CNBC/ saving GM series premiers Aug 6

[t-rex]

Originally Posted by ksr

What's the difference. Holden is GM and has been GM for many decades.

We all knew Holden engineered the Camaro, I was just surprised that Holden is also styling the Camaro. A designer can look at something, say a '69 Camaro, and design a product around it, but it's a more challenging task if you can't grasp the cultural aspects that make the design important. Given the uniquely American nature of the Camaro, a designer would really have to understand the American mindset to successfully design the car. It's given me mucho respect for Holden that they're able to pull such a feat off.

Originally Posted by ksr

IMO, cars like the Camaro can do much towards saving GM. If the new Camaro has the same appeal as the old, there can be a halo effect. People who like it may not buy one, but they may buy something else. And if the Camaro does as well as the Mustang did a couple of years ago, that means a pretty nice profit.

Oh, it's not that I don't think the Camaro isn't important. Far from it. I staunchly believe in the "trickle-down-effect" of a halo model. I was commenting more in context with the theme of the program, which suggested saving GM. The show basically was four themes: China, Camaro, Volt, and UAW, and neither of the four can singlehandedly, or even combined, save GM, though each are important pieces in the puzzle. Then again, no "magic bullet" will save GM...

[sags]

As I recall, one of the main reasons for the falling sales of the original Camaro/Firebird was skyrocketting insurance rates.

This is especially true when their key market is the younger crowd who are already assessed with high rates.

In Canada, the Camaro/Firebird was classified as a "sports car" and cost 2-3 times more than to insure?

Wonder if that scenario has changed or has GM even thought of it.

[t-rex]

Originally Posted by sags

As I recall, one of the main reasons for the falling sales of the original Camaro/Firebird was skyrocketting insurance rates.

This is especially true when their key market is the younger crowd who are already assessed with high rates.

In Canada, the Camaro/Firebird was classified as a "sports car" and cost 2-3 times more than to insure?

Wonder if that scenario has changed or has GM even thought of it.

I think GM is quite aware of this. And it's not just insurance; today's living costs make a new car purchase out of reach for many under-25 buyers.

I suspect they're going to target the middle-income, middle-aged male buyer — who has both the financial wherewithal and cheap insurance rates on his side — trying to recapture youth! I see it as a "mid-life-crisis-mobile", much like the Corvette!

There are clearly enough arrested-adolescent males in this society to provide a substantial customer base...

[likearock00]

Who else watched the GM documentary last night on CNBC? What did ya'll think?

I was pleased with the show overall, and glad to see the importance placed on the Volt. Did anyone else see the teaser of the front bumper and headlight?



It seems like GM knows what they have to do to succeed in th market- it's just getting the public to rethink GM that'll be the difficult part!

[ksr]

Originally Posted by PhishPhood

If you don't have 'Momma', 'the little woman', 'the Boss', 'my wife', 'my Mother', the 'family money keeper' on board....and then she has to like and trust the presenter...then there's no sale.

What does that say about "men" in this country?

I'm not married, and of course the standard answer from married guys is that I don't know what it's like then and can't really comment.

But I wouldn't get married to someone that I need to ask permission of to do something that I want to do.

Where compromise is giving in to what my wife wants.

Where I won't commit to something with my friends, like say a round of golf, without first asking permission. Letting your wife know about your plans is one thing, actually begging for permission to do something is very much another.

I swear, half the guys I know are married to more of a substitute mother than a wife.

You know, you're still an individual even after you get married. You're not going to have all the same interests as your wife, but that doesn't mean you should give up what interests you.

Spending 100% of your time with your wife is probably the reason behind many divorces. Just not healthy.

In other words, grow a pair.

Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine. I know very few guys who marital situation I could ever tolerate.

[ksr]

What is the projected MPG of the Volt?

If it's high enough, maybe $40K might not be unappealing to a lot of people. And as production volume goes up, the cost should come down.

[SirRaven]

Overall I thought it went fairly well as well. Rick was asked some very tough questions when they sat down with him at one of those points (If your stock value went down 75%, how do you still have a job? and others). I would have to day overall it was very nuetral and truthful, really saying were GM is at. It was interesting to get some opinions of what the Chinese thought of Chevy, and then what Americans thought of Chevy. The same car sold over there will have a completely different stigma about it then if it was sold over here. Even if it came from the exact same plant, somehow the quality is less by shipping it over here.

Overall I think it really goes to show that perception is still lacking reality as far as the quality of GM cars go, but that will come slowly with time. Also they really emphisized the importance of the Volt, and it was fun to see Lutzs reaction when he drove the Volt around.

Heres to another 100 years

[03xtreme]

The show last night was right on the money, but i would've liked to hear Wagoner talk more about how he plans to bring GM Back in North America... not just in china

If the American public's perception is anything like the perception here in CT, GM has a lot of work to do. I swear everyday is a fight to tell people they perceive GM wrong, the quality is there, go drive a Malibu, Silverado, Cobalt, Saturn, or a Buick or a Caddy.

I brought my wifes new 08 black LTZ with the brick/black interior in and they could not believe it was a Chevy..... I said...... EXACTLY ignorance is bliss isn't it.

[FenwickHockey65]

I thought it was a pretty good show. Fair, neutral, showed both sides of the story. Both our successes and failures.

[throwback]

I thought the program was well done. What shocked me was that GM has lost 75% of it's value under Wagoner. That one stat says it all.

[rmodys]

Dangit, why wasn't there a huge thread about it being on?! You guys suck...

Oh well, it'll show up on YouTube sooner than later.

[TechnoAura]

Overall, I too thought this program was well-done. A lot of information was presented about past, present, and future GM within a short period of time. I too feel some of the questions posed to Rick were tough. Although the some of the questions were tough, they were very much fair. No bias in this program.

I don't know how some of you feel, but I was not thrilled to learn about the amount of money GM is investing in India, parts of South America, and especially China. From a business standpoint, yes, it makes perfect sense. GM has found a niche in these markets, especially China, and really has to work to keep their current share of the automotive sales market in these parts of the world. As the program pointed out, China is now the global target in the automotive industry. Again, it makes perfect sense to strike the iron while it's hot. My concern is that since GM is performing so poorly in North America and doing very well in other countries, much of their money will be diverted to other markets around the world and it will be these markets that will receive world-class automobiles while much of their North American portfolio continues to become stagnant. Albeit the Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Malibu, and the Buick Enclave are exceptions. As an investor, I would like to see GM succeed in other countries so my GM stock will once again rise. Yes, I still hold GM stock!

On a lighter note, how many of you who watched this program liked seeing a 1982 Cadillac Cimmaron parked next to a brand new CTS V-series? No offense to any Cadillac Cimmaron owners!

[GPScott]

Originally Posted by rmodys

Dangit, why wasn't there a huge thread about it being on?! You guys suck...

Oh well, it'll show up on YouTube sooner than later.

I forgot to record it, but I just found that it's re-airing Sunday night from 10-11. At least there will be a second chance to view!

[tom3]

I'd say Lutz would make one heck of a car salesman. Note that Cimmaron had a manual tranny, be pretty rare in a Caddy I'd think.

[rmodys]

Originally Posted by GPScott

I forgot to record it, but I just found that it's re-airing Sunday night from 10-11. At least there will be a second chance to view!

They WOULD put it on late when I'm trying to train myself to fall back asleep at a normal time...