I know, and agree. I was simply using the images you provided to show 97z28/m6 they are in fact the same.

 

 

To those that say the Obama Administration is not telling GM what to do, think again. When it comes to GMC - they sure DID try to tell GM what to do. I wonder what the Obama Administration is telling GM to do that they actully are doing. This is just one instance the company stood up for themselves.

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyl...mpaign_id=yhoo

 

i don't like the bar.

 

The quote you put up says nothing about Obama, his administration, or the auto task force TELLING GM to get rid of GMC & Pontiac.
They QUESTIONED the need for the two divisions (that word was used twice in the quote along with "looked at") but nowhere does it say "they TOLD GM to axe GMC and Pontiac".
You guys are reading stuff into these statements.

 

GM needs to cut divisions and dealer network while they have the help of a deeply vested and sympathetic government. They will never get this opportunity again. Cut the model overlap and focus on core vehicles for core brands. Quit over production to fill multiple dealer showrooms with product. The idea of a consumer buying a Chevy and then moving up the brand list to Caddy is gone. Not in a world where entry level premium brands undercut the more expensive mainstream branded vehicles.
The faster GM gets to a mainstream and premium brand model like all of the other successful automakers today the better. That's half the work.
They then need to actually stick to the plan and keep the line between the brands very wide. A consumer must know and desire to have a Caddy over a Chevy or Lincoln/Lexus/Acura. They must get a vehicle worthy of the name and nothing rebadged. If that means that Caddy doesn't have a full lineup or Buick doesn't get a SUV then so be it. The goal is to focus on vehicles that will sell and make a profit even if it's the only car in the showroom.

GM should be willing to do anything it takes to get to these goals and begin rebuilding their tarnish image. The faster they fall in line and get lean and mean the better. Public perception has been falling for them since the mid 70's the change must be drastic and real.

People should not be afraid of a GM that comes out more Chrysler sized because if they are competitive there is nothing wrong with building the empire again.

 

Come on now....

If you were appplying to refinance your house...and when discussing the approval the loan officer started questioning why you have 3 cars when you could get by with 2, or why your wife gets a pedicure every week when monthly would be more prudant....wouldn't you take that as a hint?

If you think there is not polical agenda piggybacking the bailout you simply have your head in the sand. Think about it...why is Buick not being questioned..but high performance Pontiac and truck selling GMC (2 of GM's 3 top selling brands) ARE. Buick could easily become asai only..yet no one suggests that. One of the reasons GM's first plan was rebuked is becaus despite a huge truck portfolio cut...the administration thought it was not enough. Do I think the President is saying "kill Buick and Pontiac"? Of course not. However you can bet he has made it known that he want's GM to emerge as a "green" company...and if your on his auto task force...to obvious way to get there is cut out the high performance and truck brand.

 

That arguement would be a hell of a lot more compelling if Pontiac had any performance vehicles worth speaking about for sale.

The only current Pontiac model that can even remotely be accused of being a gas guzzler is G8, and that's arguable. Pontiac doesen't even get the turbo for the Cobalt/G3.

 

Its all about image though...and Pontiac has always had a racerish image. most people dont know the G6 is a steamer, or the G5 does not have a turbo. The Solstice is a competent performance car.

Really..I think GM was either planning on shrinking or killing Pontiac no matter what because it was already getting the 4th gen F-body treatment. Basically don't market or update anything untill the sale shrink enough you can justify killing it.

 

The G8 GT, G8 GXP, and Solstice GXP are performance cars. A performance car doesn't have to be a gas guzzler, that was the case 20+ years go, but not now. This is a good thing. Those are also the only two models I think Pontiac should keep for their niche brand

I think you mean G5 when you are talking about Pontiac's version of the Cobalt and I wish it was turbocharged. The G3 is tiny and should have never been made

 

"Yall come on out and get your brand new Chevrolet Pontiac. A 4 door v6 powered sedan with green technology. Available in your choice of black or white. Available exclusively at Wal Mart."

 

I feel dumber for having been subjected to this post.

Anyone else?

 

Actually killing Saturn and Pontiac makes it more difficult for GM to sell compact/subcompacts in huge numbers, so I'm not buying the "green agenda" angle.

My theory is that the whole Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealer combo is basically a dead-end. The government wants to GM to get out of the business of making two or three of everything.

 

I don't think there is some semi-clandestine conspiracy by the task force to get GM to sell only hybrids and compacts that run on love and sunshine. I do think that the taskforce questions the wisdom of so many brands when you have less than 20% market share. I somewhat agree. But since GM's own plan had Pontiac reduced to a niche brand then they are basically asking, and rightly, why have it at all? If the GM plan had Buick as the niche brand perhaps the question would be why not axe Buick. I suppose some people think you need it in the US if you want to continue to sell it in China, but that is most likely not the case.

GMC is more or less completely worthless since their entire line are nearly 99% the same as the Chevrolet versions.

Ah well. If I was in charge it would be Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Cadillac for North America. Pontiac would not necessarily be a full line, but i don't see why it would take a rocket scientist to have an exciting car lineup (visually and performance wise) that does not overlap with Chevrolet which would cater more towards mainstream taste.

 

GMC makes money though, it cost them $0.10 to make one and they sell it for $1.10.

Yeah, on paper, they should get rid of it. However, the fact that anyone can see they could get a Chevy with 10% less chrome, for $10,000 less, and they don't choose to means that everyone isn't going to happily walk to the Chevy dealership if GMC gets canned.