GM wants to be rated X -- for extra fuel economy

Far from good news, when GM pathetically touts a 1 MPG improvement in a product line's fuel economy, one has to wonder just how long GM and by extension, Ford and Chrysler have before they exit the scene. Notwithstanding their collectively well deserved reputations for inferior products, every American should be vitally concerned about the loss of such a critically important source of domestically owned and controlled manufacturing jobs.

Far from good news, when GM pathetically touts a 1 MPG improvement in a product line's fuel economy, one has to wonder just how long GM and by extension, Ford and Chrysler have before they exit the scene. Notwithstanding their collectively well deserved reputations for inferior products, every American should be vitally concerned about the loss of such a critically important source of domestically owned and controlled manufacturing jobs.

years ago GM was promoting its vehicles along the line of : be American, buy American. Nothing wrong with that, and God knows we sure need some manufacturing jobs here in the USA. However, turns out that was the only strategy, along with super size my ride please

This looks like the beginning of the end of the Big 3. Oh the humanity!

i have not ownned a north american made car since 1983 and probably never will. the big 3 ripped off the american public for too long for me to trust them again.

dont buy gm products, make them go bankrupt, they dont belong in the auto business. too many years o ripping off the public

Why all the animosity? As the article points out, this is a fast track effort to increase fuel economy, not a long term fix. I applaud any effort GM, Ford and Chrysler make to offer vehicles that folks will buy. That is the bottom line. Will people buy them? After that, it's up to the vehicle owner to drive responsibly, inflate the tires and get scheduled maintenance. (as one of our presidential candidates recently stated.)

"i have not ownned a north american made car since 1983 and probably never will. the big 3 ripped off the american public for too long for me to trust them again."

Are you kidding me? Have you driven a new Malibu or Malibu Hybrid? Granted the Hybrid system is mild, but you get a lot more HP and decent mileage. The Malibu is a very very nice affordable car. If you want upscale, check out the new Cadillac CTS. Awesome vehicle.

"i have not ownned a north american made car since 1983 and probably never will. the big 3 ripped off the american public for too long for me to trust them again."

Are you kidding me? Have you driven a new Malibu or Malibu Hybrid? Granted the Hybrid system is mild, but you get a lot more HP and decent mileage. The Malibu is a very very nice affordable car. If you want upscale, check out the new Cadillac CTS. Awesome vehicle.

"i have not ownned a north american made car since 1983 and probably never will. the big 3 ripped off the american public for too long for me to trust them again."

Are you kidding me? Have you driven a new Malibu or Malibu Hybrid? Granted the Hybrid system is mild, but you get a lot more HP and decent mileage. The Malibu is a very very nice affordable car. If you want upscale, check out the new Cadillac CTS. Awesome vehicle.

The success of Asian brands is as built on government support of industry and malicious currency manipulation as on engineering skills.

Before you are so willing to write off Detroit, you should consider the devatating "ripple," more "tsunami" like effects that collapse of even Chrysler would have on the US economy.

Detroit's current products are of excellent quality, and deserve a look.

If they don't survive, the current Mortgage crisis will look like late fees for late payment compared to the catastrophic consequences the US economy will sustain.

While 1 mpg isn't staggering, it's an improvement. I'm waiting for the 2010 Dodge Durango with the new Cummins ultra clean V6 diesel. It gets an estimated 21 City/ 29 Hwy, a 40% improvement. Also the lifetime drive-train warranty is a BIG plus.

Lots of people think and say this and that about fuel economy on the big vehicles. Lets face it I sell General Motors Chevrolet Vehicles. I am happy to be a proud owner of a 2006 Chevy Impala LTZ with the 3.9L V6 engine. I have to say that in October I plan on Buying a Brand new 2009 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab.
What people are failing to realize with the big Trucks and SUV's. People will buy them, sure there will be some people that shy away from them because of fuel economy. But remember there is quite a lot of Major Companies that still carry full size Trucks, SUV's and Vans for there industry. Just to name a few companies in your own city that you live in. Electrical, Telecommunications, City, Judicial, Newspaper and Construction industries. These are just a few of the different industry companies that will always use these big vehicles.
Individual people will buy these vehicles for size and comfort. Some will buy for the Leisure aspects of these vheicles.
As for myself as to buying a 2009 Chevy Silverado. I will use it as a write off for the part time job I have Delivering the Local Newspaper and for personal use of the truck as well. Compared to the US where I was born. Now I live in Canada where the price of gas in $1.31 a Liter. What we pay for gas is far more than what is payed for it in the US.

Interesting. I would agree that it’s too little, too late. First of all, there will be a cost for it - lame. Second, if it only saves you $1900 in fuel over 100,000 miles (what is that , 5 years!) it seems minimal (plus, the cost for it – lame). And, my guess is that the new ‘trim’ will likely entail a power trade-off.

Bzzz. Sorry GM. Maybe the Volt will be more promising, if/when it’s actually available. Or, the new Fuel Cell vehicle (part of a crazy full line initiative) that they’re pushing on the Olympics - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoLtODutYNQ (not a bad spot actually).

Seems like they're pushing the promise of change, but can't deliver on it in a time when consumers are asking for it.

Wow 1 freaking mile per gallon. It is this kind of stupidity that makes me wonder how these companies still exist. There is absolutely no effort on the part of US car manufacturers to change the status quo. The party is over! Get that through your thick skulls. I went from a Suburban to a Toyota Matrix and I AM NEVER GOING BACK!

When I was a roofer we used crew cab pickups all the time, though often heavier versions than those mentioned here. There's no doubt the shop owners would pay a couple hundred to get back a couple thousand.

The hostility to these vehicles is weird. Why don't you loan your compact to a roofing crew and see how well it carries 6 guys, a couple 10 foot long rolls of roofing material and a half ton of stuff. Now, using a crew cab, even a light one, as a full time _passenger car_ is a bit odd - you're just driving around with the bed and 5 seats empty. But if you work construction during the week and do small jobs on the weekends it works out better than having *2* vehicles.
The economy on those things is actually pretty amazing. Most of the generic smallish cars I've owned got around 25mpg in highway commuting, and they were half the size of one of those pickups and far more aerodynamic.