FUTURE_OF_GM

Apparently God has been listening to my prayers. (Nah... That's wrong for me to say) I'm so happy to see Toyota suffer though

+1 I can't help but agree on that. Okay... Let me provide a bit more rational and less passion induced response: I agree with you. But my point is; GM didn't make these decisions out of stupidity and negligence. They made them out of a desire to turn a short term profit so that the company didn't immediately sink. And what makes me so angry is that america and Wall Street were HAPPY to ride the gravy train that resulted from those decisions. But now, being the hypocritical people that we've become, we have nothing but disdain and reprimand for this company for the very same decisions. The entire mantra in america is "MUST HAVE NOW" and Wall Street and business schools are the WORST proprietors of this mindset. No company (Unless it wants to be blackballed from existence on 'the street') can think for the long term, because our culture demands constant growth and instant results. Nowhere is this more prevalent than our PRECONCEPTION that our economy and GDP will continue to grow yearly, despite the state of our consumers and our manufacturing/jobs. Well, we learned the hard way on that one. I'm not defending GM. They f*cked up big time ( and continue to in a lot of ways) I'm merely trying to paint an explanation as to why they act the way they do. And I'm trying to illustrate that it's not always as black and white as it seems on the surface. And that is my point. GM is a business and the opportunity for immediate and substantial margins clouded their perception of reality and what reality would become. Once again, from a business standpoint, which is easier? Slapping a bunch of cladding on an already profitable GMT800 platform or developing entire new architectures for cars that won't even TOUCH the margin of a Hummer even in perfect market conditions. Was it the right thing to do? Hell no. But I understand why GM did it. And therein lies the lack of foresight. The media is partially to blame... Like it or not, the media, an INCREASINGLY small and tight knit entity at that, (Mainly New York and Los Angeles) CONTROLS perception and pop culture. The facts are there. The media can say whatever it wants enough times and most people will believe it. Why else would GM still be fighting perception wars on all fronts? The products have been good for 10-15 years now. Are people blind to facts? Absolutely not... But Detroit sowed the seeds for pre-conceived notions of poor reliability and negative image LONG AGO and the media continues to capitalize on that despite it being flat out wrong and despite it threatening roughly 3.5 million americans livelihood. Do I want a media that praises everything Detroit does? Hell no. What I want is fairness and enough DEPTH on the part of journalists that they comprehend the facts and scenarios that they write about and how that relates to someone besides their "circle" or demographic.

But I think that's the plan anyway as GM forsakes everything that makes it successful in it's attempt to emulate THE GREAT ONE.

All of those posers and rap stars in the middle east? And, I think Hummer was an EXCELLENT investment. When the H2 broke big GM was making HUGE margins on the Hummer brand. It wasn't until the b*tches in the media found the weak spot in the divisions armor and started exploiting it every chance they got that Hummer became transformed into everything we americans should supposedly hate. Mileage and efficiency aren't apples and oranges... And if we ARE going to try and justify apples and oranges, it seems that 1) the failure of Nissan, a full line brand and arguably THE hottest brand of the early 00s to succeed in a market that they (according to the media) were supposed to make huge inroads into is a much bigger story. And 2) The fact that a major manufacturer is losing it's ass on core products is a MUCH better story than a division that sells to 3% of the population and shares the stable with 7 other divisions that can offset it's loss. It's bias, plain and simple. It's what will kill GM and the rest of Detroit. They cannot win this game because too many people have too much power over their success.

I've never really understood the point of the whole "Girls Gone Wild" stuff... I mean, call me desensitized, but who in the hell would pay for softcore when so much hardcore is a free click away on the net?

I say we keep it. GM's problem has NEVER been too many brands... GM's problem is a lack of focus for those brands and poor leadership/management.

Wilmington, maybe? (Will be dead when the Kappas are moved or quited)

I would expect the supposedly "diverse" and "accepting" members of our society to mind their own business, not judge people based on something so shallow and let people buy what they want. But alas... This is america: land of the hypocrite, home of the spoiled. It just makes me sick that the land of the free isn't actually free at all. In fact it's becoming more socialist by the day as we're expected to act, think and purchase a specific way. LOL, yeah right... So, you confirm my theory as fact (by your above response) then renege the entire argument as that's in my head alone? LOL. No... These stereotypes aren't thrown around ALL he time in the media and on the blogs (even this very forum) But it's my own ignorance and not the fault of anyone else or universally accepted truth I think I'll add an inability to accept reality as a fundamental flaw in the character of the typical american. Sweep it under the rug... The economy isn't going to crash. Bury my head in the sand... the housing market isn't going anywhere. Look the other way... We don't need manufacturing. It's a denial of responsibility that has become status quo for this nation and it seeps all the way down to our very basic view of life. I agree Sadly... I agree with that too.

http://pontiacunderground.typepad.com/blog...-rewarded-.html That's a very sweet car!

LMFAO..... Especially after blu's comment. (seriously, tears)

Bingo! Saturn ISN'T Oldsmobile... Saturn ISN'T Opel... Saturn IS small cars. (which I guess would be Opel too... But you get the picture ) GM needs to be: Chevrolet, Buick/GMC, Cadillac, Pontiac & Saturn. Or, Chevrolet, Buick/GMC, Cadillac, Pontiac & Saab. They need small car expertise and a brand that isn't 'traditional Detroit'

Somehow???? SOMEHOW?!?!?!? Yeah, it became that because the media decided to attach that image to the brand because it was successful... Remember kids, EVERY domestic brand that sees success MUST be assigned a negative stereotype (by the media) to quell that success. Hummer is for baby killing hedonistic pricks... Pontiac is the redneck brand (which is why I love it so much, naturally, ) Cadillacs only sell to black people (and Chryslers only sell to poor black people or 'gangstas') Buicks are for old people, as are Lincolns... The list goes on.... Good!

Yes... And we do have a janitor position open if you're interested in applying. Don't worry, english isn't the first language of the other janitors either. (J/K)

Well... Not exactly. I'm actually very shy and very easy to get along with. (Take the persona that I have here on the forum and dial it back about 4 notches) However, my policy (as it is on here) has always been HONESTY at all costs because I really hate "fake" and shallow people. I was raised to be honest and I'm going to tell people how I feel whether they like it or not. When I get abrasive is when I'm passionate about something and people spout stupidity or try to challenge me. Funny, I was at work the other night and the manager pissed me off. He said; "You better watch your mouth, *** isn't going to appreciate you saying that" to which I replied "I say what the f*ck I want to around here and if people don't like it, they can go to h*ll." (This is a simplified version of the story, he had riled me up pretty bad prior to this, which explains why I was angry enough to us that language) That was a prime example of someone challenging me and bringing out my abrasive side. i felt like a jackass a couple of days later, but I have serious issues about censoring my opinions/views simply to not 'upset the balance' (Granted, if what I say is really going to hurt someone, then obviously I WILL censor myself) That sounds like a typical urban environment in the south.

It's very hard to quit.... My dad smoked for years. Every time he would lay them down, something with his job would stress him out and he'd pick them back up. (80 hours a week, no help and peoples lives depending on you will do that) I'm currently (unsuccessfully) trying to kick my soft drink habit, so I can somewhat relate. I have a lot of OCD characteristics in my personality and because of that, I look to certain things for COMFORT when reality ain't so good. (News flash (to me): OCD characteristics mean that things have to be perfect and NOTHING is ever perfect. Therefore, I must be "comforted" constantly) I drink WAY too many soft drinks and eat WAY to many sweets and that has to stop. I'm not going to say how many. (Partially because I don't want to be judged and partially because I don't want to face THE SAME reality that makes me poison myself on a daily basis... An imperfection) I've put a lot of thought into it and other addictions. My best friend is a raging alcoholic and shares A LOT of the same personality traits as me. I've contemplated the words "slow suicide" and at one point, I almost came to accept and rationalize that. "Yeah, maybe I am committing slow suicide, but what does it matter, life by-in-large sucks anyway and EVERYONE must have their crutch" But then I realized how hopeless that train of thought was and have since stop thinking about it in terms of a rational choice. I've had this problem before too. Back in the darker days of my life I had a really bad liquor habit. I'd come home from school or work and start hitting the bottle. Luckily, I caught that one before it spun completely out of control and put an end to it. And that's one of the reasons, to this day, that I will RARELY drink more than a couple of shots when I go out. Oh well, sorry to ramble, but hopefully it makes you guys feel like you're not alone, even if it is from a different perspective. As a part of Relay For Life, we promote NC Quitline very heavily. A lot of people say that it works and has helped them kick the habit. I know you guys are not in NC, but FWIW: http://www.quitlinenc.com/

Ironic, given my jekyl and hyde personality and posting style. (half good, half evil) Not to mention my love of the number 3 and who it used to represent. I do miss the first board though... I think I was either the 7th or 11th member to join here at C&G. (Can't remember exactly)

We have Geese and Deer at my campus (Our campus is HUGE and mostly wooded -- it's out away from the city) The Geese are such a pain in the ass. I witnessed a fight one day as well, which was fun. But for some reason, they don't like me too much. I'll be walking by them on a pathway and one is almost always guaranteed to hiss or run and flap it's wings. The deer aren't as annoying, but they're EVERYWHERE. One of my GF's architecture teachers is Canadian (He's a real fruit loop) He pissed off a students in a critique once and the student said "Why don't you go back to Canada.... And take you're f*cking geese with you) Everyone laughs about it now... I about fell out of my chair. The guy hates/won't even talk to me. I mean after all, I'm a big moutain man 'ignant consevative' (In that building I automatically become a bible thumping conservative, just because I love to piss the uber libs off)

Lost all respect for the guy when he started selling Ridgelines. Apparently, Chuck Norris has now grown a p***y

Nah... Actually, I voted GM Truck. But not in the traditional sense. LaNeve keeps talking about some sort of car/truck vehicle to replace the Colorado and Canyon. If "properly equipped" maybe that could be your way out of the ST blues.

Camry Hybrid... (Then you can feel good about SAVING THE PLANET and FITTING IN) And BTW, it'll be tan...

Hence "could" and not would.

Don't see this on Yahoo or any of the big news outlets. But anytime someone farts in Detroit, it's headline material.

Yeah... Keep dreaming I admit that Cadillac still needs work, but it has DEFINITELY surpassed Saab in terms of image... Hell, it was never even as low as Saab in the first place.

That's an awesome website! Yeah, I've been here off and on for about 3 years now. I like the place, but I still haven't been around uptown that much. It's certainly a lot better than it's reputation in NC (and maybe beyond) paint it to be. When you tell someone from NC that you live in Charlotte, they look at you like you're crazy.