Options

GM News, New Models and Market Share

1266267269271272631

Comments

  • dave8697dave8697 Member Posts: 1,498
    1. Still Living in the past? 2008? My 2010 is in it's second year. 2008 isn't even the same Equinox.

    2. CR is biased

    3. Chev is at industry average in the reliability chart (plus or minus a tiny percent). This means that some models are above and some below. Chev has 30 to 50 models. Do you know the specific rating on the Equinox as bringing down Chev. and not lifting it up? Anf by how much?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,446
    I have to say I agree, and I am not a Subie nut...but I'd at least give one a hard look, they just seem more reasonably sized.
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    1. Still Living in the past? 2008? My 2010 is in it's second year. 2008 isn't even the same Equinox.

    Wasn't that the year with the Chinese engines?

    2. CR is biased

    Most people find their experiences close to CR's calls. Of course if CR is biased their recommendation for the Avalanche must be incorrect.

    3. Chev is at industry average in the reliability chart (plus or minus a tiny percent). This means that some models are above and some below. Chev has 30 to 50 models.

    That's part of the problem. They need to ditch the crappy half of those 30-50 models and then you have a more competitive car company.
  • dave8697dave8697 Member Posts: 1,498
    My question is specific to the Equinox which is being accused as being below average. I see no evidence in your post proving the Equinox is actually below average. Will you stick your neck out and make a prediction that it is?

    part of the problem?

    what problem?

    Go read the 56 different Cruze reviews by owners on this site. Become enlightened.
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    They need to ditch the crappy half of those 30-50 models and then you have a more competitive car company

    I think Ford has this problem too. The trouble is that I think a lot of it is derived from the truck segment which is a big profit center for D3. As trucks get redesigned I think at least Ford and GM will consistently get overall CR ratings as good or better than the Asian models down the road. I'm not convinced that a lot of Chrysler right now isn't just lipstick on a pig, but I guess we'll know better on C about 2 years down the road.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    I guess you don't consider the extras 47 lb/ft. of torque in the Sportage. :confuse:

    Going by the 3,311lbs curb weight, FE should be better than the V-6 in the Terrain. Again, even if efficiency was exactly the same, the cost to add the V-6 in the Terrain ends the debate from a price perspective.

    GM just failed and isn't proven that they have laser-focused dedication as their top management is still in transition. GM' ad campaigns have been pure BS for years and until about a couple of months ago, were a huge joke.

    GM = BS in my book until they prove the change is complete. Many miles before THAT happens, for sure! ;)

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Not in this 2010 GT version with the 20's. I do say there is a firmer ride and over rough spots there is more pronounced vibration. But no heavy road noise.

    The tires are low on the hit parade in terms of performance and I'll change them out at 20K miles. Yes, added cost but an easy fix, afaic.

    Absolutely the MDX is a better ride but we needed the room and not the price tag. CX-9 GT w MR+ Bose - OTD w/TTL + finance = $36K.

    For that value, we are :shades:

    Regards,
    OW
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    Go read the 56 different Cruze reviews by owners on this site. Become enlightened.

    No doubt that the Cruze is the first reasonably competitive small car GM has ever made. Not sure how that addresses the rest of the lineup.
  • dave8697dave8697 Member Posts: 1,498
    Let me know when you find that data that Equinox has bad reliability.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Didn't say it had. How can it? It's new.

    It came from the blood lines of horrible reliability. I have excruciatingly close experience with GMC reliability, particularly on it's premier offering.

    Let me know when it has years of stellar reliability behind it. Then, I will agree it has excellent dependability. Until then, you know the drill. :)

    Regards,
    OW
  • smarty666smarty666 Member Posts: 1,503
    Have you ever even visited tirerack or other tire review websites? Based on your statement I can tell that you haven't. Almost all the OEM tires manufacturers put on vehicles are rankede middle or bottom of their respective tire class, especially when it comes to road noise and ride quality.

    Take the Goodyear RS-As for example, terrible terrible tire in almost all respects. I'm going through hell with them on my Maxima, little to know traction, terrible amount of road noise, crappy ride quality, and the list goes on. Don't believe me, check this out. Look how low they are rated.

    http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=HPAS
  • smarty666smarty666 Member Posts: 1,503
    Plus, if CR is biased, then all their recommendation and high reliability ratings for most of the entire Ford line-up must be completely wrong and Ford's still are just crap! ;)
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    edited March 2011
    I believe you are completely correct.

    The Honda CR-V I bought in 2008 had the second to the bottom tire in the survey for A/S SUV tires. I put the #5 on the survey Kumho Road Ventures on it and it is a new vehicle. The chassis was already very responsive but up one tire size and far greater capability with the Kumho's proved very satisfying. The ice/snow traction proved a very good balance with this awful winter we had making buying dedicated snow a mute point.

    The moral of the story is use the original tires for beak-in and then chuck 'em. (20K is good so it doesn't cause too much pain). Make sure you buy a premium replacement and then look in the mirror at your face. :D :shades:

    Regards,
    OW
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,678
    > my Maxima, little to know (sic) traction, terrible amount of road noise, crappy ride quality, and the list goes on.

    I've always gotten good tires on my Buicks! Time for you to change. You must not have checked out the quality of tires on GM's Buicks. Obviously if you had, you would have gotten quiet good-performing tires. My last ones were Michelin Symmetry on my 2003!

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • smarty666smarty666 Member Posts: 1,503
    edited March 2011
    Interesting, maybe Buick used to but not anymore. Take the new Regal for instance. I believe it comes with either Michelin Pilot MXM4s or Bridgestone Turanza's EL400s. I think the other Buick's offer them and the RS-As as well. All pretty lousy tires. I think certai trims of the Enclave might get the Michelin Lats, which is the only half way decent tire, but the rest Buick puts on is poor quality just like everyone else does. I'm not trying to knock Buick, they are just no different then any other manufacturer in this regard.

    My point is, most car companies put mediocre to poor quality tires on as OEM. For God sake, BMW and MB put Continental ProContact's as OEM and that too is a mediocre tire at best. Its not rated that great but its okay for BMW and MB.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    What would be a good tire for, say, a BMW 5-Series or Mercedes E-Class? What makes a tire good? Would the average driver even notice a difference?
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Depends on what you designed the car for BMW 528, 535, M-5?

    Different tires. Problem with BMW is the run flat tech costs so much and they ride harder than the go-flats.

    There are so many categories of tire, you need to follow the ratings for temp, traction, wear and tests in the various weather conditions. Tire Rack tests and reviews all the brands and specifically on

    The 4 contact patches mean so much to the drive!

    Here's what you can put on a luxury car BMW or Merc, standard performance such as 528I or E350 as it was rated #1 by Tire Rack in the HP A/S category:

    Pilot Exalto A/S radials are the entry-level High Performance All-Season members of Michelin's Pilot family of performance tires. Pilot Exalto A/S radials are designed for sports cars, coupes and sedans to blend responsive handling and long wear with year-round traction, even in light snow.

    On the outside, Pilot Exalto A/S tires feature Michelin's Life Maximized All-Season Adherence Compounding (formulated to balance dry grip, wet traction, light snow traction, and tread wear) molded into a directional tread design to provide handling in nearly every weather condition. Siped independent tread blocks combined with wide circumferential grooves and variable width lateral tread grooves help eject water from under the contact patch to resist hydroplaning and enhance wet traction.

    Internally, the Pilot Exalto A/S radial's twin steel belts are reinforced using Michelin's Banded At Zero (BAZ) technology (spiral-wrapped reinforcement) to stabilize the tread area, allowing it to withstand centrifugal forces at high speeds while minimizing tire weight and improving ride uniformity.

    Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S tires feature black sidewall styling with black letters reversed out of a circumferential serrated band.


    Regards,
    OW
  • smarty666smarty666 Member Posts: 1,503
    The majority of the Michelin brand is very good and about half of Bridgestone. Funny thing is, the better quality tires are very often cheaper then the mediocre-poor quality one that the manufacturer puts on.

    For instance, Bridgestone Turanza EL400 (OEM) vs Bridgestone Turanza Serenity
  • dave8697dave8697 Member Posts: 1,498
    No doubt that the Cruze is the first reasonably competitive small car GM has ever made. Not sure how that addresses the rest of the lineup.

    show me the data
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    HMM, I did not post regarding the Cruze but I assume you mean the data the GMC has the poorest dependability of all GM's?

    Simple. All the data is out there. Look for yourself. I experienced it first hand.

    Check out the Yukon Denali Problems forum for one place.

    Regards,
    OW
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    My buddy was a service manager for a GMC dealer in NH, even owned a pair of Sierras. Parts discounted, had a staff on hand to perform any fixes for him at probably zero cost...

    First one dumped thru lemon law. Second one sold off cheap to a co-worker instead of following the first one thru LL. ISS, rear ends, tranny probs, brake failures, fuel pumps, window regulators, some on the first one, some on the second, a few of those on both of em.

    Some issues shared with his wifey's 10mpg Suburban... Dealer regularly replaces ISS, but 4 of them on one vehicle? :sick:

    Bought a Toyota Tundra, left the dealership about 6 months later and swears he'll never own another Government Motors vehicle again. Not only lost a buyer, but managed a disgrunteled employee on top of it. :sick:
  • xluxlu Member Posts: 457
    edited March 2011
    No doubt that the Cruze is the first reasonably competitive small car GM has ever made. Not sure how that addresses the rest of the lineup.

    show me the data


    The Chevrolet Cruze has been in full production for the US market only since Sep, 2010; but it already climbed into the No. 12 best seller this year of all cars and trucks in the US; possibly the best new model launch ever. Here are the Feb YTD sales numbers:

    Toyota Corolla/Matrix, 46,441
    Honda Civic, 33,755
    Chevrolet Cruze, 32,187
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Toyota Corolla/Matrix, 46,441
    Honda Civic, 33,755
    Chevrolet Cruze, 32,187


    Interesting .. Corolla/Matrix represent both a sedan and hatchback, while the Civic comes as both a coupe and sedan and offers multiple engine choices (regular 1.8L, hybrid and hi performance).

    The Cruze, meanwhile, is only available as a sedan and two engine choices; despite that, they achieved 95% of Civic sales and 69% of Corolla/Matrix sales in February.

    Wonder how much more that gap might close if a hatchback version of the Cruze is introduced here in the States?
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    Interesting .. Corolla/Matrix represent both a sedan and hatchback, while the Civic comes as both a coupe and sedan and offers multiple engine choices (regular 1.8L, hybrid and hi performance).

    The Cruze, meanwhile, is only available as a sedan and two engine choices; despite that, they achieved 95% of Civic sales and 69% of Corolla/Matrix sales in February.

    Wonder how much more that gap might close if a hatchback version of the Cruze is introduced here in the States?


    Conversely, how many of the Cruze sales are initial demand vs. sustainable demand? And how many of the Cruze sales were to fleets?

    These are all good questions if we want to determine how many actual citizens are choosing to put their hard earned cash down on all/any of these vehicles.
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    Without really analyzing the numbers it looks like the Focus sales have tanked since the Cruze has been out. The Focus had been running around the top 10 IIRC. For February it wasn't in the top 20. Civic and Corolla still posted sales gains vs. last year.

    I'm curious to see what happens when the new Focus is available.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,446
    At the same time, how many Corolla sales are fleets? As anecdotal babble from my area anyway, I'd wager that Corolla has a higher amount of fleet sales than Cruze - although they both wear barcodes frequently.

    The sustainable demand question could be more pressing, Cruze still has the new vibe going for it.
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    edited March 2011
    Corolla fleets usually run around 13% which is impressive for a car that bounces around the top 5 selling vehicles out there.

    2009 Vehicle registrations

    Meanwhile the Cobalt was matching the Corolla in actual fleet numbers, but they were taken from a vehicle that does less than half the overall volume...

    Unfortunately, Snuze fleet sales won't be recognized until next year at least since the database is never in real time. I will say this tho, I have seen plenty of Snuze rentals at the lots and I have seen plenty of those "hot" selling Equinox's that people are "clamoring for" (even tho there are numbers of them on Chevy dealer lots...) so whether or not it becomes another Rentabu/Impala fleet special is anyones guess at the moment... :D
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited March 2011
    "According to Senator Stabenow's website, her proposed legislation, known as the "Charging America Forward Act" (S.298), "will provide consumers with a rebate worth up to $7500 for plug-in electric vehicles at the time of purchase."

    Essentially, if one were to buy a $41,000 Chevy Volt, the buyer gets a $7,500 coupon, so the final price is $33,500. In the end, the auto dealer assumes the risk of the government giving them this tax credit.

    GM is likely the most excited about this instant credit plan. “General Motors supports the instant credit saying the bill “integrates all of the components necessary for successful acceleration of electric vehicles in the marketplace," The Detroit News reported."

    Cash for Clunkers 2: The Return of Government Motors (washingtontimes.com)
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    edited March 2011
    Not surprised to see another government kickback to move the needles...

    There is a gluttony of Volts on the market according to cars.com

    340 to choose from

    As much as the hype machines out there want us to believe an overpriced 4 seat econobox that costs as much as a very well equipped BMW or Mercedes (or loaded Lexus HS250 if you want a hybrid) is a breakout smash hit, it's looking like quite the opposite IMO...
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Holy smokes! $65K Volt!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    What does "available for test drive only" mean in the ad? Sounds like they don't want to sell it (and it $65k, they likely won't).
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Camry 45,357
    Corolla 46,441
    Accord 34,662
    Altima 37,262
    Civic 33,755
    SONATA 28,984
    Prius 24,144
    Sentra 22,137
    Jetta 24,051
    Total = 296,793

    Malibu 33,194
    Fusion 37,457
    Cruze 32,187
    Impala 31,478
    Total = 134,316

    Kinda shows the gap left by the irresponsible, greedy and inept management at the USA auto companies over the years as gasoline prices skyrocket. :)

    One can understand the the Middle East was always a stable environment to base future design, marketing and sales direction upon.

    Regards,
    OW
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,446
    Gotta be a typo. Has to be a typo. Better be a typo.

    If not, another dealer needs to be closed.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,446
    Well to be fair, 09 was the first year of the updated body, right? Maybe less were sold to fleets then - but they are sure being dumped in them now as the design ages and looks so dull. I'd find it very hard to believe that it is only 13% right now.

    Pretty much everyone but Honda is fleeting it out right now. The big 2.5 might actually be down in fleet percentages - Nissan and Toyota do a huge rental business today, and the Koreans are up there too.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Last time I had a choice with a rental - which was November of 09 - there were, in addition to the usual suspects, a Mazda 6 and a Sonata. That was before Toyota went big time on the fleets. I think there was am Altima or two as well.

    I ended up in an Impala because we had three kids in the back and the oldest of them said it felt better because it was flat across.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • maple2maple2 Member Posts: 177
    why were his parts discounted? Do service managers not get warranties? Probably free labour? Again no warranty? Nice guy...sold his lemon to a co-worker. No worry about him being a disgruntled Gm employee...remember he worked for a dealer, not Gm. Sheeeeesh, as long as you've been telling this tale, you would think that you would at least have the bugs worked out of it by now.
    P.S how many gm vehicles did you see burning this week?
  • maple2maple2 Member Posts: 177
    Couldnt help but notice that there is only 13 cars in your top 20?
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Sheeeeesh, as long as you've been telling this tale, you would think that you would at least have the bugs worked out of it by now.

    LMAO!!

    One would think he would have only to copy and paste it by now.

    And to say the service manager preferred the 7/8 truck well that's ok too. That's the one with the Tacoma pumpkin if I remember correctly.
  • xluxlu Member Posts: 457
    Kinda shows the gap left by the irresponsible, greedy and inept management at the USA auto companies over the years as gasoline prices skyrocket.

    Well, the US automakers have higher overall market share than the Japanese; selling less cars means their selling more trucks. The trucks are more profitable. Not a bad business model.

    This YTD, 935k trucks sold, up 30% from last year; 879k cars sold, only up 16%. It appears the US automakers have the upper hand even with high gas price now.
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    Nope, current generation Tundra, 5.7L double cab, loaded to the gills. Actually was one of the early adopters of the new model. Borrowed it myself to move furniture, amazing engine, drives like a car...

    I think he's about about 85k on it and only issue was a recall for something in the front end.

    But, as much as you and Mr. Maple don't want to believe the truth, it's the truth. Sorry to disappoint ;)
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    edited March 2011
    why were his parts discounted? Do service managers not get warranties? Probably free labour? Again no warranty?

    99 Suburban, out of warranty, needs parts... Gov. motors was not offering their 100k warranty, just the 3/36 powertrains in 2004... His second Sierra was out of warranty before selling it off.

    Keep the accusals coming if that's what makes you stay here at Edmunds worthwhile... ;)
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Last time I rented, I also got an Impala. They also had an Altima in their "full-size" lineup. Funny, I always thought of an Altima as more of a midsize car at best. The Maxima would be a full-size car.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,030
    Last time I rented, I also got an Impala. They also had an Altima in their "full-size" lineup. Funny, I always thought of an Altima as more of a midsize car at best. The Maxima would be a full-size car.

    The last time I had a rental car, back in 2001, I got "upgraded" to a "full-size" car. I use quotes because said car ended up being a Malibu! So I don't know if "upgrade" or "full-size" applied here.

    This was a work trip, and I remember a co-worker got a "midsize"...a 2001 Galant. I thought the Galant looked nicer, and had a much nicer interior than the Malibu, but it was also a lot smaller inside. And even though the Malibu's 3.1 V-6 was nothing to write home about, it had more kick to it than the 4-cyl in that Mitsubishi!

    Believe it or not, Nissan's current Maxima is actually SMALLER inside than the Altima! The Maxima has 96 cubic feet of interior volume, and a 14 cubic foot trunk. That's about the total interior volume of my '76 LeMans coupe, although my LeMans has a big front seat and a cramped back seat, whereas I'd imagine the Maxima is more evened out.

    The Altima has 101 cubic feet of interior volume, and a 15 cubic foot trunk. For comparison, the Impala has 105 cubic feet of interior volume, and a 19 cubic foot trunk, but I think the Impala uses roughly the same formula as my LeMans...huge front seat, but then a cramped back seat. And the Impala gets a lot of that volume from front seat headroom.
  • mz6greyghostmz6greyghost Member Posts: 1,230
    For the record, rental car companies go with a different criteria for sizing cars compared to the EPA. Even then, how they classify them also varies between rental companies as well.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    The rental companies definitely live in another world than I do. For me, an Impala is a midsize, a Malibu a compact, and a Grand Marquis is full-size. The only vehicle they had that fit my definition of full-size was a Lincoln Town Car which they called "prestige" or some pretentious title like it.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    The other 7 are trucks/SUV's.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    HMM...I'll bet they believe what you state. "We're in the lead with trucks so keep on truckin!"

    Funny how $125 a barrel for oil right around the corner continues to be missed by the elite auto managers. How savvy are they!

    For gasoline, the national average for regular grade, all formulations, the EIA estimates a $3.56 gal average this year, 41cts above the month prior estimate and 77cts gal more than the 2010 average. During the peak driving season, April through September, the agency projects a $3.70 gal average with considerable regional and local variation.

    Keep on Truckin'! :blush:

    Regards,
    OW
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,446
    They probably rank it by how many ping pong balls they can fit in the car or something. IIRC cars like a Versa or PT Cruiser have been classified as "mid size" too.

    There are still Grand Maquis in a few fleets as "premium", which is also debatable.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,446
    Market share or profits, not always the same thing. How much of that market share is low or no profit fleet work?

    Gas prices have only spiked in the past 6 weeks or so.
Sign In or Register to comment.