IbuyGM

Razoredge, Does it matter whose money it is? Even if its the parent's money, those same parents will fork over money so their kid can get the car they desire. So yes, it makes sense to target the younger generation, just like the Tobacco company did. You ever seen such shows on MTV as My Sweet Sixteen. Not one parent got there kid a GM, it BMW, Mercedes... even a Toyota. And I know this show is the extreme but GM does not need to forget out about the 18-24, because this generation will be buying cars longer than their predecessors.

Wow, calling 18-24 unelightened. Yeah, thats what a lot of people think. 1. This age groupd accounts for over 1billion dollars of spending a year 2. Have not really established themselves with any particular car company, yet because still driving first car given by parents. 3. Ran into a lot of 18-24 yr olds who know a hell of a lot about GM and other car businesses. 4. Just because they cant tell you the 0-60 time of every GM car ever produced does not make them unelightened. 5. The axis site shows nothing of GM, so hopefully these kids helped, come on, you expect the changes to have happened that fast 6. The 18-24 age group is the future 7. 18-24 age group is very intelligent and has grown up in the computer age. There are some who are so smart they can hack into websites. It was a 18-24 yr old that hacked into Al-Jazzeer and put an american flag on it after 9-11. 8. The earning potential for 18-24 years old is higher than for any other demographic, so its smart of GM to go after them. 9. More would speak up on this site, except for the fact that the so called experts and what not berate them and feel they cant bring anything to the table because they are young. And from what I read, the young ones are on the ball a lot, its just that most of the community doesnt want to read it, because if it doesnt involve RWD or bringing back the Camaro, then there is no other possible fix for GM. Which by the way, most people are not in the market for a Camaro, look at the hottest selling vehicles. 10. 18-24 year olds will some day be your boss.

Its about time GM asked the future what they like. Too bad its high school students and they dont tap into the resources of interns and co-ops they hire throughout the US. The younger generation has grown up on Honda and Toyota and as they get older, will buy nicer vehicles from these brands. GM did okay with the cobalt but its still expensive. If GM cut 10-15% off all vehicle prices, especially the SUV's they would sell like hot cakes. Applaud to GM for talking with the youth, now hopefully you listen to what they have to say

A Portrait of My Industry The Wall Street Journal By Rick Wagoner (Commentary) Dec. 6, 2005 DETROIT – Since mid-October, General Motors has announced plans to cease production at 12 North American manufacturing facilities and eliminate 30,000 jobs by 2008; trim $1 billion in net material costs in 2006; and, in cooperation with the United Automobile Workers, reduce GM's retiree health-care liabilities by $15 billion, or about 25 percent, for an annualized expense reduction of $3 billion. The reason for these dramatic actions is no secret: GM has lost a lot of money in 2005, due to rapidly increasing health-care and raw-material costs, lower sales volumes and a weaker sales mix -- essentially, we've sold fewer high-profit SUVs and more lower-profit cars. What is less clear is why things turned sour so fast for GM, as well as for other American automakers and suppliers. To put it another way, why are so many foreign automakers and suppliers doing well in the United States, while so many U.S.-based auto companies are not? Despite public perception, the answer is not that foreign automakers are more productive or offer better-quality or more fuel-efficient vehicles. In this year's Harbour Report, which measures manufacturing productivity, GM plants took three of the top five spots in North America, including first place. In the latest J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, GM's Buick and Cadillac ranked among the top five vehicle brands sold in America, ahead of nameplates like Toyota, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz. And GM offers more models that get over 30 miles per gallon (highway) than any other automaker. In fact, this kind of operating performance makes GM's recent financial performance all the more frustrating. The fact is, we're building the best cars and trucks we've ever built at GM, our products are receiving excellent reviews, and we're running the business in a globally competitive manner. Outside of North America, we're setting sales records. In fact, for the first time in our history, we will sell more cars and trucks this year outside the United States than inside, aided in no small part by our market-leading performance in China. So why, fundamentally, are GM and the U.S. auto industry struggling right now? Intense competition, for one. The global auto business grows tougher every year, and we accept that. Our ability to compete has made us the world's No. 1 automaker for 74 consecutive years, and we're fighting hard to stay on top. Beyond that, our performance in the marketplace has not been what we've wanted it to be. While we've been strong in truck sales, we've been weaker in cars, and, yes, the recent surge in gas prices hurt sales. While we've led in technologies like OnStar, we've lagged in others like hybrid vehicles. Rest assured, we're working hard to address the areas where we lag. Simply put, we are committed to doing a better job of designing, building and selling high-quality, high-value cars and trucks that consumers can't wait to buy. No excuses. We will step up our performance in this regard. But competition and marketplace performance are not the whole story. To fully understand why GM and the U.S. auto industry are struggling right now, we have to understand some of the fundamental challenges facing American manufacturing in general -- challenges well beyond the control of any single company. There are those who ask if manufacturing is still relevant for America. My view: You bet it is! Manufacturing generates two-thirds of America's R&D investment, accounts for three-fourths of our exports, and creates about 15 million American jobs. And the auto industry is a big part of that, accounting for 11 percent of American manufacturing, and nearly 4 percent of U.S. GDP. Together, GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler invest more than $16 billion in research and development every year -- more than any other U.S. industry. And GM, alone, supports more than one million American jobs. So what are the fundamental challenges facing American manufacturing? One is the spiraling cost of health care in the United States. Last year, GM spent $5.2 billion on health care for its U.S. employees, retirees and dependents – a staggering $1,525 for every car and truck we produced. And the figure is going up again this year. Foreign automakers have just a fraction of these costs, because they have few, if any, U.S. retirees, and in their home countries their governments fund a much greater portion of employee and retiree health-care costs. Some argue that we have no one but ourselves to blame for our disproportionately high health-care "legacy costs." That kind of observation reminds me of the saying that no good deed going unpunished. That argument, while appealing to some, ignores the fact that American automakers and other traditional manufacturing companies created a social contract with government and labor that raised America's standard of living and provided much of the economic growth of the 20th century. American manufacturers were once held up as good corporate citizens for providing these benefits. Today, we are maligned for our poor judgment in "giving away" such benefits 40 years ago. Another factor beyond our control is lawsuit abuse. Litigation now costs the U.S. economy more than $245 billion a year, or more than $845 per person. That's more than 2 percent of our GDP. No other country has costs anywhere near this level. And the perverse thing is that, in many cases, the majority of courtroom settlements go to the lawyers and other litigation costs, not to the injured parties. Another major concern is unfair trading practices, especially Japan's long-term initiatives to artificially weaken the yen. A leading Japanese automaker reports that for each movement of one yen against the dollar, it gains 20 billion yen in additional profitability -- or nearly $170 million at today's exchange rate. No wonder Japanese automakers have noted their recent record profits were aided by exchange rates. And no wonder the U.S. trade-balance deficit continues to grow by leaps and bounds. There are other issues, of course, but my point is this: We at GM have a number of tough challenges that we must and will address on our own -- but we also carry some huge costs that our foreign competitors do not share. Some say we're looking for a bailout. Baloney -- we at GM do not want a bailout. What we want -- after we take the actions we are taking, in product, technology, cost and every area we're working in our business today -- is the chance to compete on a level playing field. It's critical that government leaders, supported by business, unions and all our citizens, forge policy solutions to the issues undercutting American manufacturing competitiveness. We can do this. And we need to do it now. Really suprised I have not seen this at a topic yet. Wagoner wrote this and gave it to the WSJ. I have opinions about this, but wondering what you all think of this.

My mistake. Thanks for pointing that out.

I agree that I hope this site doesnt turn into GMI. My kettering degree means nothing, well not as much as a GMI would have. I also own an Aztek and I love it. GM did a bang up job on that one, and the back end is pretty cool, I can hook a tent up to it. But seriously, I see the problem in these threads alone. We have 6+ pages of Ford vs the Asian competitors and noone even brings up the Pontiac G6, the Chevy Malibu (well except me), the Chevy Impala, Cadillac CTS( at current deals, you can get one really cheap), Pontiac Grand Prix, and etc... How can we blame the media for not liking GM, when us, the biggest fans and toughest critics couldnt even throw one of the General's vehicles into the equation. No wonder why people dont think of GM, we don't either. And with all the guests visiting this site, they see what we wrote and probably think a Camry or 500 is great to get, because we listed all the features and pros for them. Just my two cents.

Shouldnt this be a topic under maybe other competitors. This one is about GMNA undergoing major capacity reduction. Lets get back on track

Shouldn't you all be buying GM. Try a Malibu. That is midsize and the next generation one looks unbelievable.

balthazaar, Import vehicles are not better by any stretch of anyones imagination. GM has the most vehicles with over 30mpg on freeway. We lead the SUV and truck segment with best mpg. The plants win Harbour reports all the time, I think GM has 3 in a row. Most of our vehicles are best in segment. The PPH on most vehicles is low. I think SUV are just above 100. Our performance is better, our quality is better, our selection is better. The media is somewhat against GM. Just wait and see neysayer. The GMT 900 will be a huge success along with other launches. And Toyota is starting to realize the problems we used to have, demand increases and now their quality is decreasing. But the media did not make as big of mention about that, even though it was one of the biggest recalls ever. WE BUILD WORLD CLASS VEHICLES EFFECTIENLY AND EFFECTIVELY. WE ARE THE LEADERS, and to keep that way, the General made some cuts. You have to do what you have to do. GM will dominate again. People are slowly and surely realizing Toyota builds poor quality.

The new products at Osh #2 have to be the long awaited Camaro, another RWD for Pontiac, and possibly, from what I hear, a Nova concept. That plant should be retooled for the RWD coming out model year 08-09

Boz2370 I did not read any article on Wall Street Journal. This is from what I heard. I know the local union and management have a not so great working relationship at time and I also know that the building is 80yrs old. Janesville is on the list for a lot of reasons, not all I would like to digress into. And also, GM has put money into other plants before and then decide to close them anyways. There was a plant in NY that all this million dollars worth of equipment was bought and while the plant was putting it up, GM came and said start taking it down. Just because someone is awarded a vehicle does not make it safe. This is a problem, everyone thinks it is not going to happen to them, so therefore no changes are made to keep a plant competitive. Also, I do not regergitate facts from something I read. I have never read the WSJ. By the way, I know Wilmington is getting new products but someone mentioned that they might be on the list. I agree with Evok, the only plant in the next 12 months that will probably close or still stay idle will not affect GM a ton.

Hudson and Evok, yes some is speculation. However, Doraville and Janesville are not suprising. OK City is because they were just awarded a new vehicle line up. That poor bartender in Janesville though. He will be all alone in that parking lot if/when Janesville closes. Bet ya he wishes he would have sold that bar now. Flint will not close, that is the only thing keeping Flint alive right now, also it build the GMT 800 (as people have pointed out). And it is getting ready for the 900. Here is my speculation for closings, Janesville Doraville Lansing Craft Center and for you insiders I hear rumbles about Spring Hill (but doubtful to me) Oh and for everyone with the Camaro, its in the works as a model for NAIAS. Also, keep your eyes open for a possible Chevy Nova concept esque vehicle. Something to compete with the Dodge Magnum

THE GMT 900's will still come out as planned no matter what happens.

I am not against critiquing. Bashing however, yes I am against. I just read the threads and see that, in general, no one can make up their minds about what GM should do. But, this will get us completely off topic. The GMT 900 rules.

God here is the problem with GM. Yeah, the Union costs is a big part of it, but it us, the consumers. We cannot make up our frickin mind. And for everyone on this board (your thinking), GM wont be great again until a new Camaro comes out. This will not help GM at all. The Camaro is a niche product, its not a vehicle everyone is going to want. Just like the Escalade because not everyone can afford it. Remember, GM went after the people who will by the Escalade, Hollywood and sports figures, and they love it, as seen by the party thrown by Adrien Brody. I have seen all three vehicles first hand, and the Escalade by far has the most intriguing sytle and interior of the three. All three GMT 900 vehicles will sell to three different markets, because there are three different stylings. Of course, they are going to be similiar, because it would be to expensive and a b*tch in production to deal with three different parts of everything, programming of robots, etc. and thus, not cost effective. The Escalade is and will be the benchmark of luxury. You do not hear songs about the QX235 (whatever it is) rolling in bling, or a Toyota Sequioa (Lexus). No, its the Escalade. We should feel pride that the General took three SUV's and redefined transportation in style. Really, has anyone seen the new Ford Explorer (talk about boredom). I believe in free speech and I guess bashing GM can be allowed on this site, but really, if you feel that need, go somewhere else. We are the true, knowledgeable fans of GM. WE SHOULD NOT JUMP ON AND OFF THE GM BANDWAGON. We should stay true to the General through good and bad. And good is about to come. GM has a lot in the works, vehicles that will blow your mind. I mean, we have all seen the new Saturn small SUV. 2006 NAIAS is going to blow our minds away. The GMT 900 has been well executed and I looked forward to seeing it progress into a Hybrid and leading the US in sales.

Really you haters of the new Escalade, it is unbelievable. Just sit down in the front seat, even people over 6ft will be comfortable (dont judge size by pics), and put the pedal to the floor. The engine sounds fricken sweet. It looks great on the inside, especially with the black on black material. And wait until you see the interior lights on the IP. This is truly high class and will for sure take out all the competition. Cadillac did one heck of a job with this one. Every baller and blinger is going to want one, and any mid-life crisis man, and of course rich soccer moms. By the way, look at the headlights, INTIMIDATION. Oh, and who can forget, the automatic trunk door and automatic hitch cover. Lutz and Wagoner, GM is coming back. Thank you for succeeding 100% in the GMT 900. I cannot wait for the trucks.

Definitely not the new Escalade grill. There will be no confusing the GMT 900 Escalade. It is that bad A$$. Every baller is going to want one.

I dont see why everyone keeps saying it is the new Tahoe. we have seen what that looks like. Only possible way it could be is if it is the new Hybrid or the SS version. However, looking at the vague, and I mean vague picture, it looks to me like new Colorado SS. Has anyone though that this picture is rather old. It looks like, based on the other pics with the two guys fitting something that it is a Tahoe because when the Tahoe was first being worked on, GM had a lot of issues with the front fender to headlight fit. It could be anything.

Okay, it doesnt matter regardless, because they cannot officially sold until January 1st, 2006 to be classified as 2007.

Saleable units have been made. Also, the dates are off for start of production, some of them, not all.

The Old Tahoe and new Tahoe are different exteriorly. The doors are 8inches longer and the crease in the middle of the doors is non existance. The rear quarter panels have been redesigned. The only thing that is similiar from the 800 to 900 is the floorpan. There is also a slight design difference in the windows, but what do you want the windows to look like? It is a great vehicle, no doubt.

GM crushes the competition. Bring on the hybrid.

They already do,

New Pontiac GTO

Allright Razoredge, I see page 3 now. I looked over that page many of times. Honest mistake to miss it. Thanks for responding. The Jungle is a book about the working conditions of the meat packing industry in the early 20th century. Its quite provocative. You should read it, will really put your job into perspective. And once again, why do you resort to name calling. I thought we were all civilized adults on this website. Oh well. I can admit i am wrong for missing that post.