Originally Posted by SierraGS
Great plan,
The Rendezvous issue is a valid one, this was a good vehicle (not great by any stretch) but good and represented good value for the money provided good MPG and had excellent space utilization considering the time it was designed. A friend of mine owns one and both he and his wife love it, this from owners of more than a few Toyota’s and Subaru’s.
The great MPG, smooth ride, reliability and maneuverability make it a keeper, he plans on driving it into the ground. GM should have kept it around with some minor “freshening” giving Buick dealers a “go to” vehicle to close a sale when a prospective Enclave buyer finds that it will not fit their budget.
This brings up some questions for Jim.
Do you still get many prospective buyers wanting a new Regal or LeSabre
with a 3800?
A friend of my dad’s went to a local Buick dealer with checkbook in hand to buy a new LeSabre and of course was told they are out of production at which time he went home disappointed and a little angry at GM for dropping his LeSabre. Before you flame this guys “lack of knowledge” I can tell you from selling cars that it is not unusual, many buyers do not keep up with every change made in lineups and buyers who are very happy with their favorite model just assume since it is a great car to them, the company making it feels the same (not always).
To me GM is making a mistake dropping the 3800 from the Buick line, this is an engine that can compete in today’s high MPG/low cost environment where buyers are looking for the most bang for their buck (in MPG not HP). The 3800 represents a unique offering in the mid-size/large car market and one with a large and loyal following, something that makes car deals and enables you to maintain profits.
As MonaroSS pointed out:
“It would also mean they should hold off on spending money on Corolla. Why? Because a car you make unchanged for six years nearly doubles the profit on fixed costs of a car that you amortise over three years. Even if demand is lower for Corolla than it could be because it is a little outdated, better to sell a well amortised version in a market clamouring for smaller cars than to sell more of a car that is needing to first pay off it’s fixed development costs.”
By the way MonaroSS understands what Kaizen is really about, and I know something about this subject and “Lean Thinking”, our company has run seminars with our customers to train them on the subject, some of whom are the largest in the world and #1 in their industry.
Many will post “how outdated”, “low Tech” etc. etc., but they are missing the point of SELLING cars buyers are willing to BUY and ones that do not meet their expectations of cost/MPG. The 3.6L HF V6 is a great engine and will be the main V6 used in the future, but the future for GM is now and what sells today is low cost/high MPG and the 3800 delivers. The 3800 can still generate RETAIL sales and revenue for GM today, it just needs the chance.
In fact the LaCrosse with the 3800 should continue production if at all possible and it’s replacement named Invicta (if it has not already), but with the Super option list put onto the CXL trim. It should retain the 6-passenger seating option especially on the top level CXL trim since it again is an “exclusive” feature (except Impala) in its segment. Before everyone piles on as what a “bad idea” this is I would like Buickman to give us some feedback I can tell you from personal experience with the Dodge Intrepid that these cars sell since many buyers look at a car the size of the LaCrosse and “expect” it to offer 6-passenger seating (albeit “temporary” seating at best). I have looked at LaCrosse’s with the 6-passenger bench and it is a neat setup with room for storage and best of all (for me) the ability to “stretch out” my legs by moving them side to side without hitting the console. A console (with floor shift) that is becoming obsolete with steering wheel paddle shifters and “hand brakes” moved to the floor or soon electronically controlled. Give me the stretch out room with a well placed folding armrest in place of a console and some storage space under the center cushion.
If the 3800 and LaCrosse go away GM has to bump up the 3500 MPG from 18/29 to 19/30 which GM should be able to so by implementing the XFE mods used on the Cobalt, put this engine into the Malibu LS, 1LT and 2LT retail vehicles with MSRP (2008 numbers) of $21,500 (LS), $22,634 (1LT) and $24,490 (2LT) allowing $1,000 on LS and $800 (LT) models for the 3500 and Hydraulic Power Steering, and ask Buickman if he thinks there would be a market for such Malibu models.
These are (2) examples of vehicles GM could offer with little or no cost and enjoy increased sales revenue for RETAIL sales while making loyal Buick buyers (and some new ones – believe it or not) happy.
As a play on the AARP idea, GM should offer members special lease deals with lower fixed prices for maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations as well as “multi-lease” discounts, waiving initiation fees and requiring little or no money down for repeat customers. Many older buyers like to have a new car every 2-3 years so they can travel without worry and as a “treat” to themselves for years of hard work and a “fixed” rate for maintenance correspond to their “fixed” income. And providing dealers with well maintained trades that will command top price as “certified used” cars.
Just a few ideas.
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