- #5310 of 6844
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Re: 2009 maxima [tjc78]
by scwmcan
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Feb 22, 2008 (7:25 am)
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Replying to: tjc78 (Feb 22, 2008 1:48 am)
I think that is basically the alternative to the RWD platform, GM needs to make up it's mind fast as they have already put money into the RWD replacement, and if they are going to drop that they need the new FWD impala quickly (the current car is not as good an alternative as it could be with an extended epsilon II platform and the 3.6 in it) and they have to stop wasting development resources playing with both alternatives.
Scott
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- #5311 of 6844
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Re: 2009 maxima [scwmcan]
by tjc78
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Feb 22, 2008 (7:39 am)
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Replying to: scwmcan (Feb 22, 2008 7:25 am)
IMO let Pontiac have the G8 RWD performance car and give Chevy a revised FWD. I do agree to spend all that $$ and then drop the RWD is foolish, but this is GM we are talking about here. They should take cues from the other makes and just expand on the Malbu/Aura as they are good vehicles and with the 3.6 powertrain fairly competitive.
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- #5312 of 6844
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Re: 2009 maxima [tjc78]
by captain2
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Feb 22, 2008 (7:46 am)
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Replying to: tjc78 (Feb 22, 2008 1:48 am)
can't imagine Chevy without the Impala - it is supposedly #3 in sales if you include all the fleet/rental giveaways. The Malibu sits on a slightly LONGER wheelbase but is a physically smaller 'mid-size' car, of course. What you suggest makes some sense and it would seem simple enough to do. However, many of these 'financially strapped' automakers can't do what they perhaps really need or want to do- they can't simply increase production capacities, build new plants, and/or close older less efficient plants. That would cost money. It really is too bad, that 3.6 seems to be a quite competitive offering and that Malibu would seem to be a good basis for a new Impala.
This would be the same thing that Toyota did with the original Avalon back in the early/mid 90s and is also not too much different then Nissan does with the Altima/Maxima.
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- #5313 of 6844
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Re: 2009 maxima [captain2]
by tjc78
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Feb 22, 2008 (7:53 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 22, 2008 7:46 am)
"This would be the same thing that Toyota did with the original Avalon back in the early/mid 90s and is also not too much different then Nissan does with the Altima/Maxima"
My point exactly.... worked for them!
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- #5314 of 6844
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Re: 2009 maxima [tjc78]
by captain2
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Feb 22, 2008 (8:44 am)
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Replying to: tjc78 (Feb 22, 2008 7:53 am)
if I were to guess, I would think that secretly GM is looking to the Far East for not only things like rebadged Australian Holdens but also things like Chinese Buicks. GM will eventually go the way of a Zenith or a GE and there will no longer be any GM labelled products built in the USA and perhaps even Canada. Don't know if they will survive long enough that we might see it. This, of course, the opposite of what we are seeing from the European/Japanese/Korean mfgrs, that continue to move US market production back where it belongs.
This 'switch' is pretty much what has happened to that icon of 'the American car' the Mustang and should likewise dictate what GM does with a similar icon - the Impala. Besides a rather checkered quality related history, GM is seemingly also fighting rebate and rental car 'traditions' which along with labor costs kills their bottom line . If you think about it - what 'American' brand symbolizes quality - Cadillac,Lincoln/Mercury, Buick (?) - all of which is not particularily fair, they have improved.
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- #5315 of 6844
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Re: 2009 maxima [captain2]
by tjc78
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Feb 22, 2008 (9:06 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 22, 2008 8:44 am)
"If you think about it - what 'American' brand symbolizes quality - Cadillac,Lincoln/Mercury, Buick (?) "
Lincoln and Mercury are near death. At least Buick and Cadillac show some signs of life with the Enclave and CTS. You are right all the domestics have improved, however, they are still not able to sell without large rebates or 0% financing. The other day there was a commercial for a $3500 rebate on the Lucerne. Figuring another $3000 from the dealer, not a bad deal. Of course, what happens to resale is a whole other story.
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- #5316 of 6844
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Re: 2009 maxima [captain2]
by louiswei
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Feb 22, 2008 (9:55 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 22, 2008 8:44 am)
The Chinese Buick is essentially a rebadged Holden Commodore, same as the G8. It is just a more luxurious version of it.
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- #5317 of 6844
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Re: 2009 maxima [louiswei]
by captain2
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Feb 22, 2008 (5:46 am)
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Replying to: louiswei (Feb 22, 2008 9:55 am)
actually what I was thinking of is a Buick Lucerne apparently built over there - with a 4 cylinder engine! And I thought it needed some help with that vintage V6!
Hasn't GM already started to open Buick plants in China and also built Lucerne/Lacrosse knockoffs in Shanghai? Think the Park Avenue is still available over there as well - that being a Holden. FWIU, Buick is THE car to own over there, but really, a 2 ton Lucerne with a 150hp 4 banger!!!. In any case, can export to the States be far behind ?
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- #5318 of 6844
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Re: 2009 maxima [captain2]
by tjc78
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Feb 22, 2008 (11:09 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 22, 2008 5:46 am)
There is no way that the Chinese Lucerne will make it over here with that powertrain. Must be like driving something from the 80s. I do see your point, it must be a helluva lot cheaper to build over there than in the States.
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- #5319 of 6844
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Re: 2009 maxima [captain2]
by louiswei
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Feb 22, 2008 (11:11 am)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 22, 2008 5:46 am)
Ah, I know which one you were talking about, it's the Chinese Buick LaCrosse, not Lucerne. The new Chinese Buick Park Avenue is the rebadged Holden Commodore. Actually currently Buick is (guys, if you are holding a cup of coffee in your hand right now, put it down...) the number one selling import brand in the Chinese market.
Chinese Buick Park Avenue:
Chinese Buick LaCrosse:
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