Reply #4: GM isnt the problem

[cmutt]

They are only producing what they can sell to people. We need to do something to curb people's appetite for vehicles that are too large for their everyday use (i.e. buying a 5500lb SUV because it's the "in-thing".

Anyways, here's some 2006 fuel-economy numbers to chew on: (all figures from www.fueleconomy.gov):

Chevrolet Tahoe (V8): 16/21 (2007's are rated at 16/22)
Toyota Sequioa: (V8): 15/18

Chevrolet Silverado (V6, 2WD, MAN): 16/22
Chevrolet Silverado (V8, 2WD, MAN): 16/21
Toyota Tundra (V6, 2WD, MAN): 18/22
Toyota Tundra (V8, 2WD, MAN): 16/19

Chevrolet Colorado (I4, 2WD, MAN): 20/27
Chevrolet Colorado (I5, 2WD, MAN): 19/25
Toyota Tacoma (I4, 2WD, MAN): 21/26
Toyota Tacoma (V6, 2WD, MAN): 16/21

Chevrolet Malibu (I4,AUTO): 24/34
Chevrolet Malibu (V6,AUTO): 22/32
Toyota Camry (I4,AUTO): 24/34
Toyota Camry (V6,AUTO): 20/28

Kinda wrecks that old-school thought of GM=gas guzzlers, doesn't it? Actually, the best buy here may just be the Malibu. It's been #1 on jd powers initial quality and long-term durability studies for 3 out of the last 5 years. It looks to me like Toyota is resting on their laurels when it comes to mainstream vehicles. Matter of fact, several GM brands rank ahead of the Toyota brand (overall) on recent quality studies. GM deserves another look (IMO) -- especially when you factor in how much American/union labor they employ in this country.