Lot's on expensive labor union contracts, nothing on America's appetite for a clean, fuel efficent automobile... 60 Minutes report
"Another encouraging sign came at the Detroit Auto Show when Lutz unveiled the new sleek new Camaro concept car, which debuted to unanimous acclaim and was selected as best car in show. It is exactly what GM needs right now — but in its showrooms, not at an auto show. "We're enthused about it and everybody wants to know, 'So, are you gonna build it?'" says Wagoner. The answer to that question, Wagoner says, is a firm maybe. "We'd like to do it. … We haven't made the call. We've introduced it as a concept. Sometimes we do that to see how people react to it." Wagoner says. "I think that does suggest that if we didn't try to build this, we might be brain dead. Stay tuned." " Okay, if it gets 40 MPG AND lowers emissions by at least 50 %. Otherwise, yeah, braindead. My opinion. Not many people will be buying a sports car for everyday use when gas is so expensive. Does that not mean anything at GM? Sure this Camaro concept is a looker, but c'mon, give me a practical, efficient car for the masses. THAT's why we have TWO Prii and zero GM vehicles. That's the simple math. I won't count out GM yet, but get that 2-mode hybrid sedan out NOW!! NOT in an SUV. This SUV thing is braindead, in my opinion.
If an American auto costs about $1200 more per car due to labor costs, and the industry sees this as the reason for the decline. Why is the Toyota Prius selling at MSRP+ and many GM products are selling for $6000 under MSRP? Could this be due to bad executive decissions?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cameron @ Apr 8 2006, 08:56 AM) [snapback]236768[/snapback]</div> Yep.. they robbed the piggy bank so long that now they don't have the means to keep up with the changing trend to efficiency..... I see one of their commercials now abut the SUV... they say its " An American Legacy" or something like that.... if thats thier only trump card they have to bank on is the fact that they have a good name with most "non informed Americans" then they might as well claim bankruptcy and get it over with. The real problem is that I feel they actually have that mentality about thier whole company and that Americans will stay loyal to them just because of thier name?.... think again.... This is a classic story about the rich company who assumed it had "nothing" to worry about, so for years sat on their "Assprin bottle" and did nothing but rake it in while the other companies fought and fought to become better and better. I'm starting to think Ford may have woken up possibly in time, but GM "Giant Monster" still sleeps while the world passes by.
...and so now the executives are going to bring back an American classic? Something that looks cool but drives poorly, lacks safety features, guzzles gas, poor detailing... You know, the same old play. Maybe this time it will work?
I have said it here before and I will say it again, if this is the best the American auto industry can do, then they have no business selling cars and it is time for the american auto industry to die
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bgdrewsif @ Apr 9 2006, 04:28 PM) [snapback]237261[/snapback]</div> Well when a big animal gets shot.. it takes a while to die... they are still sqiggling around for a bit..... There are a few who are trying to catch up, good for them, but there are others who still don't get it and are trying to bluff the American public into thinking they have thier act together... while doing nothing to improve or upgrade.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cameron @ Apr 9 2006, 04:13 PM) [snapback]237254[/snapback]</div> Don’t forget the absolutely ergonomically incorrect, flimsy, cheesy, garbage interior design. The trade mark of a true GM car, crappy interiors. Body by Fisher, interior by Fisher Price
