John;

Much as I would love a super deal on a Volvo GM's move is just plain
desperation.

They make fine quality cars, truly they are night and day from where they
were-I drove a late 90's Malibu and was quite impressed.  Their product it's
self is not attractive however--the image, the way they drive, and how they
look.  They seem to be doing a lot to change that, however its still just
starting to come out of the pipeline.

The new Pontiac G6 is a good example--its a fine Accord/Camry class car, but
it's not the car I  **want** to buy.  It also suffers from poor predicted
resale value, making leases more expensive (and the car more attractive for
me should I adopt my own a Miata (mx-5) and an appliance
(camry/accord/626/malibu/g6/ford 500) policy--used Miata for 8-10, used
appliance for 14-18).

GM has gambled that it's future is providing the best trucks and SUV's out
there.  The hummer is quite simply unparalled (and I would not own one), the
Escalade and the Suburban have their markets well handled, and the
Equinox/vue have the potential to become the family jeepster of the 21st C.

The rub?  No one in the USA or at least on the coasts wants a GM car or
truck.  They have to get the old iron moving and they have to get the iron
into peoples hands so they can see how good the newer GM products are.  GM
also has huge pension issues and fixed costs so they need to push every
incremental (marginal) unit out the door they can to help spread that cost.

GM's Saab unit has been badly managed, IMHO and it's hurting, while Fords
Volvo has been well managed and if Ford avoids their mistake with the
Taurus, failing to invest in refinements and R/D Volvo will I think lead
Ford back from the brink along with the very fine, but again something I
would never own -- F series trucks.

It's in our interests **in the long run** to have a healthy Ford as
Americans, and Europeans--Ford employs a whole lot of folks.  It's in our
interests as folks who like good cars, perhaps a bit unusual cars to have a
healthy Volvo (along with the hope that Ford does not blow it with Volvo
like GM did with Saab and BMW did with rover).

Therefore, its very sad to me personally, but I am glad that Ford marketing
folks see the Volvo brand as strong enough that it does not need the help
that Saab under GM's management does (and don't forget that with out GM or
someone Saab would be gone by now).  I hope Ford is right!