If you could restructure GM...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 254
From: Orem, UT
If you could restructure GM...
Disclaimer 
Though I follow this forum every day, I am CERTAINLY no expert. Amidst all these threads about what GM ought to do, I thought why not pool all those thoughts together?
BUICK - ??? Make Cars only, no suv's. Soft, comfortable ride with plush leather interiors. Big grilles, chrome accents ... like i said, I dunno. (Drop??)
CADILLAC - needs a two door coupe besides the XLR. (Eldorado replacement.)
CHEVROLET - Camaro, duh
Cobalt - offer Hybrid
SUV's OFFER DURAMAX!
Chevy can market the FWD's while Pontiac getws RWD's
GMC - Keep them. I know enough people that won't buy chevy cuz a GMC is 'better'. Maybe market with Hummer...
HUMMER - I'm no Hummer guru, all I know is the M998's were maintenance nightmares. But they were tough. Good to see the new Hummer will get Duramax. If H2's don't have them offer them for better MPG.
PONTIAC - MOSTLY RWD's. Pontiac is NOT a BMW competitor - leave that to SAAB. If Pontiac is excitement, then "Make it so." First off, T/A returns, so <percieved> line up is Camaro < T/A < GTO < Corvette. THAT is excitement. Pontiac needs definition. Have Solstice, T/A, and GTO. Update and or ax the Grand am, Bonneville, or Grandprix. G6 was great move marketing wise. Get RID OFF AZTEK - how the hell is that exciting?
SAAB - Only GM nuts know SAAB if affiliated. The purchasing public thinks it is a great Eurupean car. Let SAAB compete with BMW and AUDI. Build reliable, TIGHT, fast cars, and market them well.
SATURN - ??? Do what you do. Continue this different car thing. Market Hybrids that are reliable. Eat into Honda and Toyota sales.
Overall, Chevy and Saturn need to focus on getting Honda sales. Pontiac needs definition. Give them the RWD performance fighters against Ford and Dodge. Buick needs HELP - average purchaser is like 70 yrs old.
Like I said, I'm no expert, but the General needs a hand.
Thoughts?
Though I follow this forum every day, I am CERTAINLY no expert. Amidst all these threads about what GM ought to do, I thought why not pool all those thoughts together?
BUICK - ??? Make Cars only, no suv's. Soft, comfortable ride with plush leather interiors. Big grilles, chrome accents ... like i said, I dunno. (Drop??)
CADILLAC - needs a two door coupe besides the XLR. (Eldorado replacement.)
CHEVROLET - Camaro, duh
Cobalt - offer Hybrid
SUV's OFFER DURAMAX!
Chevy can market the FWD's while Pontiac getws RWD's
GMC - Keep them. I know enough people that won't buy chevy cuz a GMC is 'better'. Maybe market with Hummer...
HUMMER - I'm no Hummer guru, all I know is the M998's were maintenance nightmares. But they were tough. Good to see the new Hummer will get Duramax. If H2's don't have them offer them for better MPG.
PONTIAC - MOSTLY RWD's. Pontiac is NOT a BMW competitor - leave that to SAAB. If Pontiac is excitement, then "Make it so." First off, T/A returns, so <percieved> line up is Camaro < T/A < GTO < Corvette. THAT is excitement. Pontiac needs definition. Have Solstice, T/A, and GTO. Update and or ax the Grand am, Bonneville, or Grandprix. G6 was great move marketing wise. Get RID OFF AZTEK - how the hell is that exciting?
SAAB - Only GM nuts know SAAB if affiliated. The purchasing public thinks it is a great Eurupean car. Let SAAB compete with BMW and AUDI. Build reliable, TIGHT, fast cars, and market them well.
SATURN - ??? Do what you do. Continue this different car thing. Market Hybrids that are reliable. Eat into Honda and Toyota sales.
Overall, Chevy and Saturn need to focus on getting Honda sales. Pontiac needs definition. Give them the RWD performance fighters against Ford and Dodge. Buick needs HELP - average purchaser is like 70 yrs old.
Like I said, I'm no expert, but the General needs a hand.
Thoughts?
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 45
Re: If you could restructure GM...
Me, I would axe Buick, Saturn, GMC, and maybe Pontiac at this point...I am afraid drastic measures are going to be needed.
Chevy needs to do the everyman thing, pure and simple. They need to replace Saturn and do what Saturn does even better and get you in your life from your first car to your last if you want to stick with them...colbalt to truck to vette etc.
If you keep Pontiac it is a more risky line with more style than Chevy that offers some performance you can't find in every Chevy.
Caddy needs to be where you end up...refined and excellent.
You start with chevy as your first car and have the old reliable thing going on. You offer enuff to keep a customer base all the way through your line up.
For the guys that want even more performance and style and have more cash you have Pontiac. Pontiac goes for the BMW guys, mid life crisis guys that have a family, and the upper mobile types that want that performance and the cutting edge thing.
Caddy gets the top hat types.
They need to have a bit more influence over dealers...ensure quality and service as number one priority. Build confidence.
The lack of interesting cars for a guy who grew up doing hot rods and driving F bodies, Monte SS's, and stangs has caused me to stay away combined with some of the worst dealerships I have ever been to.
I did not pay sticker for any of my Fords and many of my stangs were hot items before they were released...I will never set foot on a Pontiac dealers lot ever again. The big one in the DFW area was stuck on sticker and the rest wanted more than sticker on GTO's...and gee, looked what happend with those 04's all of you said were selling and you did not need to deal on.
Combine that with okay looks and Im over and done with it.
Chevy needs to do the everyman thing, pure and simple. They need to replace Saturn and do what Saturn does even better and get you in your life from your first car to your last if you want to stick with them...colbalt to truck to vette etc.
If you keep Pontiac it is a more risky line with more style than Chevy that offers some performance you can't find in every Chevy.
Caddy needs to be where you end up...refined and excellent.
You start with chevy as your first car and have the old reliable thing going on. You offer enuff to keep a customer base all the way through your line up.
For the guys that want even more performance and style and have more cash you have Pontiac. Pontiac goes for the BMW guys, mid life crisis guys that have a family, and the upper mobile types that want that performance and the cutting edge thing.
Caddy gets the top hat types.
They need to have a bit more influence over dealers...ensure quality and service as number one priority. Build confidence.
The lack of interesting cars for a guy who grew up doing hot rods and driving F bodies, Monte SS's, and stangs has caused me to stay away combined with some of the worst dealerships I have ever been to.
I did not pay sticker for any of my Fords and many of my stangs were hot items before they were released...I will never set foot on a Pontiac dealers lot ever again. The big one in the DFW area was stuck on sticker and the rest wanted more than sticker on GTO's...and gee, looked what happend with those 04's all of you said were selling and you did not need to deal on.
Combine that with okay looks and Im over and done with it.
Disciple
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,479
Re: If you could restructure GM...
Quite an interesting exercise. I initially thought this would just be a quick summary of what I already think. The more I get into it the more I understand how difficult the decisions are that GM needs to make. Here’s the start of what I’d do. There are still a lot of holes in the thinking though.
Cadillac: Keep doing what they’re doing. They need to add a CTS retractible hardtop Coupe (CTC) in standard and “v” configuration as well as an SRXv. Avoid any move down market.
Chevrolet: The full bread and butter line. Obviously the Camaro needs to return. After that is gets tougher. I’d like to see a return to RWD, but perhaps staying with FWD and adding AWD as an option pretty much across the model lineup would be just as effective. I’m also in favor of the common styling theme for Chevy. Make a manual transmission available on every SS and make sure that every SS is a significant styling, handling and power upgrade from the regular vehicle.
Buick: The “thinking man’s” or “plain brown wrapper” Cadillac. Most of the features offered in a Cadillac in an unpretentious package for less money. I’d mirror the Cadillac model range except for the XLR and Escalades and make the CTC knockoff a fixed roof coupe.
Pontiac: Stays to keep the dealer network happy. Chevrolet with “in your face” styling, for which you’ll be expected to pay a little more.
GMC: For the dealers as well. Chevy trucks and SUV’s with a different grill. Where Chevy has “SS”, GMC goes “Denali” plush luxury with emphasis on ride over handling.
Saturn: Opel USA.
Saab: ?
Hummer: If they’re making money I’d say carry on. It’s a brand that doesn’t register on my radar screen.
Cadillac: Keep doing what they’re doing. They need to add a CTS retractible hardtop Coupe (CTC) in standard and “v” configuration as well as an SRXv. Avoid any move down market.
Chevrolet: The full bread and butter line. Obviously the Camaro needs to return. After that is gets tougher. I’d like to see a return to RWD, but perhaps staying with FWD and adding AWD as an option pretty much across the model lineup would be just as effective. I’m also in favor of the common styling theme for Chevy. Make a manual transmission available on every SS and make sure that every SS is a significant styling, handling and power upgrade from the regular vehicle.
Buick: The “thinking man’s” or “plain brown wrapper” Cadillac. Most of the features offered in a Cadillac in an unpretentious package for less money. I’d mirror the Cadillac model range except for the XLR and Escalades and make the CTC knockoff a fixed roof coupe.
Pontiac: Stays to keep the dealer network happy. Chevrolet with “in your face” styling, for which you’ll be expected to pay a little more.
GMC: For the dealers as well. Chevy trucks and SUV’s with a different grill. Where Chevy has “SS”, GMC goes “Denali” plush luxury with emphasis on ride over handling.
Saturn: Opel USA.
Saab: ?
Hummer: If they’re making money I’d say carry on. It’s a brand that doesn’t register on my radar screen.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Re: If you could restructure GM...
Cadillac:
No changes, but they need a coupe of some sort. Badly.
Hummer:
No changes. Take a civilian version of a military vehicle as the top model, then make a Chevy suburban look just like it and sell it for a vault full of money. Ingenious. They are alot smarter than I think I am.
Pontiac:
By far needs the most work IMO. I'd adopt another member's idea, and actually turn Pontiac into an excitement division. I'd eliminate all SUVs from the lineup. Torrant & Vibe? Gone. I'd also make the G6 the entry level vehicle. Grand Prix the next step, and have a CTS based Bonneville. I'd most certainly keep the GTO, but I'd swap the Solstice body for Saturn Sky's. All cars would have alumunum wheels and single level powerplants. No base cars with Cool Whip suspension or poker chip tires.
Chevrolet:
When I was growing up, Chevrolet was the only car division without a single design theme on all it's cars. Going into a Chevy dealer, you wre greeted with a wide array of bodies and grilles. I'd bring that back. Chevrolet would also be the only division with rebates, and should be the only part of GM with a Wal-Mart feeling (as opposed to the entire company). The only additions I'd make to Chevy is that I'd have Holden's Chevy Lumina positioned above the Impala as a V8 sports sedan (perhaps called Belair), and of course a Mustang competitor.
Buick:
I'd have Cadillac and Buick share some structures. I'd have the CTS and STS as Lecerne and "Roadmaster". I'd keep the Lecross and tune the suspensions of all to be softer than Cadillac's, but just as responsive. I'd keep any SUVs and crossovers. I'd make a Riviera off of a Cadillac coupe.
Saturn:
Except the Sky, I'd gut Saturn & turn it into Opel under Saturn's name. The volume cars would be made here, the low volume cars would be made by Opel. Nothing bigger than Espilon chassis.
GMC:
I'd get rid of it left to my own devices, but GMC has a pretty strong base & is a successful division. Given that, I wouldn't change anything here.
Holden:
I'd yank all US influence back out of Holden, and have it run locally again. If you haven't been keeping track, GM North America is exerting alot of influence at Holden, and the company isn't exactly benefitting because of it. GM-NA's cost cutting, high volume, model dropping mindset is starting to wreck havoc on Holden.
Opel:
Incorperate it with Saturn. This way many vehicles from Opel made in Europe can be sold here, keeping GM operations there in the black. This saves GM money by designing 1 line of cars instead of 2, without killing a brand.
SAAB:
Not sure what I'd do with Saab. It has a unique distinct customer base. It has it's own reputation. It has it's own look that can't be incorperated with any other GM division. Yet it's not selling well or making any money. My knee-jerk reaction is to drop it, but then you'd get Sweedish government involved and the next thing you know, you have a underutilized, government subsidized plant producing a small quanity of cars that can't be sold under any other nameplate. That's one division I really don't have an answer for.
Daewoo & Subaru:
Besides being a parts bin for GM worldwide, and mastering sales in their own markets I'd have them be the driving force for selling cars in low cost markets. Not just low level products here & Europe, but also China, South & Central America or anyplace their cost advantage would work to their good.
No changes, but they need a coupe of some sort. Badly.
Hummer:
No changes. Take a civilian version of a military vehicle as the top model, then make a Chevy suburban look just like it and sell it for a vault full of money. Ingenious. They are alot smarter than I think I am.
Pontiac:
By far needs the most work IMO. I'd adopt another member's idea, and actually turn Pontiac into an excitement division. I'd eliminate all SUVs from the lineup. Torrant & Vibe? Gone. I'd also make the G6 the entry level vehicle. Grand Prix the next step, and have a CTS based Bonneville. I'd most certainly keep the GTO, but I'd swap the Solstice body for Saturn Sky's. All cars would have alumunum wheels and single level powerplants. No base cars with Cool Whip suspension or poker chip tires.
Chevrolet:
When I was growing up, Chevrolet was the only car division without a single design theme on all it's cars. Going into a Chevy dealer, you wre greeted with a wide array of bodies and grilles. I'd bring that back. Chevrolet would also be the only division with rebates, and should be the only part of GM with a Wal-Mart feeling (as opposed to the entire company). The only additions I'd make to Chevy is that I'd have Holden's Chevy Lumina positioned above the Impala as a V8 sports sedan (perhaps called Belair), and of course a Mustang competitor.
Buick:
I'd have Cadillac and Buick share some structures. I'd have the CTS and STS as Lecerne and "Roadmaster". I'd keep the Lecross and tune the suspensions of all to be softer than Cadillac's, but just as responsive. I'd keep any SUVs and crossovers. I'd make a Riviera off of a Cadillac coupe.
Saturn:
Except the Sky, I'd gut Saturn & turn it into Opel under Saturn's name. The volume cars would be made here, the low volume cars would be made by Opel. Nothing bigger than Espilon chassis.
GMC:
I'd get rid of it left to my own devices, but GMC has a pretty strong base & is a successful division. Given that, I wouldn't change anything here.
Holden:
I'd yank all US influence back out of Holden, and have it run locally again. If you haven't been keeping track, GM North America is exerting alot of influence at Holden, and the company isn't exactly benefitting because of it. GM-NA's cost cutting, high volume, model dropping mindset is starting to wreck havoc on Holden.
Opel:
Incorperate it with Saturn. This way many vehicles from Opel made in Europe can be sold here, keeping GM operations there in the black. This saves GM money by designing 1 line of cars instead of 2, without killing a brand.
SAAB:
Not sure what I'd do with Saab. It has a unique distinct customer base. It has it's own reputation. It has it's own look that can't be incorperated with any other GM division. Yet it's not selling well or making any money. My knee-jerk reaction is to drop it, but then you'd get Sweedish government involved and the next thing you know, you have a underutilized, government subsidized plant producing a small quanity of cars that can't be sold under any other nameplate. That's one division I really don't have an answer for.
Daewoo & Subaru:
Besides being a parts bin for GM worldwide, and mastering sales in their own markets I'd have them be the driving force for selling cars in low cost markets. Not just low level products here & Europe, but also China, South & Central America or anyplace their cost advantage would work to their good.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,979
Re: If you could restructure GM...
Buick <---- Kill it. Buick is simply being squeezed out of the marketplace because their faithful owners are dropping like flies and there's no room between Chevrolet and Cadillac.
Saturn <---- Kill it. Saturn doesn't do a anything Chevrolet can't do.
Chevrolet - Volume division. Chevrolet sells appliances, the trucks, Corvette and our beloved Camaro. Malibu needs an SS version like I need a hole in my head. What Malibu really needs is the best price, features, power, quality, safety, size, economy and resale value in the segment. No hocus-pocus, deliver the iron. Hit the Japanese right between the running lights by making them beat you on value, and market THAT.
Pontiac/GMC - Chevrolet, but with more attitude. Price points start just north of Chevrolet and end just south of Cadillac. That goes for GMC too. Use the extra money you get for the car to differentiate from Chevrolet... kinda like a mid-level appliance.
Cadillac - Picks up where Pontiac/GMC leaves off. World Standard. Shares platforms with NO ONE... EXCEPT for MAYBE the trucks. A Cadillac is a Cadillac. You want a Cadillac body and Cadillac features? Pass the money, bub. Cadillac buyers get a dealer experience akin to being royalty... they pay for it too. Cadillac gets state-of-the-art technology, across the board. Cadillac leads the industry in every respect from powertrains to comfort to quietness. These are not appliances... they speak to status and lust.
UNIVERSAL:
Beat everyone on price.
Beat everyone on quality.
Beat everyone on features.
Beat everyone on dealership experience.
Beat everyone on warranty.
Beat everyone on resale.
Saturn <---- Kill it. Saturn doesn't do a anything Chevrolet can't do.
Chevrolet - Volume division. Chevrolet sells appliances, the trucks, Corvette and our beloved Camaro. Malibu needs an SS version like I need a hole in my head. What Malibu really needs is the best price, features, power, quality, safety, size, economy and resale value in the segment. No hocus-pocus, deliver the iron. Hit the Japanese right between the running lights by making them beat you on value, and market THAT.
Pontiac/GMC - Chevrolet, but with more attitude. Price points start just north of Chevrolet and end just south of Cadillac. That goes for GMC too. Use the extra money you get for the car to differentiate from Chevrolet... kinda like a mid-level appliance.
Cadillac - Picks up where Pontiac/GMC leaves off. World Standard. Shares platforms with NO ONE... EXCEPT for MAYBE the trucks. A Cadillac is a Cadillac. You want a Cadillac body and Cadillac features? Pass the money, bub. Cadillac buyers get a dealer experience akin to being royalty... they pay for it too. Cadillac gets state-of-the-art technology, across the board. Cadillac leads the industry in every respect from powertrains to comfort to quietness. These are not appliances... they speak to status and lust.
UNIVERSAL:
Beat everyone on price.
Beat everyone on quality.
Beat everyone on features.
Beat everyone on dealership experience.
Beat everyone on warranty.
Beat everyone on resale.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,000
From: TX Med Ctr
Re: If you could restructure GM...
Originally Posted by guionM
Pontiac:
By far needs the most work IMO. I'd adopt another member's idea, and actually turn Pontiac into an excitement division. I'd eliminate all SUVs from the lineup. Torrant & Vibe? Gone. I'd also make the G6 the entry level vehicle. Grand Prix the next step, and have a CTS based Bonneville. I'd most certainly keep the GTO, but I'd swap the Solstice body for Saturn Sky's. All cars would have alumunum wheels and single level powerplants. No base cars with Cool Whip suspension or poker chip tires.
By far needs the most work IMO. I'd adopt another member's idea, and actually turn Pontiac into an excitement division. I'd eliminate all SUVs from the lineup. Torrant & Vibe? Gone. I'd also make the G6 the entry level vehicle. Grand Prix the next step, and have a CTS based Bonneville. I'd most certainly keep the GTO, but I'd swap the Solstice body for Saturn Sky's. All cars would have alumunum wheels and single level powerplants. No base cars with Cool Whip suspension or poker chip tires.
Chevrolet:
When I was growing up, Chevrolet was the only car division without a single design theme on all it's cars. Going into a Chevy dealer, you wre greeted with a wide array of bodies and grilles. I'd bring that back. Chevrolet would also be the only division with rebates, and should be the only part of GM with a Wal-Mart feeling (as opposed to the entire company). The only additions I'd make to Chevy is that I'd have Holden's Chevy Lumina positioned above the Impala as a V8 sports sedan (perhaps called Belair), and of course a Mustang competitor.
When I was growing up, Chevrolet was the only car division without a single design theme on all it's cars. Going into a Chevy dealer, you wre greeted with a wide array of bodies and grilles. I'd bring that back. Chevrolet would also be the only division with rebates, and should be the only part of GM with a Wal-Mart feeling (as opposed to the entire company). The only additions I'd make to Chevy is that I'd have Holden's Chevy Lumina positioned above the Impala as a V8 sports sedan (perhaps called Belair), and of course a Mustang competitor.
Buick:
I'd have Cadillac and Buick share some structures. I'd have the CTS and STS as Lecerne and "Roadmaster". I'd keep the Lecross and tune the suspensions of all to be softer than Cadillac's, but just as responsive. I'd keep any SUVs and crossovers. I'd make a Riviera off of a Cadillac coupe.
I'd have Cadillac and Buick share some structures. I'd have the CTS and STS as Lecerne and "Roadmaster". I'd keep the Lecross and tune the suspensions of all to be softer than Cadillac's, but just as responsive. I'd keep any SUVs and crossovers. I'd make a Riviera off of a Cadillac coupe.
Saturn:
Except the Sky, I'd gut Saturn & turn it into Opel under Saturn's name. The volume cars would be made here, the low volume cars would be made by Opel. Nothing bigger than Espilon chassis.
Except the Sky, I'd gut Saturn & turn it into Opel under Saturn's name. The volume cars would be made here, the low volume cars would be made by Opel. Nothing bigger than Espilon chassis.
GMC:
I'd get rid of it left to my own devices, but GMC has a pretty strong base & is a successful division. Given that, I wouldn't change anything here.
I'd get rid of it left to my own devices, but GMC has a pretty strong base & is a successful division. Given that, I wouldn't change anything here.
Holden:
I'd yank all US influence back out of Holden, and have it run locally again. If you haven't been keeping track, GM North America is exerting alot of influence at Holden, and the company isn't exactly benefitting because of it. GM-NA's cost cutting, high volume, model dropping mindset is starting to wreck havoc on Holden.
I'd yank all US influence back out of Holden, and have it run locally again. If you haven't been keeping track, GM North America is exerting alot of influence at Holden, and the company isn't exactly benefitting because of it. GM-NA's cost cutting, high volume, model dropping mindset is starting to wreck havoc on Holden.
SAAB:
Not sure what I'd do with Saab. It has a unique distinct customer base. It has it's own reputation. It has it's own look that can't be incorperated with any other GM division. Yet it's not selling well or making any money. My knee-jerk reaction is to drop it, but then you'd get Sweedish government involved and the next thing you know, you have a underutilized, government subsidized plant producing a small quanity of cars that can't be sold under any other nameplate. That's one division I really don't have an answer for.
Not sure what I'd do with Saab. It has a unique distinct customer base. It has it's own reputation. It has it's own look that can't be incorperated with any other GM division. Yet it's not selling well or making any money. My knee-jerk reaction is to drop it, but then you'd get Sweedish government involved and the next thing you know, you have a underutilized, government subsidized plant producing a small quanity of cars that can't be sold under any other nameplate. That's one division I really don't have an answer for.
Daewoo & Subaru:
Besides being a parts bin for GM worldwide, and mastering sales in their own markets I'd have them be the driving force for selling cars in low cost markets. Not just low level products here & Europe, but also China, South & Central America or anyplace their cost advantage would work to their good.
Besides being a parts bin for GM worldwide, and mastering sales in their own markets I'd have them be the driving force for selling cars in low cost markets. Not just low level products here & Europe, but also China, South & Central America or anyplace their cost advantage would work to their good.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 27
From: Motown
Re: If you could restructure GM...
IMHO, restructuring GM requires wholesale management changes first, such as replacing the CEO and board of directors. The individuals currently in those positions are borderline criminally negligent. Ask any stockholder.
Head hunt the top people from the most successful auto companies and start with a clean slate at the top. Forget the GQ suits with the fancy pedigrees and used car salesman BS lines. Get some people in there with MBA's AND engineering degrees that can actually change a tire, install a set of spark plugs or heaven forbid get their hands greasy.
How can anyone expect top GM management to make responsible decisions when the vast majority of their product experiences are driving hand-massaged vehicles from the corporate fleet to their next PR event.
Head hunt the top people from the most successful auto companies and start with a clean slate at the top. Forget the GQ suits with the fancy pedigrees and used car salesman BS lines. Get some people in there with MBA's AND engineering degrees that can actually change a tire, install a set of spark plugs or heaven forbid get their hands greasy.
How can anyone expect top GM management to make responsible decisions when the vast majority of their product experiences are driving hand-massaged vehicles from the corporate fleet to their next PR event.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 518
Re: If you could restructure GM...
chevrolet: the camaro needs to be brought back soon obviiously but the other car that needs to return is the chevelle(a rwd version, not some stupid fwd drive thing called malibu max! its pretty pathetic when i have to drive a 81 malibu to get rwd and a full frame) 
another car that could come back as well would be nova and again not as the 1986 p.os. that was a joint venture with a import manufactuerer) in the 60s you started in a nova then camaro then chevelle then impala, they need to get back to that!also the person in charge of promotion ,ads etc. needs to be fired! there werent any camaro ads shown in canada and what ads they do have are the most boring and pathetic rubbish ive ever had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing! one last thing, where have the 2 door cars disappeared? 
another car that could come back as well would be nova and again not as the 1986 p.os. that was a joint venture with a import manufactuerer) in the 60s you started in a nova then camaro then chevelle then impala, they need to get back to that!also the person in charge of promotion ,ads etc. needs to be fired! there werent any camaro ads shown in canada and what ads they do have are the most boring and pathetic rubbish ive ever had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing! one last thing, where have the 2 door cars disappeared?
West South Central Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,371
From: Kilgore TX 75662
Re: If you could restructure GM...
I'm nobody important, but here are my thoughts.
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Cadillac - It's doing well now. Continue moving upscale back to being the Standard of the World. A price increase here won't hurt anything. Offer all models in RWD or AWD. All models stay on the same semi-aggressive yet classy styling path. The CTS is to remain the smallest Cadillac. Base model Luxury Caddys (i.e. DLS, SLS, etc) are smoother riding with good power and lots of chrome. Next step up are the Touring cars with a little more power and a little tighter suspension. And at the top are the V cars and trucks with LOTS more power and an acute suspension with little to no chrome.
Will we see a DTS-V?
Cadillac dealerships will need to step up also. The customer is the boss. If there is a problem with the car and needs a rental, send a nicely dressed Cadillac representative to them in a Cadillac rental car 24/7. If they have to wait at the dealership for their car to be fixed, have a nice Cadillac lounge area.
HUMMER - The biggest and the baddest. The toughest of the tough. The most expensive trucks and SUVs on the planet with the power to match.
The military's HUMVEEs are getting old. They could use a replacement if you ask me. Make the next edition and all other HUMMERs more powerful. 300hp minimum for the H3.
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Buick, Pontiac, and GMC can be sold at the same dealership. There is very little crossover and the pricing is between Chevy and Cadillac.
Buick - The traditional brand. I've got mixed thoughts here. I love the heritage of the GSX, GNX, and others, but I don't see the future of Buick using that. I see lots of interior room with plush leather and woodgrain interior and respectable power. I see lots of chrome on the highend models and non-aggressive traditional styling across the board. A step down from the Luxury model Cadillacs.
Pontiac - The "Excitement Division"
The top model for every Pontiac has AWD and forced induction. Finally "Ram Air" will really mean something. All models have aggresisve styling and sporty suspension. Aluminum wheels across the board. The car looks like it is going fast when it is sitting still. NO MINIVANS OR SUVS!!!
GMC - Professional Grade. Differentiate the styling from Chevy even more. The "big truck" look is getting more popular. There are ways to make small vehicles look big. Torque is the name of the game at GMC. Either larger engines, or forced induction. Let Chevy's SS have the horsepower, but GMC will have class leading torque in every vehicle. Every GMC model will have an available Denali edition with big shiny wheels, special grille, and nicer interior.
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Chevrolet - It is the brand for everybody. Somebody can open up a Chevrolet dealership and basically have 1 car of every platform. If GM offers a vehicle anywhere on the planet, Chevrolet has a version of it. I do like the idea of every Chevrolet being identifiable as a Chevy. I don't like the Gold Bowtie. Have the color of the bowtie emblems indicate the trim level.
Blue = standard
Gold = Luxury
Red = Sporty
Black = SS
Or maybe a red and black bowtie for the SS.
I'm crazy enough to say that every Chevrolet vehicle should get an SS version. The "blue devil" Corvette can be the Corvette SS. Even the Aveo can get an SS... if they put the engine from the current Cobalt SS into it. And then the Cobalt would need more power from something like a 255hp V6. And somebody slap a blower/turbo on the Malibu SS's V6 for around 300hp.
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Saturn & Opel - I like the idea of combining these two. I think Saturn will move upmarket a little. Maybe throw a little Vauxhall in there also...
Daewoo - They get the lower end cars that Saturn has outgrown and their own versions of the low and midrange Chevrolets. I could see a Daewoo version of the base Malibu sedan as the top model.
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SAAB - I like this company's lineup. Can somebody explain what is the current problem here? I say give them a little of the best of everything. Every vehicle in their lineup needs to be turbocharged and have available AWD. SAAB will be like a step down from the Cadillac V series. I could even see a Sigma chassis SAAB with a turbo 5 or 6 cylinder.
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Holden and Subaru can continue what they have been doing as far as I'm concerned. GM-NA can continue to borrow from their parts bin.
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There was talk about a performance group starting up at GM. Time to make it recognizable. Have a group of performance folks (aka "car guys") for all of GMNA. Chevrolet SS, Cadillac V series, Pontiac Ram Air, Saturn Redline, Holden HSV, Subaru STi, etc. will all be handled by the same group. These are the folks that insurance companies will either love or hate.
Now I've spent WAY too much time on this...
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Cadillac - It's doing well now. Continue moving upscale back to being the Standard of the World. A price increase here won't hurt anything. Offer all models in RWD or AWD. All models stay on the same semi-aggressive yet classy styling path. The CTS is to remain the smallest Cadillac. Base model Luxury Caddys (i.e. DLS, SLS, etc) are smoother riding with good power and lots of chrome. Next step up are the Touring cars with a little more power and a little tighter suspension. And at the top are the V cars and trucks with LOTS more power and an acute suspension with little to no chrome.
Will we see a DTS-V?
Cadillac dealerships will need to step up also. The customer is the boss. If there is a problem with the car and needs a rental, send a nicely dressed Cadillac representative to them in a Cadillac rental car 24/7. If they have to wait at the dealership for their car to be fixed, have a nice Cadillac lounge area.
HUMMER - The biggest and the baddest. The toughest of the tough. The most expensive trucks and SUVs on the planet with the power to match.
The military's HUMVEEs are getting old. They could use a replacement if you ask me. Make the next edition and all other HUMMERs more powerful. 300hp minimum for the H3.
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Buick, Pontiac, and GMC can be sold at the same dealership. There is very little crossover and the pricing is between Chevy and Cadillac.
Buick - The traditional brand. I've got mixed thoughts here. I love the heritage of the GSX, GNX, and others, but I don't see the future of Buick using that. I see lots of interior room with plush leather and woodgrain interior and respectable power. I see lots of chrome on the highend models and non-aggressive traditional styling across the board. A step down from the Luxury model Cadillacs.
Pontiac - The "Excitement Division"
The top model for every Pontiac has AWD and forced induction. Finally "Ram Air" will really mean something. All models have aggresisve styling and sporty suspension. Aluminum wheels across the board. The car looks like it is going fast when it is sitting still. NO MINIVANS OR SUVS!!!GMC - Professional Grade. Differentiate the styling from Chevy even more. The "big truck" look is getting more popular. There are ways to make small vehicles look big. Torque is the name of the game at GMC. Either larger engines, or forced induction. Let Chevy's SS have the horsepower, but GMC will have class leading torque in every vehicle. Every GMC model will have an available Denali edition with big shiny wheels, special grille, and nicer interior.
----------------------------------------------
Chevrolet - It is the brand for everybody. Somebody can open up a Chevrolet dealership and basically have 1 car of every platform. If GM offers a vehicle anywhere on the planet, Chevrolet has a version of it. I do like the idea of every Chevrolet being identifiable as a Chevy. I don't like the Gold Bowtie. Have the color of the bowtie emblems indicate the trim level.
Blue = standard
Gold = Luxury
Red = Sporty
Black = SS
Or maybe a red and black bowtie for the SS.
I'm crazy enough to say that every Chevrolet vehicle should get an SS version. The "blue devil" Corvette can be the Corvette SS. Even the Aveo can get an SS... if they put the engine from the current Cobalt SS into it. And then the Cobalt would need more power from something like a 255hp V6. And somebody slap a blower/turbo on the Malibu SS's V6 for around 300hp.
----------------------------------------------
Saturn & Opel - I like the idea of combining these two. I think Saturn will move upmarket a little. Maybe throw a little Vauxhall in there also...
Daewoo - They get the lower end cars that Saturn has outgrown and their own versions of the low and midrange Chevrolets. I could see a Daewoo version of the base Malibu sedan as the top model.
----------------------------------------------
SAAB - I like this company's lineup. Can somebody explain what is the current problem here? I say give them a little of the best of everything. Every vehicle in their lineup needs to be turbocharged and have available AWD. SAAB will be like a step down from the Cadillac V series. I could even see a Sigma chassis SAAB with a turbo 5 or 6 cylinder.
----------------------------------------------
Holden and Subaru can continue what they have been doing as far as I'm concerned. GM-NA can continue to borrow from their parts bin.
----------------------------------------------
There was talk about a performance group starting up at GM. Time to make it recognizable. Have a group of performance folks (aka "car guys") for all of GMNA. Chevrolet SS, Cadillac V series, Pontiac Ram Air, Saturn Redline, Holden HSV, Subaru STi, etc. will all be handled by the same group. These are the folks that insurance companies will either love or hate.
Now I've spent WAY too much time on this...
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 792
From: Long Island, NY
Re: If you could restructure GM...
Originally Posted by orbitalshock2k
SIMPLE
1 company for Vans/Trucks/SUVs
1 company for sedans
1 company for performance cars
1 company for Vans/Trucks/SUVs
1 company for sedans
1 company for performance cars
GMC-Trucks/Vans/SUV's
Cadillac-Luxory and Semi Luxory Sedans
Chevrolet-Performance cars;i.e Corvette,Camaro,Cobalt etc....
West South Central Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,371
From: Kilgore TX 75662
Re: If you could restructure GM...
Originally Posted by V8 Slayer
Brilliant!
GMC-Trucks/Vans/SUV's
Cadillac-Luxory and Semi Luxory Sedans
Chevrolet-Performance cars;i.e Corvette,Camaro,Cobalt etc....
GMC-Trucks/Vans/SUV's
Cadillac-Luxory and Semi Luxory Sedans
Chevrolet-Performance cars;i.e Corvette,Camaro,Cobalt etc....
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 238
From: canada
Re: If you could restructure GM...
One thing I would add to all these replys, having cadillac with its own unique platform would be awesome, but once cadillac moves on to another better new unique platform, you could then pass all that technologie/platform down to other brands to use... since everything would be paid off it seems logical....
Sort of what dodge got form mercedes in there latest car line up upgrade.
Sort of what dodge got form mercedes in there latest car line up upgrade.