Time to cut Detroit a break

[JackDodge]

Ed Wallace

Informed perspective of the Detroit 3 as only Ed Wallace can. For example, 1972:

"It also helped Detroit's sales that, until the recession of 1974-75, financing on new cars was limited to 36 months. People had equity in their vehicles within a year or two, which explains why the average American traded in a new car once every 27 months through the mid-'70s. No wonder it was a glorious time for Detroit: little competition for the attention of consumers, higher payments against incomes set aside for cars, faster equities for shorter trading cycles, and the prestige one got simply by purchasing a new car.

"Other things fueling Detroit's success: women entering the workforce; 84 million baby boomers coming of age, all of them needing wheels; and then the boomers starting families that grew, necessitating regular vehicle style changes."

[malorn]

Glad to see you are still bashing the Detroit 3.

[FBear]

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.

[malorn]

Originally Posted by FBear

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.

[FL_Prius_Driver]

Originally Posted by malorn

Glad to see you are still bashing the Detroit 3.

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?

[Zythryn]

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.

[malorn]

Originally Posted by FL_Prius_Driver

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?

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.

[richard schumacher]

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.

[Zythryn]

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.

[patsparks]

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