GM's death list axes gas guzzlers, but which models get to live?
You don't need to be a market analyst or have a Ph.D. in economics to understand that GM could benefit from axing its gas guzzlers. However, finding the right models to put on the death list isn't an easy task. There is speculation that GM's compact pick-ups, the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, will be included, as well as the Cadillac DTS and XLR and several other models. Buick's Luzerne could also be eliminated, as it shares its platform with the Caddy DTS, but Buick could get a full-sized, rear-drive sedan from GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia. Pontiac become be a "specialty/niche brand with reduced product offerings," according to Automotive News (subs. req'd), so the G6 and the Pontiac Solstice are set for the bin. The G8 and the Vibe might survive, though. Confirmed victims are the Chevy TrailBlazer and Uplander. Saab and Hummer are on sale, and Saturn might be phased out as well. What models would you elimiate from GM's lineup? Besides the Cruze and the Volt, which models would be interesting to keep?[Source: Automotive News (subs. req'd)]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
noz 7:45PM (12/05/2008)
Let's make it easy....just eliminate GM....once and for all.
Oh my...the world will be sucked into a black hole.
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!!D 8:05PM (12/05/2008)
My '96 Saturn SL2 is still running and getting 33/35 mpg city/hwy with my feather-footed driving. At a time when gm needs to become "a different kind of company" and build "a different kind of car," I believe the vintage Saturn spirit--if there is any left after being assimilated--should be rekindled or spun-off.
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ryan 8:17PM (12/05/2008)
Wait a second, GM actually currently makes cars that would be worthwhile to keep producing? Now THAT is news!!!
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Stéphane Dumas 7:46AM (12/06/2008)
that's nothing, Toyota now makes their own gas-guzzlers (Tundra, Sequoia) LOL http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/the-american-gas-guzzler-myth.htm
ryan 8:07AM (12/06/2008)
Right... however, the difference is that Toyota ALSO makes products that SHOULD continue to be produced. GM on the other hand needs to start from scratch.
Jimmy 8:54PM (12/05/2008)
I was looking forward to Saturn being the US Opel. The Astra is heading in the right direction. Maybe Saturn dealers can magically become Opel dealers and GM will not need to bother with re-naming cars. They should bring over the Corsa as well.
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Diffrunt 9:52AM (12/06/2008)
When the astra came out I traveled 60 miles just for a short test drive. Gorgeous 3 dr, terrible NVH!
TX CHL Instructor 9:07PM (12/05/2008)
"What models would you elimiate from GM's lineup?"
They are probably going to eliminate all of them, all by themselves.
I'm really hoping that one of the congresscritters that they are approaching hat-in-hand has enough gumption to require every senior officer and BOD member in the company to commit at least 90% of their OWN next worth to GM common stock as a prerequisite for a bailout. Then we'd get to see which side of the face they would speak out of next.
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sean 9:16PM (12/05/2008)
We have to look at "the big picture." The days of tunnel vision need to cease. Our nation better wake up and smell the coffee. With all our bail outs along with the 168 billion economic stimulus package, that btw did nothing for our economy it is hard to understand why our government can't see the need to bail us out of our dependence on foreign oil. The high cost of fuel this past year did serious damage to our economy and society. While we are doing the "happy dance" around the lower prices at the pumps they are planning to cut production to jack prices back up. Instead of spending billions on stimulus pkgs that don't work and millions to bail out everyone and his brother why don't we invest a few on renewable energy projects. WE could provide cheap clean energy, create millions of badly needed green collar jobs and reduce our dependency on foreign oil. This would be a win-win situation all the way around. Jeff Wilson has a great new book out called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW, these guys all need to read this book.
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Scorch 10:19PM (12/05/2008)
Everyone needs to stop with the Manhattan Project analogy. The Manhattan Project didn't involve getting everyone in America on board and working towards an ambiguous goal. Hell, no one in America even knew what was going on until the bomb was dropped, the government just threw massive amounts of money at a very small group of people to accomplish a singular goal. They are completely different and any comparison made between the two is irrelevant.
Mikeeee 7:54AM (12/08/2008)
Sean.
It's an easy question to answer. Why don't we spend more $$$ on eliminating our dependence on foreign oil???
Liberals.
JDred 9:19PM (12/05/2008)
Nice to see Noz in his usual form. But, I think that GM needs to get away from the Daewoo twins(G3 and Aveo) and put some effort in getting the Cruze up to being a small car that sets the bar higher for Honda and Toyota to follow for a change. Dodge did it with the Neon, so it can be done! Before you lovers of Japanes cars get your undies in a bundle. Please remember the average Corolla, Sentra and Civic before the Neon had less room and anemic engines.
Unfortunately, GM needs to make the Colorado/Canyon back to what a small truck was meant to be. A small, lightweight 4-cylinder hauler for the average homeowner who needs to get stuff from the local Home Depot that doesn't require the need for a a full size truck. When your small truck gets the same mileage as the large one, something's wrong. Same goes for Ford!
Sorry to see the G6 getting the axe. In it's VL form it was a Fusion fighter that looked better(better than the Malibu too!) and got better mileage. Same for Saturn, the Sky did have an edge over the Solstice in the looks Dept. and it would be sad to see the Astra coupe shot down before it even has a chance.
I can see Buicks and Caddies being around for a while. Lord knows the Chinese love their Buicks and the aging baby boomers are finding it "cool" to own a Cadillac that can beat a Mercedes or Beemer at it's own game.
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Brian 10:45PM (12/05/2008)
Save the Volt?!?! Come on... think about this... GM is betting their future on a $40,000 chevy... I could buy two Honda Insights for that price. GM has no future. Why should I, as a taxpayer invest in a company that makes decisions like that.
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BHendrix 10:49PM (12/07/2008)
Well, they're betting that the technology will mature, decrease in cost, and spread across the rest of their lineup. It's supposed to be an investment, not a one-off product.
The problem, I think, is that GM hasn't always shown itself capable of staying committed to its investments, or good long-term thinking:
Someone mentioned Saturn earlier, and it's a great example. Saturn cost billions and turned nearly every GM practice upside-down in search of improvement. The organization worked, amazingly enough. The cars were slow to appear, but they were decently competitive when they finally did, and Saturn had momentum in the market. GM should have learned from its mistakes, shortened the development cycle, quickly come up with new products and spread Saturn principles across the parent company. But we all know what happened: all that investment was allowed to simply wither away.
I hope the Volt becomes a great success for GM, but it won't matter unless GM itself actually works.
gmpartsguy 8:18AM (12/08/2008)
Yep!
Buy your two Hondas
Send your cash to Japan.
When your Boss tells you that you're fired,
Look in the mirror to see the asshat that put you in that position.
gijoemanning 1:04AM (12/06/2008)
The vibe and the toyota matrix r the same and r made at NUMI. The vibe is the only gm car I would ever consider
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noz 3:57AM (12/06/2008)
JDRED:
Dodge did what exactly with the Neon? That car was an utter POS and did nothing to "set the bar higher" for Honda or Toyota.
Honestly...have you ever been close to one? Or rented one?
Let's be honest now...and forget about my method of commenting...which is pretty much to the point.
If this were any other business, which year over year has performed poorly, produces crap products, has no real long term business plan because the top brass is too far in bed with the oil companies to see beyond 6 months, etc on and on....would say a business like this is worthy of billions of my or your hard earned tax dollars?
Sometimes we need to feel pain to become stronger. This is one of those times...no pain? No gain...the cliche is true here and now.
Americans don't want to sacrifice a damned thing to improve themselves. They'd rather rot and die before they change....very sad.
This whole notion that the world will collapse because GM, Ford or Chrysler will fail is absolutely ludicrous. We'll survive just fine....and come out blossoming and much stronger. We won't have this cancer attached to our economic hip taking us down.
Come on people...look a little long term for a change...so we won't make 20% profit..we'll make 10%. Slowing life down abit and taking it easy is a GOOD thing.
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JDred 8:04PM (12/06/2008)
Noz, please tell me how and what specifically made the Noen a "POS" as you say. I will give you that there was a problem with the head gaskets during the first two years and they fumbled on handling that. But yes, with it's 2.0 liter engines horesepower, it actually forced the Japan three to improve their sedans because the Neon was beating them in performance and spaciousness. And getting the same gas mileage as any of them.
If you must know, I have owned three of them since 1995. All have made it to 200,000+ on the original engines. Unlike your superficial standards, I evaluate cars on things beyond "Looks". But, Damlier was the one that killed the Neon and attempted to replace it with the Caliber. On it's own, the Caliber is a decent car, but no "replacement" to the Neon.
But yes, your commenting style leaves much to be desired. Is it to the point? no. You seem thrive in others' misery since they obviously don't so things the way you want. And sorry to say, your idea of "sacrifice" is akin to maschochism.
noz 9:10PM (12/08/2008)
I'm sorry...but one thing the Neon isn't known for is quality. And that's a fact. And I don't judge cars by looks...I base in on what the ratings are, how they drive, and how reliable they are....none of which the Neon was beating the Japanese in...BY A LONG SHOT.
So I have no idea where you get your facts from....to compare the Neon to Japanese compacts...just because it has a faster 0-60 time, is absurd. It's like saying the Camaro is a great car because it was quicker than its Japanese rivals.
My 87 GTI also made well over 200K miles but it was falling apart...but the engine was great...BIG WHOOP.
Anyone who holds a Neon in high esteem is smoking crack. Plain and simple.
Sorry you don't like my style...it's in your face I know. And that's the way it should be when people spew nonsense.
Zebracat 7:17AM (12/06/2008)
Forget the Volt. A $40K quasi electric car on a whole new platform made by a shaky company. Who is going to buy that? How about they follow the new "great leader" Obama and look to past players for a better direction. Bring back the latest model Suzuki Swift as the Metro II, maybe with a high mileage diesel this time and an EV to follow. Bring back the EV1 but find cheaper bits and places to build those bits so it can be affordable and call it the EV2. There's a no brainer requiring only part sourcing research! Also, apply some of the hundreds of vehicle lightening improvements they made in the EV1, so it could get better range on batteries, to their other product lines to get better mileage. Lastly, apply some of the hard earned lesson in aerodynamics to the "gas hog" truck line to improve mileage even a little. Now there's change we can believe in!
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