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GM News, New Models and Market Share

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Comments

  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Maybe they polished the floors and all smiled for Greta. Wasn't it some magazine that claimed the Corvette plant was a pig sty? The UAW could be trying to improve their image for the American people. You know it is hard for an electrician in CA getting by on $20 per hour to feel sorry for some unskilled labor making $30 per hour. So not only does GM have to improve their products to match the competition. The workforce has to Prove they are worthy to make more than the competition. That would mean higher production by UAW workers than HonToy workers.
  • jae5jae5 Member Posts: 1,206
    I watched the broadcast. What was kind of a let-down was the gentleman that went on the parking-lot ride with her - he was a major-downer. Instead of praising the vehicle, talking up the vehicle, quality, performance, workers, he was about as dry as the Sahara!!

    Everyone else was enthusiastic whereas he was Senor Droopy from Guadalupe!
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,923
    One thing, though - GM has been offering that 100K warranty for well before this current mess started. Chrysler's move is far more obvious and questionable.

    I question your definition of "well before" since GM's 100K warranty is only a recent phenomenon, and I think my definition of recent is more accurate than your definition of "well before." :)

    Also, what is your definition of "this current mess?" I think the ecomomy has shown signs of decline for almost 2 years now, and GM has been in a "mess" for decades as they've been losing money before, during, and after any "mess" you could possibly define.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    True, but I meant before the talks about Government bailouts and the like were even considered. GM did this as a marketing strategy all on its own, and as such isn't pulling the underhanded trick Chrysler is. Same with the pensions - GM and Chrysler both know that The Government will be left with the bill one way or another - but we'll see which one actually sticks the taxpayer with it instead of trying to work something out. My bet is on the guys who own Chrysler running for the hills and dropping it in our laps.

    At least I can give GM some credit for trying a little bit and making decent quality, if boring, vehicles. Chrysler is a boil that needs to be excised by comparison.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    that GM is planning a fourth rebadge of the Vue/Equinox/Torrent as a GMC, even in the midst of the huge mess it is in? That aint the solution to their troubles.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Not quite -- Torrent goes away, only to be replaced by the GMC Terrain. GM just can't quit the "too many models" syndrome.
  • torque_rtorque_r Member Posts: 500
    General Motors will be overtaken by Volkswagen AG this year and fall to the world's third-largest automaker by production volume, market research company R.L. Polk Germany said today. Global production of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles is forecast to fall 19 percent, or two million units, to 52.8 million vehicles this year -- the lowest output since 1998, Polk said.

    autonews.com
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    VW is still making money. Not getting greedy in the US volatile market will pay off. They have the best car on the road today in the US. The Jetta diesel is capable of mileage equal to the Prius and far superior comfort and handling. Nothing GM has is even close to the Jetta TDI. There US sales are only off 16% through March this year. That compares to 50% loss by GM same time frame. That key was only bringing as many as the market would buy. Unlike Toyota that has them stacked in the ports by the jillions.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    By God, they are targeting massive model cuts to a minimum of 33 in 2014!!

    Bwaahahahaha!! :lemon:

    Regards,
    OW
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    As I've posted many times. My wife (and I) has been eagerly anticipating getting rid of her 07 Grand Prix company car. A car we both absolutely despise. Well to make a long story short, like most companies her's has eliminated various positions and now have extra cars that are still on lease. So instead of getting to order a new car, she gets a left over car. So it looks like she's betting a base 08 G6. So it looks like I'll get some up close time with the Ecotech 4cyl and Epsilon platform. Never read much good about them, but I at least hope my wife likes it better than the Grand Prix which, outside of less power, I'd think she'll like the overall design and packaging better.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    The G6? That ancient we-forgot-to-update-it predecessor to the Malibu, from before the Malibu actually got good? You must have truly angered the car gods. Say 20 Hail Penskes and do 10 oil changes, and then you will be forgiven, and allowed near a Fusion. :shades:
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    he G6? That ancient we-forgot-to-update-it predecessor to the Malibu, from before the Malibu actually got good? You must have truly angered the car gods. Say 20 Hail Penskes and do 10 oil changes, and then you will be forgiven, and allowed near a Fusion. :shades:

    LOL!!!!!!!

    Oh well, looks like we're still stuck in GM Purgatory. At least it's free which is the only way it could ever find it's way on our driveway.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Well, at least it'll be better than the Grand Prix. I know. Damning with faint praise.

    It was worth it for bpizzuti's comment. Easy for me to say. I'm not the one that has to drive it...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    It was worth it for bpizzuti's comment. Easy for me to say. I'm not the one that has to drive it...

    Neither do I. But I will have to listen to my wife complain if she doesn't. I'm thinking overall she'll be content as it at least should ride better and be easier to get into and out of and provide more comfort.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Yeah, I could see that.

    Dare I ask what she does? I need a job with a company car. It could be a Cobalt and it would be OK. A free car is a wonderful thing.

    The silly thing for me on a G6 would be the dash - or more specifically the instrument cluster. I just don't like the look of it. Some of it is I'm not into red lighting.

    I wonder how many models end up as sales flops for something as picky as that.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    At least it's free

    You paid too much. :shades:

    Seriously, after all the taxpayer money poured into GM, each taxpayer should be entitled to a free car. :P
  • cooterbfdcooterbfd Member Posts: 2,770
    ".....Seriously, after all the taxpayer money poured into GM, each taxpayer should be entitled to a free car."

    Should we be entitled to free loans from the banks or free insurance from AIG??
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Forget loans. Just GIVE us free money from the bank....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • cooterbfdcooterbfd Member Posts: 2,770
    Hey, at the rate we're going, we may not be far from busting down their doors and "taking" what's "rightfully ours"
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Should we be entitled to free loans from the banks or free insurance from AIG??

    Yes. They're getting free loans from us after all.
  • cooterbfdcooterbfd Member Posts: 2,770
    Fair enough.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    I don't think you or your wife will be too happy with the G6. My wife and I had a base model 2007 model (but with a V6) as a rental in March 2007. Here's a slightly condensed version of my review on these forums dated April 11, 2007:

    We took a vacation to the Southwest last month. Gorgeous scenery and very nice weather; not too many tourists either. So if you're an empty nester or otherwise have no school-age kids, go in spring or fall.

    We flew to Vegas and rented a 2007 Pontiac G6 sedan from Alamo. The Alamo experience has its own sorry sideline, but I'll deal with the car itself, not the rental company. We drove over 1600 miles total, on 2-lanes and interstates (and a few unpaved roads -- sssh!), flat land and mountains, so we gave it a good workout.

    Of course, in traditional rental car fashion, it's a base G6 without even ABS. Side curtain airbags standard (wonderful), and it did have a sunroof(!), 3.5 V6, and alloys. Coal-bin black cloth interior. Manual seats (except power height adjuster for driver.)

    Pluses: nice V6 power, competent A/C with the intuitive manual rotary climate controls (3 simple knobs - pioneered in the US by the '86 Taurus). Good ride, good handling. Steering felt artificially heavy at first, but we quickly got used to it. Nice sized trunk, comfy front seats with good side bolstering. Engine compartment well laid out for checking oil, adding water to the EMPTY washer reservoir, etc. Sunroof actually quieter when fully open than when tilted up, the opposite of my '04 Camry! (We had it open a lot.) Even a padded (soft-touch) dash (except for the center stack)! So in terms of the basics, give GM a thumbs up! BTW, we never used the radio.

    Minuses: 4-speed auto with no discernible engine braking when placed into 3rd on steep high-speed downgrades. Like my former '90 Sable, you can't manually select 2nd for lower speed downgrades. No "PRNDL" indicator on the dash. Red gauge lighting -- okay, but not really my preference. "MPH" illuminated in red on the speedo -- makes you think a warning light is on, especially at night. Too-small side glass (when can we have big windows back)?

    Have to use the trip computer to reset the twin trip meters -- can't I have the push button on the speedo instead? Tiny YELLOW indicators on the climate control to indicate recirc vs. fresh air, and a/c on. Why not green? Yellow's fine for the rear defogger. Passenger seat like sitting in a tub -- way down low. My wife and I couldn't reach items temporarily placed on the dash from the passenger seat, with the seat all the way back for max legroom. Cruise control didn't hold speeds as steadily as in our Camrys, and those dainty little buttons for "set" and "resume" have to go!

    On the details, give GM a thumbs down!
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    Dare I ask what she does? I need a job with a company car. It could be a Cobalt and it would be OK. A free car is a wonderful thing.

    She is a district manager for a drug store chain, so she drives quite a bit from store to store over a decent sized territory.

    Most people I know with company cars are in outside sales. Most companies I've been around either pay mileage or give company cars out if you drive around 15k miles per year or more while conducting business.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I know insurance outfits use a bunch of company cars. A buddy of mine was an adjuster for a number of years and always had one.

    My uncle used to work in an office building for State Farm. My dad bought just out of service company cars for probably a decade in the late 60s -early 70s. They were fine for what they were - Fairlanes, Galaxies and Impalas.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • torque_rtorque_r Member Posts: 500
    BREAKING NEWS: General Motors Rumored to be Preparing for Bankruptcy Filing

    SACRAMENTO - April 7, 2009: News from sources ranging as diverse as Reuters to the Mike Omera Radio Show are reporting that General Motors is on the verge of filing for bankruptcy. While there's no official word from either GM itself or or Wall Street, it seems like Wednesday morning could be the eventful time.

    One possible scenario suggests that GM would be split into two parts: a "new" company made up of the most successful units, and an "old" one of its less-profitable units. This plan is said to be "gaining momentum" and is seen as the most sensible configuration.

    http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2009/04/07/456154.html
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    making ummm...what cars? Saturn's? Pontiac's?

    Wow, this kind of gets the imagination going, huh? We've been waiting for this, the Titanic is tilted up, Jack is looking at Rose and telling her to "hang on, Rose, don't let go."

    "We're gonna make it!"

    In the movie 'Titanic' at that point people start losing their grip and you hear them hit pieces of whatever is in their way on the way down to the waterline.

    Yikes, Captain Smith was really a moron, if you look back at the Titanic disaster. I mean, this guy was all set to retire when that inaugural voyage docked in NYC! It would've been a great 'White Star' retirement, too.

    Had to push ahead and light more boilers, brag about it in NY over a steak and meaty fries and a tangy brew-ski. ;)

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    And I guess the "new" GM consists only of Chevy and Cadillac, if we are to believe that all the heavy hints they were dropping over the weekend were accurate.

    So much for the 4-brand plan they submitted before. Although I guess the reason they are now talking bankruptcy is because the 4-brand plan wasn't considered a path to viability.

    They will be much better off this way, and from what I hear the one non-profit-producing program they are planning to keep in the "new" GM is the Volt program, so they won't have wasted all their work on that score. I am curious to see if the Volt will make it to the street, and exactly how well it will live up to the MASSIVE hype if/when it does.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    seriously, GM needs to lower the price of the Chevy Volt. A price of $40,000 for Volt won't help their PR cause at all. I am very interested in the new Volt's powertrain technology, though, and will want to keep up on it. I just won't spend $40,000 for a car, that's nuts. Somewhere closer to $20,000 is my limit, however, I'll go a few grand more for a Japanese Civic-fighter that has a "jet-fighter" inspired front grille. And so I did. :shades: Love my Lancer GTS as much as Mar.of '07 when I bought the sedan.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • wreckerman9wreckerman9 Member Posts: 8
    when the volt comes down to a reasonable price,they'll sell like hotcakes,but what's the life expectancy,and cost of battery replacement? no huge savings over the long term , if you ask me. they shoulda kept oldsmobile alive,and dumped pontiac, oh well,too late now. does anyone know how the u..s.has borrowed all this stimulus$$$ from the world bank @ 5 % , and we're loaning it out,@0 %-0.25 % ? who's keeping up with the math here? looks like a long term recipe for disaster. think about it.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Let's just say it's not the best product from GM. I drove a G6 rental last year and I wouldn't even consider it.

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Well, the Tesla S sedan can go 300 miles on a charge, is $50K after the rebate and seats 7.

    Although 10K more expensive, it can achieve 0 - 60 in under 6 seconds and reach 130 MPH top speed.

    Oh yeah, they are taking orders now and will be building them this summer.

    GM will not be a pioneer here, as usual.

    Regards,
    OW
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    I have found two carmakers (of course foreign) that are working on Ford-like "all-electric cars for the masses." One is the 2010 Pininfarina-Bollore BlueCar. It has a range of 153 miles, top speed of 85mph and about a 8-hour re-charge time. Seats 4 people comfortably and is nicely style-penned, by none other that Italy's Pininfarina design studio.

    image
    2010 Pinfarina-Bollore BlueCar

    Another one, a crossover seating 7, going 0-60 in under 8 seconds, having a top speed of 100mph and a range of 249 miles, this one being built by BYD of China, is being called the e6. Charges back up in 9 hours on a clothes-dryer plug-in. The e6 is coming in 2011 and will cost somewhere around $28,000. That's before the Obama $7,500 green rebate. A BYD exec has been quoted as saying they will work well in taxi fleets, perhaps because of the slightly higher price of $28,000. Hey, I'm game at that price, less the green rebate.

    image
    2011 BYD e6

    The BlueCar will cost around $25,000 give or take a thousand each way, and that car will also be subject to the green rebate. Should be somewhere around $18,000 then.

    Nope, GM won't be leading the common mans' march to all-electric powertrain usage. The Volt is sort of a hybrid, anyway, never built to be all-electric. I remain very interested in it's technology, however.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Thanks for the info. Obviously, you've been doing your homework. Too bad we've lost the cutting edge in our static auto industry. Hopefully, the start-ups bleed up to the new and improved industry that will take shape quite soon.

    Yes, Ford will be a leader again if they keep their egos in check and their passion high.

    Regards,
    OW
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    to lead them. I have a lot of respect for my former Big-Boy Boss at Boeing. :shades:

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Best of the bunch so far.

    Regards,
    OW
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Yes, Ford will be a leader again

    Again? What do you mean again? They are now! Two words: Fusion Hybrid. :shades:

    just to get back to the GM thing (since this is a GM thread after all) how does that oh-so-wonderful Malibu Hybrid hold up with the Fusion Hybrid, hmmmmm?
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,241
    A reporter is looking to speak to consumers who has purchased a GM vehicle over the past six months or interested in buying one shortly. Please send your daytime phone number to ctalati@edmunds.com by Monday, April 13, 2009.
    Thanks,
    Chintan
    Corporate Communications
    Edmunds.com

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • ingvaringvar Member Posts: 205
    Again? What do you mean again? They are now! Two words: Fusion Hybrid.
    Anything like bmw 335i or 335d instead of useless hybrid?
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Anything like bmw 335i or 335d instead of useless hybrid?

    Uhh...why would Ford be looking to compete with BMW? That's Lincoln territory.
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    the worst part will be if GM charges $40,000 for the Volt and they are NOT the first to the market with an electric car. There are several other manufacturers that have electric cars in development and may beat GM to the market.
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    GM, Chrysler blocked from Energy Department loans

    link title
  • anythngbutgmanythngbutgm Member Posts: 4,277
    link title
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Makes sense...the brand actually has a high value in China.

    Although the sale of Buick is strictly a rumor at this time, it opens the door to a great deal of speculation. For example, what would happen to Buick’s stylish new U.S.-specific 2010 LaCrosse? We’re pretty sure GM would not scrap the model entirely.

    I can just see them releasing the "2010 Cadillac LaCrosse" and killing all the credibility they've finally created for Cadillac....
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    And I guess the "new" GM consists only of Chevy and Cadillac, if we are to believe that all the heavy hints they were dropping over the weekend were accurate.

    I certainly hope so! It's the only way they can actually become competitive - if they will put their resources into about 8 CARS instead of 8 BRANDS of cars. If they focus on really making Cadillac competitive with BMW, and Chevy competitive with Toyota, they have a chance at becoming great at what they do again. I hope it's true. Never saw the need for GMC (redundancy defined), Buick (ask an old man who has one), Pontiac (We build Excrement) or Saturn (well, we USED to be different anyway...) and Hummer and SAAB, well.....
  • bpizzutibpizzuti Member Posts: 2,743
    Hummer would be the car waiting for the CEOs after they land with their golden parachutes, so they can hide in the wilderness while maintaining that CEO lifestyle. :shades:
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Don't think it holds a candle but the Prius is still a notch above the FH, IMHO, of course! ;)

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    On Monday, Moody’s Investor Service released a report indicating a 70 percent risk of bankruptcy for GM and Chrysler. GM CEO Fritz Henderson said he hopes to restructure outside of bankruptcy court, but he is fully prepared to take the company into Chapter 11 if the necessary deals cannot be reached.


    As opposed to:

    "Ran Out of Luck" - Chrysler
    "Tough Luck"- Wagoner
    "Dumb Luck" - Fiat
    "Whole Lotta 'O Luck" - A.I.G and GM Bond Holders (see below)
    "Fat Chance" - Hummer
    "Lots 'O Luck" - Timothy Geitner

    Rep. McCotter: Don't Let AIG-Backed Bondholders Profit From GM Bankruptcy

    Regards,
    OW
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    Well, the Tesla S sedan can go 300 miles on a charge, is $50K after the rebate and seats 7.
    ****
    The real issue with the Volt, though, is the pathetic 1970's era range on battery power. When the competition is designing vehicles with 2-3x the range at a similar cost, it's already dead-on-arrival for GM.

    And nothing GM has looks like that Tesla sedan. It looks like the RX8's bigger, meaner brother. :)
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Yeah, I'll take a 0% mortgage and free car and health insurance! Those alone would save me an IMMENSE amount of money. Shoot, I could both a new Cadillac or Buick EVERY year.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Well, as far as I'm concerned, the good part is Cadillac and Buick.
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