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32000 messages,  Last post on Feb 14, 2013 at 7:24 PM

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Messages Page 3098 of 3200

#30971 of 32000 Re: Contemplate if you will... [andre1969] by busiris

Jan 20, 2013 (11:59 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 20, 2013 11:51 am)

 
I don't know if they were inspired by GM, but for a few years, Chrysler used plastic front fenders on the Intrepid, Concorde, and New Yorker/LHS. Unfortunately, they tended to warp. They'd also shatter in an accident, but I don't know if that's really that much of a disadvantage, as a metal fender will still get smashed.
 
BMW uses some form of composite/plastic fenders on many models. My 2010 328i has non-metallic front fenders. I don't know what, if any others use non-metallic parts.

#30972 of 32000 Re: Contemplate if you will... [bpizzuti] by busiris

Jan 20, 2013 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Jan 20, 2013 10:49 am)
I'd call that failure, particularly if they didn't make any money licensing the new manufacturing process. And why didn't they use the process to make a GOOD car instead of the Vega?
 
I'm not sure exactly what can or can't be licensed in a manufacturing process when it comes down to how a line is laid out, but its pretty clear the implementation was an absolute failure as far as the Vega was concerned.
 
It demonstrated that GM at least had some folks that understood the importance of quality at the time, but were simply outnumbered/overshadowed by those that didn't.
 
Edit: go here for a good background on the Vega and its manufacturing process:
 
http://www.carlustblog.com/2010/12/the-chevrolet-vega-what-went-wrong.html

#30973 of 32000 Re: Contemplate if you will... [fintail] by busiris

Jan 20, 2013 (12:27 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 20, 2013 11:58 am)
I think when the Ion was released, with weird design and middling build quality, GM was already ready to start abandoning the brand. They certainly put in a half baked effort there.
 
 
I agree with your design comment, especially the dash layout...

#30974 of 32000 Re: Contemplate if you will... [fintail] by bpizzuti

Jan 20, 2013 (12:37 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 20, 2013 11:58 am)
Not so much abandoning the brand, as abandoning the concept of Saturn in particular. GM "abandons" brands only under threat of bankruptcy it seems. What they did do is turn Saturn into "just another GM nameplate." Which might actually have been worse, since they damaged said brand in doing so.

#30975 of 32000 Malibu 2014 by circlew

Jan 20, 2013 (1:26 pm)

Don't take it personal. It is what it is. GM being Old GM. The usual. Now, let's see if they hit a single or extra-bases...
 

 What it is: The refreshed version of the Chevy Malibu, which is coming a year-and-a-half ahead of its originally scheduled arrival, and just 18 months after the car first launched. Under the mask hides a new fascia, which we believe will be brought in line with the wide-mouth look recently introduced on the Traverse. It’s possible we’ll also see a light upgrade for the interior, which would add higher-quality materials.
 
Why it matters: Because to shoppers, the Malibu doesn’t matter. Chevrolet botched the launch of the car, introducing the unimpressive hybrid version, the Eco, before models with conventional gasoline engines. All Malibu variants have bland, mediocre-quality interiors—according to Automotive News, the rear-seat setup will receive particular attention. Exterior styling is as thrilling as vanilla pudding, leaving the Malibu an anonymous entry in a mid-size segment where the Hyundai Sonata and the Ford Fusion, among others, offer real couture. Chevy needs the Malibu to be a success, not a wallflower.
 
2014 Chevrolet Malibu Spy Photos
 
Regards,
OW

#30976 of 32000 Re: Malibu 2014 [circlew] by andre1969

Jan 20, 2013 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: circlew (Jan 20, 2013 1:26 pm)
I wonder what they're going to change to remedy the rear seat legroom issue? I guess they could hollow out the front seatbacks, like they did on the 2008-2012 version. If they do, I hope they make the hollowed-out section taller, so that my knees can fit in it!
 
IIRC, the seats on the Malibu are fairly thick. I guess they could always make them a bit thinner to free up some room. However, in doing so they run the risk of making the seats TOO thin, and uncomfortable.
 
Personally, I don't have a problem with the Malibu's style. While being a wallflower is not a goal they should be shooting for, there's still something to be said for a car that's attractive, without being in-your-face-edgy and spur-of-the-moment in styling. I'm not a fan of the Sonata's styling. Or the Camry, or Altima. However, people don't buy Camrys because of the styling. They buy them because they're predicable. For the most part. I have a feeling that none of them are going to wear very well. The Fusion, I have mixed feelings about. The Accord isn't exactly cutting edge, but it at least has a comfortable sort of familiarity about it, and wears its look well.
 
Similarly, I think the styling of the Malibu is okay. I think they just need to do something about that back seat, and get the MPG up a bit on their engines. The 22/34 rating of the standard 2.5 is nothing to rave about, although it equals the rating of the 2.5/auto in the Fusion that will probably power most examples. And it beats out the 200C, which is rated 21/29 with the 2.4/4-speed auto, and 20/31 with the 6-speed. It's still a bit below the Accord, Camry, and Altima though.

#30978 of 32000 Re: Malibu 2014 [circlew] by ateixeira

Jan 20, 2013 (2:19 pm)

Replying to: circlew (Jan 20, 2013 1:26 pm)
That's not the old GM at all.
 
You and I both know the old GM would have slapped on big rebates and let it go stale for the next 7 years. Maybe 10.
 
The fact that they are working to make it better so soon is a radical departure.

#30979 of 32000 Re: Malibu 2014 [ateixeira] by tlong

Jan 20, 2013 (2:24 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 20, 2013 2:19 pm)
The fact that they are working to make it better so soon is a radical departure.
 
Very good point; have to give GM credit for at least reacting quickly in this case and doing what is practical in a short time period.

#30980 of 32000 Re: Malibu 2014 [ateixeira] by bpizzuti

Jan 20, 2013 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 20, 2013 2:19 pm)
True. But Old GM is also the one that would put out a car worse than its predecessor in the first place.
 
We'll see if the radical redesign is a radical improvement. It may just be, if it addresses the problem areas.

Messages Page 3098 of 3200

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