General Motors News - Jalopnik releases rendering of C7 ZR1

[nthfinity]

http://gmfactsandfiction.com/

I'm attaching an urgent request we have received from our General Motors clients. Please read the letter, and then I hope you will either call or write your elected representatives in Washington and ask them to support the automotive industry. GM has established a Web site that makes it very simple to express your point of view: www.gmfactsandfiction.com <http://www.gmfactsandfiction.com>

· To call, just click the "I'm a Supplier" button. Follow the directions, and you will be transferred to the offices of your representative or senators.
· To write, just click the "I'm a Concerned American" button, and there is a letter ready for you to forward.

Here's the request:
From: Betsy Lazar
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:34:09 -0500
Subject: Urgent Message From General Motors To our partners at IPG, Needless to say, it has been a challenging year, but your teams have been strong, and have demonstrated true partnership every step of the way. Thank you for all that you do for GM. It is no secret that the auto industry is at a crossroads. Companies that support millions of workers and families across the U.S. have been slammed by the worst economic downturn in 75 years. Particularly frustrating is that this crisis struck just at a time when these companies were successfully restructuring themselves and creating a new generation of cleaner, more efficient vehicles. This progress, and the very existence of the U.S.-based auto industry, is threatened. Discussions are now underway in Washington D.C. about government support for this vital industry through this downturn. We are asking for your support, too. The U.S auto industry has been hit at every level by the global financial crisis. Carmakers can't get loans to complete their restructuring and put advanced technology vehicles into production. Customers can't get credit for new cars, and consumer confidence has plunged to an all-time low. Suppliers and dealers can't get loans for routine business needs. This crisis caught the U.S. auto industry in the midst of a successful restructuring. Domestic carmakers have closed the productivity gap with their global competitors, and GM has closed the quality gap as well. New labor agreements are in place to make U.S. manufacturers' costs competitive with non-union transplant factories. Since 2005, GM has taken a series of bold steps to restructure its business and reduce its structural cost. In fact, since 2005, GM has reduced structural cost in North America by over $9 billion. And more recently, GM has outlined plans to enhance its liquidity position by $20 billion through 2009. And, we've tightened our belt in hundreds of other ways, large and small - some of which you have felt too. On the product front, we have introduced a series of award-winning products, including the Saturn Aura, Cadillac CTS, Chevy Malibu and Buick Enclave. Today, we have the most models that get an EPA-estimated 30 mpg or better on the highway, more vehicles capable of running on E85 ethanol than any other automaker and a wide variety of hybrids, one for every need. We are also testing the world's largest fleet of hydrogen-powered cars right now and are committed to building the Chevy Volt extended-range electric car in 2010. However, faced with the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and the worst car sales since World War II, this hasn't been enough. This current crisis knows no geographic boundaries. What happens to the U.S. auto industry also had an immediate impact on Main Street. U.S.-based carmakers have 105 plants in 20 states, including California, Texas, Kansas, Louisiana and Maryland. They support 14,000 dealers across the country, and these dealers in turn employ 740,000 people, with a total payroll of $35 billion a year. The companies buy $156 billion in parts and services from suppliers in every state. The auto companies provide pensions for 775,000 and health care benefits for 2 million. Because carmakers are so tightly woven into the fabric of the U.S. economy, the collapse of this industry would reach far beyond Detroit. The Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor predicts that a collapse of U.S.-based carmakers would lead to widespread failures of supplier companies, already pushed to the brink by the downturn, and this in turn would shut down the transplant factories owned by Toyota, Honda and other non-U.S. companies. Shockwaves through the economy would quickly put nearly 3 million people out of work. In the first year alone, personal income would drop by $150 billion, and tax and social security receipts would fall by more than $45 billion. Faced with these risks to the well-being of millions of Americans, and to the U.S. economy as a whole, it is clear to us that government support is a sound investment in an important industry, and in America itself. The Aura, CTS, Malibu and Enclave show that GM can compete with the best. Our aggressive restructuring and rapid global growth shows our commitment to reinventing our company. And the Chevy Volt and other advanced technology vehicles show our passion for being a leader in reinventing the automobile. Please share this information with all of your employees, friends and family, and other stakeholders. We hope you will ask your legislators and other political leaders to support the U.S. auto industry through this critical transformation. It's easy and turnkey. Please take a minute to go to www.gmfactsandfiction.com <http://www.gmfactsandfiction.com> to show your support and let your voice be heard. To give you more context and the facts, attached are some industry talking points and the study recently released by industry analyst, David Cole, with the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), entitled: "The Impact of the U.S. Economy of a Major Contraction of the Detroit Three Automakers." Thank you for continued support.

Respectfully,
Betsy Lazar
Executive Director, Advertising and Media Operations
General Motors Corporation

[f430monzalover]

I am a proud American, and I will be very upset if this happens, but for many years I personally know people that have been trying to give GM, Ford, etc. suggestions about possible car and investment ideas and all of them were brushed off. I am in the market for a new car and when I look at what a GM costs compared to its japanese counterparts, I can't bring myself to buy a poorly made GM, that will last half the time that a Toyota will and depreciate at the speed of light. GM really cannot be surprised at what is happening. What do they want, our tax money to keep them afloat while they "restructure". Thats like trying to fix the Titanic while it was sinking. Not going to work.

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by f430monzalover I am a proud American, and I will be very upset if this happens, but for many years I personally know people that have been trying to give GM, Ford, etc. suggestions about possible car and investment ideas and all of them were brushed off. I am in the market for a new car and when I look at what a GM costs compared to its japanese counterparts, I can't bring myself to buy a poorly made GM, that will last half the time that a Toyota will and depreciate at the speed of light. GM really cannot be surprised at what is happening. What do they want, our tax money to keep them afloat while they "restructure". Thats like trying to fix the Titanic while it was sinking. Not going to work.

It's statements like this ignoramus that make me worried about the future of this country :-\

[RC45]

Originally Posted by f430monzalover I am a proud American, and I will be very upset if this happens, but for many years I personally know people that have been trying to give GM, Ford, etc. suggestions about possible car and investment ideas and all of them were brushed off. I am in the market for a new car and when I look at what a GM costs compared to its japanese counterparts, I can't bring myself to buy a poorly made GM, that will last half the time that a Toyota will and depreciate at the speed of light. GM really cannot be surprised at what is happening. What do they want, our tax money to keep them afloat while they "restructure". Thats like trying to fix the Titanic while it was sinking. Not going to work.

Well, as soon as those "Japanese counterparts" built in Tennessee etc get forced to join the UAW, they will also suffer the same fate GM and Ford do.

It's the UAW no tthe cars.

[f430monzalover]

Thanks for the "ignoramus" Ding Dong. Open debate. If you don't like what I have to say fine. That's my point of view. Don't have to be insulting. It's that attitude that has me worried about the future of OUR country.

[philip]

Originally Posted by nthfinity http://gmfactsandfiction.com/ I'm attaching an urgent request we have received from our General Motors clients. Please read the letter, and then I hope you will either call or write your elected representatives in Washington and ask them to support the automotive industry. GM has established a Web site that makes it very simple to express your point of view: www.gmfactsandfiction.com <http://www.gmfactsandfiction.com> · To call, just click the "I'm a Supplier" button. Follow the directions, and you will be transferred to the offices of your representative or senators. · To write, just click the "I'm a Concerned American" button, and there is a letter ready for you to forward. Here's the request: From: Betsy Lazar Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:34:09 -0500 Subject: Urgent Message From General Motors To our partners at IPG, Needless to say, it has been a challenging year, but your teams have been strong, and have demonstrated true partnership every step of the way. Thank you for all that you do for GM. It is no secret that the auto industry is at a crossroads. Companies that support millions of workers and families across the U.S. have been slammed by the worst economic downturn in 75 years. Particularly frustrating is that this crisis struck just at a time when these companies were successfully restructuring themselves and creating a new generation of cleaner, more efficient vehicles. This progress, and the very existence of the U.S.-based auto industry, is threatened. Discussions are now underway in Washington D.C. about government support for this vital industry through this downturn. We are asking for your support, too. The U.S auto industry has been hit at every level by the global financial crisis. Carmakers can't get loans to complete their restructuring and put advanced technology vehicles into production. Customers can't get credit for new cars, and consumer confidence has plunged to an all-time low. Suppliers and dealers can't get loans for routine business needs. This crisis caught the U.S. auto industry in the midst of a successful restructuring. Domestic carmakers have closed the productivity gap with their global competitors, and GM has closed the quality gap as well. New labor agreements are in place to make U.S. manufacturers' costs competitive with non-union transplant factories. Since 2005, GM has taken a series of bold steps to restructure its business and reduce its structural cost. In fact, since 2005, GM has reduced structural cost in North America by over $9 billion. And more recently, GM has outlined plans to enhance its liquidity position by $20 billion through 2009. And, we've tightened our belt in hundreds of other ways, large and small - some of which you have felt too. On the product front, we have introduced a series of award-winning products, including the Saturn Aura, Cadillac CTS, Chevy Malibu and Buick Enclave. Today, we have the most models that get an EPA-estimated 30 mpg or better on the highway, more vehicles capable of running on E85 ethanol than any other automaker and a wide variety of hybrids, one for every need. We are also testing the world's largest fleet of hydrogen-powered cars right now and are committed to building the Chevy Volt extended-range electric car in 2010. However, faced with the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and the worst car sales since World War II, this hasn't been enough. This current crisis knows no geographic boundaries. What happens to the U.S. auto industry also had an immediate impact on Main Street. U.S.-based carmakers have 105 plants in 20 states, including California, Texas, Kansas, Louisiana and Maryland. They support 14,000 dealers across the country, and these dealers in turn employ 740,000 people, with a total payroll of $35 billion a year. The companies buy $156 billion in parts and services from suppliers in every state. The auto companies provide pensions for 775,000 and health care benefits for 2 million. Because carmakers are so tightly woven into the fabric of the U.S. economy, the collapse of this industry would reach far beyond Detroit. The Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor predicts that a collapse of U.S.-based carmakers would lead to widespread failures of supplier companies, already pushed to the brink by the downturn, and this in turn would shut down the transplant factories owned by Toyota, Honda and other non-U.S. companies. Shockwaves through the economy would quickly put nearly 3 million people out of work. In the first year alone, personal income would drop by $150 billion, and tax and social security receipts would fall by more than $45 billion. Faced with these risks to the well-being of millions of Americans, and to the U.S. economy as a whole, it is clear to us that government support is a sound investment in an important industry, and in America itself. The Aura, CTS, Malibu and Enclave show that GM can compete with the best. Our aggressive restructuring and rapid global growth shows our commitment to reinventing our company. And the Chevy Volt and other advanced technology vehicles show our passion for being a leader in reinventing the automobile. Please share this information with all of your employees, friends and family, and other stakeholders. We hope you will ask your legislators and other political leaders to support the U.S. auto industry through this critical transformation. It's easy and turnkey. Please take a minute to go to www.gmfactsandfiction.com <http://www.gmfactsandfiction.com> to show your support and let your voice be heard. To give you more context and the facts, attached are some industry talking points and the study recently released by industry analyst, David Cole, with the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), entitled: "The Impact of the U.S. Economy of a Major Contraction of the Detroit Three Automakers." Thank you for continued support. Respectfully, Betsy Lazar Executive Director, Advertising and Media Operations General Motors Corporation

uh Betsy..... Paragraphs please. After all your in Advertising and an Executive Director. Your lending credence to the Darwin theory being espoused by some here.

[RC45]

Betsy Lazy? I wonder if she is a UAW member?

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by f430monzalover Thanks for the "ignoramus" Ding Dong. Open debate. If you don't like what I have to say fine. That's my point of view. Don't have to be insulting. It's that attitude that has me worried about the future of OUR country.

you are simply proving you have no clue about anything in the industry, and only have perceptions, and prejudices based on those perceptions. No matter what the reality is. That is why your statement is completely ignoramus. Opinions like have zero credibility.

BTW, "Ding dong... Kwame's gone" Maybe I'll change it again soon

[Mattk]

Toyota's interior finishing has always been fairly average. Perhaps the 'quality' is in the engine, transmission etc, but I'm not convinced because there's no concrete evidence to suggest that's the case.

That said, some American cars are absolute rubbish, criticised for having ridiculously light steering and excessive roll during corners. Maybe that's the way some people like it, although I can't imagine why.

[HeilSvenska]

Good afternoon, Camaro Comrades, Firebird Friends, and Corvette Cousins............ As you may know, the GM Heritage Collection numbers in the many hundreds of cars and trucks - from 'first builts' and 'last builts' to one-off show cars to SEMA show cars. The Decision has been made to sell off select vehicles. (Indeed, a sad day for some of us......) There's a little of everything -- from the Legendary Buick Blackhawk -- to (are you sitting down?) a COUPLE of 1989 Corvette ZR1s -- the Jon Moss built Track-dominating Black 572 ZL1 -- A C5 Alpha and a C5 Beta -- The Tiger Shark -- the LT5 Camaro -- a 1904 Olds Touring -- several GTOS -- both old and new -- a couple of 1970 muscle cars -- a mid nineties "510" Impala SS -- and many, many pace cars and trucks. This may be the time to break open the piggy bank................. PLEASE NOTE: >This is a preliminary list -- it is very likely subject to change - >Barrett-Jackson will, in the coming week or two, put out pictures of each of these cars on their website. >This is the Scottsdale, AZ auction -- January 13-19, 2009. >Please feel free to share with your club members and friends

Model
1955 Buick Century
Bolero
2001 Blackhawk
G6 Rolex Pace
2007 Corvette Indy Pace/copper
2008 Corvette Indy Pace/black
1918 Cadillac
1995 Riveria Convertible
1993 Allante Pace car
1996 Presidential Limo
1998 Popemobile
1999 Eldorod
Indy Pennzoil IRL #4 (yellow)
Indy Pennzoil Panther Racing (yellow)
2003 EXT - M
2004 CTS Super V
2004 SRX Hot Wheels
2004 SRX SEMA
2005 STS MCE Integration
2006 DTS Appearance Pkg
2007 Escalade Limo
2007 Escalade SEMA
2008 CTS Sport
LMP #8
1925 Chevrolet House Car (Blue/Black)
1948 Chevy I-5 Vortech
1960 Impala
1972 Impala
2004 M/C Rock&Roll Pace (blue/yellow)
1987 Chevrolet Sprint Turbo Convertible
1989 Corvette DR-1
1989 Corvette Snake Skinner
1989 Corvette Splash
1989 Corvette ZR-1
1989 Corvette ZR-1 (Dark Red)
1989 Corvette ZR-2 Big Doggie
1989 Tracker Boom Box
1989 Zonker
1990 Corvette Right Hand Steer
1990 Corvette ZR-1 Active
1991 Caprice Classic
1991 Corvette Convertible
1991 Syclone PPG Pace
1991 Tracker Dirt
1992 Corvette ZR-1 First Built (Red)
1992 Impala SS 510
1993 Camaro ZL-1 "572"
1993 Corvette LT-1 Spyder
1993 Typhoon
1994 Corvette (Teal)
1994 Impala SS 6 Speed
1994 Impala Wagon
1994 Tracker Kalahari
1995 Monte Carlo Led Sled
1995 Monte Carlo Pro Street
1996 Camaro Brickyard Pace
1997 Corvette Alpha Build
1997 Corvette Beta Build
1997 Corvette Tiger Shark
2005 M/C Rock&Roll Pace (red)
1997 Monte Carlo Intimidator
1998 Camaro Drag
1998 Corvette First Built
1998 Corvette X-plorers
1999 Corvette C5R Show Car
1999 Corvette Shark
1999 Silverado Tonka
2000 Corvette Z06 Race
2000 Monte Carlo Brickyard #3
2000 Tahoe K5
2001 Impala Low Rider
2001 Monte Carlo Drag
Silverado #17 GMAC Racetruck
2001 Silverado Intimidator SS (Black)
2006 Silverado Craftsman Pace Flex Fuel #2
2002 Camaro Police
2002 Cavalier 425 A/FX Drag
2002 Monte Carlo Looney Tunes Pace
2002 S-10 Little Red
2003 Aveo Xtreme
2003 Corvette Lemans Pace #3
2003 Monte Carlo Rock & Roll Race
2004 Aveo X-treme
2004 Colorado SS Dark Cherry
2004 Colorado Xtreme
2004 Colorado Z-71 Vision
2004 Corvette Indy Pace
2004 Impala SS Project Vehicle
2004 Malibu Maxx SS
2004 Malibu Xtreme 2004
2004 Monte Carlo Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2004 Monte Carlo Tony Stewart
2004 Silverado Speedway
Solstice "Jazz" Transformer Movie Vehicle
1969 Reggie Jackson Camaro (red)
1990 Beretta Indy Pace
2004 Escalade Pinnacle (black)
Holden Race Car #22 (red)
2000 STS Saftey
2007 Yukon "CSI Vegas" (used in filming of show)
2003 Rendezvous CXL
1998 Rivera (teal)
2005 Colorado CC Z71
2005 Corvette Atlantic
2005 Corvette Pacific
2005 Equinox Xtreme
2004 Suburban Quadsteer
2006 HHR Official Tailgate Crew
2006 HHR Open Air
2006 HHR Panel
2006 HHR Panel Tuner
2006 HHR Xplorer Scout
2006 HHR Yearone
1995 Aurora (red)
2007 Avalanche Z-71 Plus
2007 Corvette Z06 First Built (Red)
2007 HHR SS Panel Motor City (Flat Gray)
2007 Silverado "Big Red"
2007 Silverado CC Rally Sport
2007 Silverado Country Music
2007 Silverado E85 Handy Man
1985 Calais "MSU"
2007 Silverado OCC
2007 Silverado Roadside
2007 SilveradoZ71 Orange
2007 Suburban HD Diesel
2007 Suburban Major League Baseball (Blue)
2007 Tahoe Foose
2007 Tahoe US Ski Team
Camaro Trans Am 2 seater
C/K 1500 Supertruck Chevy 2 Seat
Camaro GTZ
Camaro LT5
Corvette C5 Display Chassis
Corvette Purple Smash
Corvette Racing Boat
Corvette Trailer
Corvette ZR1 Rolling Chassis
HHR Floral
Holden Race Car (Red)
Kappa Chassis
S-10 Drag
S-10 Off Road Truck
S-10 Race Truck (Red)
S-10 Stadium Truck
2003 Centieme Concept
1916 GMC Stake Truck
1917 GMC Trailer
1948 GMC Firetruck
1978 GMC Suburban (Brown/Cream)
2003 Rollback
2004 Canyon Kayak
2004 Envoy Race Truck
2004 Envoy Water Sports
2007 Sierra All Terrain Crew
2007 Sierra HD Denali
Caprice "Fire & Rescue"
2007 Sierra Texas Edition
2007 Yukon Denali Jay-Z (Blue)
2007 Yukon XL Big Max
2007 Yukon All Terrain
2003 Hummer Spring Special
2005 Hummer Dirt Sport
2005 Hummer H2 Slant Back
2006 H3 street
2006 HHR Spring Special (Cappucino Frost)
2007 H2 Safari
2008 H3R SEMA
1994 Corvette HO
Corvette ZR 1 Snake Skinner
1904 Olds Touring Runabout
1923 Olds
1931 Olds Chassis
1940 Olds Blue
1949 Olds (Green)
1954 Olds Ninety Eight
1960 Olds 88 (White)
1970 Cutlass SX
1970 Olds 442 W30
1977 Olds Delta 88 Indy Pace
1995 Cutlass Darth Vadar
1995 Cutlass Mobil Net Race
1998 Intrigue 1998 (Blue)
1999 Intrigue 442
1999 Silhouette OSV #2
2001 Bravada Indy Pace
2002 Intrigue Last 2002
Aurora Exxon Race GTS (Gold/White)
Aurora IRL Race Car Cut-Away #5
Aurora IRL Race Car Cut-Away #5
1985 Peugeot 205 Turbo (Gray)
1985 Peugeot 205 Turbo Active (Gray)
1926 Pontiac
1926 Pontiac (Gray/Black)
1968 Pontiac Cataline (White)
1969 Pontiac GTO (Green)
1969 Pontiac GTO Judge (Orange/Yellow)
1980 Pontiac Grand Am Pickup
1994 Firebird Lingenfelter 383
1999 Grand Am SCT
2003 Sunfire X-plores (Yellow)
2006 Solstice DTP (Orange)
1967 GTO XXX Hardtop
1984 Fiero GT 2+2
1986 Firebird Trans Am Kamback
1987 Fiero GT Convertible
1991 Firebird Trans Am Twin Turbo
1993 Firebird IMSA Race car
1994 Firebird Firmula V8
1994 Firebird Trans Am 25th Ann.
1998 Firebird Trans Am Gold Rush
1998 Firebird Trans Am X-plorers
1998 Grand Prix M&M Pace
2000 Bonneville Salt Flats
2000 Firebird Rytek Project
2000 Firebird Trans Am Darth Vader
CTS-VR Race Replica (black)
2001 Aztek First Built (Black)
2001 Aztek Pace #1 (Red)
2001 Aztek SRV
2002 Firebird Trans Am Daytona Pace #2
2003 Grand AM Autocross
2003 Vibe Autocross Sema
2003 Vibe FX
2004 Grand Prix GXP SEMA
2004 GTO 1st built
2005 Firedbird Trans Am Collectors Ed.
2005 GTO SEMA
2006 Solstice Red Bull Drifter
2006 Solstice Weekend Racer
Fiero Goodwrench Race
Grand Am #85 race car
Grand Prix (show car)
GTO Drag Performance Parts
Firebird Mobil Race Car
1991 Saturn 4 Door 1991 (White)
1995 Saturn 1 Millionth
1999 Saturn 2 Millionth
2004 Ion Red Line
2004 Ion Red Line
2004 Ion Red Line
2004 Saturn Vue Spring Special
2004 Vue Red Line Street Play
Saturn Lola Race Car
1999 Grand Prix GT (red)
Regal Cielo Open Air
2001 Regal GNX
2002 Rendezvous Inca Trail (grey)
2002 Rendezvous Tour Edition SC
GTP Ultrlite (teal)
900 Pikes Peak
Malibu Friday Night Cruiser

[nthfinity]

http://jalopnik.com/5113113/gm-to-au...rporate-museum
I'm glad I've been to the Heritage Center a few times... Should be interesting at Barret with so many cars stuffing the ballot... will there be an unprecedented additional day to BJ this year?

[HeilSvenska]

I want the Darth Vader Cutlass.

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by HeilSvenska I want the Darth Vader Cutlass.

with Barret prices the way they are going... you may want to buy a bidding pass

[nthfinity]

Bob Lutz, hired to lead GM product revival, is retiring

Powertrain chief Stephens will replace 76-year-old icon

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
10:11 am U.S. ET | Feb. 9
UPDATED: 2/9/09 11:49 a.m. EST
Bob Lutz, the former Chrysler Corp. president who was hired at the age of 69 to lead a product renaissance at General Motors, is retiring. Lutz, 76, will become vice chairman and senior adviser on April 1 and retire at the end of the year. He will be replaced by powertrain and quality chief Tom Stephens.

[79TA]