FUTURE_OF_GM

DISCLAIMER: Just because I'm grinding an axe about the G8 and how well it is doing doesn't mean I think that GM needs a whole line up of RWD V8 large cars. This is merely an interesting comparison. cz28 Not to mention, every G8 sold is profitable. The G8 and Solstice do well because THEY are true to the image of what Pontiac represents to the public. (The Vibe is probably doing well because it's new and competitive... And a Toyota ) I don't really understand why Gm is so surprised about Saturn being down either. I mean, with all of the cut or sell talk, they're shooting themselves in the foot. POSTED by guionM (who posts here sometimes as well)

Well, chalk it up to another nail in GM's coffin... I didn't always agree with Lutz, but his influence will be sorely missed as GM circles the toilet bowl.

No kidding... I could look at that for days.

That Aston is sweet! I like the Morgan as well.

I think the school of thought within GM, regarding the previous products (last gen CTS, last Malibu, current G6,etc.) was to emmulate the Japanese by buidling a value based car (the first generation) and "growing the buyer and car" together. i.e. Sell them their first CTS for cheap (because that's the only way the intended customer will consider it) and then, with the next generation, correct the size to value equation (we're starting to see this with the current CTS and Malibu) I remember a GM memo where they said that they were going to "grow" the Epsilon cars like like the asians grew their volume sellers. (Camry, Accord, Corolla, etc.) I figured the next CTS would become a true 5 series competitor, and Cadillac's top car (for now -- replacing both the last gen CTS and STS) and the BTS would be about 3 series sized.

That's all irrelevant. I'm talking about image. In most peoples eyes Cadillac = the best (or did at one time) That's why pop culture includes the phrase "XX is the 'Cadillac' of XX" The identity is there (in our minds) but the image that the current products convey does not complement it.

I don't know about all of that... Cadillac can be that again if GM would just get off it's ass and commit to a direction for the division. At one point, people thought Lexus couldn't compete with the germans either. On performance and dynamics, they still don't, but as far as snob appeal, they certainly do. GM's problem as a whole manifests itself in what Cadillac has become. GM is so concerned with trying to copy, emulate and BE other companies that it has turned it's back on what it was and all of the positives that come with the equity of all its brands (yes, we all know the negatives too) Cadillac was always distinctly american... It was AMERICA'S take on what luxury should be. Why can't it be that again? Why should GM shun and be ashamed of what Cadillac was in it's greatest moments? (And that goes for all of the other divisions as well) What I'm trying to say is, I agree with you about Cadillac playing on its own strengths, but it can do that and offer a different flavor of luxury (as opposed to trying to BE BMW) and still produce world class automobiles that can compete with the Germans. This sort of 'identity crisis' has been perpetuated throughout GM and is one reason, IMO, that the consumer now shys away from GM. They don't know what division means what, what division sells what and whether said division is even going to be around in 2 years.

I hope none of these are reposts:

I agree... GM has been so bad at focusing it's divisions. With 8 brands, GM should be able to cover the market and then some. But for some reason, the company seems to think that every brand must sell the same car and market to the same clientele. They've essentially been committing suicide for 20 years now. It makes me so angry to see resources squandered so badly by management that apparently isn't even smart enough to see the freight train that was heading for the company 3 years ago.

LOL. The stupidity of our "leaders" absolutely amazes me more and more each day.

I can see that. Actually, that's how I totalled one of my cars. The light was malfunctioning and flashing yellow in my direction (which means go with caution) and flashing red to the perpendicular traffic (which means stop, look and go) I was doing the speed limit (45) and an old lady ran her side of the light and I t-boned her. I was in the Starlet (Tercel) and she was in a Crown Vic. I ran up to see if she was okay and the first words out of her mouth were "What in the hell is your problem, did you not see me." I had to bite my tongue really hard. Then the cop had to spend 20 minutes explaining to her WHY she screwed up and why I wasn't being ticketed.

GM is scared like a little b*tch, so it's not going to introduce "another SUV?!?!? *GASP*" that the yuppies can whine about while it's submitting it's plan to Congress. So sad, that this corporation seems to have left it's balls back in 1999.

LOL, doesn't scare me at all. I'll shop elsewhere and say to hell with GM if it doesn't sell what I want. Need I remind you that my daily driver is NOT a GM vehicle?

I agree... But just as GM is not Toyota and should not pretend to be, GM is not Ford and should not pretend to be. If we forrfeit the fight enough to where we need only 2 divisions, GMs dead anyway (Or so damn small that it doesn't even matter anymore)

Hate to say it but I think GM, in it's infinite ignorance, has given up on cadillac as anything other than a Lincoln competitor. Think about it: No dedicated V8 or powertrains at all. No RWD for the CTS to move to. No replacement planned for either the STS or the DTS. No halo vehicle. Escalade becomes a corporate Lambda drone a la SRX and Theta. No alpha program to develop the line Cadillac dearly needs. No replacement for the ESV or EXT. The negatives just keep piling up. RE: Cadillac in Australia... So what? Who cares about Austrailia when their market is small and shrinking away from the vehicles Cadillac builds anyway. Cadillac couldn't provide anything Holden can't provide.

I always stop and wait, unless it's a very long amount of time. Here in NC, most of the lights used to go to flash mode around midnight. It was the greatest thing ever! I could make it all the way across town in a matter of minutes. Now, they've stopped doing that for some reason.

It doesn't count if the agenda is on the floor and if the relentless pushing is with a broom and dust pan. In all serious though, yes GME is exactly where it belongs (with Buick) IMO.

I think that's the sweetest Camaro I've seen! (Better pictures will do it justice) I would be perfectly fine with this being a sneak peek at the postponed Z/28 (Except, add the RS headlights.) And the Cenntenial Concept is bad ass!

Maybe Saab will play that role now (which makes sense on a lot of levels)

So, basically GM will be Ford? L-A-M-E... Count me out if this is the direction we're "advancing" the company.

+1... I guess they won't do it here because it would make too much damn sense and might actually cause GMNA to be successful.

I might make that move as well.

What's wrong with the HHR? It's unique, sells well and is efficient... (Can we seriously ban this guy now)

Even GM admits that the G8 is selling well, given the market environment. I'm so tired of people here thinking that ALL GM cars need to sell at Camry levels in order to be a success. That's the very point of GM, (and something I hope that GM remembers) they don't FORCE you to buy one car.