http://www.autoextremist.com/page2.shtml

Peter laid quite a beating on GM this week and I don't know that there's a lot to argue with .... any thoughts from this esteemed crowd?

 

There's actually alot to argue with.

To begin with, the argument that "Maximum Bob" and Rick Wagoner would supposedly turn this company around in the first couple of years they are at their respective healms is absurd. They are still coping with product offerings that were developed long before they arrived at GM. It's pretty obvious that we're beginning to see the "new GM" with the new MAlibu which is light years ahead of the current offering, Pontiac concepts galore, Silverado SS, supercharged Monte and Impala SS - as gap fillers, the Colorado, Equinox, the ENTIRE Cadillac line up, Hummer, and the revitalization of Saab.

By utilizing economies of scope, GM hopes to simply garner some more market share by offering a different array of minivans to chip away at competitors. I think they realize they can't win the market segment, but they will build relatively cheap minivans across different divisions to slice away market share with little (relatively) R&D because the platofrms (Venture and Montana) are already there.

Mr. DeLorenzo's initial assumptions are off target which causes the rest of his argument to be null and void. It's a nice historical lesson he wrote about "what-ifs" "could-be's" but he assumed incorrectly that the Mr Lutz and Mr Wagoneer have actually begun to produce their style into GM thus far. We'll have a better grasp as to whether their styles are working in the next couple of years.

We will see these major changes: Chevrolet is still the bargain entry division but products like the new Malibu and Equinox show that entry level doesn't mean cheap. The delta based Cavailer (or whatever it's called) will most likely follow suit. With the loss of Oldsmobile, it is likely Chevrolet and Buick will move closer together as far as standards are concerned.

Pontiac, is reinventing its "excitement" moniker. GXP concepts trully show what this division will unleash in the near future. The GTO is a "gap filler" just like the blown Monte and Impala SS's. It's meant to create a thump that will gravitate to other exciting product offerings in the next couple of years. Hello Solstice...the low buck performance is back...big help to lure in entry level enthusiasts.

Buick...is tapping the older segment with older styling themes and will begin to move a tad more upscale with styling exercices such as the La Crosse concept.

Cadillac - Is selling everything they come out with....this division is going (and already has begun) to take the luxary segment by storm.

I went into each division real quick (exclusing Saturn, Hummer, Saab) to show that this article portrays a GM that sits on its laurels and believes it is invincible. That is way off target, each division is reinventing itself to better combat each individual market segment. I see a very bright future ahead for GM.


Sorry for the long post!

-Rich

 

To me he is full of crap sometimes...

An upscale Buick minivan can sell..Chysler has proven it and now...Mercury is going after it. I fully agree with a Saturn minivan also because alot of buyers in a Saturn showroom wouldn't consider any other GM product. 4 minvan lines is a bit much, however I would say add the other two and get rid of the Montana minivan.

he attacks them for not going after crossovers...well what is the Equinox, Vue, Aztek, SRX, Rendevous? Also all of GM's upcoming chassis (Sigma, Epsilon, Theda) support AWD except Delta..which may I am unsure...so his argument is invalid. He also Attacks them on light trucks..yet doesn't mention the Colorado at all. That truck IMO will anilate anything out there...especially the old as dirt Ranger. As for the GTO...all I can say is..I doubt that they will have any throuble selling every one they makes...with people wanting even more.

He portrays GM has a weak and dying company that is a shell of it's former self...however that is far from the truth...(maybe needs to look at Ford first).

GM is still the largest car maker in the world, very profitable, and arguably has the best management team in place of the big 3...they are doing fine..

Note to Peter: Get you head out your *** and stop writing sensationalist BS

 

Peter is a complete f*****g moron, end of story.

GM gained market share last year. They will again this year. GM in total sold more trucks than did Ford.

NOBODY IN THE US WANTS STATION WAGONS, and TRUCKS have been taking sales away from minivans, not freaking station wagons.

I don't know where the automotive press (including ******** here) came up with the idea that folks are going to give up an SUV for a station wagon, but they are FLAT OUT, A#1, completely, totally and in all other ways WRONG.

Europe wants diesel station wagons because gas costs a ton and they still need to haul their crap around. In the US, gas is cheap and everybody and his brother knows that it's much easier to haul kids and crap around in a Tahoe than it is in a station wagon.

Here's your choice:
You're going to take your wife and two kids out for a week long boating and camping vacation. You have to tow the boat, bring all you camping gear and maintain your sanity with the two kids in the car.

A friend has offered either of his two vehicles for you to use because your Explorer just rolled over and exploded. You can have the Volvo station wagon or his Tahoe.

Which do you want?


Add to that the fact that you can drop a 500hp motor into a station wagon and it would STILL never even remotely be considered an enthusiast's car.

Station wagons are LAME. They suck as cars and they suck as trucks. Chevy Nomads are cool... but THAT'S IT.

NEEEEEEEXT!!!!


Christ, GM makes tons of money this year, gains market share, is named to the top 3 in overall initial quality, is declared the most efficient manufacturer in the United States (including transplants), and generally kicks the crap out of everyone else with the incentive program, and this moron claims the sky is falling.

It is unfortunate that I cannot find his opinions in print often enough... it would surely save me money on toilet paper and kindling.

 

Nice Counterpoints. Thanks

Just as a point of reference ... anyone recall off hand when Nissan/Infiniti started on their current restructuring program relative to GM? It seems those products are now hitting the showroom floor full force.

 

I am thinking of ripping Peter apart on my website....next weeks commentary..

 

formula,

I'd love to help you with ripping him a new one. If you want some writing/research done, let me know.

prsce22@hotmail.com

 

I know I drive a Ford and probably will get flamed for saying this.

But I thought I heard yesterday, or the day before, that GM's stock took a pretty big dive. All the financial people were saying sell your GM stock. At least that is what they were talking about on CNN.

Although I know GM will bounce back but are they in a tight situation right now?

 

You can find some critical GM financial info here:

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=GM&d=t

-Rich

 

To make this point clear guys. So I do not looking like I am bashing GM or Chevy.

I like GM and Chevy alot. I like them as much as I like Ford. I am not brand loyal by any means. If it is fast I will like it. Also I think that GM and Chevy have alot to offer as of now and will have some neat stuff to offer in the near future.

 

I read his article & read everyone's post here. There isn't one single thing I can add. Shocking, huh?

 

I'll take that bet. In fact, I'd be willing to say they give back at least what they've gained over the past couple of years.

Maybe compared to Ford. But a return of around 1% on sales is nothing to write home about.

I think Peter's pretty close on target. I've been reading him since the beginning and his insights generally turn out to be correct.

 

funny, i heard the exact same thing, except everywhere you type in GM you type in Ford. lol I don't erally pay attenton to stock stuff that much though..

Anybody that really follows that stuff cares to comment?

 

GM is facing abig pension problem...but so is Ford.

 

Is it just me, or did the earth just stop rotating on it's axis?