GM News, New Models and Market Share

Replying to: m4d_cow (Jul 05, 2009 8:04 am)

Replies to this message:
• circlew (Jul 05, 2009 1:17 pm)
  • torque_r (Jul 05, 2009 7:07 pm)
• lemko (Jul 06, 2009 5:10 am)
• m4d_cow (Jul 07, 2009 11:32 pm)

Replying to: tlong (Jul 05, 2009 12:48 pm)

Well, we don't have to worry about the styling trend when it comes to U.S. content, now, do we?
 
The Toyota Camry is more American than the Ford F-150, at least according to Cars.com's annual American-Made Index. The findings further muddy the Buy American debate that rages across the country. Toyota Motor Corp. also is the most American car company, according to the rankings of the index in terms of U.S. content in its cars and trucks.
 
AFAIC, GM needs to reinvent styling, quality, brand image and Buick ain't it.
 
Luxury
 

 
Mid-Size Sedan
 

 
Sport Performance Sedan/Coupe
 

 
Compact
 

 
Regards,
OW

Replies to this message:
• torque_r (Jul 05, 2009 7:07 pm)

Replying to: circlew (Jul 05, 2009 1:17 pm)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Jul 04, 2009 10:31 am)

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• torque_r (Jul 05, 2009 9:50 pm)
• bpizzuti (Jul 06, 2009 5:05 am)

Replying to: tlong (Jul 05, 2009 9:39 pm)

Replying to: cooterbfd (Jul 05, 2009 8:23 am)

Think about it for a sec; EVERY SINGLE CHEVY IMPALA from 1958 thru 1972 had it's own separate and distinct look, even if they shared a body style or frame among the years.
 
Heck, they were able to take it longer than that...the Impala, and Caprice, actually had styling changes every year up through 1981! 1980 was a more aerodynamic reskin of the '77-79, with a lower nose and slightly taller rear deck, and elimination of the wraparound rear window on the coupes. And for 1981 they actually made the effort to change the grille on both the Impala and Caprice, although they didn't bother with the taillights. And then they used the same grille from 1981-85.
 
One reason they quit with the annual styling changes might have been those 5 mph bumpers. Before 1973, the bumper was often more decoration than anything else. As a result, it could be blended into the overall style of the car to make it look good...regardless of how good of a job the bumper actually did in protecting the car! But in 1973, the 5 mph standard was applied to front bumpers, and then the rear in 1974. So now, all of a sudden, instead of just styling the bumper to look pretty, they had to design it to be functional. And if it failed in the function, it had to be redesigned again until they got it right. As a result, once they got a bumper design that did the job, they were probably reluctant to mess with it any more than necessary.
 
Also, aerodynamics became much more important, so that resulted in a more generic look to cars, as there are only so many shapes, creases, textures, etc that will efficiently slice through the wind.
 
And, I'd imagine the rough economic times of the 1979-83 timeframe helped put a damper on annual styling changes. Chrysler and Ford almost went bankrupt (Chrysler would have if the gov't hadn't stepped up with loan guarantees). And even the mighty GM was feeling the pinch. There was one year in there, either 1982 or 1983, that the only reason GM even made money was because of GMAC financing. Without it, they would have been in the red as well. So, with issues like that going on suddenly doing things like changing the grille, taillights, or a crease here and there, seemed pretty petty.
 
Oh, one other thing...I'd imagine those tightening emissions standards in the 1970's probably took money away from the annual styling changes. The auto makers suddenly had to divert money towards more efficient engines, transmissions, fuel delivery systems. Plus, increased safety standards.
 
I do miss those days of annual styling changes, and more autonomy of the divisions, that helped make the cars so much more unique. But, I'm afraid those days are gone for good.

Replies to this message:
• lemko (Jul 06, 2009 5:16 am)
  • circlew (Jul 06, 2009 6:28 am)
    • andre1969 (Jul 06, 2009 6:35 am) and 2 more...

Replying to: tlong (Jul 05, 2009 9:39 pm)

Replying to: tlong (Jul 05, 2009 12:48 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jul 06, 2009 4:19 am)

Replies to this message:
• circlew (Jul 06, 2009 6:28 am)
  • andre1969 (Jul 06, 2009 6:35 am)
    • cooterbfd (Jul 06, 2009 7:29 am)
    • circlew (Jul 06, 2009 8:07 am)

Replying to: lemko (Jul 06, 2009 5:16 am)

Should have gone with '58 Chevy bumpers...
 

 
My brother had one of these babies and was cut off out on L.I. and sliced a telephone pole in half as a result. Walked away unscathed but the beauty had to be junked.
 
He got a 1964 Malibu next!
 
Regards,
OW

Replies to this message:
• andre1969 (Jul 06, 2009 6:35 am)
  • cooterbfd (Jul 06, 2009 7:29 am)
  • circlew (Jul 06, 2009 8:07 am)