Quality alone is not enough...

[KLRMNKY]

Here is an interesting article I came across on Autoblog.

Automotive News
Richard Truett
18 Jan 2006

DETROIT -- Poor quality is no longer the major reason for domestic automakers’ declining market share, according to Ron Harbour, president of Harbour Consulting.

Instead, Harbour told the Automotive News World Congress, the cause is lackluster products and pricing issues.

“Improvements in quality have been dramatic,” he said in his prepared remarks. “It is no longer the differentiator for people going to buy a car. Product and price are the differentiators, not quality.”

Harbour, whose firm in Troy, Mich., publishes the widely followed Harbour Report on manufacturing competitiveness each year, cited the new Ford Mustang as an example of an American car that offers attractive styling and good quality at a price consumers think is reasonable....

Rest of the article at the link
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...ryid%20section

Interesting stuff since all that we hear about in these forums is how much better quality GM cars/trucks are and the consumer is ignoring them for the Imports because of the perceivied "quality".

Maybe it isn't the quality?

[boblutzfan]

I kinda agree - just think - The Malibu has a good quality rating, gets good has mileage but is ugly as sin on the inside and out. Yes, the Camry is boring - but it isn't ugly as sin.

High quality boring sells.

High quality ugly needs incentives and rental companies to be successful.

I hope GM fixes the interior and exterior soon to give this car a chance.

[GMCSonoma]

So true. In fact, in some of the NADA training I've been part of...yes assembly quality is MUCH higher today, however parts quality has declined, and not just with the domestics!!! It is all about application! GM could never move an assembly line in a weekend! I think it took Chrysler 6 months to transfer the Omni/Horizon from Illinois to Kenosha back in the day!

[Joevette]

ok this article is ****************ing stupid, so quality alone is not good enough for the american manufacturers but its not a problem if the japanese cars only get by with their high quality. what a bias opinion. like i'm not saying that its not totally true but come on, its ok for Toyota to have a boring looking car, uninspired ride and handling, but decent quality to push sales along, but when the domestics do it, it somehow becomes a problem.

[Mikkoo]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

I kinda agree - just think - The Malibu has a good quality rating, gets good has mileage but is ugly as sin on the inside and out. Yes, the Camry is boring - but it isn't ugly as sin.

High quality boring sells.

High quality ugly needs incentives and rental companies to be successful.

I hope GM fixes the interior and exterior soon to give this car a chance.

Yes, it's in need of a serious extreme makeover. I think were still looking at a few years until this will happen.

[dav305z]

I would agree with this assertion if the top Japanese brand were Nissan, Honda or even Subaru. These brands all offer good quality and compelling design. Honda is the bench mark when it comes to design an ride/handling for affordable cars.

However, the top Japanese brand, the one catching all the attention, is Toyota. This company has not had a "compelling" car in years (since the Supra). They have pruned their sport models even while the market demands more speed and "passion" from other companies. Toyota does well because they have the best quality, plain and simple. Hot designs might attract people's attention for a bit, but they always go back to what they don't need to take a risk on. The 300, for all its success, hasn't put even a dent in the Camry's success.

GM needs to offer a longer warranty. That simple. People are not going to spend $20,000 on a car that might be good when they have one that is good. This is too big an investment for people to take a risk. GM can take the risk out of the car buying process, in addition to offering a more compelling design (which they already do in many cases), people will respond. This strategy has worked for the Koreans, maybe it can work for the Americans.

[Butz]

the Malibu isn't ugly, or maybe it's just me.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by Butz

the Malibu isn't ugly, or maybe it's just me.

Yeah... it has a nice personality....

Granted beauty is in the eye of the beholder. the 2006 version is much better - but it still is not clean and smooth looking like so many family cars are nowadays. The Impala is clean and classy. The Malibu would do well if it looked more like the Impala.

[goblue]

Originally Posted by dav305z

I would agree with this assertion if the top Japanese brand were Nissan, Honda or even Subaru. These brands all offer good quality and compelling design. Honda is the bench mark when it comes to design an ride/handling for affordable cars.

However, the top Japanese brand, the one catching all the attention, is Toyota. This company has not had a "compelling" car in years (since the Supra). They have pruned their sport models even while the market demands more speed and "passion" from other companies. Toyota does well because they have the best quality, plain and simple. Hot designs might attract people's attention for a bit, but they always go back to what they don't need to take a risk on. The 300, for all its success, hasn't put even a dent in the Camry's success.

GM needs to offer a longer warranty. That simple. People are not going to spend $20,000 on a car that might be good when they have one that is good. This is too big an investment for people to take a risk. GM can take the risk out of the car buying process, in addition to offering a more compelling design (which they already do in many cases), people will respond. This strategy has worked for the Koreans, maybe it can work for the Americans.

I tend to agree. Also, something to remember, the US market grows every year, so some brands will lose market share while increasing overall sales. GM needs a stable market share at around 25-30%, growing a little every year. I think they'll get it. Chevy is doing great, Caddy is fine, and Saturn is poised for drastically increased sales. Get Buick the crossover and velite, and an epsi based lacrosse and they are fine too. Pontiac is the one I question, sure hope they get the G8 sometime soon with a GTO coupe variant and the G6 needs some serious updating.

Whats the wild card - the 07 contracts. GM (and Ford) need lower labor costs now. Its taking money that could go into development and better parts, and forcing GM to make cars people don't want decreasing resale.

[56 Starchief]

the Malibu is getting redone for 2008 model year right>!

im losing track--but just to play Captain Obvious...

...Malibu is in THE, as in THE, otherwise known as THE and THE MOST IMPORTANT SEGMENT FOR A CAR COMPANY.

And all they have is that thing? Wow, makes you wonder who is allocating resources away....Oh, I know, Wagoner....That car needs 100% of the attention, not GMT900, not Hummer, not even the Camaro and thats coming from a future purchaser.

Imagine Toyota without the Camry. It would be nothing.

Imagine GM without the Malibu. No one would notice.

If GM is gonna be saved, they need to basically stop everything and do this car and spend every last resource on it. Period.

[ocmdog]

Originally Posted by Butz

the Malibu isn't ugly, or maybe it's just me.

I don't think the Malibu is ugly either. Not the best looking, but definately not ugly.

The 2004-2005, now that's a different story. But the 2006 is definately not ugly, especially in SS trim in black paint.

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

<Bingo>

[sigma]

They would still have the Corolla but I see your point.

[Cortazzo]

The malibu is a good car, but it doesn't make people stand up and take notice, or give anyone a reason to trade in their accord or camry. Many people view domestic cars as second rate, so you have to go above and beyond by offering better performance, value, and style than the competition. From what i've heard around here, the new malibu is a knockout, and that's also coming from some very bitter journalists on the web and in the rags. I really think GM has found religion. You can see it in each new batch of product. It started with the g6 slowly, the the HHR and solstice, now the 900s. If the Enclave is any indication, the lambdas will be class leading in style and i expect the same from the rest of GMs product from here on out.

[kchat778]

This is fairly ironic considering so many here claim how bland Toyotas are, yet one of the reasons they sell well is because people like the way they look. I guess "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."