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Automotive News & Views What if you were in charge of GM?
874 messages, Last post on Oct 28, 2009 at 10:20 AM
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Replying to: bpizzuti (Aug 28, 2009 6:11 pm) GM has many challenges--the worst of which is the concept that foreign brands deliver better gas mileage, higher quality, and lower ownership costs. I like the new Chevy ads but they need to put more value in the equation. Specifically, if your Malibu costs less to own/operate than comparable Camrys and Accords over five years, then push that hard. If it doesn't, then figure out how to make it do so (i.e. lower the price). |
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Replying to: vinnyny (Aug 29, 2009 6:40 pm) I believe one of the big challenges is the large cadre of people who are out to bash GM. They don't operate in current time; they operate from problems in 90s typically. It's like a political push about a Washington agenda. Every time they post in anything GM, even a positive titled forum, they kvetch about their 1989 Suburban. Nevermind all the problems foreign cars have had. Look at all the problems the mid-sized foreign offerings in the popular makes had with redesigned models: steering lead problems, creaking in the body going over twists, brakes wearing out quickly, transmissions failing regularly (of course they were replaced in some cases under the higher price warranty), transmissions having problems shifting in some situations leading to dangerous lag times, AC compressors failing, V6 engines having vibrations going in and out of the mode shutting down cylinders, lines carrying oil to the control for variable valves leaking outside the motor, and with some cars _rust_, and on. The manufacturers of some car lines have been able to extend their reputation earned or gained in one period by careful advertising and with pushes on their image. But reality strikes. Read the Odyssey forum here on transmission troubles there (hasn't Honda figured out how to do transmissions?); Honda isn't covering the replacements in many cases. People stayed happy earlier when Honda replaced their transmission 2 and in some cases three times before 100,000K and then said "It's your baby from now on." The higher profit in the purchase price they were able to glean from eager customers helped make that possible as a secret warranty system that US makers couldn't do or didn't want to do due to their higher costs of manufacturing. I recall about 2003 when posters bragged how the two leading cars didn't have to use rebates like the US brands (although they did have dealer incentives in some cases). Soon they were using _rebates_. So the bubbles can burst. How does GM advertise to change the image and minimize the impact of the lobby of those trying to make the new GM fail? How does GM change the public perception of the cars. One is change the dealership. One area dealer just remodeled their facility. just remodeled their facility. |
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Aug 30, 2009 5:05 am) GM should look at what Hyundai has done as a business model. They came on the scene making complete junk and now rank among the best. Yes, they still are joked upon, but the reality is they make great cars at affordable prices. |
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Aug 30, 2009 5:05 am) Sometimes companies NEVER can come back, if they screwed it up badly enough, no matter what they do. Many years ago, I said something like "All of Cadillac's former customers would need to grow old and die before Cadillac becomes a prestige brand again". And that is exactly what happened. The only way to erase Cadillac's past was to have it forgotten by anyone who had to live through it. Maybe GM will just have to be patient 
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I would bring back the 68,69 chevelle!!!!!
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Replying to: campyman (Aug 30, 2009 7:15 am) Why? Anything from a Cobalt SS to a Camaro will outperform it in virtually every area. How about bringing back the spirit of the Chevelle in a thoroughly modern car? Provided they don't go nuts on pricing, I'll be buying a Camaro SS convertible the day it hits the dealerships.
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Replying to: vinnyny (Aug 30, 2009 8:20 am) 
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Replying to: campyman (Aug 30, 2009 7:15 am)
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Replying to: lemko (Aug 31, 2009 5:17 am)
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