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http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/AUTO01/609260368/1148-
Rocky
Rocky
I think there's more longterm national identity with someone like MB in Germany...the company is effectively 120 years old, and they never had a really rough time like the domestics have in the past 30 years. So hordes of people never abandoned them, and they don't have to preach. MB tends to dwell on its own history rather than waving a flag.
Rocky
I have to agree, see story below. I believe the ad was pulled though.....
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A car dealership's planned radio advertisement that declared "a jihad on the automotive market" has drawn sharp criticism for its content but will not be changed, the business said Saturday.
Several stations rejected the Dennis Mitsubishi spot, which says sales representatives wearing "burqas" — head-to-toe traditional dress for Islamic women — will sell vehicles that can "comfortably seat 12 jihadists in the back."
"Our prices are lower than the evildoers' every day. Just ask the pope!" the ad says. "Friday is fatwa Friday, with free rubber swords for the kiddies." A fatwa is a religious edict.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
But look at all the free publicity they got.....
They also noted that a price increase on GMPP takes effect 10/1/2006.
If you go ahead and buy the GMPP from the get go, I think you get loaner/rental coverage on overnight repairs for the full term. It looks as if the prices go up maybe a $100 per year/12000 mile increment if you wait (looking at the class 3 like the 2wd Envoy). So it is just about a wash considering the cost of having your money tied up for the extra time.
I'm just getting nervous about owning a vehicle without warranty for too long a term. Most of these new vehicles have too much electronics and high tech stuff that is expensive to repair.
Yeah, it will work for the target market, who will then promptly install a gun rack in the rear window, and proceed to fill up the bed with beer cans.... and ironically, probably install a confederate rebel flag somewhere.
"I think there's more longterm national identity with someone like MB in Germany...the company is effectively 120 years old, and they never had a really rough time like the domestics have in the past 30 years."
Mercedes also exports a lot more cars than the US automakers do. You see them the world over; the middle east, Eastern Europe, Asia, South America, even Austrailia. And 'Patriotic Nationalism' in Germany pretty much went out with Hitler.
Rocky
Rocky
As well they should be, I think they build the most solid and best engineered cars in the world, the ones every other automaker uses as a benchmark to shoot for (MB for luxury and bank vault solidity, Audi for interior quality & design, and BMW for performance and driver involvement). I didn't mean to imply that the Germans aren't proud of who they are, just that they don't do the gung-ho flag waving fever that has become so prevailent here over the last decade...
So, does this mean that MB/BMW don't use the 'flag-waving' tactic to attract/keep buyers because they don't NEED to (due to a better product) or simply because such campaigns are beneath them?
Rather than discuss German built auto's, why not the French and Renault? I wonder if Renault ever uses any of the same type of 'flag-waving' nonsense to sell cars?
Rocky
Probably both....
"Rather than discuss German built auto's, why not the French and Renault?"
Well, probably because they don't sell cars here any more, and are no competition to GM, at least here in America.
"I wonder if Renault ever uses any of the same type of 'flag-waving' nonsense to sell cars?"
Of course not... they're from FRANCE!!! LOLOLOL
Rocky
Rocky
Great.....EVERYBODY'S a comedian. (rolls eyes....)
No, what I mean is, does Renault use 'patriotism' to sell FRENCH cars to the FRENCH......in FRANCE.
What I'm saying is that IMO GM using 'flag-waving' tactics to push product is by no means limited to either GM in particular or to American companies in general.
Parts of that view are about 20 years out of date, unless "best engineered" is now synonomous with "overly complicated and very expensive."
The solidity of a new Mercedes isn't what one could have expected from a Benz 20 years ago.
And when VW places either last or next-to-last on virtually every quality survey, and EVERYONE I know who owns a VW says it will be their last one...let's just say that "solid" and "well engineered" are not the first words that pop into my mind when someone says "VW."
As for how the Germans view the products of the home industry - my German relatives were quite candid in expressing their views about the latest from Mercedes and VW. They believe that the quality of both has declined markedly in the last 10 or so years.
At least they still have BMW and Porsche...
I haven't seen any foreign automobile ad campaigns centered on flag waving as they are here. Ford has done some Canadian-themed ads, especially for the F-series.
LOL at the red flag...
See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet....da da da Dina Shore
Not too many countries are as outwardly patriotic as Americans. I haven't seen any "patriotic" advertising in England.....most advertising tries to be clever, cute, or funny to get your interest. In Europe I think it would be embarassing to try to build flag waving into selling cars.
It is definitely lame to try to play the patriotic card. An American Revolution is kind of catchy, not so blatantly playing on patriotism.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I purchased an Oldsmobile in July 2002. GM offered all buyers a 60 month /60 thousand mile warranty to quell fears about buying from a soon to be defunct division. The assurance of the warranty was the main reason I took the risk of buying an Olds.
The car has been reasonably good but recently developed problems (leaks and broken electric windows) that needed dealer attention. As no Olds dealers exist anymore, GM orders you to take it to a Buick dealer. Thus I cannot go to the Chevy dealer at the end of the street.
The Buick dealer gave me the estimate of several hundred dollars for repairs. I said it was covered by my GM Protection Plan and dutifully read him the info from my GM Protection Plan issued card that confirms I have a 60month/60K miles warranty. The car is four years old and only has 26,000 miles (thus the problems are not from excessive use).
The Buick dealer checked his computer and said no such warranty is on the GM computer. He directed me to call the GM Protection Plan people. A call to GM Protection Plan got no where, they said I did not have a warranty. I asked them why I have a card from them as well as the paperwork from them and the dealer saying I have a warranty? They said that was between me and the dealer, who of course is non-existent as all Olds dealers are defunct. I offered to fax GM information showing them the protection plan documents they sent me, and the purchase information. GM Protection said they don't care and would not even give a fax number.
I asked to talk to a supervisor - they told me it was useless but agreed to put me into voice mail limbo.
In short, GM has absolved itself of any responsibility to uphold their protection plan for their car. Thus, anyone would be just plain foolish to base their buying decision on a GM warranty. Like me, a GM buyer may just be given a meaningless piece of plastic that says you have a GM warranty only to be denied later.
Any prospective buyers of cars from divisions that GM may eliminate like Oldsmobile, such as Buick or Saturn, should be exceedingly wary. Warranties are a good way to dump cars if there is no intention to honor the warranty. Like me, no dealer may be left to later verify your transaction or fix your car in the future.
As someone who has always bought American cars, I have bought the last GM product I will ever buy. It is not just the car, it is the service that counts in the long run.
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice - shame on me.
I just checked the website oldsmobile.com and they give an 800 number to call and say you can take your car to any GM dealer. They don't say it has to go to a Buick dealer.
Why don't you check with your "Chevy dealer at the end of the block" and see what they say.
You can always contact your attorney general about what to do about warranty if the local dealer doesn't satisfy you.
I note this was your first post and you just registered today. Welcome.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I don't see what GM gets from this deal in their current situation. Kerkorian and other large shareholders would be big winners.
I hadn't thought about GM's warranty being a challenge to Hyundai but you are probably right. The GM warranty is fully transferrable for its duration which should make used GM vehicles more attractive at resale time.
is very true. It is an accurate description of the 1987 MB model lineup.
Trouble is, the 07 model line is what is for sale in MB showrooms today.
Lucas electronics wrecked the British car industry. In their case it was terrible reliablity, not complicated controls.
Lucas was nicknamed 'the prince of darkness'. IIRC this came from a reviewer who had lights on a Jaguar turn off completely with no warning at high speed.
IMO new MB's are pretty solid too. Remember, some new models are a lot less expensive than ever before, and there is a lot more gadgetry. But 72% of all Mercedes sold in America are still on the road, so I think you are getting a lot of good solid car with great technology, for a fair price.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
America is asking you to call
Drive your Chevrolet through the USA
America's the greatest land of all
On a highway, or a road along the levy
Performance is sweeter, nothing can beat her
Life is completer in a Chevy
So make a date today to see the USA
And see it in your Chevrolet
Traveling East, Travelling West
Wherever you go Chevy service is best
Southward or North, near place or far
There's a Chevrolet dealer for your Chevrolet car
So make a date today to see the USA
And see it in your Chevrolet.
i have all fords, but i got my mom, now 75, to buy an '03 malibu after 40+ years of chrysler.
at 20k her brakes were vibrating. i told her to take it to the dealer to see what happens. they fixed the brakes no charge. it can be a tough balance. nobody wants to get taken advantage of; corporate, dealer, customer. any one can screw up the balance. i have hope.
1: I call all modern Mercedes "Plasti-Cedes" and for good reason. They have effectively sunk to Lexus levels, which while still good, isn't worth the ungodly premiums anymore.
2: Inline 6s save weight over a V6. Note that a 3.0L I-6 in the GS300 puts out about the same HP, withing maybe 5%, of a 3.5-3.8L V6. GM needs to shed weight off of its cars and fast. Going to inline engines is a total no-brainer for them, as is RWD.
I-6 engines can be made down to almost 2.0L in size and whomp on most 4s doing it. You don't need a 4L monster - you can get my with a small I6 and offer it as at least an upgrade to the pathetic GM 4s at no cost.
As for Buick - an nice I6 is refined. And that's exactly what GM needs right now. That the base Lucerne has that old of an engine in it is almost a crime. At least toss the i-6 that they make in it and then toss some VVT as well. 250HP and smooth as silk.
I'm not sure what drives so many French to drive Renaults, and Germans to drive MBs, etc. Maybe those car companies know their local markets better than foreign companies do?
or maybe it's because if you are at a MB dealer, they give the German buyer a much better price once the "foreign" buyer leaves the showroom
like Eddie Murphy dressed in white-face on the local bus (sorry if that cultural reference doesn't work for some of you guys). As soon as the French guy leaves the stuffy MB showroom in Munich, three of the "salesmen" pick up tubas and start playing some oompa-loompa, and the beer and sausages flow, and they hand the buyer a set of keys to a new car at half the advertised price
:-)
Pardon my criticism, I realy DO want GM to succeed. Let's see.... patriotic advertising..... trucks to push the turnaround.... how original. Nothing has changed if that's their strategy.
Rocky
Easy Money.
Rocky
Rocky
(A little inside info
Back on Topic:
What's going to save GM, is the new business model we are beginning to see. General Motors, has alot of good product coming out this year and the following few years. I'm very excited. CUV's should be a big seller. The hybrid versions should offer the customer good mpg. CUV's offer lots of room like a minivan, but have the utility of a SUV. If Saturn Greenline can reach across to enough markets it should be a very hot seller. The new Trucks and SUV's have already received lots of good reviews and I'd consider them the new standard/benchmark in the full size segment. It appears the CUV's will eventually replace the midsize SUV's like the Trailblazer/Envoy, and for good reason
Rocky
I'd love to see the look on Ghosn, face when the GM and Ford merger came out.
I bet it was priceless. Perhaps Slick is playing head games with Ol' Carlos.
Rocky
Ghosn is starting to worry me. He is just to eager to have this alliance with GM or anybody else. This whole study was supposed to be completely quiet from both sides. No comments, etc. Ghosn is spouting out all kinds of stuff. Very strange. Is he a talker?
Back in the 80's, I used to have an MGB; the bumper sticker on the back read "Why do the English drink warm beer? They have Lucas refridgerators!"
RE: Dinah Shore: Life is COMPLEATER????? :confuse:
$1525 is the amount GM pays for Health care on every car built in the US. Chrysler pays $1400. Ford pays $1100.
Transplants pay form $400 to $450.
Toyota spends $345 million in the US on health care
GM spends $5.3 Billlion in the US on health care and it is going up in the double digits every year.
In Canada another story. GM spends $1385 for each worker in medical bills.
Interesting tidbit. If averaged, all the medical cost in 2004 across the entire US population we each would pay $6100.
I do not want to go into natinalized health care here!!!!!! Only discuss how GM has a huge disadvantage TODAY from the newly transplanted car makers.
Warren Buffett says "GM is a health and benefits company with an auto company attached"
Can you give us a hint? If it's Dateline paying more businesses (Perverted Justice) to illegally act as local cops to entrap people who prey on youngins on the internet and show them arriving at the traphouse and showing the nonagressive perverts being thrown to the ground and roughed up by Cops program local wannabes, I won't be watching that program. This all occured here in Ohio in the Greenville area (very rural and backwards area IMHO).
I hope it's a higher level of yellow journalism from Dateline. I also don't get to read the Washington Post.
How 'bout a hint? Is it automotive-related?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Yes, the Brits used 2.0L (1998cc) I-6 engines, especially Triumph in the 2000 sedan, Vitesse, TR-250, TR-5, TR-6, and GT6. The 2.0L Triumph I-6 was an excellent engine, very, very smooth, economical, and long-lived. Plus, late model Triumphs used Delco electrics - also reliable.
SAAB actually had a 1.4L I-6 in a prototype, but it was scrapped due to lack of performance vs. the 2.0L SOHC and DOHC I-4.