We had an '04 Ranier as a courtesy/test drive vehicle earlier in the week.

Based on a quick comparison to our '02 Envoy they have deleted:

• Articulating Headrests
• Vertical adjustment on the lumbar support.
• Map pocket on the driver's seat.
• Underhood lighting.

IMO this is a really effective way to dissuade repeat customers. The Ranier is the only '04 short wheelbase GMT 360 available with a V8, that in itself a dumb move. Between the decontenting and having the "Almost" on demand AWD system as the only one available (the Envoy and Trailblazer get the 2 Hi, Almost on Demand, 4 High, 4 Low system) they've guaranteed that I wouldn't even consider making a change.

Why delete stuff that can't be added back on the option sheet? Delete (PLEASE) stuff like the roof rack and cladding to reduce costs and make it an option, but don't arbitrarily delete good content!!

 

That's the beancounters having their way again

 

I think people often focus too much on what they don't have instead of being happy with what is there. My 04 GTP has no map pocket behind the driver seat, though my 98 did. So what? I couldn't reach it anyway. Instead, it appears to me GM is focusing features where they are wanted, like in my newly enhanced supercharger which gives the 04's 20 more hp than the 98's. I hope GM does the same with the next Camaro, really focusing on only providing the features buyers want and need.

 

Decontenting in general isn't a bad thing - the past two years have taught us that price is still a huge factor in moving cars out the door. I myself would prefer minimal content with a high degree of robustness instead of maximum content with marginal robustness anyday, and it's a hard fact of life that you're going to compromise between the two at any given price point.

What seems to be happening is that the decontenting is taking place in areas that are convenient to GM, not to the customer. That's a good way to irritate your repeat customers, the remaining 37 of which GM cannot afford to loose

 

Here is one reason that decontenting doesn't work. A manufacturer (usually - but not always- one of three) will remove a bunch of nice little features that people like in order to save a couple of dollars.

But now Joe consumer goes to compare two cars. One is kinda okay and costs $25,000. The other is loaded with all kinds of neat features and costs $26,000. More often than not, Joe is going to go with the more expensive car, because he gets all that great stuff for $15 a month. So that $3 save really turned into a several thousand dollar loss...

Take my Mustang for example. It had a $27,000 MSRP and didn't even have a glove box light - something that they could afford to put in way back in 1967 ! I usually prefer simplicity over complexity (the engineer in me), but a glove box light?

I used to work on a "cost save team". Do I have some stories...

 

Congratualations: you are officially "too smart" to own a Buick.

Personally, I see the Ranier as a sign of GMs weakness. This vehicle is late to market, especially when you consider it is little more than a warmed over Bravada. Worse yet, its fairly new design is horribly dated in safety and vehicle control. Considering how overpriced and elderly this Buick already looks, its amazing they had the audacity to bring it to market at all.