GM's Product To-Do List

[nsap]

GM's Product To-Do List
June 14, 2006
By: NSAP
www.gminsidenews.com


Today I had to take my new G6 to the dealership to get a scratch on the front bumper fixed. It was on the car from before I had it, so as part of the deal, the dealer offered to fix it. They have to keep it overnight so I got a 2005 Chevrolet Classic as a loaner. Driving that dog home awhile ago made me decide to write an article about what I think GM needs to work on product-wise. Basically, it is GM’s to-do list for products.

A Couple Major Issues

In my opinion there are two major issues with GM product that need addressed before all of the “small” issues. Those would be quality and placement. GM’s quality has risen just over 40% (according to JD Power’s 2005 report) in the past two years. By far an improvement, but until the quality of every GM division is rivaling that of Toyota and Honda’s, there is work to be done.

The second major issue at GM is product placement. For years GM has “rebadged” vehicles for various brands. That is a major no-no in today’s market. Yeah, it will bring you some sales from another division, but it’s taking more sales from another division. Every marketing brand needs to have a clear image and niche in the automotive market. Right now it looks as if Saturn and Pontiac are going to be competing neck and neck. Not a good thing. None of the eight North American divisions should compete with each other. With the wide variety of platforms, engines, and transmissions GM has, it wouldn’t be that hard to make a unique vehicle for every brand. Especially since most GM manufacturing facilities are flexible.

Minor (or at least not major) Issues

Ask any GM fan what change GM needs to make about their products and one issue that is bound to pop up is the use of four-speed automatic transmissions. GM’s Hydra-Matic transmissions are some of the most dependable, smoothest transmissions in the world, but many of them are lacking a couple gears. Right now GM has four six-speed Hydra-Matics; the 6T70, 6T75, 6L50, and the 6L80. For those who don’t know, “T” transmissions indicate front-wheel drive transmissions, and “L” indicates rear-wheel drive use. Really the problem right now is building up capacity of the new six-speeds to use in all products. No matter who hard it may be to ramp up production, they need to do it NOW. Not later. All of the GMT-900’s should have the 6L80 transmissions, not just the high-end models. All of the Epsilon and W-Body sedans should have the 6T70 transmission, not a four-speed that has been around for 25 years. Long story short; get the six-speeds in EVERYTHING, NOW. CVT’s would be good for the small vehicles.

Just recently it seems like everywhere you turn on GMI you find a complaint about the use of corporate radio’s (or non-integrated radios). Personally I don’t see the big issue with corporate radio/HVAC systems; as long as they look good and work well. There are many cases where the use of a non-corporate radio/HVAC would not help the design of the interior anyway. A couple example’s would be the Chevrolet Equinox and Saturn Sky. There are cases however where the corporate radio/HVAC looks bad, such as the Buick Lucerne. Integrated radio’s and HVAC systems are a couple things GM needs to start applying to their vehicles, starting with Cadillac and Buick. From what we’ve seen of the new 2008 CTS, Cadillac will start using integrated radio’s soon.

This next one is a big problem to me. The failure to make safety features STANDARD on all of their products. Head curtain airbags, side airbags, thorax airbags, and whatever other bags they can stick in cars. For 2007 many GM cars have all of that standard (such as the 2007 G6). That, combined with GM’s initiative to make On Star standard in every GM car, is a good start. Again though, just DO IT! We can’t really complain about GM’s crash test ratings, most are excellent, except for a couple mediocre scores.

Here’s an issue I don’t ever hear anyone else complain about, but personally it really bothers me. GM uses the same corporate key for basically every vehicle except the imported ones (Aveo, Optra, GTO). It’s not really a bad key or anything, but it gets old. I own a Pontiac G6 and Chevrolet Equinox. Both use the exact same key, but the G6 has a Pontiac emblem and the Chevrolet has a bowtie on it. How exciting. The G6 key is also a $43 key, while the Equinox key is about $4. Make the chip-equipped keys nicer, especially when people shell out $43 for one. Better yet, go to keyless ignitions. The Corvette, XLR, and STS has them, why not send it down the line to the other vehicles? Everyone else is doing it GM, you should be too. It was great that GM was the first manufacturer to have factory-installed remote start, so lets try another innovation.

A 40 MPG+ car. Enough said there right? I’ve heard that a lot of GM cars will get 40 MPG on the highway, but none of them are EPA rated at 40 MPG, so there is no marketing opportunity there. Hopefully GM will fine-tune the engine in the new Aveo to be able to achieve 40 MPG, but I’m not holding my breath. GM’s green image really needs a lot of help, and that magical 40 MPG number is going to help it a ton in terms of marketing.


Accomplishments

We can’t complain about what GM has failed to do without giving them credit where the credit is due. One big thing that GM has accomplished in the last couple of years is design. FINALLY vehicles are being designed, not engineered. The HHR, G6, Solstice, Sky, Outlook, GMT-900’s, and Enclave prove that design rules once again. Many people (me included) think that the second golden age of automotive design is approaching. Not only is that a great thing for us gear heads, but for GM as well. The American manufacturers have heritage, something the imports will never have like the Big Three. When it comes to design capability, the Big Three rule.

Back in the 1990’s and 1980’s GM’s build quality of it’s products was lack-luster at best. Just about all newer GM products sport build quality that is just as good as that of their import counterparts. Panel gaps are tight and equal, and interior gaps are minimal (very notable in the GMT-900’s). Interior quality has also improved greatly and still is. Some people are still complaining about some of GM’s interiors, but they will shut up when they see some of the ones coming in the next year.

Conclusion

There is a twist to this article. I’m not going to say anymore about it now, but I will once the posts in it die down. No doubt there are other things about GM product that need addressed that I didn’t mention, but I mentioned many of the significant ones. We all (well, most I should say) want GM to succeed. In order for them to do that, they have to correct the wrongs as soon as humanly possible. Not a year from now, not a work in progress, NOW!

[WorldisNotFlat]

Product quality, gas mileage, etc. needs to leapfrog the competition, not be equal to or catch up. It is like a basketball game, if your team is down by 6pts. at half the coach should be telling them they are down by at least 16. The goal is win and by a wide margin. In any competitive situation, especially in the auto industry, a company needs to bet the farm every year with new products that are leading the industry, not constantly in catch up mode.

[63cat]

You bring up some good points. I'm not a fan of blatant rebadging, but I don't mind using the same platform for different brands, because the brands appeal to different people. I had a Pontiac when I was younger, but now in my late 30s I prefer Buick. I like the g-6 convertible, but won't buy one because Pontiac has a history in the past 15 years or so of turning their ragtops in chick cars. Remember the Sunbird and Sunfire? If there was a more upscale Buick version or the Velite I'd buy it in a second.

[saturnsteve]

You know one thing that drives me crazy, how come a V-6 Impala can get over 30 mpg, and a 4 Cylinder ION can barely squeeze out 32?? The ION and the other cars, Cobalt G5, should get closer to 40!!

[findthisfunny]

Well said. I'd like to add my own to do list:
1) Bluetooth, it's a proven technology. Get it in there.
2) HID option on all family sedans (G6, Aura, Impala, Malibu, etc.)
3) NAV option on all family sedans, heck offer it on the Cobalt too. You're already got the corporate radio in there, it would not be expensive to offer it.

Point is, the competition has it, don't get left behind. Technology is good.

[dindak]

My issues with GM are similar :

1. Dumb badge engineering (Mostly @ Pontiac)
2. Gas mileage not up-to-snuff on small cars (Aveo especially)
3. Interiors on some cars and trucks still not good enough. Cobalt comes to mind
4. Not enough 5 and 6 speeds yet
5. Exteriors on Chevys and Buicks is still kind of dull.

The good :

1. Quality is top notch on most GMs these days
2. Some new models are getting there
3. Future models like the Aura look even better

I think progress is being made. I just hope American buyers in general see it before they go back for another Camry or CR-V.

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Originally Posted by nsap

GM's Product To-Do List
June 14, 2006
By: NSAP
www.gminsidenews.com


.

[b]A Couple Major Issues

This next one is a big problem to me. The failure to make safety features STANDARD on all of their products. Head curtain airbags, side airbags, thorax airbags, and whatever other bags they can stick in cars. For 2007 many GM cars have all of that standard (such as the 2007 G6). That, combined with GM’s initiative to make On Star standard in every GM car, is a good start. Again though, just DO IT! We can’t really complain about GM’s crash test ratings, most are excellent, except for a couple mediocre scores.

Stability control was an option on my 1999 Corvette and was available mid-year on the 1998 Corvette.

I checked with my dealer regarding a 2007 Impala LTZ - stability control is not offered on the Impala - not even as an option!

[kenman923]

No doubt GM has come a long way, but they also have a long way to go. Instead of rebadging, I think GM needs to make cars unique to the respective divisions.

[sigma]

1. Fix the EcoTech's- They are much smoother and more powerful than the Quad-4's (okay, then what isn't), but they still have serious problems in the gas mileage department
2. 6 Speeds- Get them in EVERYTHING. No really. If they would also put that 6-Manual that's can be built with the same gear box, that would also be fantastic.
3. Interiors- They are getting much better. Example 1: 04 Malibu. Example 2: 06 Impala. But there is still a ton of work to be done.
4:Hybrids: Make the BAS system avaible as an option on Ion/Astra, Cobalt, Malibu(when overhauled), Aura(already happening), and Equinox. Make the two mode system an option on every midsize and full size SUV, and full size pick-up GM sells.

[uujjj]

Originally Posted by saturnsteve

You know one thing that drives me crazy, how come a V-6 Impala can get over 30 mpg, and a 4 Cylinder ION can barely squeeze out 32?? The ION and the other cars, Cobalt G5, should get closer to 40!!

My thoughts exactly. How come the old Saturn managed 40mpg while the new one isn't even close?

[cadillacpimpin]

what is this twist at the end of the article? u cant keep us haniging like this...
but that aside, i agree with what u said, but the more and more i think about it, i cant help but come to the conclusion that GM still has one too many brands. However I am much apposed to giving the axe to any of them.

[A Bum In A Bus]

I have one beef above all else,
GM needs to stop allowing a design to get so old that it cost a product like Buick market share. The Lasabre and Parklane stayed way to long at the fair, and it cost the division market share. And where did that market share go? Toyota and Lexus.

I believe one of the reasons Toyota has made such an impact in a short time, is fresh design. GM must find a faster way to get an automobile from the drawing board to the production line. The Camaro should be out next year not two years away.

[Kar Krazie]

What is a Chevrolet Classic??

[saturnsteve]

Originally Posted by uujjj

My thoughts exactly. How come the old Saturn managed 40mpg while the new one isn't even close?

Bigger motor, more power, heavier car. But that is no excuse, they should get better milage!

[saturnsteve]

Originally Posted by Kar Krazie

What is a Chevrolet Classic??

The old body Malibu that was sold in 2005 as a 4 cylinder only mostly as a fleet or rental