Comments on: Episode 270 – China to Boost Exports, Plug-In Incentives In China, Buick Regal Unveiled

By: Smoke H

Smoke H — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:18:21 +0000

The Regal is the same conundrum as that Merkle, Robinet, and Bragman speak of with Chrysler.

The Regal is a car that will be out in 2 years, but needs to be out next week.

Or budding near luxury makes like Hyundai will trounce all over them with the 200 HP 35 MPG 2.0 and 275 HP 32 MPG Direct Injection Turbo variants of the next Gen Sonata. The Regal compared to a Next Gen Sonata makes the Regal look like a joke. What makes it even worse is that Buick is going to put a 7 year old engine in a brand new car.

The Regal is a good car, but it wont be so in 2 years. It along with Buicks clientelle will be dated

By: pedro Fernandez

pedro Fernandez — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:57:08 +0000

Last night’s guest was very well informed and seems like he’s the type of exec who should be in charge of these automakers. Smart, good ideas transcend time.

By: Chip Bliem

Chip Bliem — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:48:49 +0000

The U.S. should pay attention to the Chinese goal to increase automotive exports. It’s interesting to see that the government, not the individual companies made the announcement. You can bet they are going to help with incentives and/or financing. Our government could do the same. Faster depreciation for new equipment, tax incentives to keep employment in the U.S., simplifying the tax laws, and much more. To many of our representitives are representing the foreign companies, not the U.S. public. They are also listening to the economists who say we should go to a service economy and get rid of industry. The Chinese are at war with us. We have been on top so long, we forgot how to fight an economic war.

By: HtG

HtG — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:43:20 +0000

I saw the new Z convertible. I looked at the rear end. I can’t decide if it looks like pulled taffy or monkey butt.

By: C-tech

C-tech — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:39:52 +0000

Hello Pedro. Your observation is right on. I think the reason we are seeing all of this product coming from Europe and Asia is because that is where the successful smaller cars are designed and built. GM, Ford, and Chrysler have devoted their U.S. resources toward developing trucks, suv’s, crossover’s and large cars. Can the U.S. engineers develop small cars? Yes, given the right resources.

By: Andrew Charles

Andrew Charles — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:24:31 +0000

The thing I’ve noticed about China is that 20% of the capacity supplies 80% of the cars. The high-volume manufacturers (mostly JVs such as Shanghai-GM, Shanghai-VW and FAW-VW) at times are running at 110% capacity, while there are dozens and dozens of small companies with plants capable of building 100-200,000 vehicles a year running at 0-20% capacity. If one goes out of business, someone else comes up with a few million dollars to restart production, hoping to be the next Geely.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:59:23 +0000

China might as well export cars to the US most all of the major auto manufacturers and suppliers have shifted production of components to China giving them the technology, they are just capitolizing on this and instead of sending back the components, they are sending the whole car. The US also ought to place high tarriffs on these vehicles as well.

By: Pedro Fernandez

Pedro Fernandez — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:29:55 +0000

All these desirable GM products are coming from other countries, what’s wrong with American ingenuity and the ability to come up with good products, what would have happened to GM if they got rid of Opel? Ford is doing the same bringing stuff from Europe and so is Chrysler now with Fiat; are we giving up on innovative automotive design and engineering?

By: diffrunt

diffrunt — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:17:32 +0000

My 2010 Equinox has the 2.4 that Buick is going to use & it is no slouch in any dept. I put 50k happy miles on my 06 HHR (2.4), tested the SS turbo, wasn,t as satisfying as 2.4.
Didn,t Opel design this mill?

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:15:13 +0000

turbo motors are only good on gas IF you keep the boost down. Just because the motor is a 6 or a 4 with a turbo does not mean good gas in the real world, not on the sticker. My fathers new HHR SS with a turbo is a great car so far, but is avg. about 23 mph. This way better than is Astro he traded but not like my Totoya at avg of 31

If you use air in a motor by cid, turbo, n20, blower, whatever you need to match it with fuel.

By: Kit Gerhart

Kit Gerhart — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:12:45 +0000

Now, if they would sell the wagon version of the Regal, I might be interested in a couple years. The Insignia wagon looks pretty good, at least to this fan of wagons and hatchbacks.

By: Ivan Sears

Ivan Sears — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:03:15 +0000

John,

China’s move to heavily increase exports should come as no surprise to anyone. Especially plans to import vehicles to the great automotive dumping ground, the United States. Everyone wants to export cars to America, still the largest economy in the world.

This says a couple of things, the manufacturing of China is expanding faster than the Chinese economy, and that they are intent on grabbing a significantly larger portion of the global automotive market.

Interesting that as the more things change, the more they remain the same.

By: pedro Fernandez

pedro Fernandez — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:55:18 +0000

I give GM credit for beginning the move towards smaller, more fuel efficient engines to comply with the upcoming MPG requirements, at first it may backfire, but eventually every other car maker is going to have to do the same. I mean Volvo and Saab have been using turbo 4’s for a very long time.

By: Dan B.

Dan B. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:42:33 +0000

They need to offer the turbo-four right out of the box on the “new” Regal, I would consider the base engine a bit of a deterrent.

By: Richard S

Richard S — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:38:10 +0000

John: Thank you once again for your great daily update. I watch for it at noon

I have not seen any reference to Ford’s anti-takeover decision that was made public about a week ago. Apparently, this provision will also protect Ford’s $19B tax cushion. Does this put Ford on a relatively equal finacial footing with GM and Chrysler? Those two companies came out of bankruptcy relieved of debt and their former obligations while Ford still carries its legacy burden. Any thoughts or opinion?