How Cars Work, Engineering Explained

Probably not. Someone else already has the market cornered on that stuff.

@danio3834 LOL, Deadweight is that you? Anyway, as far as engineering failures go, the books by Henry Petroski are very interesting in that regards.

Designing & building vehicles that are class-competitive, let alone class-leading is a seriously challenging endeavor. Doing so while getting the pricing right makes it even much more difficult. Cadillac, as recent sales figures demonstrate, is really challenged with respect to the former, and almost hopelessly confounded regarding the latter (the Escalade, for reasons that escape me, but not the broader market, importantly, excluded). I do think that, in general, because compact and midsize vehicles have gotten better relative to the rest of the segments, it's very difficult to rationally justify charging literally 2x to 3x as much for something like an ATS when a Chevy Cruze has as much interior room, is just as quiet, has a substantial feel, is as reliable if not more so, has better gauges (by far), and arguably rides better over less than ideal road surfaces (I'd argue it rides much better).

@DeadWeight DW, I agree the price differential confusion between midsize and luxury vehicles. I have noted for several years the marked improvement in "family vehicle" interiors as to design, material quality and the extras that are available (seat heaters, leather, satelliite radio, etc.) Coincident with this is a cheapening of the "luxury vehicle". Extra cost for a decent engine, extra for decent seating, bigger wheels and so forth. If developmental costs are even close, this volume related money pit, really move me to purchase a "loaded" midsizer over a bottom of the rung MBZ, BMW or Infiniti. Now if the rental companies would only return to the 20K mileage and out rule, I could really save some $$.