Cars shrink under pressure from government, consumers

[6 Shooter]

Consumers, CAFE rules make size a factor in new vehicles

It's a small world after all.

That is one message automakers are sending, loud and clear, to consumers and politicians judging by the vehicles that will be on display at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Unlike past years when big trucks, muscle cars or outrageous concepts have drawn the spotlight, small cars will show their might in numbers. Consumers can cross shop the Chevrolet Cruze, Aveo RS and Spark against the Ford Fiesta and Focus. Among foreign nameplates there are the new Mazda2, Honda CR-Z, and small Toyota and Lexus hybrid concepts.

Cars shrink under pressure from government, consumers The Detroit News

 

[NORTY]

I just attended the San Diego Auto Show on Dec. 31. The show was full of small "green" cars. This was the first year that Ferrari, Lambo & Nissan we're not there. However, what was there were electric powered boats and lots of motorcycles. They had lots of floorspce to "fill up." I bet there were 50 Camaros. All years, pace cars & aftermarket modded (Hennessy.)

In chatting with a GM rep, the Detroit show is next. She wasn't to sure on anything "new" GM was bringing to the show.

She did say that the C7 is pretty much finished and they are going through testing/QC right now, but there's no urgency to get it done as the "enonomy isn't good for sportcars currently."

Thats ok as GM has cutback employee time on the project. They've been using the word "indefinate" for some time now regarding release of the C7.
2012? 2014-5? Probably somewhere in there...

They don't know so I don't know. What I do know is that the C7 project is almost done. This means that when things turn around (as they certainly will) GM will be well poised to release the C7 without delay. The VOLT on the other hand...