GM Inside News Forum - View Single Post - UPDATE 6/21!: GM Cutting Another Division?

**zete** · 06-19-2008, 11:37 PM

It's not like this has to be complicated. GM has to have their dealers split up as follows:

Chevrolet Pontiac GMC
Cadillac Buick
Saab Saturn/Opel

I would make GMC an option package on the Chevrolet trucks: The Professional Grade package, which gives all kinds of gadgets and luxury amenities for the trucks that some buyers will want, complete with GMC badging to differentiate it. The exteriors would be pretty identical, though unique interiors could be created. It'd be a "badge" in the sense that "SS" is a badge at Chevrolet.

Pontiac would be a niche player with a few interesting models that are shared globally, such as the Solstice, G8, G6, G4 -- all RWD/AWD. They'd cater to a different clientele than would Chevrolet vehicles, which I'd leave FWD/AWD. Keeping them as niche vehicles means that dealers can get nice markups on them while Chevrolet remains their bread and butter. Pontiac's can work as niche cars especially if they're simply rebadged Holdens.

Cadillac and Buick should be sold together, with Buick being versions of cars that are more "American Luxury" as opposed to Cadillac that is "Ultimate Luxury". Buick only needs 4 or 5 vehicles that meet the needs of individuals who don't want a Cadillac but want a luxury car. All of Buick's lineup would be shared with China, with North America offering bonus sales numbers to China's sales of Buicks.

I'd rename Saturn to Opel and simply sell them as imports. No GM badging, nothing. Push their Europeaness and move the iron that way. That way you'd have Opels as the entry level cars and the Saabs as the high end imports, much as Toyota has Toyota and Lexus.

I never have understood why GM doesn't let their dealers sell different vehicles. I can understand not having a PBG dealership sell a Cadillac, but it's silly that Pontiac, GMC and Chevrolet aren't sold together.

06-19-2008, 11:37 PM	#43 (permalink)
zete GMI Staff Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NCR, Great White North Posts: 5,307	Re: GMI Rumor: GM Cutting Another Division? It's not like this has to be complicated. GM has to have their dealers split up as follows: Chevrolet Pontiac GMC Cadillac Buick Saab Saturn/Opel I would make GMC an option package on the Chevrolet trucks: The Professional Grade package, which gives all kinds of gadgets and luxury amenities for the trucks that some buyers will want, complete with GMC badging to differentiate it. The exteriors would be pretty identical, though unique interiors could be created. It'd be a "badge" in the sense that "SS" is a badge at Chevrolet. Pontiac would be a niche player with a few interesting models that are shared globally, such as the Solstice, G8, G6, G4 -- all RWD/AWD. They'd cater to a different clientele than would Chevrolet vehicles, which I'd leave FWD/AWD. Keeping them as niche vehicles means that dealers can get nice markups on them while Chevrolet remains their bread and butter. Pontiac's can work as niche cars especially if they're simply rebadged Holdens. Cadillac and Buick should be sold together, with Buick being versions of cars that are more "American Luxury" as opposed to Cadillac that is "Ultimate Luxury". Buick only needs 4 or 5 vehicles that meet the needs of individuals who don't want a Cadillac but want a luxury car. All of Buick's lineup would be shared with China, with North America offering bonus sales numbers to China's sales of Buicks. I'd rename Saturn to Opel and simply sell them as imports. No GM badging, nothing. Push their Europeaness and move the iron that way. That way you'd have Opels as the entry level cars and the Saabs as the high end imports, much as Toyota has Toyota and Lexus. I never have understood why GM doesn't let their dealers sell different vehicles. I can understand not having a PBG dealership sell a Cadillac, but it's silly that Pontiac, GMC and Chevrolet aren't sold together.