GM in Big Trouble

MO Titan · 03-23-2005, 02:06 PM

It looks like GM may have to seriously consider dropping Pontiac and Buick if things do not improve. Nissan is also mentioned in the article.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,151308,00.html

CoachBoone · 03-23-2005, 02:13 PM

GM deserves everything they get. Their biggest money-maker right now is in financing, and I don't mean just auto financing. They now have home-owners insurance and auto insurance, God knows what else they're into since they can't build a friggin car that will run decent.

BIGT56PA · 03-23-2005, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO Titan

It looks like GM may have to seriously consider dropping Pontiac and Buick if things do not improve. Nissan is also mentioned in the article.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,151308,00.html

People want reliablity and GM is not that! Build quality may improve, but engines are still the same old, electrical is still bad. Brakes are always crappy and trannies still don't hold up well. + they rust a bit too much.

Chris

BigSkiff · 03-23-2005, 02:30 PM

I used to be a GM truck mechanic, back in the day. I thought GM screwed it's self when they consolidated all their engines. In the late 70's when you bought a new Buick with a 350 Cu. In. V8, you didn't know if you were going to get a Buick V8, a Chevy V8, Olds V8, etc. That was when GM moved to consolidate it's parts and production. Things never quite worked out, and it's been a slow down hill slide ever since. I still drive a Buick, '03 LeSabre. No complaints. Rides nice, runs well, no problems with it. I guess I really don't drive it, my wife does. Any time I'm going to drive I take the Titan!

JMC · 03-23-2005, 02:44 PM

GM has been hemoraging money for years now. Its a shame that such a corporate auto monster has drug its feet for so long. Models such as their trucks have had no real change in interior or exterior design.....the Allison tranny is their biggest move in ten years. It doesnt help that you can buy a SUV in GMC trim or Chevy trim...or pay a little extra and get the Caddy bling. I honestly can say none of their cars interest me in any way....except the new Vette of course

Their stock is lower than it has been in ten years, the GMAC smart notes credit rating is under investment grade which gives it basically a "junk status"...Right now I can buy 4 year debt on GM @ 8.9% which is really spooky. Chapter 11 may be in the works but of course they would continue to pay their notes and other debts.

TOK · 03-23-2005, 03:02 PM

Well it'll be bye-bye Buick if it has to be one of those two... The new Buick LaCrosse is just another 3.8 snoozer heaped on the pile that GM has been making for 10 years. The Lucern gets the Northstar, but I'm not sure if thats a good thing or not. Cool engine with some sketchy inherent design issues. The styling is pleasing in a generic way. I guess GM is keeping stylists on the safe path after the disaster on wheels Aztek.

I also read in another article that they're killing off the Bonneville. That was always one of Pontiacs cooler cars, and the last V8 version looked pretty cool. At least they have the second hottest car in GM's lineup with the GTO.

They gotta get the Cadillac guys involved with these other divisions. Even though I'm not in the Caddy demographic, they've come a long way in the last 6 years. I'm not into the styling of the CTS, but gotta admit the CTS-V is a cool ride with the LS6 in it.

dragonhead08 · 03-23-2005, 03:35 PM

I just feel bad for all the people in the plants who'll be out of jobs.

Cperki1 · 03-23-2005, 03:44 PM

GM has come a long way in quality since the 70's and 80's. Chevette anyone? The biggest problem GM faces now is incentives. After 9-11, GM started to "borrow against the future" as I call it. With HUGE rebates and 0 APR loans, it was only a matter of time before the public considered it the "norm". I have been a GM (mostly Ponitac) guy my entire life. I own an 03 Chevy TrailBlazer now. Has 59K miles and has been in for warranty service ONE time in that amount of time. My Titan has 7500 miles and has been in for warranty service SIX times! Another problem with GM is they are no longer leading the way. I can only think of a couple "outstanding" engines in the past few years. The 3800 is a FANTASTIC engine! The LS series V8's are also very good motors, but they are still based on OHV and pushrods. The newest gerneration of motors, such as the 4.2 I6 in my TrailBlazer will be the future of GM. The problem is that the technology in that engine has been built by the Asian makers for many years now. GM is JUST now starting to play with OHC and VVT, way behind Toyota, Nissan and Honda.

NewTitanConvert · 03-23-2005, 03:46 PM

Well,
To be honest, I LOVED my 01 Z7` Silverado. I had 72K on it, and never had to touch anything on the truck other than oil and new tires at 42K. That truck was a tank. Yes, there was issues with the build quality as far as rattles, and misc stuff, but hey.. it's a truck. I DO have friends that have GM trucks, and some have had the mentioned brake issues, but only 1 out of 6 of us. I traded my truck in mainly becuase I didn't want to be making my last payment, and have 120K on it, and then have to turn around and buy something else.
It was dead even between my Titan, and a 1500 crew cab ( or even a 2500 CC ), and the only thing was the features/$ that the Titan had over the Chevy. If the Titan wasn't around I wouldn't hesitate a second to buy GM. I acutally got a better deal ( final payment/bottom line ) on the Chevy, but took the higher payment.
I agree that overall GM has some big problems that either they are in denial over or just don't see, or maybe even are aware, but not sure the best course of action, but for the most part, it seems they are not alone in the downturn.
From what I've read today, GM is talking aobut selling off their GMAC end, so if that was the case, they'd not have that to fall back on for cashflow.
Just my $.02
Don't want to offend.

LarryD · 03-23-2005, 04:04 PM

I went to the auto show in Minneapolis last week and it's easy to see why GM is in trouble - nondescript styling, old technology and cheap looking interiors. The only thing I saw that caught my attention was the new Saturn sports car.
If you ask me, the company to look out for is Hyundai/Kia with their very well priced, safety conscious and pleasant to look at offerings.
Oh, and why the buzz over the Toyota Tacoma? It reminds me of a Ford Ranger. Also why are all Toyota reps such stuckup a-holes?

dragonhead08 · 03-23-2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cperki1

.... I own an 03 Chevy TrailBlazer now. Has 59K miles and has been in for warranty service ONE time in that amount of time. My Titan has 7500 miles and has been in for warranty service SIX times!.....

Consider yourself lucky. I got rid of my Trailblazer because in 3 years of owning it I took it in more then 20 times for warranty work. I spent over$1000 in the first year I was out of my EXTENDED warranty.

ruauman2 · 03-23-2005, 05:06 PM

When I see this debate about vehicles and quality I think about apples. Why? Because apples are apples. There are different kinds but they are still apples. Being Americans, most of us go with the tried and true, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious. Hell, even us old f***s have an apple, the Granny Smith. If you like Japanese imports you can go with the Fuji, a nice small "sporty" apple that attracts many buyers. Many people also like the "go fast and sleek" Italian models such as the Red Rome. These exotics may set you back a few clams, (sorry, I'll try to resist mixing metaphors). Also, between you and me, Red Romes are predominantly from Ohio but don't tell this to those that own Red Romes, they'll argue until they are blue in the face trying to convince you otherwise. This branding and point of manufacturing should sound very familiar to automotive industry afficianados. The bottom line though is that they are all apples and you just keep your fingers crossed that you don't get one with a bruise on it.

dragonhead08 · 03-23-2005, 05:49 PM

I prefer mangos

greg w · 03-23-2005, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonhead08

Consider yourself lucky. I got rid of my Trailblazer because in 3 years of owning it I took it in more then 20 times for warranty work. I spent over$1000 in the first year I was out of my EXTENDED warranty.

My issue with GMC wasn't how often I had to go to the dealer but that you were ignored. Everything is within specs. I've had way more issue with the Titan but Nissan and my dealer have listened and addressed all issues to my satisfaction.

Would I buy another Nissan? Yes!
Would I buy another GMC? NO!

garo1 · 03-23-2005, 06:09 PM

GM definitely needs to get back to their roots. Look what Ford is doing
http://www.mustangheaven.com/stangsp...cobra_main.htm