Time to cut Detroit a break

Glad to see you are still bashing the Detroit 3.

 

We don't have to bash them, they did a pretty fine job themselves by hanging onto production of those gas guzzling SUV for about 5 years too long. I think they've seen the light but I not sure because the adverts that are airing during the Olympics are still touting how fuel efficient their SUV's are.

 

The ads I have seen have been touting the gas-mileage of the entire lineup not solely suv's.

 

Has GM ever done anything that irritated you? I have no problem with rooting for the home team, but the string of disappointments hurts. Nothing good will result from GM's misfortune, but how does one get them to think of the future?

 

I am another that is critical of GM. Although I wouldn't term it 'bashing'. 'Bashing', to me, implies a level of undeserved, or unreasoned criticism.

When the Volt finally comes out, I will be eager to test drive it. Likewise, if they can beat 100mpg prior to that I will be very happy to test drive that vehicle.
Judging from their past behavior, they won't do either. Already they have said that the Volt will be produced in 'low numbers' to start with, and the price continues to increase.

 

Of course they have pissed me off dozens of times over the years, and if you think you are frustrated, think if you had heavy investments in GM, Ford and Chrysler dealerships.
Ths last 3-5 years they have made mostly very good decisions but we are having a hell of time tying to convince the media and the public about the current and future GM product.
I know most of you will not give this credence but this country can't survive with its standard of living without the likes of GM, Ford and Chrysler. The economic situation is flirting with a full fledged disaster.

 

You mean, big bidnisses that make poor long-term decisions because they don't have significant competition, or which provide generous incomes for large numbers of not-especially-skilled workers? You may be right. The US is not going have such an easy ride in the future.

 

Malorn, GM has made some good decisions. I really like the concept of On-Star for example.
And I loved my Saturn SL2.
But a few decent decisions don't make up for the huge misteps. I mean come on, look at the future cost of oil. They had to have known that the potential was there for a big price spike. Unlike Toyota, they had nothing waiting 'in the wings'.
On fuel efficiency they just can't compete. In a couple of years they MAY be able to (if the cost of a new Prius doubles in that time).
Or, they could rebuild and update the EV1 to reclaim some of the goodwill they lost.
As for GM, if they fail to adapt over the next 5-10 years, I really hope Tesla replaces their position in American business.

 

Who was it said Malorn would find his way back now that oil prices are in a dip?

 

Thanks for enduring the unconstructive comments that too many post. You sure do not get many thanks here, but I'll put in one. The continous demise of the US Auto Industry is bad news. What do you see as being the good decisions?

 

For everyone that has attempted to believe in the Detroit 3 by purchasing one of their cars after experiencing Japan, German or other reliable imports; "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me".
How many of us believed the Big 3's B.S.,hoping that American's would be able to re-capture the trust of the American public. How many of us purchased an american car just to find the engineering was again substandard. Bring out the American flags and emotionalism in the Big 3 commercials and try to create patriotism to sell the cars. Hell, enlist the tradesman! Put those bumper sticker on your car. Buy American or....your a communist?
Think about the this....how difficult was it for clear thinking Americans to switch to foreigners for our cars? Does anyone think that americans prefer to buy foreign cars versus american cars?
I have a message to the BIG 3....you better prove your product....and as long as I see the Apple pie and American BS I know you still have a sub standard product...

 

We can't continue with our current standard of living with or without the Big 3. Are you implying that all will be happy and carefree if the Big 3 become financially healthy again? I'm not sure I follow the logic.

 

And now that gas is $2.00 a gallon just like you insisted it would be, they'll now get as healthy as they deserve to be.

 

Gas is $2 is MA? Wow, I guess it does pay to reelect the same people over and over.

 

I live in Michigan. Our state's economy rises and falls with the big 3 auto companies. I'd like nothing more than to see the big 3 become wildly successful, but I'm not optimistic. I've watched them stumble about for 20 years, chasing short term objectives and buying labor relations with unsustainable contracts. They won't survive if they continue with business as usual. I'm hoping for a miracle, but not holding my breath.

Tom

 

Not just the Big three, as a society we can't purchase everything form China, Japan and India and expect to survive intact. It is roughly the same as spending money on credit cards and not having a job, eventually the cards are maxed and it is time to pay or go BK.

 

GM's and to a lesser degree Ford's newest product is the best in the world. the new malibu, the new CTS , new Acadia, new silverado etc are the best in their classes and when the price is factored in the value is really outstanding.

 

I apologize, I thought I detected sarcasm.