GMI Exclusive: Some GMC Product Programs Bite the Dust

[throwback]

Originally Posted by windvale

Forgive me...but 90% of this discussion is rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

GM needs to get down to three divisions > Chevy, Cadillac and GMC. GM desperately needs to concentrate it's remaining capital on designing, buiding and marketing a strong entry at each market point (sub-compact, compact, mid-size, compact CUV, mid-size CUV, small and standard truck, etc.) for Chevy. Cadillac needs to be Cadillac. GMC should just sell trucks - period.

The above lineup *will* cut into GM's market share - I know that - but I can't see how GM really has the resources to design, manufacture and market Buick and Pontiac.

The bulk of GM's efforts from here on in need to be in designing and marketing a *highly* competitive sub-compact, compact and mid-size Chevy offering.

I assume you are talking about in the USA. Buick is huge in China and needs to be there at least. Opel is also needed as it is the engine that is driving European sales.

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

I really like the Acadia. I really like the Outlook.. I really like the Enclave... And I really like the Traverse... Oh, and I'm really going to like the Cadillac that sits on this platform as well.. Does GM really need 5 of these trucks? So I can see why the Acadia and/or Outlook are getting cut.. If you want either one, get the Traverse..

Chevy Traverse - Really cheap
GMC Acadia - A little luxury, sort of
Saturn Outlook - Really cheap and I don't know
Buick Enclave - Lots of luxury
Cadillac Whatever - Lots of luxury and sportiness

You only need three..

Chevy Traverse - Cheap enough that anyone can buy it
Buick Enclave - A little expensive and quite luxurious
Cadillac Whatever - Expensive, luxurious and very sporty

I echo your thoughts, Chevy-Buick-Cadillac ONLY for lambdas...

CobaltSS

[ChevyRules]

Originally Posted by CobaltSScrazy

I echo your thoughts, Chevy-Buick-Cadillac ONLY for lambdas...

CobaltSS

That is what is happening. GMC is toast( signs are pointing to it now) and Outlook was already slated to die. The Escalade goes Lambda( yuck another FWD Caddy) and we will be left with the Traverse( could be renamed Tahoe in the future depending on how GM decides the fate of the GMT-900's), Enclave, and Escalade.

[Get_ A_Clue]

Originally Posted by gotz_otto

I think that GMC should not be cut, but rid of all car based CUV. Stick with the Sierra and the Yukons. Close down Hummer and give GMC the H3 and H4/HX if it is not already dead. Let Buick take the CUVs.

Someone already gave you props for this, and so will I. I always thought that if GM was smart they would have offered Hummers through GMC, rather than (shortsightedly) create yet another brand. The entire GMC brand could have used the Hummer design language, even the Sierra and Canyon. That way BPG would still have had trucks in the channel, but they would look very distinct from their Chevy counterparts. Just think: GMC Hummer2, Hummer3, HUT, etc. Additionally, GMC would then have become a direct competitor to Jeep, with a much fresher look and more current military credentials.

The point: Hummers should have been GMC models from the very beginning.

Of course, GM's management is completely, sadly, frustratingly clueless and they have no concept of brand management. Or product development. Or long-term planning. Or...

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by dav305z

My guess is that GM hopes for Cadillac to take GMC's luxury customers with its upcoming Lambda and for Chevy to pick up the rest.

Oh you mean... GM is trying to do what it should have done in the first place 10 years ago??

Shocking....

Originally Posted by Hitman1970

They may pull a Buick on it an drastically reduce the line up to

Canyon- small pick up
Sierra- pick up
Terrain- small SUV
Yukon- Large SUV

Oh you mean... back to true "Professional Grade" vehicles?
Heh...


Lambda SUT??
So GM's trying to compete with the Ridgeline? Interesting.
Hope GM doesn't get the idea that a Lambda would make for a good Cadillac.
How about expediting the new Colorado GM??

[psece]

Originally Posted by ChevyRules

That is what is happening. GMC is toast( signs are pointing to it now) and Outlook was already slated to die. The Escalade goes Lambda( yuck another FWD Caddy) and we will be left with the Traverse( could be renamed Tahoe in the future depending on how GM decides the fate of the GMT-900's), Enclave, and Escalade.

Lamda's are AWD capable and you would think that the Cadillac version would be.

[GermanCarGuy]

Originally Posted by nikivee

Aura on hold and now some GMC products on hold. I'd say it doesn't look good for Saturn or GMC right now.

I have some serious doubt, that Saturn might be cut. Hans Demant, Chairman of Opel, gave me a response at the "Driving Conversations"-Blog, that Opel will go on reviewing further options to introduce parts of their line-up in the US. I can't imagine any other GM-Brand, adopting Opel-Models.

[psece]

Originally Posted by GermanCarGuy

I have some serious doubt, that Saturn might be cut. Hans Demant, Chairman of Opel, gave me a response at the "Driving Conversations"-Blog, that Opel will go on reviewing further options to introduce parts of their line-up in the US. I can't imagine any other GM-Brand, adopting Opel-Models.

No, but Saturn could go back to its small car roots. Hmmm, but they would still have the problem of a small dealer footprint. Wonder how that could be quickly fixed.....

[ChevyRules]

Originally Posted by psece

Lamda's are AWD capable and you would think that the Cadillac version would be.

But, it still has the FWD bias setup with the trans and engine putting the weight on the front end.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by psece

No, but Saturn could go back to its small car roots. Hmmm, but they would still have the problem of a small dealer footprint. Wonder how that could be quickly fixed.....

Easy, bring Saturn in to the BPG channel just as GMC and/or Pontiac head out the door.

Buick will have a car that will be very similar to the Aura since the Aura is hardly some kind of European sports sedan.

No reason for product overlap if the Aura is under the same roof as Buick.

Saturn = Small cars like Astra, Corsa, Meriva, Zafira.
Buick = Mid-size and entry lux crossovers

Pontiac could still have a place with bigger car performance, if gas prices don't shoot up much higher.

Otherwise, Opel has plenty of "hot hatch" type small cars for Saturn.

[jbartley]

Originally Posted by nsap

I'm quite confident that the Traverse will out-sell the Acadia in no time.

Of course it will, but what happens to all those Yukon and Acadia buyers who WILL NOT drive a Chevrolet. GM is just going to toss them on the curb?

this is retarded!

[TriShield]

No automaker needed two mainstream trucks brands, GMC should have been quietly whittled away 15 years or more ago. It's a little late now but better late than never I guess.

GM is also doing the same thing with Pontiac. Pontiac is not getting any new product after the Solstice coupe and rebadged Ute. Programs for Pontiac have been on hold for a very long time, since January which is when I heard about it.

[goatgary]

Originally Posted by jbartley

Of course it will, but what happens to all those Yukon and Acadia buyers who WILL NOT drive a Chevrolet. GM is just going to toss them on the curb?

this is retarded!

Exactly!

GMC not only is one of GMs oldest brands (over 100 years), it has fierce brand loyalty and is GMs 2nd strongest sales division. Say what you will about "Professional Grade", but they've been pounding this home since 1998 and has caught on with a lot of truck buyers that are not gear heads who post here. As you say, many of these buyers would not be caught dead in a Chevy. Saturn not an option for these people. These are died-in-the-wool Buy American people and would divert to Dodge before F150 or Chevy. Toyota not an option.They want what they perceive to be a "Real" truck.

[windvale]

Originally Posted by throwback

I assume you are talking about in the USA. Buick is huge in China and needs to be there at least. Opel is also needed as it is the engine that is driving European sales.

Yes sir !

[AndrewGS]

Great news since my grandparents love their Acadia so much. Now they'll have to buy something else when the time comes to replace it. I'm guessing many other happy Acadia owners will also be disappointed to find there's no new Acadia. I wonder what they might buy? Hmmm... there's always the Toyota Highlander.