Dear GM,What I Want for Christmas
By BigAls87Z28
www.gminsidenews.com
I have been a good boy this year. I have done many good deeds from working long days, coaching young kids in the great game of football, and have even helped old people cross the street. And since I have been so good, I have a little list of what I want from you guys for Christmas. This is not exactly what I personally want for my own use, but what I want you guys to do for your vehicles.
I would first like to see the use of diesel engines in the Aveo, Cobalt, and Malibu sedan. You paid a hefty price tag to get rid of Fiat, but before that went down, you codeveloped what everyone is saying to be one of the best diesels around. You also have several diesels for European consumption in equivalent cars to the ones listed. It pains me to see that GM could not get there foot in the door on an economical diesel engine that could not only help the gas crunch, but also give it a different image. VW is taking charge with its direct injection diesels and are winning hearts and minds. So I ask of you, please bring diesels to the compact and mid sized cars so that they can give people a choice.
I would like to see the addition of 6 speed automatics for ALL trucks and SUV's. Not optional, not only on high end models, but ALL models. From the 2.8 I-4 Colorado, to the 6.2 Escalade, on to the big 6.6 Duramax GMC 3500s, 6 speed autos should be GM's new calling card. Ford claims they are full of "innovation," but those who know understand that there 6 speed autos do not wear Ford badges. Ford is full of something else, but I will be nice.
The benefits of the extra gears can go on from enhanced gas mileage of the double over drive, to having more gears to shift in the Trailblazer SS, to just have the bragging rights over everyone else. And could we see tap shifting for the TB SS when it gets the 6 speed? Paddle shifters= performance!! Which brings me to another point...lets expand this to 6 speed autos for near all RWD vehicles. CTS and V, STS, XLR, Corvette, and SSR. It can handle the power that these cars are pushing, and I think that an automatic for the CTS-V would increase the sales for the car to those with the money, but no talent for rowing there own.
I have also grown into the idea of direct injection. Many reports of the High Feature V6's having this ability has me scratching my head..."why have we not seen this yet?" It boosts power, efficiency and decreases fuel consumption. BMW is getting a lot of brownie points off this feature, as is VW. If you want to keep it Cadilac-exclusive, that is fine for now, but lets come out and do this huh? Lets see this happen before its been on the market for 5 years. It will increase serious power output, and will help on gas milage. Its almost a win all around the table. This technology will keep Caddy amungst the standard of the world.
Can I also see more infusions of style into main stream cars? You see what a funky styled car like the HHR can do for the public? It almost made me forget that the PT Cruiser existed. Its design is just so much more dramatic then the he PT that the PT just looked like...well...blah. Solstice clearly has outdeigned the Miata, and the Sky even makes it worse!! The two Kappy cars clearly overwhelm the person viewing it, and they only know how to ask "When can I buy one!" I would like to see more of that in main stream cars like the Cobalt, Malibu, and Impala. Lets face it, expect for there SS models, the regular cars look very bland, boring and cheap. Get risky with fender flares and aggressively styled bodies.
I would like to see an infusion of power for the 355 trucks. When they first came out, they just edged out the pack, but you guys did not anticipate the surge of brand new mid sized trucks, all packing horsepower and torque north of the 240 mark. The 355 trucks go from first to worst overnight. There only claim is to there better gas mileage, and only the 4cyl 355 truck has any real dominance over the imports as far as power is concerned. If there is any major reason for an infusion, its the Hummer H3. Man is this truck getting dogged. It is a pleasant vehicle all around as it lives up to the Hummer name with its off roading ability, but its on road ability is seriously lacking. With a snail like 11 seconds to 60, this falls below even Hummer performance standards. An engine of 260 horsepower or more MUST be put in the Hummer, and the cost could be shared by the 355 trucks. I hope someone inside there has been already working on this for a year or so now and that refreshes of the first wave of the Revolution are going to be coming as well.
Can I see more neat-o features in cars, such as HID lights, navigation in the mid sizers, and LED tail lights? They are becoming the new fad, and I would love for you guys to be on the ball with this. HID lights and LED's are HUGE with us youngsters as we welcome the look of high end in our inexpensive rides. A HID option on vehicles definitely gives it that cool factor that sets it apart from other boring cars in its class. LED tail lights also look cool, and also can promote creative designs of tail light lenses, as well as help the look of the car. DVD based navigation is also becoming the norm not only on the mid size cars, but on compact cars! I see that you gave Europe navigation in the Astra, but no such luck for the Cobalt. Small additions to these cars would just make them a little bit better, and in the eyes of those in my generation, help bring in some cool factor.
I also would like to see Saturn hit the ground running this year with its first blitz of three amazing cars, and roll out another set before years end. An Ion replacement, Red Line models for the Aura and Sky, and perhaps a wild card...a mid sized coupe based either off of Epsilon with AWD and the 3.6, or a RWD based Sigma-Lite car, sister to Camaro. With the design direction of Saturn, it could possibly pull me away from my beloved, but would most likely come with high tech engines like the 3.6 base, Ultra/Northstar V8 replacement.
My last wish, and one that might not sit well, is the final death blow to Buick. Please, end its life before its too late. I would hate to see this once great division destroyed by half hearted attempts at cars, such as the LaCrosse and Luceren. Both have missed the Lexus and have slid off several Toyota marks with these vehicles. The LaCrosse looked great, and the 3.6 engine option with the tighter suspension was a good move. Unfortunately, it was a good move when everyone else was making great and phenomenal moves. The LaCrosse is a great alternative for a Camry, but the aim was for Lexus's famed ES330. The Luceren...well, for lack of a better term, its DOA. Clearly not up to snuff with the likes of its competitors, it lacks so much in a segment and a company that must get it right the first time. Reviews of this car should start to roll out soon from the major auto mags, but I have already read the LaCrosse reviews, so I know what to expect. What is left, the mini va...Cross Sport Vehicle or what ever, yet another 360 SUV, and the nicer looking Aztek. Huge loss there. The company no longer has any relevance. I do not see how future product could help Buick, but just hurt GM and cloud up other brands. Its time for Pontiac and Chevy to step up as American brands, while Saturn and Cadilac fight (import) fire with fire. With Oshawa #2 going down, DTS/Luceren Plant not having much of a future, and the death of Terazza, Rendezvous, it leaves only the very unknown Rainier, which could easily be taken up by Envoy, 9-7x and BRX/SRX sales. The dealer network is already being consolidated into Pontiac, Buick and GMC dealers across the US, so dealers should not feel the hurt that much.
I said before, I do not ask of these things for my own personal benefit, but for the benefit of people like me, and the future of GM. This is along with upgrades of interiors and small updates of cars would help show that GM is no longer sleeping behind the wheel. There are many, many other things that I want for Christmas from you guys, but these things are what I want the most. I do not think that any of these are unreasonable or asking too much, outside of the mercy killing of Buick, and that could be done without stepping on another divisions toes while gaining edge in the market place.
From Big Al and the rest of the GMI staff,
Everyone have a great holiday season!! I hope that you enjoy this time with your family and friends as they are some of the best gifts one person could have. Have a safe and Happy Holidays and have a Happy New Year!!