So what would be a good profit number for the 3rd qtr? What will it take to prove that GM has been saved. when can we stop talking about it in this forum?
The new Corolla was just introduced in Japan. It will take up to two years to bring it over to the US. Will it continue to make inroads against GM and everyone else? It closely resembles the old one.
GMC = General Motors Corporation, Truck and Coach Division. That's what it said on the maintenance manuals, anyway, back when GMC was something other than a mechanism to keep Pontiac and Buick dealers afloat.
Well my question is 62, what will the Chin-E cars be like ? Will they destroy the Carolla ? I'm a Carolla fan, because it's a great quality economical appliance. I'd never own one but hey I admit they are pretty nice.
On messages Page 1138 of 1142 I noticed something that appears to be a problem. On one page, the post number is 11378, and the numbers at the bottom of that page match. HOWEVER, when I go to the first post on that next page, the post number is 11369, but the Messages page list at the page bottom is 570 of 572. The last post on that page is 11388.
Also, on one page, I'm signed in. The other page indicated that I am not. Am I missing something, or is there a problem? Examples: __________________________________________________________ #11378 of 11410 Re: Plastic Wood [rockylee] by wideglide Oct 10, 2006 (6:04 am) Reply | E-mail Msg Replying to: rockylee (Oct 10, 2006 6:01 am)
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#11369 of 11411 Re: GM Gets Ir Right When Its Too Late! [wideglide] by 62vetteefp Oct 10, 2006 (4:49 am) ------------------ Messages Page 570 of 572 1 ... 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 Recent Msgs Go To Msg # Search This Discussion
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The new Corolla was just introduced in Japan. It will take up to two years to bring it over to the US. Will it continue to make inroads against GM and everyone else? It closely resembles the old one.
It helps reliability in the USA when you debug them in your own domestic markets first, doesn't it? Much easier and less costly if a recall is needed too. Or is it just being withheld from the US due to tougher safety standards?
With all this talk about wood, we all know that the entire interior is made of plastic except for the cloth or leather seats and maybe the wood/other material trim plates and a few metal support parts. Here is a discussion that replaces a lot of the "fake" IP/door trim vinyl with real leather.
Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager, references a quote from Henry Leland, chief engineer of Cadillac in 1904, as related to Cadillac then -- and now: “Craftsmanship a law, accuracy a creed.” While that may not have been the case for many years between then and now, Taylor says that in addition to the continued efforts to make the division’s products exhibit “dramatic design” and “serious performance,” they’re moving toward increased craftsmanship and attention to detail, finesse in the design and construction of the cars and trucks.
Taylor is echoed by John Howell, Cadillac product director, who says that “It’s time to step up even further in terms of quality and luxury,” and that doing so is an effort that includes a strong cooperation between design and engineering.
One of the things they are doing to realize this in product is proliferate their learnings from low-volume products to their more mainstream offerings. A case in point is the leather wrapped IP and center consoles found in the XLR-V and STS-V. The leather features French seams that are hand sewn. Howell says that a few years ago he took on the assignment to find the ways and means to increase the perceived quality of Cadillacs. He went looking for processes, suppliers, and ideas.
This took him to a company located near Munich, Germany, Dräxlmaier, which specializes in leather interior trim. It is the supplier that Cadillac is using for the XLR-V and STS-V and now for the SRX. Realize that the STS-V has an annual volume on the order of 2,000 units and the XLR-V half that. Howell estimates that the ’07 SRX will be on the order of 25,000 units.
He explains that the process of creating a leather-wrapped IP starts with cutting the hide. This is performed by computer-controlled laser-cutting. The pieces to be cut are laid out using a nesting program that is the same as that used in sheet metal processing, with nesting performed so as to minimize offal. The sewing is performed by people working on sewing machines. (The process is being performed for Cadillac in a Dräxlmaier plant in Duncan, SC.) Howell points out that when making French seams there is a folding under of the two pieces of material at the joint.
Given the thickness of the leather (as compared with the thickness of cloth, which is where these seams are ordinarily encountered), this could result in a bulge at the joint, which would be unsightly on a smooth, planar surface like that of an IP. So in order to minimize the bulge, Howell explains, the back of the leather pieces are carefully skived in the areas where the sewing will be performed.
By minimizing the thickness of the leather pieces, the resulting joint is smooth. Another area where there is skiving for a different purpose is in the area where the door for the passenger-side airbag is located. Because they don’t want to have an interruption in the smooth surface and because it is necessary for the airbag to deploy efficiently, they skive the perimeter of the door opening in the back of the leather such that when the bag deploys the skiving has sufficiently prepared the leather so that it pops out of the way as the bag breaks through.
Once the leather pieces are prepared, they are fitted on to of the uncolored, untextured IP. Then the cover is vacuum molded and adhesively bonded in place. Howell admits that the hand process can introduce some slight variation, but one of the factors of craftsmanship is that there is actually a person involved in the process, not merely mechanisms. He likens it to a Holland & Holland shotgun, which is hand-crafted but no less precise as a result.
IIRC, they stopped using solid chunks of wood for panelling in the auto industry because wood splinter is dangerous in a crash. It's the same reason that warships stopped using wood even for decorations more than a century ago . . . a spray of wood spliters is more devastating to human occupants than incoming artillery shells themselves.
Corolla does have a little bit of a personality, once you own one for awhile. Kinda like a faithful dog, always there for ya. And they can whip around town with ease. They are certainly not a luxury size, but for what they do, they do it well. I have noticed a change from the nice soft touch interior to this new hard plastic used these days. Not an improvement. Sure did not like the current style when it came out. They took the good looking little car, and stretched it upwards. Current Corollas, are more like the Aveo, very top heavy looking. Or too narrow - same difference :P Cobalt, is simple. They remain me of an American version of a Japanese car which is a decade behind the times for style. Now, if done correctly, this could be a good thing. The early nineties, more Euro rounded Japan car styles looked pretty good. The Cobalt is pretty good. But it is a cross bred with the Cavalier, I guess, and that older Japan style, and thus sorta an almost there look. The Aura is the better effort. -Loren
The interesting thing is that GMC is the only brand that GM didn't manage to destroy by cloning. For some reason, mainly styling I guess, people kept buying GMCs in large numbers over their Chevy twins. GM should foster that by increasing the differences, if not under the skin then in packaging and optional equipment, between the two brands. GMC certainly wouldn't be my first choice for brand termination at GM, but my first choice WOULD be one of the other two you mentioned: Pontiac or Buick (probably Buick - let's just let Cadillac carry the upper end for a while and redevelop Saturn to include some nice top-line offerings to replace the current Buicks and cater to that over-70 demographic. Chevy will fill in any gaps that result).
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Would not wish for a thousand splinters of wood in an accident. I assumed it was all fake wood, but then-again, I don't know. Can't recall ever owning a car with wood inside. If done correctly, on certain cars, such as a Jaguar, it looks fine. Not offered on the Cobalt? :P
I am I am pretty astute about finances and investments (although not perfect, I've made some bad choices also), but I would presume that GM will post some kind of 3rd Quarter profit. But bear in mind that companies often take huge writeoffs (or re-state earnings from prior periods) and then set themselves up for a "positive earnings surprise" for a quarter or two even if their fundamental business has not improved- maybe GM here? And GM has come so far down, there also may something called "watching a dead cat bounce". So for GM to really be out of the woods, it will still need to stabilize earnings and market share- and companies have done this and soared, and other companies have not and continued to decline. Time will tell.
One of the biggest issues to face GM is choosing where to play in the market- small/mid-size sedan or CUV or all of the above? They will remain strong in trucks and large SUV's but these are not growing markets.
I still would characterize any investment in GM as high risk.
If it is real wood, why not SAY "real wood". Why 'real wood GRAIN'?
I've never seen a car that says "REAL wood grain". Usually it says "wood grain trim", which is plastic, with a simulated wood grain. Usually, if it is real wood, it will specify what type, i.e. "burled walnut trim", "Poplar wood trim", etc. I don't think GM puts wood in anything except Cadillacs, but I could be wrong.
GMC's survival is even more remarkable considering how different GMC and Chevy trucks once were. GMC had their own versions of the old stovebolt I6 and used Pontiac V8s in the 1950s, and had their own giant V6 in the '60s. Mid-60s GMC pickups had leaf spring rear suspensions and Dana axles while Chevy was using trailing arms, coil springs, and in-house GM axles. The dash, instrument cluster, and wiring harness were also different. Even the steering wheel was an inch bigger on a GMC. All that was gone by 1970 and GMC would embark on a long period of being nothing more than a Chevy with different lettering on the grille and tailgate.
"Real Wood grain" is used at GM because the pieces are really veneered onto a plastic substrate. GM has to watch what they say because there are so many ninnies out there who would sue them. I can see it now. "I bought a CTS because it used real wood. I broke a piece in half and it was this little veneer on a piece of plastic".
In order to use solid wood or a thick piece the part would not have any contour to it. Any piece of trim with contour with wood has to be veneer unless you are in some ultra high end, low volume car where you can spend big bucks.
In 1965 Chevrolet came out with a nicer version of the Impala. It was called the Impala Caprice. It was a luxury version of the Impala. It came with nicer interior and real wood grain, unlike the artificial wood grain in the Impalas.
The Ultra comes with leather upholstery, real wood grain and a 9-speaker sound system with eight subamps. And the big, juicy standard goody is Buick's supercharged 3800 Series II V6.
Like I said before. I learned in geography that Mexico is part of America.
And like I said before, then why do so many people (including our illustrious President and Vice President) want to build a giant fence at the border, and send thousands more INS agents to patrol the border and keep those American Citizens out? Where did you take geography? There is no country called "America"... Mexico is the country immediately south of the United States. Are people from Peru "Americans", too? Honduras? Is Hugo Chavez a great "American"?
I just don't understand how people can support a company that closes a plant in Detroit to open a new one in Mexico where labor is cheaper, than a company that opens new plants here to build the cars they sell here (and even export some). Like I said before, I don't give a rat's [non-permissible content removed] where the little bit of profit goes. That is miniscule compared to the money that goes into the state and local economy of where the plant is. And even if they aren't unionized (and I do support unions), they are still giving their workers better wages and benefits than they would probably get doing other manufacturing jobs in the same area.
I really don't care where the product is made, I care about the design, engineering, and quality of the product, be it shoes, clothing, electronics, furniture and yes- automotive products. And I am as patriotic as anybody. And the whole idea of world trade and a global economy is that manufacturing will be done where it makes sense. And if Mexico, Europe, Asia, Canada, or the U.S. is that place, so be it.
What will it take to prove that GM has been saved. when can we stop talking about it in this forum?
The mark of a really strong company is it's profitable even during down cycles. In recent years there have been times when Honda's sales have decreased, but it's always been profitable.
There's been talk of Carlos Ghosn's turnaround plan coming to an end at Nissan. Oh yeah, its profit margin decreased from 11% to 8%! You can count on one hand all the carmakers whose profit is at or above 8.
And then there are Toyota and BMW, whose sales and profits seem to be always trending up.
They are North Americans. Europe has Europeans, and Asia, Asians. Americans, within USA, are also North Americans. Peruvians are South Americans. Hugo, not to be confused with a Yugo, is a leader, a Venezuelan, and a South American all in one. American is commonly used to refer to those living within the United States of America. It also encompasses all other countries within North, Central and South America, as they too are Americans. Not citizens or residents of the USA, but in fact live withing the Americas. OK, back to car talk.
My PT Cruiser was screwed together well in Mexico. Of course this is a once American, now German owned company selling under a familiar name of Chrysler, which is German. It's a small world after all. I think people may be reluctant, at least for decade or so to buy cars made in China. That said, GM engines for the Equinox evidently are made there. Still my best guess is that people will not buy China cars immediately. It will be wait and see, as with the Korean cars, like Hyundai. Only a few will venture in. And then there are those not happy with government of China, which until things change in this communist county, may never buy a China car. That said, everything else seems to sell which are made there. Buy a good ol' American name, like a Lane, and it be a chair made in China. Hell, ya can't even buy underwear made in USA these days. At least it is hard to do so. -Loren
In order to use solid wood or a thick piece the part would not have any contour to it. Any piece of trim with contour with wood has to be veneer unless you are in some ultra high end, low volume car where you can spend big bucks.
Not really... Furniture and cabinetry is made out of solid wood has contours, right? And with the advent of CNC machining it would be relatively easy. That said, I do believe it is generally a veneer over plastic. The more expensive makes probably use a thicker one.
Well aren't we complementary tonight. However I think you may have a perception problem. I glance into cars parked next to me to see what they're using for various aspects. Today I saw a Solara with a silly little piece of plood wrapping from th dash around onto the doors. It was about 1 inch wide and just went and went. I guess that was to give a feeling of movement. But it was plood!
Maybe you feel different sitting in a Mercedes which is over-priced and expensive and therefore when you tap on the dash and plood you perceive it differently. Maybe watchig more Dr. Phil shows will help you figure it out.
But since the plood is like quarter round from Lowes with a plastic veneer on it for color, not even REAL wood veneer, they're all the same... I truly believe there are only a few suppliers as 62 said.
Even my 1967 Mercedes has wood veneer. It's really thick veneer over what looks like a thin layer of balsa or simmilar - something easy to shape, but it's veneer nonetheless. And real veneer looks fantastic. Plastic - not so much.
How you can really tell real wood is how it reflects light from different angles. Real wood also isn't quite as "red" as the stuff GM puts in say, the Buicks. That's plastic wood trim, though it does look attractive enough comeapred to a swath of plastic like in an Accord.
*** As for plants, take the NUUMI plant in Freemont, CA. It contributes TWO BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR to California's economy. That's shipping, salaries, upkeep, taxes, power(biggest single cost, btw), materials... the list goes on and on and like a motion picture budget, all of that money goes somewhere. The profit at the top - who cares. IT's not like GM or Ford are making a profit, so that part of the quation is equally wasted/thrown away down some big hole.
When I see GM moving plants to China, all I can think of is a simmilar cheapening and destruction like Wal-Mart has become. Sam would be literally rolling in his grave at what they did to his fine company. GM? Well, Gm's not so "fine" to begin with and I think the second we start seeing China-GMs on the market, it's over - people will flee in droves.
I rather doubt it . . . considering that consumers have not fled from cars imported from Korea, whether they are badged as Chevy or sold with a bona fide Korean badge. At a low enough price tag, there will be buyers willing to take a chance. It's up to the new-comer manufacturer to prove what they can do in terms of improving their quality to find acceptance beyond that initial wave of bargain shoppers. Hyundai has proven the case both ways in its decade and half in the US market.
People who are willing to put up with 40 year old cars are a distinct minority, Mercedes or otherwise . . . most buyers/leasers of new cars only keep their cars for 3-5 years before moving on to a new one . . . there lies both the challenge and opportunity to every carmaker.
Maybe you feel different sitting in a Mercedes which is over-priced and expensive and therefore when you tap on the dash and plood you perceive it differently. Maybe watchig more Dr. Phil shows will help you figure it out.
hahaha, if I paid thousands of dollars for "MercedesTec" it must be something better than plastic vinyl :-)
Speaking about the Cobalt, the ALCS game Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland A's they zoomed to a Chevy Colbalt sitting on a pedestal at the game. It was a red SS, with what appeared to be Black Recaro, leather seats. They aren't that bad of a looking car. I've never driven one though.
So in IYHO the hybrid SUV's won't sell ? I have to disagree with you pal on this topic. I think the Hybris SUV's will sell if they approach the Escalade test mule we saw here on Edmunds pulling over 30 mpg.
Just my opinion. If you have a family and have activity's there isn't nothing better than a full-size SUV for fuel efficiency, safety, Go anywhere, all-weather capability IMHO. A great article in MT, about this subject. A editor and his family were using a 07' Escalade ESV, and were pulling a impressive mpg per person. The story I believe was in the october or november issue of MT.
wideglide, they do put real wood trim in the Denali line. The Buick Lucerne, has a high-quality fuax wood that does look authentic. I still think GM, should put the real stuff in it's vehicles in the top trim levels IMHO.
Can somebody give me a definition of what wood veneer is. It's a stained wood right ? Does it have plastic in it or something ? The Buick Velite roadster had this "stuff" in it. It appears to be nice to the eye.
Your idea isn't a bad one. I however would hate to see Buick disappear. They have a strong heritage, and once the brand goes RWD, they could become a strong Lexus, Lincoln, alternative as Cadillac attempts to keep going up market.
GM, definitely needs to further up market GMC from Chevy. GMC, should get the bells and whistles like Dana axels, better interior, etc.
Can somebody give me a definition of what wood veneer is. It's a stained wood right ? Does it have plastic in it or something ?
It's a thin slice of slice wood, like 1/16'-1/8" thick, that is laminated over a cheaper material (like plastic in a car or less expensive wood in furniture and cabinets). For instance, you might have a dining room table with walnut or cherry veneer over a cheaper base material, like maybe poplar or pine. You get the look of walnut or cherry furniture without the high cost of a piece done in solid walnut or cherry.
When I see GM moving plants to China, all I can think of is a simmilar cheapening and destruction like Wal-Mart has become. Sam would be literally rolling in his grave at what they did to his fine company. GM? Well, Gm's not so "fine" to begin with and I think the second we start seeing China-GMs on the market, it's over - people will flee in droves.
GM has not "moved" any plants to China. they have partnerships in China to build vehicles in China for the Chinese market. They do have one old powertrain that is hanging on but that is it. There are no plans to import a Chinese car to the US that I know of. BUT I could see them bringing a model or two over. Perhaps a large Buick. Not much else. But nothing in huge volumes.
What do you mean it's selling out ? You mean that literally, or you mean it's pretty popular ? Some posters say it won't sell, so I'm sure they will label you as wrong ?
GM has not "moved" any plants to China. they have partnerships in China to build vehicles in China for the Chinese market. They do have one old powertrain that is hanging on but that is it. There are no plans to import a Chinese car to the US that I know of. BUT I could see them bringing a model or two over. Perhaps a large Buick. Not much else. But nothing in huge volumes.
I agree with your whole post. I also don't see GM, importing cars from China, at least in the near future.
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That's what it said on the maintenance manuals, anyway, back when GMC was something other than a mechanism to keep Pontiac and Buick dealers afloat.
Rocky
Rocky
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#11378 of 11410 Re: Plastic Wood [rockylee] by wideglide Oct 10, 2006 (6:04 am)
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#11369 of 11411 Re: GM Gets Ir Right When Its Too Late! [wideglide] by 62vetteefp Oct 10, 2006 (4:49 am)
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It helps reliability in the USA when you debug them in your own domestic markets first, doesn't it? Much easier and less costly if a recall is needed too. Or is it just being withheld from the US due to tougher safety standards?
Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager, references a quote from Henry Leland,
chief engineer of Cadillac in 1904, as related to Cadillac then -- and now:
“Craftsmanship a law, accuracy a creed.” While that may not have been the
case for many years between then and now, Taylor says that in addition to
the continued efforts to make the division’s products exhibit “dramatic
design” and “serious performance,” they’re moving toward increased
craftsmanship and attention to detail, finesse in the design and
construction of the cars and trucks.
Taylor is echoed by John Howell, Cadillac product director, who says that
“It’s time to step up even further in terms of quality and luxury,” and
that doing so is an effort that includes a strong cooperation between
design and engineering.
One of the things they are doing to realize this in product is proliferate
their learnings from low-volume products to their more mainstream
offerings. A case in point is the leather wrapped IP and center consoles
found in the XLR-V and STS-V. The leather features French seams that are
hand sewn. Howell says that a few years ago he took on the assignment to
find the ways and means to increase the perceived quality of Cadillacs. He
went looking for processes, suppliers, and ideas.
This took him to a company located near Munich, Germany, Dräxlmaier, which
specializes in leather interior trim. It is the supplier that Cadillac is
using for the XLR-V and STS-V and now for the SRX. Realize that the STS-V
has an annual volume on the order of 2,000 units and the XLR-V half that.
Howell estimates that the ’07 SRX will be on the order of 25,000 units.
He explains that the process of creating a leather-wrapped IP starts with
cutting the hide. This is performed by computer-controlled laser-cutting.
The pieces to be cut are laid out using a nesting program that is the same
as that used in sheet metal processing, with nesting performed so as to
minimize offal. The sewing is performed by people working on sewing
machines. (The process is being performed for Cadillac in a Dräxlmaier
plant in Duncan, SC.) Howell points out that when making French seams there
is a folding under of the two pieces of material at the joint.
Given the thickness of the leather (as compared with the thickness of
cloth, which is where these seams are ordinarily encountered), this could
result in a bulge at the joint, which would be unsightly on a smooth,
planar surface like that of an IP. So in order to minimize the bulge,
Howell explains, the back of the leather pieces are carefully skived in the
areas where the sewing will be performed.
By minimizing the thickness of the leather pieces, the resulting joint is
smooth. Another area where there is skiving for a different purpose is in
the area where the door for the passenger-side airbag is located. Because
they don’t want to have an interruption in the smooth surface and because
it is necessary for the airbag to deploy efficiently, they skive the
perimeter of the door opening in the back of the leather such that when the
bag deploys the skiving has sufficiently prepared the leather so that it
pops out of the way as the bag breaks through.
Once the leather pieces are prepared, they are fitted on to of the
uncolored, untextured IP. Then the cover is vacuum molded and adhesively
bonded in place. Howell admits that the hand process can introduce some
slight variation, but one of the factors of craftsmanship is that there is
actually a person involved in the process, not merely mechanisms. He likens
it to a Holland & Holland shotgun, which is hand-crafted but no less
precise as a result.
That might not be a safe assumption.....
-Loren
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
One of the biggest issues to face GM is choosing where to play in the market- small/mid-size sedan or CUV or all of the above? They will remain strong in trucks and large SUV's but these are not growing markets.
I still would characterize any investment in GM as high risk.
If it is real wood, why not SAY "real wood". Why 'real wood GRAIN'?
I've never seen a car that says "REAL wood grain". Usually it says "wood grain trim", which is plastic, with a simulated wood grain. Usually, if it is real wood, it will specify what type, i.e. "burled walnut trim", "Poplar wood trim", etc. I don't think GM puts wood in anything except Cadillacs, but I could be wrong.
In order to use solid wood or a thick piece the part would not have any contour to it. Any piece of trim with contour with wood has to be veneer unless you are in some ultra high end, low volume car where you can spend big bucks.
In 1965 Chevrolet came out with a nicer version of the Impala. It was called the Impala Caprice. It was a luxury version of the Impala. It came with nicer interior and real wood grain, unlike the artificial wood grain in the Impalas.
The Ultra comes with leather upholstery, real wood grain and a 9-speaker sound system with eight subamps. And the big, juicy standard goody is Buick's supercharged 3800 Series II V6.
And like I said before, then why do so many people (including our illustrious President and Vice President) want to build a giant fence at the border, and send thousands more INS agents to patrol the border and keep those American Citizens out? Where did you take geography? There is no country called "America"... Mexico is the country immediately south of the United States. Are people from Peru "Americans", too? Honduras? Is Hugo Chavez a great "American"?
I just don't understand how people can support a company that closes a plant in Detroit to open a new one in Mexico where labor is cheaper, than a company that opens new plants here to build the cars they sell here (and even export some). Like I said before, I don't give a rat's [non-permissible content removed] where the little bit of profit goes. That is miniscule compared to the money that goes into the state and local economy of where the plant is. And even if they aren't unionized (and I do support unions), they are still giving their workers better wages and benefits than they would probably get doing other manufacturing jobs in the same area.
The mark of a really strong company is it's profitable even during down cycles. In recent years there have been times when Honda's sales have decreased, but it's always been profitable.
There's been talk of Carlos Ghosn's turnaround plan coming to an end at Nissan. Oh yeah, its profit margin decreased from 11% to 8%! You can count on one hand all the carmakers whose profit is at or above 8.
And then there are Toyota and BMW, whose sales and profits seem to be always trending up.
My PT Cruiser was screwed together well in Mexico. Of course this is a once American, now German owned company selling under a familiar name of Chrysler, which is German. It's a small world after all. I think people may be reluctant, at least for decade or so to buy cars made in China. That said, GM engines for the Equinox evidently are made there. Still my best guess is that people will not buy China cars immediately. It will be wait and see, as with the Korean cars, like Hyundai. Only a few will venture in. And then there are those not happy with government of China, which until things change in this communist county, may never buy a China car. That said, everything else seems to sell which are made there. Buy a good ol' American name, like a Lane, and it be a chair made in China. Hell, ya can't even buy underwear made in USA these days. At least it is hard to do so.
-Loren
Not really... Furniture and cabinetry is made out of solid wood has contours, right? And with the advent of CNC machining it would be relatively easy. That said, I do believe it is generally a veneer over plastic. The more expensive makes probably use a thicker one.
Well aren't we complementary tonight. However I think you may have a perception problem. I glance into cars parked next to me to see what they're using for various aspects. Today I saw a Solara with a silly little piece of plood wrapping from th dash around onto the doors. It was about 1 inch wide and just went and went. I guess that was to give a feeling of movement. But it was plood!
Maybe you feel different sitting in a Mercedes which is over-priced and expensive and therefore when you tap on the dash and plood you perceive it differently. Maybe watchig more Dr. Phil shows will help you figure it out.
But since the plood is like quarter round from Lowes with a plastic veneer on it for color, not even REAL wood veneer, they're all the same... I truly believe there are only a few suppliers as 62 said.
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There'sTheirs is always subparThat's Chrysler: Mopar.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
How you can really tell real wood is how it reflects light from different angles. Real wood also isn't quite as "red" as the stuff GM puts in say, the Buicks. That's plastic wood trim, though it does look attractive enough comeapred to a swath of plastic like in an Accord.
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As for plants, take the NUUMI plant in Freemont, CA. It contributes TWO BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR to California's economy. That's shipping, salaries, upkeep, taxes, power(biggest single cost, btw), materials... the list goes on and on and like a motion picture budget, all of that money goes somewhere. The profit at the top - who cares. IT's not like GM or Ford are making a profit, so that part of the quation is equally wasted/thrown away down some big hole.
When I see GM moving plants to China, all I can think of is a simmilar cheapening and destruction like Wal-Mart has become. Sam would be literally rolling in his grave at what they did to his fine company. GM? Well, Gm's not so "fine" to begin with and I think the second we start seeing China-GMs on the market, it's over - people will flee in droves.
People who are willing to put up with 40 year old cars are a distinct minority, Mercedes or otherwise . . . most buyers/leasers of new cars only keep their cars for 3-5 years before moving on to a new one . . . there lies both the challenge and opportunity to every carmaker.
hahaha, if I paid thousands of dollars for "MercedesTec" it must be something better than plastic vinyl :-)
Speaking about the Cobalt, the ALCS game Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland A's they zoomed to a Chevy Colbalt sitting on a pedestal at the game. It was a red SS, with what appeared to be Black Recaro, leather seats. They aren't that bad of a looking car. I've never driven one though.
Rocky
P.S. Go Tigers :shades:
Just my opinion. If you have a family and have activity's there isn't nothing better than a full-size SUV for fuel efficiency, safety, Go anywhere, all-weather capability IMHO.
Rocky
Rocky
P.S. Saab, uses real wood also.
Do I dare ask what PLOOD is ? :surprise:
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
GM, definitely needs to further up market GMC from Chevy. GMC, should get the bells and whistles like Dana axels, better interior, etc.
Rocky
It's a thin slice of slice wood, like 1/16'-1/8" thick, that is laminated over a cheaper material (like plastic in a car or less expensive wood in furniture and cabinets). For instance, you might have a dining room table with walnut or cherry veneer over a cheaper base material, like maybe poplar or pine. You get the look of walnut or cherry furniture without the high cost of a piece done in solid walnut or cherry.
Rocky
GM has not "moved" any plants to China. they have partnerships in China to build vehicles in China for the Chinese market. They do have one old powertrain that is hanging on but that is it. There are no plans to import a Chinese car to the US that I know of. BUT I could see them bringing a model or two over. Perhaps a large Buick. Not much else. But nothing in huge volumes.
The Vue hybrid is selling out.
About 75% hold their new car 5 years. Hence the 5 year warranty covers most GM buyers.
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
I agree with your whole post. I also don't see GM, importing cars from China, at least in the near future.
Rocky