GM is in ICU... news at 11:00

It's about time! American car manufacturer simply just don’t have it. I don’t know if it’s another one of those conspiracy deals but the big 3 hasn’t come out with any innovative vehicles & technologies. Just the typical AMERICAN BIGGER, BADDER, AMERICAN CONSUME GO AMERICA. That’s old news man. The best idea that GM came out with was a remote control that when you push a button the doors lock or unlcock! Cutting edge 2005! lol You’ll see, Toyota will straight up buy GM in the next couple years making the American economy fluctuate even more. If only they could have seen the future and realize that if you build it, they will come. We don’t need bigger trucks, we need smarter more efficient vehicles. After all, this country *used* to be a leader in many ways, but that was a long time ago…

I do feel bad for all those folks who will be without a job. Hopefully the GM corporation will do it right giving the folks job placement programs to attend etc. It’s just too bad…

Wow, I went off here; it’s all my opinion I could be wrong as Dennis Miller used to put it…

 

You are a very well-informed consumer! Yes the only technology that American companies could come up with was the remote keyless entry system. Toyota has always come up with cutting edge technologies: traction control, anti-lock brakes, airbags, stability controls, cruch zones, displacement on demand, satellite radio, onstar etc.......Oh wait that was GM. Couldn't be could it?

 

Or GM will just pull a Chapter 11 and saddle somebody else - us - with the debt.

Kind of funny (Not "haha" funny but Ironic) how corporations now have a much easier time pulling a Chapter 11 but individuals are expected to Pay Up Or Else.

 

I am not in favor of this at all, but if Ford and/or GM do declare chapter 11, it will be the end of the current US healthcare system.

 

Actually GM is no longer a component in figuring the DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE.

 

LOL Well, you did lay that one on pretty thick!

 

Don't "invent" history for self-serving purposes. Bosch is generally credited with inventing modern electronic braking systems or "Antiblockiersystem" which were first used in 1978 on more expensive "Merc" luxury cars and limo's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-lock_braking_system

Mercedes is credited with inventing crush or "crumple" zones. Back in 1953.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crumple_zone

Don't forget that Volvo is credited with inventing the 3-point automotive seatbelt, and first having seatbelts in all their cars.

Ok I've grown bored with countering your "facts." Lessee, the Cadillac V8-6-4 went over like a brick s*** house, very unreliable. Satellite radio and telematics, fine whatever, The General invented them.

 

Look at how many current corporate benefit programs are upside-down or underfunded. Is that Toyota's fault?

Maybe you should be blaming the CROOKS in Congress, the THIEVES in the banking system, and the INCOMPETENT CROOKS who are entrusted to run our corporations.

Ah. That felt better.

 

BUT I do have to say, I know that anti-lock braking system technology came from German antiblockiersyztem was invented by Bosch ( Rob, or Robert Bosch I can't remember ) and that anti-lock systems were first developed for airplanes in the 40's or 50's. ABS didn't really become popular until Ford decided to play in the early 80's basing all technology off of Bosch's firm

BUT yes, airbags were tested by Ford in the early 70's and General Motors tested airbags on the 1973 model Chevrolet...

ANYWAY, my point is, I believe that GM could have been doing so much more than dealing with satellite radio or onstar to pop your locks when you left your keys in the cab. It's cool, but not economy cool; and we the world needs that about now.

 

Jayman, you have twisted my statements again. My point was GM has continually brought new technologies to mass market, especially safety technology. I didn't say "invent", you put that word in my mouth.
Why are you in such denial? I stand by my original post, the US(and Canada) are in an economic war, and we are being systematically defeated. Always follow the money! You think Toyota brought the Prius to market JUST to sell a more efficient vehicle? What happens when there are no longer enough 'engineering' jobs available and they are all farmed out overseas? I am sure I could find an engineering firm in China to duplicate your work for a far better price.

 

My point was that Toyota is not a leader in bringing new technology to mass market. Have you ever considered what kind of mileage you would get with the Prius if the vehicle was not a hybrid, but was driven as one? If the hybrid technology was removed a prius was driven with only efficiency in mind? Again I am not here to bash you for owning a Prius, it is a very efficient vehicle, but what about the rest of the toyota line-up besides the corolla and the echo?

 

A few months back a troll even had the nerve to state that The General "invented" the diesel motor, and was first to use them in passenger cars!

Um, Dr. Rudolph Diesel ring any bells? He invented the diesel motor, back in 1892. He did the early prototyping and rollout while working at MAN (Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg).

The Mercedes 260D was the first production diesel car, in 1936.

If anything, we can "thank" The General for all those converted gasoline-to-diesel motors in the early 80's for ruining the reputation of diesel motors in North America.

 

So now the 'general' is responsible for there being a lack of diesel motors in America? I'm sure the EPA, oil companies, consumers had nothing to do with it. Why do you despise GM and Ford so much? Did you lose a job to them?

 

Yeah, I have to remember that 'America' is still a fairly new country considering... Man, the Germans really did know how to make an auto!

Oh yeah! We do have, "Charlie Boxes" installed on most of american tanks! A nice interface to the tanks external PA so that we can plug an iPod, crank it up and kill better... That is probably what the XM was intended for:-/.

Now I am out of hand and I know it. I'll stop now...

Signed,
We are all 2nd hand Europeans, Africans, etc etc.

 

If you love GM and Ford so much, why aren't you at a Ford or GM message board?

 

:lol:

Whew, you're a riot!



Shot down all your "facts" and now you have to come up with THAT.

Though yes, I DO blame The General for giving mass market passenger car diesels a bad rep. Could be because they "converted" a gasoline motor to run on diesel. When they started to blow head gaskets, or just blow, naturally folks assumed ALL diesel motors were crap.

Not all of them. Just those from The General.

Of course, all of that changed with the Duramax. Of course, the Duramax was a "clean sheet" design from Isuzu, one of those evil nasty Japanese companies, so thankfully The General had little input.

 

Man, somebody still owes payments on a Ford or GM;-) It’s okay, we have all owned one of those at one point or another!

( Just rattling your cage! )

 

So again if GM had not ever tryed a diesel engine, most of us would have been driving diesel engines the last 25 years? Do you really believe that ?
And for the duramax, GM had a 49% share in Isuzu at the time of duramax development. The duramax was the first diesel engine developed solely for light-duty applications.

 

The issue isn't whether or not GM or Toyota has "invented" or brought about new technologies in it's lifetime...

A company can have the most innovative ideas, but still drive itself into the ground spectacularly if they don't leverage their innovations properly or if their management is just horrible.

Please don't turn this into a pissing contest between Toyota and GM, people... Toyota's innovations have nothing to do with GM... GM failed not for lack of innovation but because they're badly managed...

And any lack of innovation in recent times is because GM has been in such a horrible shape lately.

i don't understand why you (malorn) are bringing up the Prius without the hybrid system... such a car does not exist. What is your point?