To Tell the Truth?

jem7vwh · 05-29-03, 05:42

While I wholeheartedly agree about the facts of the matter, anyone think this sounds like a suicidal advertising plan for GM? Their campaign basically sounds like the same plea every guy gives his girlfriend after he cheats on her. "I know what I did was wrong, but I've learned from it. I'll be good from now on...I promise."

http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/gm29_20030529.htm

aiiee · 05-29-03, 05:48

GM was my main reason for not buying an American car in the last 15 years. They're evil, I used to sell to em, I know.

BradE · 05-29-03, 06:34

Well, it's certianly a "different" approach. They are just stating the obvious though. I don't think it will lure many back.

A good friend of mine get's a new Caddy every 2 years on a lease. He has trouble with everyone of them. His Seville STS went through 3 trannys in the 2 year lease period. He now has a new DeVille, it's already been in the shop for various things with less than 10K miles. So, sounds like GM has a long way to go. At least they are trying.

Mosca · 06-01-03, 06:10

OMG. I work in the sales (F&I) dept at a Chevrolet dealership. These people are smoking crack.

Guess how many people came in and asked for the 24-hour test drive last month.

Now, shut your eyes. What do you see?

We had to call friends and relatives, and use the cars as service loaners, to hit our quota.

It's not too hard to sell cars. Ask Nissan how they turned it around: they used a high quality, exciting product. If you don't have that, then you have to resort to gimmicks, and "oblique advertising", I guess.

Oh, well. I can't complain, I picked this. At least I have a shiny car, thanks to youse guys here.

Mosca

jem7vwh · 06-02-03, 12:57

you know, the thing is-- they don't have to be Toyota or Honda. I see Hondas getting up into the 400k mile level (and they're only 15 years old). I don't think that's necessary, but a reasonable level of quality and reliability is. I think GM needs to truly re-evaluate their priorities. I would much prefer if GM only sold 3 kinds of cars, but each one lasted 10 years.

kgb · 06-02-03, 07:01

I read an article a few months back where GM admitted that Toyota and Honda made better cars and that GM could not compete with them. And soem GM big wig said when he asked former GM buyers why they did not buy GM anymore their responses where, "Make cars like you did in the 50's and I will buy American again."

PrinzII · 06-02-03, 10:44

Quote:

Originally posted by 2001civicex
I read an article a few months back where GM admitted that Toyota and Honda made better cars and that GM could not compete with them. And soem GM big wig said when he asked former GM buyers why they did not buy GM anymore their responses where, "Make cars like you did in the 50's and I will buy American again."

The last GM product I owned was my '88 Caprice and I had a boatload of problems with that car starting with the alternator croaking after 2 months and again later.

But truth of the matter is that the cars my family has had the most problems with are Chryslers. Those things spent more time in the shop than on the road and it was usually for some funky electrical problem or Quality Control issue.

jem7vwh · 06-03-03, 01:22

I want to make it clear that I didn't start the thread to bash GM. Those who know me, know my feelings about them..but rather- I just thought it was a strange PR move. I can't remember the last time a company admitted it's products were bad.

Even with the New Coke disaster, Coca Cola just said, "This just proves how much people love the original formula!"

Maybe GM can introduce Chevrolet Classic now

2wheelsx2 · 06-03-03, 02:11

My Dad was one of those Chevette owners from the 80's, and because of that horrifying experience, I'll never buy GM again. Even though GM is making some nice cars nowadays, I think that car has traumatized me forever. IMO, GM is going to have to wait until guys in my generation die off.

aiiee · 06-03-03, 04:06

I think the PR thing was approved because anyone who has a brain at GM was either fired or ran away a long time ago. Really, it's that bad.

jr_mints · 06-03-03, 05:19

I've never had an American car that didn't have a boatload of problems. They make junk and then treat you like trash when you try to deal with either the dealer or the factory reps trying to resolve issues. I've gone to Lexus and what a difference! The car simply doesn't break and the dealership treats me like I'm the only customer they have. It has really been an eye opening experience and I wouldn't go back to American made cars (Ford, Jeep, GM, Chrysler) for any reason. Those *ssholes have gotten my last penny.

NY detailer · 06-03-03, 05:45

I agree that American cars markers do need to step it up a notch in the mechanics, but I have a friends that have nothing but problems with the honda's.
Tranny problems up the butt. My other friend has a benz and has had to go to the dealer 4x due to different electrical problems.

I would much rather buy american and support out econmy, but look were alot of the cars are being made.
some non-american cars are built more in america then american cars.
NYD