GM Inside News Forum - View Single Post - Rumblings & Rants: Saving money, Cutting brands, and what GM SHOULD do to survive

Firebird00 · 09-01-2008, 07:40 PM

I agree with the notion of selling Hummer, converting GMC to be their big heavy truck brand, and most importantly killing Saturn. Saturn has been a complete failure, massive money pit, and robbed Pontiac of billions of dollars which has brought the brand to its knees (yet as you point out still outsells Saturn).

However I differ on Saabs future. I think they should outright sell Saab to any willing buyer. The brand does nothing for North America. It too was a mistake. They thought it'd catch on in being "different and cool" but it was just different....in a bad way. Outside of enthusiasts and yuppies, nobody cares. It doesn't have the rep that Buick has in China so its not like it would do good there.

In regards to Buick, if China wasn't set to become the worlds largest car market I'd say axe it. China is Buicks saviour....who woulda thunk it?

Chevrolet just needs to stop halfassing stuff. Once they put a Civic/Corolla beater on the street they will be fine.

Cadillac is doing great. Once they get the drama around the STS, DTS, and that stuff sorted out (and they will) they'll be fine.

Pontiac has the most potential. They need to look at Nissan and how what they have. Nissan is what Pontiac should be. Sporty, attractive, priced appropriately etc... Pontiac could very well be the division that could make the general public stop and look at GM. Styling and passion attract people. Nobody likes to buy ugly junk.

The GM chain of brands should be:
Chevrolet > Pontiac/Buick > Cadillac

Chevrolet: Corvette, Camaro, Volt, Impala, Cobalt, Aveo, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, and that new crossover (can't remember its name)

Pontiac: G8 coupe (GTO), Firebird T/A, G6 (along w/ its coupe and vert versions), Solstice, and a G5 if its a hardcore turbo only version (rally car badass street racer wrapped into 1), and a Volt cousin.

Buick: G8 sedan, Enclave, and maybe some crazy "mature" performance car for old guys who think the GTO and Firebird are too "boy racer" (never understood what was wrong with that but anyways....)

Cadillac: just figure out the STS replacement and the DTS and call it a day. XLR is a crap shoot. Make it worth the ridiculous price tag or don't do it.

09-01-2008, 07:40 PM	#42 (permalink)
Firebird00 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston, TX Drives: Red 2001 Corvette Posts: 2,631	Re: Rumblings & Rants: Saving money, Cutting brands, and what GM SHOULD do to survive I agree with the notion of selling Hummer, converting GMC to be their big heavy truck brand, and most importantly killing Saturn. Saturn has been a complete failure, massive money pit, and robbed Pontiac of billions of dollars which has brought the brand to its knees (yet as you point out still outsells Saturn). However I differ on Saabs future. I think they should outright sell Saab to any willing buyer. The brand does nothing for North America. It too was a mistake. They thought it'd catch on in being "different and cool" but it was just different....in a bad way. Outside of enthusiasts and yuppies, nobody cares. It doesn't have the rep that Buick has in China so its not like it would do good there. In regards to Buick, if China wasn't set to become the worlds largest car market I'd say axe it. China is Buicks saviour....who woulda thunk it? Chevrolet just needs to stop halfassing stuff. Once they put a Civic/Corolla beater on the street they will be fine. Cadillac is doing great. Once they get the drama around the STS, DTS, and that stuff sorted out (and they will) they'll be fine. Pontiac has the most potential. They need to look at Nissan and how what they have. Nissan is what Pontiac should be. Sporty, attractive, priced appropriately etc... Pontiac could very well be the division that could make the general public stop and look at GM. Styling and passion attract people. Nobody likes to buy ugly junk. The GM chain of brands should be: Chevrolet > Pontiac/Buick > Cadillac Chevrolet: Corvette, Camaro, Volt, Impala, Cobalt, Aveo, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, and that new crossover (can't remember its name) Pontiac: G8 coupe (GTO), Firebird T/A, G6 (along w/ its coupe and vert versions), Solstice, and a G5 if its a hardcore turbo only version (rally car badass street racer wrapped into 1), and a Volt cousin. Buick: G8 sedan, Enclave, and maybe some crazy "mature" performance car for old guys who think the GTO and Firebird are too "boy racer" (never understood what was wrong with that but anyways....) Cadillac: just figure out the STS replacement and the DTS and call it a day. XLR is a crap shoot. Make it worth the ridiculous price tag or don't do it. __________________ Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.