Opinion
237 topics in this forum
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- Editor-in-Chief
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GM's E85 efforts are clearly being noticed, so much that even my biology teacher, who's this uber-liberal granola woman in her sixties, started talking about an Avalanche ad excitedly: "Wow, have you seen it?! I've always wanted a cute little truck; gosh, I'm going to buy one right away when we get an ethanol station. Are Chevy cars any good? They are? Good, as long as they're not Fords. I once nearly burned in a Ford...." and so on. I refrained from breaking the news to her, that the Avalanche is hardly "cute" or "little", and that it gets 11 MPG city on E85. I can only imagine the disappointment when she and millions of other consumers find out. At the moment, the ads…
Last reply by PurdueGuy, -
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Saturn was orginally intended to be an All-American can-do brand. Remember back to the 80s when some American thought wejust couldn't build cars as well as the Japanese. So, GM developed a project brand of how to build an American Japanese car. It succeeded to the extent that it proved Americans can build great quality cars. This problably saved GM and Detriot from ruin. Bob Lutz said recently that Saturn will be an American version of Opel like England's Vauxhall or Australia's Holden. Well, Opel is VW's main German Competition. VW out prices all other non-luxury brands, including Toyota. This would likely mean Saturn's prices will sky-rocket to match those of VW. If …
Last reply by MyerShift, -
- 98 replies
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Like GM, views of Toyota range from "I love it" to "They are bland and vanilla"...You must admit that Toyota was climbing to the top of the automotive industry leaving domestic companys in the dust. We saw GM's lowest point in recent years but now it seems that they are finally beginning to pick up the pieces of a weathered company. What does this mean for Toyota?....How far in success can one company go before falling straight to the ground? We can all say that Toyota will probably never hit rockbottom but what happens when the company suffers a downfall...Can it happen soon? Recently, we have seen that GM's newer innovative models are moving up in sales and …
Last reply by bowtie_dude, -
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- Editor-in-Chief
- 40 replies
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Welcome Aboard! A Tama Fictional Letter May 10, 2006 Dear Toyota, Hi! I'm General Motors, and, welcome! You boys seem set to take my spot at number one. Hell, if I didn't know otherwise, the media would have me believing you were already on top! Oh well. Since you seem set on staying here for a while, I thought I should write you this letter, and let you know what things are like around here! When the time comes to pass that you've officially taken my spot, these tips are going to help acclimate you to the position. - When you've officially reached number one, you are going to find yourself making all kinds of new friends! Those who have so far supported you will to…
Last reply by Mr.Krinkle, -
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- 68 replies
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I'm retyping this from an editorial written by David E. Davis, Jr., in the October '88 issue of Automobile Magazine.....almost 18 (!) years ago.....about General Motors..... He starts......."When was the last time you heard anyone suggest that General Motors was a dangerous monopoly that should be broken up?" ....and continues......"Never mind, General Motors has come a long way. All of the car divisions have spiced up their product lines, and some great saves have been made. We've seen an Indianapolis victory and a 200-mph Corvette. The Lotus connection is bubbling happily, and lots of exciting projects beyond the ZR1 Corvette are in the pipeline. Some very good ex…
Last reply by Mr.Krinkle, -
- 25 replies
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Fleet: The Other “F” Word -Variance May 3, 2006 Fleet sales have been a part of the automotive sales industry for some time. Typically, fleet sales are defined as car sales to companies rather than individual consumers. Rental car companies like Enterprise, Thrifty, etc. are usually the first things that come to mind when people talk about fleet sales. Some cars (more than others) are sold by automakers to fleet companies to contribute to their bottom line. In fact, Hyundai recently announced they were going to increase their sales to fleets in Europe to aid in the company’s growth. Now, some people will say things along the lines of fleet sales don’t count or they …
Last reply by evok, -
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http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_...247173#continue In keeping with the theme of The O.C.'s thread, I choose to place this thread here because it is not recent GM or industry news. This is another blast from the past interview with none other than one Roger (Roger and Me) B. Smith. This interview in many ways is very appropriate in its content to recent news. It is a long but good read. It just goes to show, "There is nothing new under the sun." Enjoy! General Motors Corp. chairman Roger B. Smith - State of the Industry 1988 - includes related article: Yen's Rise Boosts GM's Morale - interview Ward's Auto World, Dec, 1987 by David C. Smith GENERAL MOT…
Last reply by ZL-1, -
- 23 replies
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Maximum Bob A Tama Article www.cheersandgears.com April 16, 2006 General Motors Vice-President Robert Lutz gives much-needed personality to the cars and the company. Before General Motors lost itself in the corporate anonymity that is now definitional of the company, it produced some of the most memorable and legendary leaders ever to enter the car biz. DeLorean, Duntov, Engine Charlie Wilson – these were car guys who presided over a true car company. It has been almost four decades coming, but GM has found its next charismatic car guy in Bob Lutz. In his book On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors, DeLorean detailed the systemic and anonymous nature of the 14t…
Last reply by tama z71, -
- 0 replies
- 2.3k views
Saturn was orginally intended to be an All-American can-do brand. Remember back to the 80s when some American thought wejust couldn't build cars as well as the Japanese. So, GM developed a project brand of how to build an American Japanese car. It succeeded to the extent that it proved Americans can build great quality cars. This problably saved GM and Detriot from ruin. Bob Lutz said recently that Saturn will be an American version of Opel like England's Vauxhall or Australia's Holden. Well, Opel is VW's main German Competition. VW out prices all other non-luxury brands, including Toyota. This would likely mean Saturn's prices will sky-rocket to match those of VW. If …
Last reply by carman21, -
- 16 replies
- 5.1k views
The Revolution Revisited -Variance April 14, 2006 You may recall six months ago I wrote my article Saturn’s Revolution. In it, I waxed lyrical about Saturn’s latest products and thought they were they key to a complete Saturn turnaround. The three products as you know are the Sky, Aura, and Outlook. The thing of it is that back then, we didn’t know the Sky would have much more to offer, the Aura was still a concept and the Outlook hadn’t even been revealed to public eyes yet. Fast-forward six months later to the New York International Auto Show... The Sky with No Limit If you needed any more reason to lust after a Sky, I’d first smack you upside the head and kin…
Last reply by Ravenfreak13, -
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1975 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 MowerTruck Necessity breeds a monster. A Tama Article This is your land. Your domain is a backyard of which every man in America could be proud. You stand atop your kingdom, savoring your creation and challenging all those who look upon it to do better. All is as it should be in your world – until that son of a bitch next door does the one-up dance. Everybody has one. He is the guy across the property line whose accomplishments are always just beyond your reach. Your lawn is green – his is greener. Your sidewalk is clean – his is cleaner. Your shrubs look good – his look shrubbier. Every single inch of real estate you claim as your own …
Last reply by Charger4U, -
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CTIxykcTH8...0gear%20pontiac
Last reply by VenSeattle, -
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I was outside yester raking the lawn when I decided to count each brand of car on my block... Here's the numbers: Ford(includes mazdas, volvos etc) : 9 GM:12 Chrysler(includes dodge, plymouth, jeep):11 Toyota:9 Nissan:4 BMW:1
Last reply by tama z71, -
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General Motors Preserving America’s Last Big Business A Tama Article March 28, 2006 General Motors A perfect storm of business and economic factors has brewed at a time when General Motors is already facing an internal revolution. These forces threaten to tear the company down in the midst of its largest ever corporate and product restructuring. Of these factors, the American media has done what no other rival nation ever could – they have created a culture of self-defeatism that inclines American consumers to dismiss the products built within their borders. Combine this national mentality with fearsome and well-managed foreign firms, and our economy, the most open i…
Last reply by tama z71, -
GM to UAW: Deal or No Deal?
by Guest Josh- 7 replies
- 3.5k views
Is The Buy-Out That Big Of An Offer? On paper, the buy-out that General Motors is offering to it’s 113,000 U.S. workforce looks pretty attractive. Workers with nearly 30 or 30 year or more are being offered a buy-out settlement of $35,000 plus full pension payout including benefits. Sounds like a tantalizing offer, does it not? Just think of what you could do with that $35,000. Where you could go? What you could buy? Imagine what college your child or daughter could go to with $35,000 sitting in the bank. Sounds good, no great doesn’t it? General Motors and the UAW want you to think so. However, I say not so fast. Lets take a look at this $35,000. First thing’…
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Yeah, try and guess.
Last reply by VenSeattle, -
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Well we all knew it would not last. For those who do not know about it. The Goat will return... in either 08/09. So I can not wait to see the changes they will be making. http://www.cleveland.com/autoshow/plaindea...9520.xml&coll=2
Last reply by Sixty8panther, -
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- Editor-in-Chief
- 1 follower
- 26 replies
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Will 2006 be the year of the 355? Two trucks need to outpace one in 2006 A Tama Article The difference may only be less than 5700 units, but the pressure for sales will continue to mount on GM in 2006. Chevy Colorado - 128,359 GMC Canyon - 34,845 Toyota Tacoma - 168,831 Despite having twice the models, twice the dealer network and the hugely successful employee pricing program, sluggish year-end sales put GM behind Toyota in the 2005 midsize truck market. A total loss? Probably not. GM managed to climb from the number three spot with the 355 twins to outsell the Ford Ranger for the first time, and locked up a solid second place in terms of sales. But GM can no lon…
Last reply by ponchoman49, -
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Once upon a time the GM empire conquered the world. Since the 1930s, GM had ruled its mighty global empire with iron will. An ideology of Sloanism had established undeniable order to the land. Chevrolet ws the entry brand. Pontiac was the youth oriented brand that exemplified style & sportiness. Oldsmobile was the premium brand that was for Chevrolet owners that wanted to show they have arrived. Buick was also a youth oriented brand like Pontiac however, they were pricier and more luxurious than anyother brand exept Cadillac. Finally, Cadillac was the Crown on the GM thrown. Cadillac literally defined luxury and was in a class of its own. Then, suddenly fueled by j…
Last reply by Ravenfreak13, -
The New Tundra 1 2
by Variance- 52 replies
- 12.6k views
The New Tundra: Success or Strike 3? -Variance February 11, 2006 Image: Toyota/Lexus/Scion Pressroom The Toyota Camry is the best-selling car in America. It has been thanks to its reputation for being impeccably reliable, styling that’s not unpleasing to the eye (but not particularly thrilling to look at) and being basically just a good Average Joe car. The 2007 Camry with its (slightly) bolder styling, increased power and available hybrid powertrain will likely allow the Camry to keep its best-seller crown. But I’m not here to talk about the Camry. I’m writing this to reflect on Toyota’s full-size pickup, the Tundra, which has been everything but a best-seller. …
Last reply by Hudson, -
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- 2.4k views
Article from Automotive News. http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...0/1078&refsect=
Last reply by Snate, -
Just Who Is The #1 Automaker In The World?
by Guest Josh-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 42 replies
- 12.4k views
Who Is The #1 Automaker In The World? A Simple Question With A "Simple" Answer? When I walked into work this morning I knew it was going to be a day like no other. Not because of the raging snow storm that was before us in Metro Detroit, or the fact that the Solstice was left exposed in this bitter cold weather. Never mind the competition I was involved in with a fellow coworker for a steak dinner to be paid for at my discretion. Yes, the snow storm came, the Solstice was under the heavy blanket of snow & ice and yup, I did win the competition for the steak dinner. But what lead up to the events of this day shocked me. More than I could have ever im…
Last reply by Charger4U, -
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- Editor-in-Chief
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GM Versus the Media -VarianceJ30 December 13, 2005 --- For a while now, it has been the opinion of many a GM fan that the General’s products for the most part do not get a fair shake in the American media and that import vehicles are lauded much more with little exception. GM products are scrutinized more heavily and the company’s management and recall issues are played up more. Rarely does a GM vehicle place first in comparison they appear to be subject to more “cheap shots” by journalists. The media as a whole though, seems to keep quiet when it comes to the company’s accomplishments (product and otherwise). Why does this appear to be the case? Well, I deci…
Last reply by balthazar, -
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I have read all the glom and doom in the press, and I think it's time for a different perspective. I admit that Ford, and gm do have some problem right now, but I think there's reason for hope. For Gm Fans, the new full size SUVs seem to be getting great press, and I think they will do well. I think GM is Very smart in offering its first hybrid in a full size SUV. I mean more people still but full size SUVs than Prisuses. The second ray of hope for gm is their lambda crossovers. If they build the Enclave as is styling wise, this will help turn around Buick. They appear to be good complents to the Tahoe, Yukon, and Escalade. The biggest star for gm could be Satu…
Last reply by Ghost Dog, -
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Hyperautoenthusia -Variance January 25, 2005 The 2005+ Pontiac GTO. The 2002+ Infiniti Q45. The 2006+ BMW M6. The 1996 Chevy Impala SS. The 2007 Saturn Sky. The 1997 Kia Sephia. What do you suppose all of these cars have in common? They are all cars that I’d like to own one day. (Ok, not the Kia. That was just a sick joke.) There are many more cars I’d like to have, too. I have what is known as “hyperautoenthusia” (HA). Those infected ail from a distinct love of various automobiles and the desire to own them all. Symptoms include perusing automobile forums, car manufacturer web sites, eBay Motors and the like all day; taking note of the make and model of every car y…
Last reply by Sixty8panther, -
- 27 replies
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Some of you may remember the traditional Full-size Cars of the 1960s & 1970s.They had big V-8s, RWD, and were well over 200 inches long, usually 210 or higher. Their flaws were their size and their poor gas mileage. The Oil Crisis of the 1970s,the influx of imports like Toyota, Datsun, and Honda, and gov. regulations slammed the brakes on a once thriving segment. Of these cars only the Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and the Town Car are lone remains of a segment that once dominated autosales for 25 years or more. From 1955 to 1980, 2/3 of all cars sold were considered full-size. During the early 1980s volume collapsed altogether and the top selling cars were all comp…
Last reply by balthazar, -
- 34 replies
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Is driver chivalry dead? -VarianceJ30 November 16, 2005 I often find myself vexed at human nature. Most people on their own are courteous enough (or at least they don’t act like asses) to other people. Sometimes people will hold a door open for you, they’ll tell you the time if you ask, and they may even give you a little change if you need it. However, put them behind the wheel of a car and 9 times out of 10, everyone becomes an adversary. Nowadays, it seems more and more people are acting like they and they alone own the road. I seriously question how some of these people keep their licenses (or even obtain them in the first place). Here are some of th…
Last reply by mustang84, -
The Solstice GXP Will Add Volume
by Guest Josh- 7 replies
- 3.8k views
When General Motors revealed the 2006 Solstice GXP to the world shortly after midnight and into a hopefully better year than ‘05 it garnered the utmost of attention from enthusiasts around the Internet. The sleek, sporty, most successful GM launch since the “Lutz-era” began has sparked a firestorm of Solstii’s since it’s first initial build in August of ‘05. Since then, deliveries have reached as far up to V.I.N. 9,000 and above. While others report that the Solstice is still projected to build “only 20k units per year” I’d kindly like to argue that point. Considering the fact that the 2006 Pontiac Solstice was projected at 20k units per year before the GXP is one glarin…
Last reply by Teh Ricer Civic!, -
- 5 replies
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Ok, time to move outside the bounds of conservative, automotive engineering: 1) Isn't it time we have a 802.11b wireless card built-in to your vehicle? I'd say 802.11g - but the b standard, being outdated is ridiculously cheap. I should be able to connect with a laptop/home computer and pull up a configuration page - similar to a router's configuration page. Of course, you'd want the connection secure -- but routers have already worked within this confine w/o a problem. I should be able to connect & change simple things from radio presets to the clock. The car should also have a small hard drive. Record driving patterns, temp, oil changes, etc…
Last reply by 76ChevyTrucker, -
GM vs Toyota 1 2
by tama z71- 1 follower
- 51 replies
- 15.4k views
Foreign Autos Strangle Domestic Economy During an interview taken in the 1950s, former General Motors CEO Charles Wilson delivered the famous quote, “What’s good for GM is good for America.” Fifty years later, that bold statement holds as true as ever. However, 50 years later, GM is no longer the automotive juggernaut that it once was, and what is now bad for GM is proving to be bad for America, too. Whatever the cause for decline in American automotive dominance, GM has lost nearly half the market share it had thirty years ago, and that number continues to fall today. The losses have reached into the pockets of GM’s longtime rivals as well, as Ford Motor has experienc…
Last reply by Cory Wolfe, -
- 12 replies
- 4.5k views
10,000 miles. 365 days. 1 Truck. 2004 GMC Canyon Z71 One-Year Update A Tama Review Accurate assessments of the GMC Canyon have been few and far between. More power! Bigger cabin! Isuzu? These and other cries of misinformation would leave the media sheep to believe that this little piss-bucket is yet another sign of GM’s inability to shake its old ways. Despite having been on the market since December of 2003, this truck has been misrepresented even by those who would defend it. The constant flow of inaccuracies about the GMT-355 twins pains me, and it pains me to the point where I feel the need to forego hour’s worth of study hall time this past week…
Last reply by jmore1276, -
- 30 replies
- 9.6k views
Saturn’s Revolution: Why I think it’ll become GM’s hottest brand -VarianceJ30 October 14, 2005 Debuting in 1990, Saturn was made to be General Motors’ lower-end import fighter. Saturns were a unique breed in many respects. With their spaceship-like styling and space age dent-resistant polymer body panels, one would think the name “Saturn” was indicative of where they came from. GM established a plant specifically for making Saturns, Spring Hill. They had unique engine and platform shared with no other GM vehicles. Lastly, the dealership experience at Saturn differed from everyone else in that they employed a “no-haggle” policy with their cars. Basically, the p…
Last reply by Newbiewar, -
- 29 replies
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Bring it back, Bobby. Making the case for a great awakening. October 16, 2005 A Tama Editorial I DRIVE A TRUCK. I drive a truck because I need a truck. I need the last vestige of rear wheel drive in the Detroit stable. I need to carry stuff. I need to tow stuff. I need to drive where the pavement ends. And I need a vehicle with some balls. By dammit, I need my truck. I WANT A CAR. I want a car because I need a car. I have a girlfriend. I have a phone bill. I have insurance payments. I have to get to school and to work. And now I cannot afford gas. By dammit, I need a car. Catering to one need, my occupation in general contracting essentially …
Last reply by Slick_Holden, -
- 1 reply
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General Motors on the Advertising Attack -VarianceJ30 October 25, 2005 GM has released some impressive products as of late: *The totally overhauled Chevy Impala complete with a SS version with a 303-horsepower V8... *The Miata-fighting Pontiac Solstice roadster... *Not to mention the current king of the hill, the Chevy Corvette Z06. However, as it is with most any product, they all require one key element to aid sales (ok, the Z06 probably needs no help)... ...advertisement. Advertisement is the means through which companies showcase their products to the public. This is done via television, radio, newsprint, and radio. General Motors spends $…
Last reply by AAS, -
Are “Give Backs” Worth It?
by Guest Josh- 1 follower
- 38 replies
- 11.3k views
We all know my stance and opinions on the UAW (and Unions in general) and General Motors. I’m a firm believer in that the company and the membership can work side by side for the greatest cause, providing good pay for hard work. After all, that is the American Way as classified by our founding fathers. We are all raised in the sense that to achieve something, we must work to achieve it. The UAW had paved the way that “30 and out” is a very real possibility. You work 30 years, you are eligible for retirement with full pension, health benefits, employee pricing opportunities and the like. The UAW has also worked for its members to ensure a somewhat comfortable lifestyle m…
Last reply by LS1powered_Z28, -
- 26 replies
- 7.7k views
About a month ago, before C&G went down, me and my cousin Jim (Aka Montana on this site) Went ona trip to the Gm Oshawa plant to check out some of Gm's new models. Particullarly, the Pontiac Solstice. Now we have all heard about Gm improving thier products, some people like Gm's new line of products, others despise the bread-and-butter fwd sedans but love the new sports cars coming out of Gm. Now on my trip to Oshawa with my cousin (Thanks for the transportation) I investigate Gm's new offerings, some upclose and every detail on the car, (Solstice) and others that just got a snapshot. (Torrent) I hope C&G enjoys looking at these pictures, and I h…
Last reply by Paolino, -
C&G @ The 2nd Annual Gratiot Cruise
by Guest Josh- 0 replies
- 3.3k views
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