An Elegy for Six Missing Cylinders [Crazy Euro Car Boy]

If you’re spotting Lamborghinis in Eastern Europe, watch out for chronic cylinder shortage.

In his last article published by The Atlantic—How to Get a Nuclear Bomb, which later became the first chapter of the main division The Atomic Bazaar—William Langewiesche recalls a dialogue with an operator in Russia’sitting nuclear bureaucracy. Their discussion is about the ease with which nuclear weapons can be acquired by any state willing to build them:

“Once a country has made the decision to become a nuclear-weapons power, it will get to be person heedless of any guarantees. You needn’t be rich. You needn’cheek by jowl have being technically developed. You can be Pakistan, Libya, North Korea, Iran. You can be …” He searched for a country even more absurd in his estimation. He said, “You can be Hungary.”

Stinging though it may be for my fellow Hungarians, the Russian’s quick analysis is certainly place on. While starving North Korea has detonated a Hiroshima-size nuke this Monday, the last glory days of Hungarian military ability were way back in the 15th century, when the Black Army of King Matthias Corvinus romped about Central Europe under one hell of a military flag, wreaking havoc every what one. way. It’s been all downhill from in that place.

So it is certainly an occasion when a Lamborghini Countach is bespotted on the streets of this sad, lonely outpost on the real edge of Western civilization. But then you bring forth to remember that in outposts, appearances can deceive. Which entails that when you start counting a Countach’s cylinders, you come to a sudden halt after six:

And effect that it’s probably not a Countach after completely, but a Pontiac Fiero with a dead body kit.

The only solace for a rueful Hungarian nationalist would have existence the fact that we would have neither nukes nor the car that induce America on wheels without Hungarians (1, 2, 3, 4).

Photo Credit: Balazs Keki

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What Are The Least Attractive Stock Wheels? [Question Of The Day]

Yesterday, you all teed-off on the greatest in quantity attractive stock wheels and introduced us to some fine wheels. But what in an opposite direction the opposite? What are the minutest attractive stock wheels?

The first generation Viper has a curvaceous and powerful visage that remains attractive in greater numbers than 15 years later. In many ways, the original Viper is after that the most attractive of the short-lived nameplate. Yet, as impressive and timeless as the car was, the wheels were dated the force they debuted. It’s rare a carriage be able to pull the three-spoke look off (we’re looking at you Saab) and the sharp angles of the wheels, rather than contrast by the round shape, merely draw your eyes away. Another car to carry a similar design is the mid-90s Pontiac Grand Am and, honestly, they look better without ceasing the Pontiac.

(QOTD is your chance to answer the day’s most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads that make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you’ve got a suggestion on the side of a good “Question Of The Day” send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)

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2009 Volvo XC70 T6 Review

Once in awhile, a manufacturer will produce a new vehicle which attempts to create a new segment in the automotive market. However ambitious the company is, most do not seem to make it through their expected lifespan. Remember the Pontiac Aztec, or the Chevrolet SSR? What about the Subaru Baja?

Not all of them are failures though. Take for instance the Volvo V70 XC, Volvo’s idea of taking their regular V70 wagon, mixing in a bit sport-utility DNA, and making a crossover-wagon “hybrid” for the mass market. The XC70, as it is called today, came with an increased ride height, all-wheel-drive, and two-tone plastic trim on the exterior.

Since its inception in 1998, the XC70 has been a popular choice with the suburban crowd, with the rugged exterior of a sport-ute but without many of the penalties associated with owning one.

However, I have never understood the appeal. I felt the added plastic bits ruined the clean look that is a Volvo trademark and the additional ride height decreased the handling while giving the car no real off-road benefits. Then there is the lack of overall space when going with a wagon over a comparable SUV, or to a greater extend, a minivan.

Would a week with the third generation of Volvo’s subdivision wagon change my mind? Or would I think this vehicle should have gone the way of the other vehicles listed above?

Let’s start with things that surprised me.

With the added 2.1 inches to the suspension, I figured the XC would flop in the turns and wallow down the highway every chance it would get. However, it was perfectly tuned for both high-speed interstate travel, arterial roads or your favorite illegal racetrack.

On any surface, the Volvo felt quiet, comfortable and composed. No bump big or small would make its way to any part of your body, nor will any crosswind have you fighting to keep the wagon straight. There is some float when the road dips, but it almost imperceptible to most people. On side streets and back roads, some smaller potholes can be felt through the seat at low speeds, but overall it is as smooth as you would want.

Handling is typical Volvo, and that is a good thing. Steering is nicely weighted without being too heavy and turn-in is very acceptable. It is very easy to point the car where you want it, and in parking lot maneuvers, the XC is a breeze to park.

To make up for the slight communication problem, the XC70 rewards you with a nice stiff chassis and plenty of grip coming from the seventeen-inch Continental tires. Even with the increased height and the knobby tires, the wagon corners with surprising flatness and balance. Pushing it too hard in the bends will produce predictable understeer, but it still feels balanced.

The handling is just the tip of the iceberg with this car.

New this year under the hood of the XC is the optional 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder (a less powerful 3.2-liter V6 is standard). First appearing in the new S80, the engine uses new technology, such as Continuous Variable Valve Timing, Variable Intake System and Cam Profile Switching. Add all the technology together with the metal snail, and the engine produces 281 horsepower and 295 lb. ft of torque. After more turbo lag than I would like down low, the turbo spools and the two-ton wagon quickly disappears into the distance. Scooting ahead of a semi while merging is no problem for this wagon. And while you are hauling ass, it makes a very pleasing growl with a touch of turbo whistle. It is a delightful sound, and returned a respectable 18.5 mpg in mixed driving.

Attached to this heady engine is Volvo’s Geartronic six-speed automatic as well as Volvo’s All-Wheel-Drive system. The all-wheel-drive is something special, as it can move power from just the front wheels to all four, to just the back if the front has no traction. In addition, power can be moved from side to side or to just one wheel if need be. It even comes with the Hill-Descent Control, which acts like a low-range when you encounter something more serious than wet leaves or a dusting of snow.

Finally, we get to the interior, which was my favorite part. I love the Swedish for being efficient and incredibly functional, while using high quality materials to produce it. The XC70 keeps with that tradition, but this time around, they add a bit of style.

The controls on the center console are simple to see and use. At the top is a bright LED screen surrounded by controls for the various audio selections. Below are the controls for the radio presets and standard Bluetooth controls. Right below are the controls for the ventilation and heated seats.

All of this was floating on a waterfall-like dash. It is like Ikea came in, handled the interior and made it special.

Even the gauges are that way. The Volvo has a very straight forward instrument panel with no extraneous gauges cluttering up the dash, like a Volvo should be. But again, they infused a little bit of style by making the tach and speedometer look very upscale, almost like two stainless steel Swatch watch faces are placed behind the glass.

What I loved most, though, was how well everything felt and looked. The gaps between panels were paper thin. The plastics have an excellent feel. The seats were supportive and wrapped in Natuzzi-grade leather, with brilliant optional dual booster seats build into the rear seats. Even the optional wood treatments in the dash and door panels are exquisite. It wasn’t that glossy stuff you find in other cars. It almost like they just cut it out from the tree and placed it in the dash. Just perfect.

So you suppose that I loved this car and I will end my review here, a glowing rave? Sorry to disappoint, but there are some issues which need to be addressed.

One would be the transmission. It is a good automatic, with smooth shifts both up and down. But downshifts at half-throttle were painfully slow, and the Geartronic was a letdown. When using the system, the shifts are sluggish, and when shifting up a gear, there is a slight jerking sensation from the drivetrain. I found myself not using it after a few attempts.

Continuing with drivability, lets talk about feel. In the case of the XC, there is none. The steering, while quite good, lacks any feel at all. Same goes for the brakes. The four ABS-assisted disk brakes stop strongly when you need them, but the pedal is similar to stepping in a deep bowl of mashed potatoes, in both consistency and depth.

Then there is the overall room inside. There is room up front, with 38 inches of head room and 42 inches of leg room. But rear passengers only have 31 inches, which leaves passengers begging for more room. Storage capacity is quite large with the second row folded, at 72 cubic feet, but that is ten less than the comparable Volvo XC90 with both its rear rows folded. There’s third row either, which is an important feature for today’s family.

But the worst thing about this car (and I really tried to be open about it) was that plastic monstrosity covering this otherwise stylish vehicle. The exterior is very shapely on the regular V70, with clean design lines and good-looking rear hips leading to the taillights. But with the XC, it looks cheesy and fake, like it always has.

This vehicle came as quite a shock. The XC70 drives nicely, has a gorgeous interior, and costs thousand less than anything from the Germans. This specific car, with the bigger engine, all-wheel-drive, sumptuous leather, metallic paint, sunroof, the excellent Dynaudio stereo, Xenon headlamps that swivel, and more airbags than you can count came just a tick under $47,000. If you do not need the extra power, anyone can squeeze into a XC with the 3.2-liter for $37, 250. Nothing can give you this same amount of luxury, quality and style for that much money. If you can get past the looks, you can’t go wrong.

XC fans, rejoice.

Base Price: $37,250

As Tested: $46,395

Architecture: Front-engine, all-wheel drive five-passenger wagon

Drivetrain: Turbocharged 3.0-liter DOHC V6 with six-speed automatic transaxle

Length: 190.5 inches

Wheelbase: 110 inches

Mileage: 15 mpg city, 22 mpg highway

Weight: 4092 lbs.

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Hyundai Genesis Sedan (Full Review)

Inasmuch as luxury car buyers might turn their noses up when they hear the name Hyundai mentioned among BMW, Lexus and Mercedes, the fact remains that the Genesis holds its own against many of the top names in the business. And, with a price comparable to a Buick Lucerne or Toyota Avalon, the Hyundai Genesis is likely to attract customers looking to make their first luxury sedan purchase without busting the bank.

A Hyundai Surprise In The Form of the Genesis Sedan

Korean automaker brings high end luxury to the masses.

Say “Hyundai” and the image of an automotive brand producing the likes of the compact Elantra and the affordable Sonata comes to mind. But, in a bold and perhaps risky move, Hyundai has expanded its line to include a luxury model, one appropriately named Genesis.

Yes, this is a season of new beginnings for Hyundai (rhymes with Sunday) as the Korean automaker seeks to change the perception consumers have about its products while deciding against creating an all new luxury brand just as Toyota did with Lexus more than twenty years ago. With the Genesis, Hyundai has built a car that rivals the best German brands while pricing it closer to what people would pay for in a Buick Lucerne or a Toyota Avalon.

Taking Aim At German Luxury and Craftsmanship

The Genesis is actually two different cars, one a full sized sedan, the other a sport coupe. For this review I’ve covered the sedan, a vehicle Hyundai designed with Mercedes and BMW in mind. Indeed, the current Genesis has a strong resemblance to the Lexus GS, itself a European styled model just inches shorter than the Genesis but carrying a ten thousand dollar price premium over the similarly equipped Hyundai. That price differential is what Hyundai hopes will convince people to take a look at the Genesis when shopping for German or Japanese luxury.

Available in rear or all wheel drive, the two ton Genesis is powered by a base 3.8L V-6 engine or a 4.6L V-8. Both the rear wheel drive configuration and beefy V-8 engine are firsts for Hyundai, at least for the American market. Hyundai has been building larger cars for its home market of South Korea for many years; the Genesis represents the first of its kind for American export.

Should You Really Have A V-8?

My test model came equipped with the V-6 and not once did I feel that its 290 horsepower engine wasn’t enough to move the sedan. The V-8 produces 375 horsepower and runs on premium fuel; both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The center console mounted transmission shifted effortlessly responding to my demands to see how quick it could be brought up to highway speed. Handling is very good, not spectacular, but the cabin is quiet and the ride is very smooth.

For the record, the V-8 will get you from stop to 60 mph in just under six seconds while the V-6 motor is about a half second slower. You’ll choose the larger engine if matching Audi performance is important to you, but if you go with the V-6 you will get ample power, better fuel economy and be able to fill up with regular gasoline.

In a League of its Own

Inside, the Genesis is like no Hyundai before it. True, the Hyundai Azera Limited offered a first glimpse at what Hyundai could do by building a well optioned sedan, but the Genesis clearly is in another league.

Seating five passengers, the cavernous interior is well appointed and offers more leg and head room than any of its competitors. The front seats are very comfortable, with leather seating surfaces and heated seats standard while a cooling option is also available for the driver. Rear seats can neither be warmed nor cooled, but the support and legroom offered is quite good. Surprisingly, the rear seat doesn’t fold down, an attribute commonly found in similar sedans.

An electroluminescent instrument cluster is complemented by a well designed center stack, itself containing cabin comfort, navigation and audio controls, many of which are duplicated on the steering wheel or placed adjacently to the transmission shifter. Sound is out of this world as the Lexicon 7.1 Discrete audio system features an 11-channel, 528-watt digital amplifier and 17 speakers. The Rolls Royce Phantom is the only other car in the world to offer this amazing sound system, a point Hyundai notes when they market the Genesis.

Every Safety Feature Imaginable

In developing the Genesis, Hyundai made sure that all of the state-of-the-art safety features were included as standard equipment. Beyond dual front airbags, the sedan includes front and rear-seat mounted side-impact bags as well as roof-mounted curtain side-impact bags. Anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist as well as specially reinforced front and rear crumple zones underscore the importance of safety.

Choose the premium or premium plus packages and you’ll also get a rear back up camera with front and rear parking assistance sensors, power rear sunshade and auto-leveling headlights among other features.

Trunk space is a full sixteen cubic feet, clearly at the higher end of its class. The opening is wide and the floor is flat; despite the rear seat not folding down, there is a pass through area for skis and similar lengthy objects.

Priced Like a Chrysler, Engineered Like a Mercedes

Despite concerns by some that the Genesis is a knocked down Lexus or Mercedes, those fears are quickly allayed as the sedan easily beats expectations. Base sticker price is in the low 30s and remains below $40,000 when fully optioned; slightly higher for the V-8. That price advantage will work towards convincing current owners of cars such as the Chrysler 300C and Pontiac G8 to consider the Genesis while giving BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Infiniti, Cadillac and Audi drivers the message that the Genesis is a serious contender despite wearing the Hyundai name.

Photo Credit: Hyundai Motor America

Related Reading — First Drive: Hyundai Genesis Sedan

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1124 GM Dealers Served Termination Notices

Thousands of General Motors dealers have been wondering if they were to be among the group of dealerships to be terminated by the automaker, with 1124 receiving confirmation from GM today that they were getting the ax. FEDEX and U.S. Mail notices were sent out to each of the affected dealers who learned that their franchise agreements wouldn’t be extended beyond October 2010.

This news follows on the heels of yesterday’s announcement by Chrysler that 789 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealerships would be shuttered. Unlike Chrysler, which plans to have most of these dealerships closed out by June 9th, GM is giving their dealers nearly eighteen months to wind down operations. They can also appeal the automaker’s decision.

Automotive News reported that GM’s Mark LaNeve, who is North American sales vice president, said that the impacted dealers only accounted for 7% of the automaker’s sales totals in 2008 and currently hold just 8% of the company’s unsold inventory.

An Immediate Wind Down Of Operations Expected

Though an appeals process is available LaNeve indicated that only if a mistake was made, one based on bad data, they aren’t anticipating that many of these decisions will be reversed. In addition, GM wants these dealerships to begin winding down their operations by selling off their current inventory.

LaNeve expects that some of the 65,000 vehicles sitting on the lots of affected dealers may end up being taken back. However, he stressed that the automaker wants as much inventory sold as possible to avoid holding costly auctions.

Saab, Saturn and Hummer Spared…For Now

GM’s move doesn’t include 470 Saab, Saturn and Hummer dealerships who will also lose their franchises unless a buyer steps forth for one or more of those brands. In addition, GM identified 35 Pontiac-only dealerships who are also getting the ax, franchises who aren’t fortunate to be part of the current Buick-Pontiac-GMC sales channel and are poor performers. GM had said earlier this month that they would shut down Pontiac by the end of 2010.

Once the smoke clears, there will still be 4300 dealerships remaining who will then have to compete for the 3600 dealership slots GM says will be adequate to sell its product line going forward.

Decision Day Looms

June 1st looms as an important day for GM as that date is when the automaker must convince the Obama administration that they have the tools in place to reorganize. If not, President Obama can order GM to declare bankruptcy, a move that current GM CEO Fritz Henderson says looks “probable.”

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Ssssay! SsangYong Motor Company Survives.

One of the more unpronounceable names in all of autodom is SsangYong Motor Company, a South Korean automaker who doesn’t export their vehicles to the US. That’s good news for a couple of reasons, one for having a name that doesn’t roll off of the tongue with ease. The other reason being the company has been on life support since January when it went into receivership, a move which placed the automaker one step away from bankruptcy liquidation. American car buyers are shying away from bankrupt Chrysler and troubled GM, why add SsangYong to the mix?

51% owned by SAIC, a Chinese automobile manufacturer, the loss of SsangYong probably would have been small to the  South Korea economy as the automaker ranks behind Hyundai, Kia and GM Daewoo in sales while just ahead of Renault Samsung among the five Korean automakers. Currently, SsangYong builds three models — the Rexton, Kyron and Rodius S, a family of SUV, crossover and people hauling vehicles built chiefly for the passenger market.

Ugliest Vehicle Ever Built?

By the way, the Wikipedia file photo shows the Rodius S which may explain just why SsangYong is having a difficult time of things.  Auto critics the world over have called the people hauler the ugliest vehicle ever made which is good news for GM as the Pontiac Aztek apparently has met its match. With seating for seven, nine or eleven passengers, the three or four row Robius S has all of the personality and appeal of a Cadillac hearse.

SsangYong does have a distributorship network in place for the UK where all three of the company’s current models are sold. That UK entity recently reported that the automaker is of more valuable operating as a going concern instead of being liquidated, meaning the company has passed an important test to ensure its survival. 

SsangYong C200 Diesel-Electric Hybrid

Moreover, the company is planning to cut its workforce and go ahead with a new model, the C200, which has been described as a compact urban vehicle. The C200 will offer the usual gas and diesel models but it also offer an unusual diesel-electric hybrid configuration which SsangYong hopes will help stimulate sales. Available in front or all wheel drive, the C200 is expected to go into production by year’s end, just after the company emerges from receivership.

Of course, given the current trend toward global consolidation, SsangYong’s future may hinge more on the fortunes of state-owned SAIC than on other factors, even the relentless growth of the Hyundai-Kia juggernaut which is on its own quest to eventually become the world’s biggest producer of passenger vehicles.

Sources: SsangYong Motor Company, Wikipedia

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The 2008 Malibu is based on a revised version of the long-wheelbase Epsilon platform shared with the Saturn Aura, Opel Signum, and Pontiac G6. They met in Kansas City, with the Saturn Aura, and also in Lake Orion, Michigan, and the Pontiac G6. In general, is 3 inches (76 mm) and with a wheelbase is six inches (152 mm) longer. The inner chamber is of medium size like the previous Malibu, diminuéido and 101 million cubic feet (2.9 m3) to 97.7 cubic feet (2.8 m3), noNevertheless a longer wheelbase, although the front legs have grown by 41.9 in (1064 mm) 42 2 (1072 mm). the rear leg was reduced from 38.5 in (978 mm) to 37.6 in (955 mm) . The interior has been completely revised, with a selection of two-tone color combinations (and hence the brick bicolour), telescoping steering wheel, the quality of materials and design hottesa double . Drag (Cd) is 0.33
Chevy Malibu

Chevy Malibu

Chevy Malibu

Chevy Malibu

Chevy Malibu

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Roger Penske To Buy Saturn?

Well, it’s the month of may, and to me and every other racing fan on the planet, that means the Monaco Grand Prix, the Nurburgring 24 hours, and of course, the Indy 500. And right on cue, and no doubt much to the dismay of his competitors, Roger Penske, The Captain as he is known, puts his two cars at one and two on the grid.

Penske will be going for an unprecedented FIFTEENTH win at the speedway, but while poking around for info on the upcoming race, I came across this odd little rumor that seems to be gaining traction: Roger Penske might buy Saturn from General motors.

I’ve met Roger on several occasions, and have known about him my whole life. At it’s pretty obvious now, as it was since he was an up and coming driver (this was before he moved into team ownership), that you underestimated The Captain at your own peril.

Not only is Penske one of the best team managers in the history of racing, with successes and domination up there with the likes of Enzo Ferrari and Colin Chapman, but he is a startlingly effective businessman; a real “balls to the wall” type as Waring Hudsucker would say. Back in the 1980s Penske bought the ailing Detroit Diesel engine manufacturing concern and turned it around, and later sold it for a considerable profit. And when I say “ailing” that’s a polite, corporate speak way of saying, “They were at death’s door, within months if not weeks of folding.”

Penske is, in addition to being a racer, a businessman. Consider this, he was one of the first racing team managers that was able to turn racing into a money MAKING proposition. Before Roger came along, most people, and most auto manufacturers, looked at racing as a loss leader. It was something you’d do for R & D or promotional purposes. You went racing to spend money. Roger Penske went racing and MADE money.

So, along comes GM, limping from pillar to post, beset by problems that the Chevrolet Bros. could barely conceive of. Bleeding red ink like a hemophiliac after falling down a flight of stairs, GM is selling off divisions left right and center. Pontiac is gone. Hummer will be gone as soon as possible, Saab is on the block, and word comes that they’ve axed over a thousand dealerships from their once massive roasters of sales locations.

Also on the sales roster is Saturn, one the darling of the (former) “World’s Largest Automaker” is now up for grabs … and in walks Roger Penske.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the CEO of Penske Automotive Group (Roger’s car dealership business) is a possible bidder for Saturn. The WSJ didn’t cite anyone beyond “people familiar with the situation.”

“We look at things all the time. We have been offered an opportunity to look at Saturn. It’s very premature to assume anything will be done. I can confirm to you that we are looking at it,” said Tony Pordon, a spokesman for Penske Automotive Group, to the Detroit News.

Sounds like Roger is in the hunt.

Source: LeftLaneNews

Photo from Flickr user cmakin

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GM to Axe 1,100 Dealers

GM announced today that by the end of 2010, they will be cutting around 1,100 dealers across the US, which is about 18% of their dealer network. These 1100 dealers are what they call the “underperforming and very small sales volume” franchises.

Their previous news of shrinking the GM brand by making cuts like killing Pontiac, for example, plays in with their long-term plan here, which is to make a healthy and smaller volume of vehicles and dealers instead of a high quantity of “iffy” models and sales outlets. In other words, it’s survival of the fittest.

GM will start reaching out to dealers today, and they’re leaving it up to the individual dealership to decide when to make it public that they’re being axed.

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“Cash For Guzzlers” Latest Fed Redemption Program

We’ve been following the federal government as they come up with aid and bail out packages for General Motors and Chrysler, but on a consumer level all we’ve heard thus far is some chatter on possibly rolling out a “cash for clunkers” program. Like Germany, the United Kingdom and other European countries, American policymakers have been debating crafting a similar program, but now it appears that the parameters of what is being called “cash for guzzlers” is nearly set.

Cash For Guzzlers In The Works

According to The Detroit News, “cash for guzzlers” would effectively award owners who traded in their fuel thirsty rides for a new, economical car.  Though the definition of guzzler hasn’t yet been set, the goal of Congress is to permanently remove these particular cars from roads and have them scrapped.

Eligible buyers (who must be able to afford a new car in the first place) would be given up to $4500 for their trade in, monies which would be taken off of the price of their new car. This means that after negotiating their best deal and including whatever manufacturer incentives are offered at the time, the federal government (that’s me and you, the taxpayer) would put an additional $4500 on the hood.

Would Current Manufacturer Incentives Stay?

There is no telling if the car companies would keep current incentives in place to move iron, but if they were you could come away with the deal of the century. Literally.

For example, if you don’t mind purchasing a Pontiac (R.I.P. by the end of 2010) GM is currently offering $1000 savings on the slow-selling G3 5 door. Go for the strip model with a sticker price of $15,055 and you may be able to drive away from your Pontiac showroom for as little as $9555 plus tax, tags, fees, etc. ($1000 GM discount & up to $4500 from Uncle Sam).  Of course, if you have your eyes on a beefy G8 sedan, you may not be able to get the full $4500 if anything.

What Will Congress Do?

Of course, the entire deal could unravel if members of Congress are too caught up with implementing a “climate change” provision to limit carbon emissions. That means your favorite legislators could limit the parameters of the vehicles eligible for the program to a select few “green friendly” models if some of the more zealous members hold sway.

Given that Congress is debating the merits of a college football playoff system while the economy burns and the Taliban marches on, I wouldn’t bank on purchasing a new car with federal assistance just yet. By the time the final bill makes through the House and is taken up by the Senate, what the president ends up signing may be far different than what is being worked on right now.

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Auto Sales: Looking For Signs of Recovery

April 2009 new car sales in the U.S. market were down once again, a drop of 34.4% over April 2008. Moreover, nearly 40,000 fewer new vehicles were sold in April compared to March 2009, even with one more selling day for April.

Finding Good News Amongst The Carnage

Reading some of the news releases from the manufacturers and you would think that April was a good month. Not surprising, since PR folks are looking for every possible ray of light and when they find one are eager to reflect the good news.

Take Ford: As the Blue Oval continues to map out its future, one where they’ll likely pass its chief rival, General Motors, sometime this year or next, the company was quick to emphasize the acceptance of their all-new mid-size sedans — the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ and the hybrid variants offered with the first two models. According to Autodata, Ford sales were off 31.5%, but the company sold more midsize vehicles than expected while also picking up market share. Best news of all, Ford passed Toyota in sales for the month.

Chrysler continues to struggle as its current bankruptcy state and pending relationship with Fiat unfolds. Although Mitsubishi posted the worst month over month loss of any full line manufacturer at 55.9%, Chrysler showed the biggest drop amongst the Big Six, falling 48.1% for the month. That bad news hasn’t stopped Chrysler from touting its good news which included both the Dodge Challenger and Chrysler Town & Country seeing a sales increase over the previous month while the Jeep Wrangler saw its sales increase by 7% over April 2008. Chrysler was also one of the most vocal in claiming that the market may have finally stabilized.

More Good News To Report

Among the other manufacturers offering their reports the following good news could be found:

• Kia says that its all-new Soul, the Scion-like urban utility vehicle sold 3,228 units for April.

• The Audi A5 increased 40% in sales over April 2008.

• Sales for the luxury Hyundai Genesis continue to climb, reaching 2,076 units for the month.

• Honda had the best performance of all Big Six automakers, dropping 25.3% for the month, its best month so far in 2009.  Sales of the redesigned Acura TSX are up for the year by nearly 6% over 2008.

• Wounded GM continues to lead all manufacturers maintaining a 38,000 vehicle cushion over its closest competitor which for April was Ford. Monthly sales for April were actually up 11% over March. With Pontiac winding down and with Saab, Saturn and Hummer all expecting to be sold or closed down before the year ends, GM’s hold on the top position looks precarious at best.

Looking Forward to the Coming Months

The months ahead are a big question mark for all manufacturers as future sales hinge on two events: an economic recovery as well as a “cash for clunkers” program now being considered by the U.S. Congress.  An improvement in the former and the implementation of the latter could go far to stimulate sales, perhaps bringing about a sustained recovery.

Related Reading — Sales Data Shows Promise Amid The Gloom

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Checking In On The GM Bazaar

Day by day we are learning a little bit more about the direction that General Motors is taking, moves being made to return the company to profitability at some future date. Already, Pontiac has been given the ax as soon will Saturn, Saab and Hummer, the latter three likely to be sold off or shut down.

But, these brands aren’t the only ones in the news nor do they tell a whole lot about which models may go away regardless of the fate of a particular brand. Rumors, speculations, and hints being made by GM itself are revealing what few people have come to accept: when all is said and done, GM will be a much smaller company, likely trailing Toyota and Ford in US sales and finding itself much further down the global pecking order.

Among the “other” GM stories of note include the following:

• GM’s business relationship with Toyota — NUMMI or New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. — will continue although it does mean the end of the line for the Pontiac Vibe.  GM says that the Vibe will be discontinued when Pontiac closes up at the end of 2010, but a new, not yet disclosed model will be sold by one of GM’s surviving divisions which are Cadillac, Buick, GMC and Chevrolet. Read more….

• Holden, which is GM’s Australian brand, will suffer hundreds of millions of dollars in losses with the demise of the Pontiac G8 sedan. Earlier this year, Holden learned that GM would not import the Holden Ute to the United States a car truck that was to be sold as the Pontiac G8 ST. With Holden facing steep losses and likely layoffs, will GM decide that Chevrolet would be the next beneficiary of the Holden Commodore based G8 or will GM simply continue with the Chevy Impala as its flagship sedan? Read more….

• Opel will probably continue to operate as GM’s top European brand, selling Opels and Vauxhalls throughout its many markets. However, there is a distinct possibility that a significant interest in Opel may go to the highest bidder as Magna International and Fiat seek to get a share of the German automaker. Read more….

• Asia rising? One of the few bright spots for GM is its Asian operations thanks mostly to continued strong demand for its Buick models in China. In addition, the automaker has several partnerships in China which means the company is able to sell more than one million cars annually in the world’s most populace nation. No word yet on GM Daewoo, the automaker’s financially troubled Korean arm. With the Pontiac G3 coming to a quick end, Daewoo will still have the Chevy Aveo to fall back on. Read more….

Of course, additional GM subsidiaries could also find themselves being sold off, especially if cash flush buyers step forward to acquire control or at least a significant investment in that business. AC Delco remains an attractive unit for any company, the aftermarket and replacement parts arm of GM.  OnStar provides navigation and communications technology for more than six million GM drivers while GMAC could eventually be offloaded completely to Cerberus who bought controlling stake in GM’s financing unit in 2006.

So if you have the money to invest (or burn) and are so inclined to shop at the GM bazaar, then why not submit your bid while the bidding is in your favor?

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Playing Hardball, GM Dealers Strike Out

Pity the poor GM dealer who may just now be coming to terms with how weak their relationship is with the once might automaker. Healthy dealerships, particularly those operating in areas of the country where competition between dealers selling the same GM brand isn’t so tough aren’t affected, but smaller dealerships, particularly those located in markets where there are too many dealers to justify the numbers will soon be left out in the cold.

Rolling Out Government Union Motors

Now that GM is effectively being transformed into Government Union Motors (GUM) — owned by the U.S. government with secondary ownership in the hands of the United Auto Workers, lots of dealers will be given walking papers and ordered to shut down between now and the end of 2010.

In a bid to shrink its bulging dealer network from over 6200 dealers to around 3600 dealerships over the coming twenty months, GM says that they’ll terminate their relationship with low performing dealers and do that without compensation. The automaker says that they’ll buy back new car inventory, car parts, special tooling and some signage, but if the dealerships are looking for compensation ala Oldsmobile, it won’t be coming.

Abandoned Brands Will Lose Out Too

Quite a number of dealerships have been vulnerable anyway, particularly those selling Saab, Saturn and Hummer vehicles. Stand alone Pontiac dealers will also go away, but for those fortunate to have a combined Buick Pontiac GMC dealership, they’ll manage to soldier on with one less brand.

Next month, GM will send notices out to as many as 1200 dealerships that they will not be part of the reinvented GM.  500 dealers will be closing due to normal attrition, 500 more will go away when Saab, Saturn and Hummer finally disappear while the automaker will seek to close or combine an additional 500 dealerships in overcrowded markets.

Dealers Not Leaving Without A Fight

Lest the Obama Administration, General Motors and even Chrysler think that dealerships can be shut down without compensation, The Wall Street Journal ran a story on Wednesday suggesting otherwise. In, “GM, Chrysler Dealer Groups Retain Law Firms,” the newspaper reported that large dealer networks have retained the services of several law firms to help them fight back.

The lawyers have been retained to make sure that the dealers receive payments owed to them, especially if either automaker files for bankruptcy. Regarding the work of one law firm, the WSJ reported, “The firm will participate in negotiations with GM on dealers’ behalf and work with lawyers retained by individual dealers. Dealers operate under contracts with auto makers that require the company to cover obligations, ties to warranty repairs, inventory buy downs and floorplan assistance payments.”

The road to remake GM as well as Chrysler isn’t as simple as some might believe that it’ll be. Contracts cannot be automatically dimissed and litigating parties are allowed their day in court. No matter what happens, GM will be slicing and dicing its dealer network, but perhaps they’ll have to put some money on the hood to compensate aggrieved dealer franchise holders.

Related Reading — Checking In On The GM Bazaar

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Seven Cars That Killed Pontiac [Carpocalypse]

Yesterday, lamenting its death, we extolled the virtues of Pontiac’s ten best vehicles. Today we face reality — Pontiac’s been building terrible cars for years. These seven stinkers drove the nails into the coffin.

For every GTO or G8 GXP, there were half a dozen Pontiac Phoenix or ‘88 Pontiac LeMans to make you default to cast in a winding direction up in your mouth. As much as we loved the idea of the Pontiac brand, it just hasn’t delivered for too long. Here are the seven cars from recent history that poisoned the well at Pontiac, forcing it to the serious.

7) 2005-2009 Pontiac G6

The Pontiac G6 was leaps and bounds ahead of the Grand Am it replaced, but all that shows is just how far behind Pontiac was in the mid-size segment. It’s headline feature — the trick-sliding sky-view sunroof was pretty trim, but way too expensive and it made the car something of a one-trick pony. In base, four-cylinder form, it clogs the lots of airport rental companies and never really had the twaddle to go along head-to-head with competitors. And don’t even get us started on the interior.

6) 2000-2005 Pontiac Bonneville

The ninth corpse of equals in age Pontiac Bonneville debuted to all-reaching shoulder shrugs, it did little to justify its higher price over the better packaged Grand Prix, which it borrowed too much styling from. A series of refreshes made the car sportier nevertheless it never really caught on with buyers. Funny in what state impartial styling, high price and strong competition will do that.

5) 2005 Pontiac Montana

When Pontiac added the SUV-inspired “Montana” package to the newly designed Transport minivan, soccer moms went ape for the vehicle. You couldn’t chuck a rock at a little league game without hitting one. That ended when GM half-assed the redesign and stuck a long goofy nose onto a slightly restyled van in order to meet crash requirements. The horrendous result was a massive failure in the marketplace, in the same manner with it should have been.

4) 2009 Pontiac G3

GM’s former Vice Chairman of Global Product Development Bob Lutz stood on the New York Auto Show stage and noted Pontiac had long been known for the tag-line “We shape excitement” even though they’d been delivering it with front wheel drive cars covered in stuck-on plastic. He claimed now they were going to change, introducing brace vehicles — the Pontiac G8 ST and the Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe, the former is now dead, and the latter is selling like candied dog poop. Half a year after Lutz made those statements, gas was $4.30 a gallon and Pontiac dealers were flipping out for an economy car on their floors. GM bowed to the affliction and green-lit the Pontiac G3 for US distribution. The stark contrast in message signaled a floundering purpose for the brand, and definitely not one enthusiasts would subsist interested in.

3) 1985-2005 Pontiac Grand Am

There are a eminent multiplied populace who’ve owned Grand Ams, they’re a cheap source of transportation for many, and while there are a few what one. made it a couple hundred thousand miles, they’re by and large terrible, terrible cars. Unless you got the GT models, styling was yawn-inducing, the interiors were committee designed with Fisher-Price rank materials, and the dire suspensions and automatic transmissions sucked the entertainment set a value on out of even the most enjoyable roads.

2) 1995-2005 Pontiac Sunfire

It’s pretty rare for a nameplate to suck so hard for its entire continuance, if something is bad, it usually gets killed, but the Sunfire got at least three refreshes. The Pontiac Sunfire was an impossibly ugly reskin of the Chevy Cavalier, and while the Cavalier was a perfectly advantageous cheap beater, the Sunfire got the crushingly bad interior baubles that was tossed at all Pontiacs at the time. Chintzy materials, not well engineered HVAC system, and rotten colors made it a terrible place to disburse time in.

1) 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek

No cause of distress how long Pontiac would have survived, the commercial mishap of the Pontiac Aztek would own ever hung surrounding its neck. It was incredibly functional, no more than the chintzy interior materials were only outmatched by the laughably bad styling and equally chintzy-looking exterior plastic cladding. Projected sales were placed at 50,000 to 70,000, but only ever topped 27,000 a year. It got a quickie repair that saw sportier wheels and painted body cladding, but the damage was done.

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Pontiac Solstice SD-290

The inspiration of Pontiac Solstice SD-290 concept is coming from a vintage race car design. The design concept really capture the design of vintage race car and evoke the emotions of classic sport cars. The concept design has an old school look with a passenger cockpit tonneau cover and a driver windscreen, creating a pure race car looks.

Pontiac reduce the weight of the car, improved the aerodynamics and also redesigned the fender gill panels. They also created a new hood with heat-extracting grilles, a red paint scheme and cockpit filled with auxiliary gauges, a roll bar and racing seat.

This race car concept has direct-injected, turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine that produced 290 horse power, this is the reason they call it Pontiac Solstice SD-290.

Official Pontiac Solstice SD-290 Features Highlight from GM :

- 2.0L Ecotec direct-injected and turbocharged generating 290 horsepower

- Five-speed manual transmission

- Weight reduction through installation of driver-side only windscreen and elimination of door glass/hardware, convertible top/hardware, HVAC system and wiper system

- Solo Performance cat-back exhaust system with center-mounted outlet

- KW Automotive coil-over suspension package

- Three-piston aluminum calipers with 13-inch rotors from Stainless Steel Brake Company

- Forged 19-inch wheels with Hoosier R6 racing tires

- New front fascia, grille inserts, hood and front fenders, leading to better aerodynamics

- Passenger-side hard tonneau cover

- Competition red exterior color

- Rear spoiler

- Tinted headlamp lenses

- Removable racing-style steering wheel

- Racing seat with four-point safety harness

- Chrome fire extinguisher

- Pegasus center console gauge package

- Driver's roll bar

Pontiac Solstice SD-290 Specifications :

General Specifications :

Country Of Origin : United States

Introduced at : 2007 SEMA Show

Engine :

Configuration : 2 liter Ecotec i-4

Engine Location : Front, longitudinally mounted

Powertrain Layout : Rear Wheel

Displacement : 2.00 L | 122 cu in. | 1999.6 cc.

Construction : cast-aluminum block and head

Displacement : 1.998 liter / 121.9 cu in

Bore / Stroke : 86.0 mm (3.4 in) / 86.0 mm (3.4 in)

Compression : 9.2:1

Valvetrain : 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC

Fuel feed : Direct Fuel Injection

Aspiration : Turbo

Drive Train :

Gearbox Transmission : 5 speed Manual

Drive : Rear wheel drive

Performance :

Power : 290 bhp / 216 KW

BHP / Liter : 145 BHP / Liter

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