I am disappointed in GM... My dad worked for them for 40 years or so, and always reported that they were at the cutting edge of engineering, as exel reports. He'd say things like - "CVT? GM had that in the 1960s, but decided to shelve it." I think that conservative strategy is catching up with the company now. I have been a brand loyal Saturn driver for 8 years. I was anxiously awaiting the promised hybrid VUE, despite its ho-hum handling and styling. I actually got email from Saturn two years ago to announce the car! I visited a dealer recently to ask about the latest timetable, and they said they heard there were no plans to produce a hybrid VUE.
Needless to say, I was frustrated. I want to buy two hybrids this year to take advantage of the $2000 federal tax credit that is being phased out.

I went to a Toyota dealer a couple days ago to try and find (in vain, it turns out) an Insight to drive, and the salesman there had worked for Saturn, and still had friends there. I told him my story, and he said that GM is experiencing delays because it is building its own hybrid/CVT from the groud up instead of leasing tech they way Ford has done from Toyota.

It's pretty sad when a competitor knows more about your car lineup than the sales folks in your own dealership. Maybe he was blowing smoke and hoping to get me to plunk down cash to reserve a Highlander? Either way, it's a disappointing feeling towards a once cutting-edge company.

p