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United Automobile Workers of America (UAW)

16726 messages,  Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 10:01 AM

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#5069 of 16726
Re: Let's inject... [grbeck] by 62vetteefp
Nov 18, 2008 (11:21 am)
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Replying to: grbeck (Nov 18, 2008 7:46 am)

"Ford has the money to make a go of it until it brings new product "
 
No, Ford has at the most 6 months of cash with the current sales. If GM does not get the money it will go chapter 7. The two other domestics will go within 1 month and then the entire US built industry will shut down for up to a year. The Japanese and Germans will then turn on their foreign plants and import 100% where they can and will struggle where they cannot (trucks).
#5070 of 16726
Re: Only second-rate countries... [andre1969] by grbeck
Nov 18, 2008 (11:33 am)
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Replying to: andre1969 (Nov 18, 2008 10:57 am)

The Malibu and the Aura reflect the arrogance of GM, to some extent.
 
GM probably thought that the only reason people bought Accords, Camrys, Altimas, etc., is because GM never built a really competitive model. GM just had to match the competition and people would flock to Chevy and Saturn dealerships.
 
Only problem with that mindset is that many buyers are perfectly happy with their present vehicles, and see no need to switch. They are not sitting around, waiting to see what GM does. It's not the 1960s anymore, when GM could take its sweet time in responding to the four-seat Thunderbird or original Mustang and still grab a major share of that respective segment when it did field an entry.
 
If customers are going to switch, they need a compelling reason, and the fact that GM has finally managed to field a reasonably competitive model after wandering in the woods for over 25 years is a not a compelling reason. A Chevy as good as a competiting Toyota may be big news in Detroit, or among GM fans, but among car buyers, the likely response is, "What took GM so long?", if not, "So what?".
 
Also note that the new Malibu carries the baggage of the models that went before it. I've driven a 2000 Malibu, and a 2005 Malibu, and there is no way that I would switch from an Accord to either of those. The new one is better, but I'm not seeing where it is better than the best in this class. A company isn't going to lure satisfied customers away from the competition by merely matching what the competitors have been doing for the past 25 years.
 
Given that we're satisfied with the Accord, I'm leery of switching, but if I did, it would probably be to the upcoming 2010 Fusion, which has compiled an excellent reliability record and looks better than the Malibu.
 
As for the CTS - it's a big improvement over the previous generation, and it's a good car, but I'm not seeing where it's BETTER than a BMW 3-Series or Mercedes C-Class. Aside from the styling, there isn't anything that really makes it stand out among its competitors. BMW still has the better driving dynamics for those who really do want the Ultimate Driving Machine, while among the status-conscious, "I drive a BMW" sounds better than "I drive a Cadillac."
 
My parents bought a brand-new Lucerne, and they are quite happy with it. I've driven it, and the brutal truth is that this car will not appeal to anyone who isn't already a GM loyalist.
#5071 of 16726
Re: Let's inject... [xrunner2] by grbeck
Nov 18, 2008 (11:39 am)
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Replying to: xrunner2 (Nov 18, 2008 9:02 am)

xrunner2: Would that need a chapter 11?
 
The government would have to pass some sort of law that would allow GM to be reorganized without an actual declaration of bankruptcy.
 
As for how this is done - I'll have to leave it to minds far more learned than mine. Obama needs to put that Ivy League education to use.
#5072 of 16726
One good thing about the bailout... by roadburner
Nov 18, 2008 (11:45 am)
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With my tax money funding the supposed survival of the Big 2.5, any remaining pangs of guilt I had for buying only German and Japanese cars(and British motorcycles) will be gone completely. That said, I'm still going to hang on to my Jeep TJ; it was such a pure and simple design that even Chrysler workers couldn't screw up building it.
#5073 of 16726
Re: Only second-rate countries... [grbeck] by lemko
Nov 18, 2008 (11:49 am)
Reply

Replying to: grbeck (Nov 18, 2008 11:33 am)

As for the CTS - it's a big improvement over the previous generation, and it's a good car, but I'm not seeing where it's BETTER than a BMW 3-Series or Mercedes C-Class.
 
I can immediately see where the CTS is a better car than either of those austere, unreliable, and overpriced cars. Sheesh, a Nissan Altima and some Hyundais have a plusher interior than either those two. The CTS costs less and gives you more features. It is less expensive to service and maintain. The 3-Series and C-Class are purchased, (or should I say leased) by naive junior managers who care more about image than having a serious automobile.
 
While among the status-conscious, "I drive a BMW" sounds better than "I drive a Cadillac."
 
Not to me! If somebody tells me "I drive a BMW" he sounds like an arrogant (censored). "I drive a Cadillac" gets my immediate attention and respect, and, if she's a pretty female, my phone number.
#5074 of 16726
Re: Only second-rate countries... [lemko] by roadburner
Nov 18, 2008 (11:56 am)
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Replying to: lemko (Nov 18, 2008 11:49 am)

Not to me! If somebody tells me "I drive a BMW" he sounds like an arrogant (censored). "I drive a Cadillac" gets my immediate attention and respect, and, if she's a pretty female, my phone number.
 
Why not bring a CTS to a BMW CCA track event and we'll see which car is superior. We'll even let you run a Caddy with a "cabriolet" roof, gold trim, and a continental kit.
Snazzy!
#5075 of 16726
Maybe... by lemko
Nov 18, 2008 (12:00 pm)
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...all those soon-to-be unemployed UAW members can get jobs in the mighty retail sector!
 
Circuit City stores... most recent (? how many)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide are to be shuttered
Lane Bryant,, Fashion Bug, and Catherine's to close 150 store nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down all stores
J. Jill closing all stores
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January.
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macy's to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pacific Sunware closing stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/ Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores.
 
Oops, maybe not.
#5076 of 16726
Re: Only second-rate countries... [roadburner] by lemko
Nov 18, 2008 (12:04 pm)
Reply

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 18, 2008 11:56 am)

When are you people going to get this through your heads?
 
CADILLAC DOES NOT BUILD ANY CARS WITH TACKY GARISH ADD-ON TRASH LIKE CABRIOLET ROOFS, CONTINENTAL KITS OR GOLD TRIM!!!
 
Yes, and I would bring a CTS to a BMW CCA track event, especially if it's a V-Series car!
#5077 of 16726
Too bad this bailout concept didn't come along earlier... by roadburner
Nov 18, 2008 (12:05 pm)
Reply
Maybe we could have saved the horse and buggy industry.
And blacksmiths as well.
#5078 of 16726
Re: Maybe... [lemko] by andre1969
Nov 18, 2008 (12:06 pm)
Reply

Replying to: lemko (Nov 18, 2008 12:00 pm)

Oh crap...if Lane Bryant goes under, I'm sure it'll take the entire fabric industry industry with it.

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