I think with 3.0 from the begining instead of 2.5, the CDW27 franchise may have had a fighting chance in North America where engine displacement is as important as cup holder displacement and back seat displacement. Contour had all 3 strikes against it... I think JimCat pretty much summed it up with his Malibu comparison... it is one of the most boring and uninspired car ever but it is one that americans wanted... Contour was not the right product for the masses:
Malibu = bigger engine than Contour (despite the fact that GM 3.1 OHV was less powerful and idled like a race horse on crack)
Malibu = bigger car than Contour (and handled and drove like one)
Malibu = functional cup holder (blah...)
