Quote:
Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy
Thanks for making my point... GM needs to be nimble... Dodge saw the market that the new Mustang was scooping.... and knew they needed a car NOW... <snip>
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So you'd rather the new Camaro be out now, despite the fact that it would have had to be built on a very old platform, or be front wheel drive, or be based on a truck chassis? (just kidding by the way, I know that's not what you're saying).
I don't disagree that GM needs to be nimble. Especially since current politics and social issues have nearly totally scrapped their product plans for the next few years. That being said, I'm not convinced that they aren't scrambling to get things going ASAP. They have lost a ton of market share due to poor quality, so they have to make certain they put out quality products, which takes longer than slapping something together.
Should they have seen these changing times coming? Probably.
Did they? Obviously not.
Now that they have a sense of where things are going will they take action to adjust their plans? I think so, but my guess is no better than anyone else's guess at this time.
Does the Wall Street Journal have a clue about GM's time line for bringing certain products state side? If they're thinking 2012 for the Beat, I highly doubt it.
As far as the Camaro as an example goes, GM is taking the extra time to make it a market defining car and I'm one of many who is willing to wait for it. I expect it to make the Mustang and the Challenger seem second rate by comparison. If it doesn't, then yes, they should have just gotten it out the door ASAP. If it does, then it's worth the wait. Especially if the thing ends up in base trim having a lot of performance and getting fuel economy that rivals the family sedans out there in V6 trim. Even more so if the thing doesn't have the old notorious cowl shake, drooping doors, various clunks and rattles that the Camaro has had for years.