GM: Still Making the Same Mistakes

Over 20 years ago, one of my coworkers (gone now, RIP) made the same observation in the article: When GM (or Ford or Chrysler) introduced a new car, you knew about it at least a couple of years in advance and it was no longer exciting when you could actually buy the car at the dealer. When you heard about a new Honda, about a month or two later the cars would actually be for sale at the dealer. He bought one of the original Acura Integras when they were originally introduced.

 

I have seen and ridden in (not driven) the Fusion Hybrid and it's got a very nice instrument panel and a very conventional driving experience. I think it would be a great choice for an average driver who doesn't need extremely high mpgs. Personally I think the front grille's a little ugly, but that's personal preference.

 

Here's a point of view from the world of advertising: GM Leaner and Meaner, but Not by Much - Advertising Age - News

Just like many of you probably did, I grew up with GM cars in the driveway and it saddens me when a company loses its way so thoroughly. I genuinely believe that the tipping point for GM was actually in the late 1980s. Sure, the 70s were a bad decade for everyone, but GM actually had a shot by 1987. They built some interesting cars, they still had good marketshare in most segments, and they had a decade of experience building smaller, leaner cars.

For those to young to have been there, in the 1980s, Corvettes sold in Europe for the same price as the Porsche 924. Pontiac 6000s and Grand Ams beat BMWs for quality and value, and the Buick GNX was highly sought after.

I can tell you when it snapped... I remember reading an AutoWeek in, I think it was late 1988. The magazine was covering an auto show, and quoted a GM exec as saying, they looked at other companies' production cars, and their show cars, and even they realized they were a generation behind. If they'd acted on that knowledge then, they would be in Toyota's shoes now.

 

The GNX is still sought after. :rockon:

 

Interesting article. I've always blamed GM's customers for the way they haven't kept up, because the company will produce what they feel the customer will buy. I might have to rethink that theory though.

 

Did BusinessWeek really need to write an article about GM making the same mistakes? The Re-Hired at arrogant self absorbed know-nothingLutz! That says it all.