GM Really Hurting

Setec Astronomy · 04-08-05, 12:07

Wow. Article. As a long time GM guy, it's sad to see the company in such a bad place.

Kudos to Corey for linking http://www.thecarconnection.com here previously.

Spilchy · 04-08-05, 06:15

When I went to the NY Auto Show, I said to myself GM can't chop off Olds, Buick, Pontiac and Hummer soon enough. What dead weight. That's just my opinion.

SilverLexus · 04-08-05, 06:41

They never cut costs when they had a chance. Now they are going to have to make some deep cuts and become a smaller company to survive. Another problem is the over-production of Cadillacs and Hummers. They also need to win some major labor union concessions.

Mighty HD · 04-08-05, 07:32

They all need to lower prices so the working man can afford to buy their cars!

I don't like the new chevy's, but the new GMC's are good looking--kinda relate back to the OBS in a small way.

Ford super duty is smacking the chevy/gmc HD lineup's on the ***. The down side for ford is the UGLY and plain interior, That's what turned me away from the F250 SD vs my GMC HD.

GMC/Chevy has the interior going for them, and engine choices--if you get one without piston slap!

TW85 HHI · 04-08-05, 08:29

...and among many other things, they need to raise the quality of their vehicles. $30-50,000,000 for a Chevy or GM branded SUV or truck should get you quality materials, not hard, cheap feeling plastics.

Kanchou · 04-09-05, 08:51

the only good value out of GM for the last 15 years is the corvette.

the trucks haven't been competetive with dodge and ford, and now nissan of all people.

The sedans are weaker than toothpicks, despite have 2 really good core engine blocks in the 60degree and the 90degree. Only this year does a 60degree FINALLY get a VVT engine...

they went TOTAL euro sellout when they overhauled the impala, and noone was impressed.

they've relied too much on the markup of SUVs and H2s to float them during rough waters and now with the gas pinch on, they're going to be hurting for hybrid technology that toyota and honda have a big head start on.

They're overpriced. Big time. If a japanese car maker can offer an argueabley just as good quality piece of equipment for close to the same price, even after considering the tariffs enforced on imports, the cost of doing business overseas, and every other stupid tax businesses have to pay in america, then someone is doing something really wrong at GM....

TW85 HHI · 04-09-05, 08:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Kanchou
They're overpriced. Big time. If a japanese car maker can offer an argueabley just as good quality piece of equipment for close to the same price, even after considering the tariffs enforced on imports, the cost of doing business overseas, and every other stupid tax businesses have to pay in america, then someone is doing something really wrong at GM....

No offense, but "an arguably just as good quality piece of equipment" is an insult to Japanese manufacturers. Their material quality and refinement is far head of that from GM.

Setec Astronomy · 04-09-05, 09:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Kanchou
If a japanese car maker can offer an argueabley just as good quality piece of equipment for close to the same price, even after considering the tariffs enforced on imports, the cost of doing business overseas, and every other stupid tax businesses have to pay in america,

Huh? AFAIK, there haven't been tariffs for a long time, the cost of doing business overseas is less, and the stupid taxes would help manufacturers who don't make here...all would seem to be the opposite of the point you are trying to make.

Quote:

Originally posted by Kanchou
...then someone is doing something really wrong at GM....

Which I think was the point of the thread...

MongooseGA · 04-09-05, 10:17

Alot of Chevy's new line up not only bores me, but I hate to see them on the road. Aveo's, Cobalts, Equinox, etc.

I think they should move the entire truck segment to GMC, and let Chevy focus on the minivans and cars.

Cadillac seems like it's finally back on its feet, but alot of my neighbors who had been fans of Caddy, despise the new styling and the whole Kappa platform.

Buick... they have nothing out worthwhile, IMO. Same with Saturn. I've been in the newer Saturns, and they scream cheapness. Especially the VUE.

Does anyone still buy Saabs? It seems to me like the 9-2X is a desperate attempt at getting younger buyers. The only problem is, people can buy the same WRX brother for thousands less.

Looks like HUMMER and Cadillac are the most purchased GM's to me. This, though, is only because the media has made the H2 and Escalade extreme fad-mobiles. Once a new car shows up in a rap video, the 2 SUV's will be old news.

DaGonz · 04-09-05, 05:02

A lot of GM's cars are just plain "fugly".

Scottwax · 04-09-05, 09:18

Quote:

Originally posted by Gonzo0903
A lot of GM's cars are just plain "fugly".

The Impala and Malibu are especially nasty. GM used to build some beautiful cars back in the 60s and 70s. What a shame.

blkZ28Conv · 04-10-05, 05:28

A large part of GM problem is that they design their vehicles in the same cookie-cutter model used by other car makers. It is extremely hard to distinquish a Madza, Chevy, Ford, Toyota, Pontiac, BMW, Merc, Lexus, etc without reading the name tags.

Chrysler is getting off this beaten path but their quality in still sub-par (not cool sitting by the side of the road in an uniquely styled vehicle). I grew up a Mopar fanatic and love their attempts at getting back but quality even in the 60's and 70's was not their main suit.

Thanks goodness I got my 70's Muscle Cars and last gen (4th) and final edition of the Camaro. There is not mistakening what make and model these vehicles are

All automakers are have a rough time. Around here they are already discounting the new Mustang to move them off the lot.