ The Web's Automotive Authority ]
5. The Buick LaCrosse: I haven't made my mind up about this car. I'll have to drive it.
6. Custom Vans are primed for a comeback. The kids fell all over the Explorer custom vans. First class seats, 20 inch LCD television with DVD and Surround Sound. For the price and fuel economy of a full-sized SUV like the Ford Expedition, you get much more luxury in all seating positions.
Monday, January 03, 2005
Mortgage Fraud Blog
An attorney named Rachel Dollar seems to have put a lot of work into this mortgage fraud blog. Needless to say, her bio says she works for creditors.
Mortgage Fraud Blog sponsored by Dollar & Graves LLP
An attorney named Rachel Dollar seems to have put a lot of work into this mortgage fraud blog. Needless to say, her bio says she works for creditors.
Mortgage Fraud Blog sponsored by Dollar & Graves LLP
Box Score: Capital One - Customer Zero
How Capital One could be undermining your credit score
It seems like the companies that market the most to customers with blemished credit go out of their way to undermine credit scores. Capital One has admitted that it makes a practice not to disclose credit limits to the credit bureaus. To make a long story short, this results in a reduction of the credit scores for the Capital One customers because the credit bureaus and credit scoring companies then have to use a proxy to determine percentage of credit used, a key component of credit scoring systems.
The less alternative credit available - the more onerous terms that Capital One can extract.
Credit Card Limits Often Unreported (washingtonpost.com)
How Capital One could be undermining your credit score
It seems like the companies that market the most to customers with blemished credit go out of their way to undermine credit scores. Capital One has admitted that it makes a practice not to disclose credit limits to the credit bureaus. To make a long story short, this results in a reduction of the credit scores for the Capital One customers because the credit bureaus and credit scoring companies then have to use a proxy to determine percentage of credit used, a key component of credit scoring systems.
The less alternative credit available - the more onerous terms that Capital One can extract.
Credit Card Limits Often Unreported (washingtonpost.com)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
