WSJ Letter To Editor Is Sweet News For GM

[Perian]

Source: www.wsj.com

Just finished reading today's Wall Street Journal and something caught my eye.

I thought I would share this WSJ Letter To The Editor with you. It's been a pretty good week for General Motors in terms of sales, and the following shows a possible reason.

Take a look:


SUV and Grandkids: Third Row Squeeze

You are right on target with your article "Would You Like an Aisle Seat -- In Your SUV?" (Personal Journal, Feb. 22). I look after my three-year-old granddaughter and six-month-old grandson three days a week, and I transport them in my Lexus RX300. With the child seats strapped in the rear seat, my car can accommodate only one other adult.

I really don't relish driving a minivan because I like the features of an SUV, but the manufacturers are slow to recognize the market potential for young families and grandparents. I looked at a Honda Pilot, but even though it's fun to drive, has lots of room and three rows of seats, it isn't easy or practical to get to that third row.

I'll be looking closely at the new GMC Acadia at the Cleveland Auto Show.

Norm Kutz
Canton, Ohio

.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by Perian

I'll be looking closely at the new GMC Acadia at the Cleveland Auto Show.

Suggestion to the GMC dealer in Canton, Ohio...

Send Mr. Kutz a nice glossy Acadia catalog.

[Old Dood]

Kids and the back row seats are ALWAYS a hit. It was when we were little in the Station Wagons and I am sure it is today in the SUVs.

It is your own little world back there...

[63cat]

That's exactly why we are getting the Buick Enclave-the grandparents. Can't go anywhere in the BMW x-5 with them.

[Old Dood]

More and more it seems that parents today rely on their parents(Grandparents) more so then when I was a kid.

Creates more of a need...

[asim]

Originally Posted by Perian

Suggestion to the GMC dealer in Canton, Ohio...

Send Mr. Kutz a nice glossy Acadia catalog.

I got a nice little plastic box-kit from GMC for the Acadia. It looks pretty cool, but I have yet opened it up to see the surprises inside.

[goblue]

Hopefully he'll look at the Enclave as well. The usable third row and just as important, usable area behind the third row, coupled with great fuel econ is sure to win people over.

Also, GM doesn't carry a stigma in SUVs like they do in compact cars. I've overheard a few conversations that go something like this....

Hey, I'm checking out a GM whatever...
Why? American cars are crap
No, its an SUV
Oh....which one is it again...

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Well that is because GM has always had the best SUV's and trucks on the market, or 2nd best, in any case always near the top. But their small cars...

[Kappa]

Originally Posted by Smaart Aas Saabr

Well that is because GM has always had the best SUV's and trucks on the market, or 2nd best, in any case always near the top. But their small cars...

Yea small cars need work, and lets hope the Saturn Astra can help change that around.

It seems like GM has found the market and I have seen a few on the road, but I guess its either the advertising or the lack of knowlege of people that isnt helping selling it more. But overall, the Lambdas should be a hit even if sales are slow now.

[t-rex]

It was 3-row seating and versatility that had my 60something parents to buy their Rendezvous. They ferry grandkids around pretty often. Despite the horrible track record of their 'vous, they're still willing to give GM another chance. They're looking to buy now, but want something more upscale than the Acadia/Outlook, and the Volvo XC90 is all that's left. They've owned Volvos for 20 years and love the brand, but they're basically waiting to see the Enclave in the metal before they make their decision. If FoMoCo could have had the Lincoln version of their big x-overs on sale sometime this year, it probably would've made the folks shortlist.

[Gixx]

Norm Kutz is the pseudonym of Bob Lutz

[motorman]

i would never put my grandkids in the rear most seat in these cars because in the event of a rear end collision they would be in deep trouble. the best place is in the center of the car. remember those rear facing seats in the old GM station wagons,in the event of a rear end collision you were the first one involved

[anthom]

If the third row of seats are so difficult in a SUV why not have them face backwords like the good ole station wagons, especially if it was designed something like the late 80's olds custom cruiser with a fold out tailgate/swing out door something like what GMC tried with the Envoy but better thoughtout and less obvious looking. My only concern would be with how tall these new vehicles set even though the tallest thing most of these vehicles will be a speed bump.

[zete]

Originally Posted by Perian

Suggestion to the GMC dealer in Canton, Ohio...

Send Mr. Kutz a nice glossy Acadia catalog.

If you want to win over a Lexus owner have the GMC dealer pick the gent up in an Acadia and take him to the autoshow, on your dime. That would turn his crank and he'd be impressed.

GM needs to think outside the box to get some of these old customers back (and by old I don't simply mean age wise).

[Murrow]

Originally Posted by motorman

i would never put my grandkids in the rear most seat in these cars because in the event of a rear end collision they would be in deep trouble. the best place is in the center of the car. remember those rear facing seats in the old GM station wagons,in the event of a rear end collision you were the first one involved

I agree. I'd be reluctant to sit anyone in the third row of anything shy of a Suburban.

One of the local stations just did a story about this very topic a few days ago.

http://cbs4.com/video/?id=30257@wfor.dayport.com