WSJ: GM Will "Call Out" Toyota In 07 Tahoe Ads

[Perian]

Link: wsj.com

PARTIAL QUOTE: Full article at wsj.com (subscription required).

"What's surprising in light of all this is that GM executives, starting with Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner, sounded cautiously upbeat about the coming year during conversations at a holiday reception last Thursday.

Mr. Wagoner was careful not to make predictions of returning to profitability. But he and other GM executives sketched out a scenario in which things get a lot better than they were in 2005. For starters, GM isn't planning to repeat the crash effort to cut a glut of overstocked vehicles, which GM executives say forced the company to cut production by some 250,000 vehicles -- representing a roughly $6 billion hit to revenue.

Second, GM executives expect that during the first part of 2006, they'll be building and shipping a lot of their new, large SUVS, such as the re-engineered and restyled Escalade and Chevy Tahoe. That should be a lot better for the bottom line than slashing production.

Third, North American marketing chief Mark LaNeve says he's ready to go on the offensive in the large-SUV market, with ads that will call out Toyota for selling a large SUV with worse gas mileage than the new Tahoe. Overall, Mr. LaNeve said he's determined in 2006 to stick to his strategy of promoting GM's much-improved vehicles and boosting the images of GM's brands instead of succumbing again to corporate-wide giveaway programs."

[Perian]

Originally Posted by Perian

Third, North American marketing chief Mark LaNeve says he's ready to go on the offensive in the large-SUV market, with ads that will call out Toyota for selling a large SUV with worse gas mileage than the new Tahoe.

I think this is an exciting time for GM.

We really have a shot here with the new GMT900's.

They are in production, and things appear to be going well.

The new pickups and crossovers in the fall will keep it going.

Here's to a Happy New Year. Go GM!

[surferdude00711]

Toyota will call out GM for not comparing it to their 2007 Sequia (sp?)... Like Ford and Chrysler argued over.

[griswold44]

These (and all large SUV's) will NOT be getting 25 mpg like GM has tricked you into believing. Also, we don't know ANYTHING about the 2007 Sequoia, and GM could get into serious trouble if they advertise false claims.

[Butz]

Originally Posted by griswold44

These (and all large SUV's) will NOT be getting 25 mpg like GM has tricked you into believing. Also, we don't know ANYTHING about the 2007 Sequoia, and GM could get into serious trouble if they advertise false claims.

o rly?

I remember GM saying they'll get combined ~20 mpg..

[griswold44]

I've heard 20, 25, 69, blah, blah, blah. They'll get what current owners are getting with MAYBE a marginal increase.

[wtgkb8]

Originally Posted by griswold44

These (and all large SUV's) will NOT be getting 25 mpg like GM has tricked you into believing. Also, we don't know ANYTHING about the 2007 Sequoia, and GM could get into serious trouble if they advertise false claims.

Where has there been any official press release stating that the GMT-900s will be 25 mpg? I have only seen combined of just over 20...which I believe to be very possible, and easily attainable.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by wtgkb8

Where has there been any official press release stating that the GMT-900s will be 25 mpg? I have only seen combined of just over 20...which I believe to be very possible, and easily attainable.

Gm's latest reading is 16/21 for a 2WD 5.3L 2007 Tahoe.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by griswold44

I've heard 20, 25, 69, blah, blah, blah. They'll get what current owners are getting with MAYBE a marginal increase.

GM has NEVER said any higher of a number than 20.1 MPG.

The hybrid 900's will get 25 MPG, if not better.

[goblue1999]

Originally Posted by griswold44

These (and all large SUV's) will NOT be getting 25 mpg like GM has tricked you into believing. Also, we don't know ANYTHING about the 2007 Sequoia, and GM could get into serious trouble if they advertise false claims.

GM hasn't tricked anyone into believing any number north of 20. I would be perfectly happy with 17, gas is cheap.

[goblue1999]

Originally Posted by nsap

GM has NEVER said any higher of a number than 20.1 MPG.

The hybrid 900's will get 25 MPG, if not better.

Just a reminder, I am driving a new Tahoe at this very moment, when this tank runs low, I will fill up and report back on the fuel economy. The GenIV 5.3 feels like a 6.0, and then some.

[04Malibu]

Originally Posted by griswold44

These (and all large SUV's) will NOT be getting 25 mpg like GM has tricked you into believing. Also, we don't know ANYTHING about the 2007 Sequoia, and GM could get into serious trouble if they advertise false claims.

Gee, a Toyota fan criticizing GM about making false claims. Oh yeah, I forgot, when Toyota overstates the horsepower in their engines it's just an exaggeration right gris? Go sign up on Toyotanation.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by griswold44

These (and all large SUV's) will NOT be getting 25 mpg like GM has tricked you into believing. Also, we don't know ANYTHING about the 2007 Sequoia, and GM could get into serious trouble if they advertise false claims.

You mean like the Prius' fallacious realworld fuel economy claims? Yes, I see, and I agree. (I think others have done well to explain the 25 mpg claim and to what it applies.)

I was happy when I heard that this was GM's intentions with the ads for the GMT-900's, or at least one of the versions. It's refreshing to see a more proactive stance from the Company, no?

[jman196]

they can call toyota out on style or a lack of blaaa that 2007 tundra isn't sweetening the deal, besides the fxt concept looks odd and tacky i hate it, and the soys of the tundra look blaaa just like the current ones, i'd even get a ford over it and i don't like ford.

[asim]

Yes! It's about time GM does this...they really need to do this more.