More GM Woes

[Dick W.]

From Automotive News Today

GM says it may kill off one of its brands

Reuters / March 23, 2005

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DETROIT -- General Motors, which issued a shock profit warning last week and has been losing market share, may phase out one of its weaker car brands if sales fail to meet projections, company Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said on Wednesday.

[Clem Z.]

Re: More GM Woes

all GM cars look alike from the front,too much wind tunnel time used to design the cars. being a car guy i can not tell the different models of pontiacs because they all use the same fronr end. even if the new D/C cars look like old checker cabs with a chopped top when you see one coming down the road you know what it is. try that with a GM car

[Wayne K.]

You know the old saying Clem......

stand them upside down and they all look the same.

[Clem Z.]

Re: You know the old saying Clem......

some just smile wider that others.

[Chris H.]

Re: More GM Woes

I do not quite agree on all GM cars looking the same but it sure seems like there are a lot of cars out there that look like Audis. The new Ford 500 and Mercury whateever it is look exactly the same and they look just like the Audi's. You almost would think they had the same designers:) Audi lookalikes include the Maxima/Altima/Accord. Sort of wedge like with somewhat flat sides. No curvature on the body sides. There is some differences in the greenhouses.

It is GM's turn in the barrel. The 3 domestics take turns. Hopefully GM will make it.

Chris

[Ralph Harlan]

Re: More GM Woes

You're right - the C6 from head-on looks like the last camaro - hard to tell when it is coming at you which one it is!

[Clem Z.]

Re: More GM Woes

a lot of the C-6 styling was dictated by the rules the C-6R must race under. the open grill is needed to cool the new ZO-6 engine because the way the C-5 picked up air was from the road,all bottom feeder, there was a problem of the heat in the road surface getting to the rad

[Joe L.]

Re: More GM Woes

Dick-----

I would think that would mean that either Saturn or Pontiac would go. If they both went, that would get GM down to about the same configuration as Ford. They'd have Chevrolet and Cadillac/Buick just like Fomoco has Ford and Lincoln/Mercury.

The other recent announcement regarding the dropping of the Zeta platform is really just as alarming. That platform is the only one that promises for a resurgence of exciting cars. Without those cars, I don't see much in GM's future.

So, now, with my hopes for the future dashed, that new Mustang is starting to look beter-and-better to me.

[Dick W.]

Re: More GM Woes

The article that I read stated that they are just delaying production of the new rear wheel drives, not shelving the project. Time will tell. Another article talked about the underwhelming success of the XLR. Seems that GM cannot introduce new winners. Lutz's influnce should start showing up shortly. Hopefully that will put some life back in the product line.

Automotive News today did a short blurb on the new Mustang GT...450 or more horsepower for about $40,000. I believe that they talked about 2006 intro for it. I do not pay much attention to the F..d articles.

[Joe L.]

Re: More GM Woes

Dick----

By delaying the Zeta products, it puts the actual product launch of these vehicles so far out there that it's practically meaningless. By that time, the Zeta architecture will likely be obsolete, anyway. So, for all practical purposes, as it stands now, we'll be talking about the Zeta SUCCESSOR platform. Assuming that there is one.

I was just thinking the other day that I've not seen more than 1 or 2 XLR's on the road since they've been on sale. Actually, it's a very nice car but, all things considered, it may be the answer to the question that no one asked.

[Don 42616]

Re: More GM Woes

GM is not making the stars they used to. Long time thats why the Asian cars are the best selling in US.

[Don 42616]

Re: More GM Woes *NM*

[Dick W.]

Re: More GM Woes

Joe,they seem to be answering a lot of questions that no one asked. SSR is a classic example. Overpriced, underpowered. It seems that they tried to take a page out of Damlier Chryslers speciality car book and copy it, but somehow got the index mixed up. Lutz influenced cars will be coming on line shortly. It will be interesting to see how much influence he really has.

The success or failure of the XLR could affect the Corvette since with out the Cadillac, the plant is running at nowhere capacity, but then again with the present XLR it still is way below capacity. The newest version, I cannot remember the designation, is due out shortly. Maybe it will spark some life into the car

[Gary Bishop]

Re: More GM Woes/CANADA

About 2 weeks ago GM announced a large investment with the government about retooling a Plant in Oshawa as well as in research with Universities. Two days ago they announced that the investment has been cancelled as well now there will be a very large layoff of Management.

I also heard from a recent retiree that GM - Canada is using a company in Jamaica to do the T4s (forms for filing income for your income tax). Because of this there has been major mistakes and foul ups.

[cc walker]

Re: More GM Woes

two days ago harley-davidson shares were trading higher than GM.