[Absolut Speed]

Last fall, GM announced a reduction in GTO production and had to offer large rebates on this brand new model to sell off inventory

In December, GM had a 301 day supply of SSR's on hand.

Then the XLR gets a production cut from 23 to 12 a day. There's a 200 day supply of them out there. Cadillac hoped to sell 6,000 annually, but through 18 months, sold just 4,744.

February, GM decides to cut $1500-$2000 off the sticker mid-year on Trailblazers/Envoys/Rainiers and currently has 0% for 60 months to get them selling again. TrailBlazer sales fell 46% compared with January 2004. Envoy sales were off 52% and Rainier 27% according to Autodata reports.

Then for March, the factory that produces the LaCrosse & Grand Prix is shutting down for a week.

Then the earnings forecast for 2005 drops 80%. Stocks drop to 8 year low.

I think this goes back to cutting the Camaro and Firebird out of the lineup.

[trackbird]

...gotta ask....why keep buying VW when EVERY one has been a headache???  I am a reasonable guy, but when I get screwed....I cross that business/car/person off my list for pretty much eternity... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Well....

My wife (GF at the time, in 2000) wanted a car. I didn't want a Corolla in the family (I really don't like Japaneese cars, not sure why. Great cars, I just don't want one.) so I took her across the street to the VW dealer. We bought a base 115 hp, 2.0 liter Golf (in 2000). Nice little car.

She got a better job about 4 months later and the 4.52 (deep 4 something) final drive was holding that car to about 22 mpg and she always wanted a silver Jetta. So, we bought a 1.8t jetta for her, I took the golf. The 1.8t got much better mileage and I liked the extra torque/hp. I ran an autocross in the Golf (took 2nd in H stock at my first event on factory rubber) and traded it on a GTI VR6 on Wednesday (2 cars in a week, my salesman loves me).

So, we got through 3 before we really realized there was a trend.

#4. We had traded the Jetta on a Mazda Protege 5 wagon (neat car, needs more power). My wife liked it, but really wanted a GTI (like my old one). One day, she leaves work because she's ill. 1/2 way home, she threw up all over the dash. I ran home from work and found the car parked outside in 90 degree heat with the windows up (Ewwwww). I got everything cleaned up except (I have a strong stomach) what ran down behind the airbag (and turned on the airbag light and had the horn stuck on for a while). The car was clean, but it didn't smell so good. So, we added many air freshners and traded it for a new GTI (like she wanted) in hopes that this one will be better. So far, the window is the only thing that's been an issue. That is how we got to #4.

So, basically, I'm a moron. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

And, if you ever get sick and are going to be ill, aim for the passengers side floormat. It's much easier to clean up.

There is a shop in Virginia that works on VW (independent). Their motto:

"Volkswagon, love the car, hate the company".