[Rollingbones]

Hmmmm... some really interesting points here. There once was a gent named W. Edwards Deming. After WWII we, the United States, had effectively destoyed all potentail manufacturing competition while upgrading our own factories. W.E. Deming creadted the comcept of Total Quality through statistical analysis. (quality being defined as "meeting/exceeding customer expectations or requirements). In the early 60's America wouldn't listen and Japan did. By the 70's everyone elses factories and man. processes were refined while America lagged. By the 80's, the US auto manufacturers listened and the current "automotive race" was on. Innovations, advances and growth all are dependent on what this man created (he was an Army weapons quality officer during WWII and lived to the age of about 81, working almost to the end). Everyone copies to a point. everyone creates new stuff to a point, but I believe GM to do more of the latter. Some ideas work while others don't, but all is guided by what we, the customer, wants or needs.
As for the "ricer" issue, I can only imagine what they call us Silverado owners and yes, I beieve they owe some advances in durability, power, ETC to us, Superado (and other truck) owners.
I don't hate ricers (or as we call them at the Medical Center, Road Rockets), just the snooty little so-n-so's that drive them and the traffic hazzards they create. The only thing I have to say to any of them is..."I hope you signed your donar card, we need the parts!!"