A Geo-Centric GM

[BigAls87Z28]

A Geo-Centric GM
by BigAls87Z28
www.gminsidenews.com

Gas prices. It is taking over the automotive world. It has every major car maker scrambling for ways to show off and improve gas mileage for vehicles they are producing. The fight for greener and greener images wages with every new car from the manufacturers. New technologies with direct injection, alternative fuels and hybrid power systems are making their way into every day cars. With this fight for green cars, the powerful General Motors finds itself with a image of gas-hungry SUV's chewing up the country-side. These large by massive trucks that will roll over your average compact car. This image has been burned into peoples minds since the last gas craze back in the 70's. GM is up for round 2, but this time around they are much more prepared then they were in the 70's. Gone is the idea that people will continue to buy GM vehicles, and that these little Asian cars could no way hurt them in the pocket. GM is adapting much faster then we have seen in past years. GM is bringing to bear all its engineering power in advanced powertrain development to gain this green image back.

GM does have a VERY green line up, with a lot of vehicles that achieve over 30mpg, but the burned in image still lingers. What is GM to do? Back in the 70's, the ball got rolling on developing smaller cars like the gas-friendly Japanese cars. GM could not keep up with the Japanese cars in economy and quality. It just was not happening. So GM decided to make several moves. One was that if you cannot beat them, buy them!! So GM spent money and invested in Suzuki and Isuzu. They also partnered with upcoming rival, Toyota. With certain cars, GM assembled a new division that was meant to supply super-fuel efficient cars to the public. With small 3 and 4 cyl powertrains and low prices, GM launched the Geo Division. Its line up consisted of a subcompact Metro, a sleek 3 door sports car Storm, a compact 4 door sedan Prism, and a compact SUV Tracker. These cars had an image of fantastic gas mileage. Over time, the Geo brand was absorbed by Chevy, and they dropped the Metro and Storm, two of the highest mpg cars GM has sold in a while.

So here we are in 2007, and GM needs a boost in image of making green cars, having the technology to show that they can make green cars like the Japanese can, only better. What better way then to relaunch the Geo Division? With GM's combined powers and recently focus on global brands, Daewoo, GM-Shanghai, and Opel division could be brought together to create several unique subcompact and compact vehicles for the green-minded. These cars could all be featured with current, on the shelf hybrid systems. The cars would be based off the Gamma and Delta II platforms and use parts bin 3 and 4cyl engines with BAS engine technology. Diesel engines could also be used to help improve gas mileage even more. Later, they could be fitted with Two-Mode hybrid systems and even plug-in systems. Same four vehicle set up could be had, and sold along side Saturn.

These vehicles could be more then just green-machines. These could also prove to be cool compact cars and have an effect much like Toyota's Scion brand. The current Chevy triplets were very attractive and got rave reviews when shown off at New York International Auto Show. These vehicles displayed modern designs and eye-catching features. They also had small displacement engines to achieve hybrid-beating numbers without the help of hybrid drives. Use of CVT transmissions will also add to the image of both green and cool. Everything down to a redesigned badge will help launch this car into the minds of the young and old. And with the Geo name still in good standing in most peoples minds, known for fuel efficiency, the new look of attractive cars will help entice new generations to take a look. Using Saturn dealers gives several advantages. Saturn is becoming GM's new wonder-brand, and with its popularity and focus on fuel-conscious customers, this will be a welcome sight. Another factor is the Saturn buying experience. Scion used the no-haggle pricing to great success, and with Saturn the steps are already in place.

I know that at this point most people that have gotten this far are saying, "The last thing GM needs is another $@%# division!" but this is more or less an addition to the Saturn brand. This would be a great key to get people into the GM family. Young people getting into the Geo cars will return to the Saturn dealer to move up into car that had the same idea in mind, giving great gas mileage, only now their tastes have matured. Cars like the Aura and Outlook will grab attention of these family-conscious customers and move them up the line. Eventually the ties from Saturn to Caddy will be made, and hopefully the circle will be complete. Will it work like that every time? No, but GM can no longer afford to throw out random hybrid models that are disguised as just another vehicle made by the same old GM people. Toyota has thought about creating a Hybrid-Only division, and this is a great way for GM to jump out and grab the market now before Toyota does. It will show that GM is taking very large steps to set the record straight. Geo: The little green machine that helped save General Motors from itself.

[VCDJ]

As of right now GM, does not have good 4 cylinder engine. Even Aura hybrid get worst mpg then a four cylinder altima. Cobalt 32 mpg. that is just wrong. GM is still focusing to much on Cancer(GMT-900). Yes it is a cancer, it is killing gm slowly. They put so much money into that project and they spend so much adverising. What do they get? lower sales. As of right now gm is not comited to fuel economy. Now imagine if gm spent that much money on cobalt and lets say malibu? To have them both direct injected, best fuel econmy in its class, 6-speed standard, and then to advertisy that every min. like they did with gmt 900. Don't tell me they would not be able to make money on cars then. They would because people would want to buy them, if they have class leading fuel economy, quality, technology. Who wants to buy coblat that get 32mpg, with not so good quality.

[CADILLACSIXTEEN]

Any additional brand to GM, no matter what it is, will for sure lead to the demise of a current division, most likely Pontiac.

And I for one do not want to see that, because if given the right attention, Pontiac can be one hell of a bargain-performance brand!

[Quickening]

GM needs to lighten up these upcoming platforms, especially teh Delta and Gamma. Its pitiful that the compact Cobalt can only get 32, when I can get a 33 in my midsized 9-3. But it does show that the Ecotec isn't a bad engine, they just need to take them to the next level.

Not another brand, just put the products into the correct existing brands.

[King Riffle]

I whole heartedly agree with pretty much all of what you wrote.

Maybe use the Daewoo name instead though. I imagine most of the vehicles would be made by them, so you might save a few bucks on badging. Plus, the Geo name is sort of a joke to most people. I doubt it has the potential to become anything like Scion.

Most haven't even heard of Daewoo (proof that their stupid college advertising thing was a failure), so there's a bit more potential with that name.

On the other hand, most people do associate Geo with good gas mileage. That might overcome the joke image with a little work.

Saturn could've played this role very well had they not have become yet another premium brand.

[pinch a loaf]

I think the average consumer sees GM as a gas-hungry SUV company because GM has a huge lack of advertising. "Car People" know that throughout the GM line-up there are numerous cars that get 30+mpg because we do our research and follow the models closely. I really wish GM's advertising dept. would use the same propaganda that Toyota does to really show their current and potential customers what they have to offer, how they beat the competition, and how green they are. The Live Yellow Go Green thing says absolutely NOTHING about what improvements have been made. People have been drilled for 15 years that Toyota quality is the benchmark in quality and now it is GM's turn to drill it into customers heads. Forget the American Revolution, let see some MPG figures, HP, One of the Industries Best Warranties, and class leading products. I just don't understand their current advertising style. It makes no sense to me.

[prototype66]

Great read. I had a 92 Storm and I loved it.fun little car that got great mileage. I would still wonder about bringing another division in while still fighting to make the other ailing divisions more popular and profittable. The Geo name is very apropriate for todays market as well. still.............another division. Ijdk

[EldoFan]

Weren't Geos just rebadged Toyotas w/differences here and there??

Two things I see as key for GM are

A) Designing and executing a high MPG 4 cylinder engine

....which goes along with "B"

B) Designing and producing a compact that can hold its own and truly compete against the leaders of the pack (namely....Civic and Corolla) rather than trail them constantly. The Saturn Astra should be a good first step........

[Saturn69]

I'd love to have the Corsa come over as the Metro replacement, especially with a 1.0 3cyl getting what the Metro used to get - 50 mpg without being a battery-toting hybrid. It'll never happen, but it'd be nice.

[GMFAN85]

Originally Posted by VCDJ

As of right now GM, does not have good 4 cylinder engine. Even Aura hybrid get worst mpg then a four cylinder altima. Cobalt 32 mpg. that is just wrong. GM is still focusing to much on Cancer(GMT-900). Yes it is a cancer, it is killing gm slowly. They put so much money into that project and they spend so much adverising. What do they get? lower sales. As of right now gm is not comited to fuel economy. Now imagine if gm spent that much money on cobalt and lets say malibu? To have them both direct injected, best fuel econmy in its class, 6-speed standard, and then to advertisy that every min. like they did with gmt 900. Don't tell me they would not be able to make money on cars then. They would because people would want to buy them, if they have class leading fuel economy, quality, technology. Who wants to buy coblat that get 32mpg, with not so good quality.

It's not an engine problem, it's a weight problem. The ecotec engines don't seem to have a MPG problem at Opel and Vauxhall, because the cars aren't as heavy as their American counterparts.


GMT-900 isn't a cancer when you consider Toyota and Nissan are pumping more money then ever into their Large truck platforms. There is still a demand for it and GM needs to continue offering the Large SUV models until they are no longer profitable.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by VCDJ

As of right now GM, does not have good 4 cylinder engine. Even Aura hybrid get worst mpg then a four cylinder altima. Cobalt 32 mpg. that is just wrong. GM is still focusing to much on Cancer(GMT-900). Yes it is a cancer, it is killing gm slowly. They put so much money into that project and they spend so much adverising. What do they get? lower sales. As of right now gm is not comited to fuel economy. Now imagine if gm spent that much money on cobalt and lets say malibu? To have them both direct injected, best fuel econmy in its class, 6-speed standard, and then to advertisy that every min. like they did with gmt 900. Don't tell me they would not be able to make money on cars then. They would because people would want to buy them, if they have class leading fuel economy, quality, technology. Who wants to buy coblat that get 32mpg, with not so good quality.

You, sir, have no concept of economics and have an even smaller grasp on the auto industry itself. The Altima hasn't even been tested by the EPA yet for '08, so if you're comparing '07 to '08 numbers, then, seriously, just leave.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by GMFAN85

It's not an engine problem, it's a weight problem. The ecotec engines don't seem to have a MPG problem at Opel and Vauxhall, because the cars aren't as heavy as their American counterparts.

This is also something that needs to be adressed, albeit with more creative, ingenious ideas......cost be damned

[SUPERBADD75]

Geo isn't needed as a brand, and most people that remember Geo don't have fond memories. Geo was always a punchline with most people that i knew with the possible exception of the Storm, and bringing the name back isn't going to change the fact that GM doesn't build cars that really compete with the best that Japan has to offer from an MPG standpoint. until they quit toying with Zeta, another Lambda, or another low volume specialty car and start focusing on where the market is really going, they're not going to get ahead. GM's powers that be have to be honest with themselves and come to the realization that gas isn't getting any cheaper and soon people are going to be clamoring for fuel efficient vehicles. it's really hitting home here at the Hummer store with inventory building up on the lot, the new H3 Alphas just sitting here, and our used car lot piling up with SUVs and trucks. if GM insists on continuing to invest in trucks, they're going to get caught with their pants down, they must do something now but i don't think they need to resurrect the Geo name to do it.

[darndot]

There are lot of things GM needs to do. A 40+ MPG Aveo is one of them. I don't care if it is a hybrid or diesel. The Volt needs to be built. It needs to keep the Volt styling as much as possible. Hybrid owners don't want plain looking cars. The 900s need a diesel. An the whole company needs a Ad agency to do things right.

[uvaeeman]

People I know already had an image of Geo's - as complete POS's. This could hinder expansion (if it's more pervasive than just ppl I know), although people still buy Kia's and Hyundai's.
imho, screw the extra brand and just give Saturn a couple of uber efficient cars. Call them the Lite (mini/smart car), Zip (compact), and Gravity (very small SUV).