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What if you were in charge of GM?

874 messages,  Last post on Oct 28, 2009 at 10:20 AM

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#1 of 874
What if you were in charge of GM? by georgecavalier
Nov 02, 2008 (6:44 am)
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What if you were in charge of GM? What vehicles/divisions would you change or discontinue? You can even discuss the people who run GM and what changes my be needed there, UAW, etc. I bet the average citizen could run GM better than those bean counters!
#2 of 874
What I would do. by georgecavalier
Nov 02, 2008 (7:34 am)
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As far as management, I would put more car lovers in charge... those who know what worked in GM's glory days. Someone does need to keep an eye on expenses but I don't think the consumer should suffer because of the cost cutting I would create more focus groups to make sure we get it right the first time. I would look at what the competition is doing in the future not just what they have out now. It seems that right now if GM benchmarks something it is only the current model. ABSOLUTELY NO CHRYSLER MERGER!
 
Buick: Discontinue and make the Enclave (with styling revisions) the next Escalade.
Cadillac: Since the CTS name is already popular and well-established I wouldn't change it but I would rename the STS, SRX, XLR, and DTS with classic Cadillac names.
        Escalade: Should be redesigned on the Lambda platform as the current model is not what most buyers want right now.
        XLR: This model has so much potential... Cadillac should make it a more serious performer.
Chevy: This is GM's strongest division and it is heading the right direction but it could still use work.
        Avalanche: Perhaps a smaller midsized companion?
        Aveo: Redesign the ugly hatch. Add a more powerful engine option and bring back the "Special Value Model."
        Cruz: Excellent looking car but dumb name. Keep Cobalt name and add a sporty coupe. Keep the SS version alive. Add Hybrid version.
        Colorado: Redesign with current Silverado looks. Replace 5-cyl and V8 with 4.2 6-cyl as a economy/power compromise. Add a 6-cyl diesel.
        El Camino: Instead of G8 ST.
        Express: Redesign on current Silverado frame. Make as space and fuel efficient as possible with maybe a 6-cyl diesel and possible hybrid.
        HHR: Add AWD version.
        Impala: Give it RWD and add 3.6 DI engine and keep the V8 for SS model.
        Malibu: Add a two-mode Hybrid.
        Traverse: More attractive styling.
GMC: Discontinue. With the way the market is, GM doesn't need two divisions selling a full truck line. More attractive Acadia styling could be used on Traverse.
Hummer: Discontinue. With sliding popularity due to fuel prices and the economy there is no place for this division.
Pontiac: This division should be used as RWD budget BMW competitor.
         G3, G5, Vibe: All replaced by Sunfire, a compact RWD/AWD coupe sedan and wagon. Add Hybrid version.
         G6: Return of Grand Am name. Redesigned as RWD/AWD car with same body styles. Both 4-cyl and V6 available including 3.6 DI. Add Hybrid version.
         G8: Renamed Bonneville. Wagon version added but no truck version.
         Grand Prix Coupe version of Bonneville with retro styling.
Saturn: Leave as a Volks-fighting division selling rebadged Opels.Combine Saturn and Saab dealerships.
           Astra: More performance models. Add Twin Top convertible. Add Hybrid version.
           Aura: Add a two-mode Hybrid.
           Zafira: Perfect Mazda5 fighter.
Saab: Merge with Saturn. This will give GM a bread and butter Euro division and upscale Euro division.
         9-5: Much needed redesign. A bit larger and more powerful. Possible coupe version.
         9-4x: 5-seat crossover larger than Vue with 4-cyl turbo engines.
         9-6x: 7-seat crossover that shares ONLY the platform with the other Lambdas. Unique engines (turbo 6?), styling and handling. Priced more upscale than Outlook.
         Roadster: I know Saab enthusiasts have been wanting one for a while but I'm not sure if this would cannibalize Sky sales.
#3 of 874
Re: What if you were in charge of GM? [georgecavalier] by ehaase
Nov 02, 2008 (8:00 am)
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Replying to: georgecavalier (Nov 02, 2008 6:44 am)

Declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy and eliminate all divisions except Chevrolet and Cadillac.
 
Chevrolet's lineup would be Aveo, Volt, Cruze, Malibu, Silverado, Suburban, Traverse, Equinox, and a small Aveo based crossover.
 
Cadillac's lineup would be Alpha based car, CTS, SRX, and Escalade.
#4 of 874
GM incentives by donnielsu
Nov 02, 2008 (1:00 pm)
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You guys look like your in the know.
 
Any idea what the GM incentives on the '08's will be come 11/4?
 
I was attempting to buy an '08 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew cab truck on Friday. The dealer tried to scare me as I was leaving by saying the current incentive ended that day (10/31). I see on the GM website that it ends 11/3. Do you guys think it would likely go down on 11/4, stay the same, or go up?
#5 of 874
Re: GM incentives [donnielsu] by georgecavalier
Nov 03, 2008 (5:10 am)
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Replying to: donnielsu (Nov 02, 2008 1:00 pm)

I have a feeling there will be more incentives this year. I bought my 07 Cobalt on 12/31/07... it was a leftover 07. It had an MSRP of 414,500. After all of the incentives (Red Tag Sale) and $1,000 for my trade, I stole it for $10,300. So in other words, I think you will still be able to get a heck of a deal on it... especially since its' a truck.
#6 of 874
If I were in charge of GM by lemko
Nov 03, 2008 (6:50 am)
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Buick: Definitely a keeper in my GM. No more "cheap" Buicks. North American Buicks would be finished more like the Chinese models - more of a Lexus than a present day Buick. Love the Invicta concept and the next LaCrosse would follow in this direction. LaCrosse name is troubling. Propose low-end LaCrosse be called the Special, mid-level the Invicta, and performance model be called the Super. Heck, bring back an aggressive RWD/AWD all-black model called the Grand National and get Buick back into NASCAR. Buick's got to do something about the geriatric image it's acquired over the last 20 years. Change Lucerne line-up. Low-end Lucerne would become the LeSabre and the high-end Lucerne would be the Park Avenue on longer wheelbase. LeSabre to remain FWD while Park Avenue would be RWD/AWD. Restyle both cars with bold Buick styling. I would love to see somebody bring back the aggressive sweepspear profile with the "Darrin dip" at the B-pillar. Present car looks too much like a Passat on steroids. Keep Enclave.
 
Cadillac: Keep CTS as it is already a winner, but don't let it rest on its laurels. Make STS closer in size to the 1998-2003 Seville STS. As it is, it looks too much like the CTS. Get rid of FWD DTS as it is an anachronism in today's Cadillac. The new car will be on a large RWD/AWD platform. DTS should be renamed. Low-end DTS replacement will be the DeVille. High-DTS replacement will be the Fleetwood. No compromises. This car should be equal or better than the Lexus LS460 and Mercedes S-Class per luxury and build/material quality. Keep Escalade pretty much as it is. The SLR takes care of the smaller SUV segment. Agree with earlier poster that the XLR has the potential to be a serious performer. Not that the Corvette platform holds it back, but maybe it has its limits.
 
Chevrolet: Kill the HHR. The PT Cruiser is passe and so are its imitations. Per the Impala, Agree with earlier poster - place it on a RWD platform with 3.6 DI engine and keep the V8 for SS model. Styling should be much more Impala-like. Current car looks too much like an Accord on steroids. Low-end car should have four taillamps and be called Bel Air. Fleet special should be Biscayne. Upper end cars will be Impala with six taillamps. Perhaps a luxuriously-trimmed car called the Caprice? Agree with earlier poster about other cars. Should keep the Volt much closer to the original concept. The proposed production car looks like the second coming of the Lumina! Ugh! Should build hybrids of Aveo and Cobalt. Kill the stupid Cruz name.
 
GMC: Kill.
 
Hummer: Kill.
 
Pontiac: Really troubled as what to do with Pontiac. Really feel there should be a new Firebird/Trans Am based on the Camaro and I saw a really nice proposal by somebody at Carlisle this past summer. G3? G5? Get rid of these stupid clones - badge engineering at its worst. Keep Vibe. Wouldn't rename G6 the Grand Am because the name seems tainted. Perhaps Tempest? LeMans would be nice, but hopefully people have forgotten that 1980s Daewoo monstrosity. G8 is an excellent car, but the name sounds too much like a coordinate in "Battleship." Perhaps rename it the Bonneville.
 
Saturn: Another problem child. Evil side says to kill it. Good side says allow it to live selling rebadged Opels.
 
Saab: Sorry, iconoclasts. GM should either sell or kill this division.
#7 of 874
Re: If I were in charge of GM [lemko] by fintail
Nov 03, 2008 (8:33 am)
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Replying to: lemko (Nov 03, 2008 6:50 am)

I don't see a problem with any of those ideas. I like bringing back the old names, too.
#8 of 874
Considering who our next President will be by euphonium
Nov 03, 2008 (9:49 am)
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I would start planning for war production.
#9 of 874
Re: Considering who our next President will be [euphonium] by fezo
Nov 03, 2008 (12:36 pm)
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Replying to: euphonium (Nov 03, 2008 9:49 am)

I'd be sure my golden parachute was all set....
#10 of 874
Re: What if you were in charge of GM? [ehaase] by nwng
Nov 03, 2008 (1:05 pm)
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Replying to: ehaase (Nov 02, 2008 8:00 am)

yep, ch 11 and setup two divisions : GM cars and GM trucks. Seriously, what's the difference between a slade and a suburban aside from a few option packages? Plus when you start over, you need to be as efficient as possible to lower your overhead. Limit your number of engine choice and packages, as long as you have a handful of good ones. Act as if you only have 15% of market share.
 
I do see someone buying the whole corvette production line, and perhaps viper as well.

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