GM's Product To-Do List

[yamahr1]

Originally Posted by nsap

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.

While I'm with you about blatant rebadging, like the Pontiac G5 version of the Cobalt, I disagree about overlap. In some cases, it's like offering different flavors of a similar product, to please a broader range of consumers. They might cross-shop a Malibu, G6, and Aura, and each will pick a specific one because the flavor suits them better.

The statement that Pontiac and Saturn will be battling is something I disagree with. There are no rebadge jobs there, and Pontiac has more of an American flare, while the new Saturns will favor European design. Selling to both styles adds up to more cars sold, not fewer.

Originally Posted by nsap

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.

No argument from me on that point. Four speeds get the job done, but six is where it's at. I'm encouraged to read that some of the six-speeds GM has in the pipeline are a "clutch to clutch" design, which I assume is similar to the VW/Audi DSG gearbox. If as good as the DSG is said to be, that would be a superior box to anything the Japanese have, at least currently.

Originally Posted by nsap

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.

The new "bow-tie" radios are simple to operate, effective, and even look good. But I agree that on the high end they need to do radios that look more integrated. They also need to adopt the iPod control interface, not just have the mini plug (not that I'm a fan of the iPod, but the market is the market.)

Originally Posted by nsap

This next one is a big problem to me. The failure to make safety features STANDARD on all of their products.

I wonder if it might work to make them standard, but offer a delete option. That way they can gain the price advantage on the low end, but still claim the standard full range of airbags. It would also place the onus on the consumer to choose less safety. Marketing.

Originally Posted by nsap

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 actually was discussing this recently with my partner, who works for GM. Seems to me a major, missed opportunity, because the key is a primary "touch point" on the car. Several years ago, I had an Acura NSX on lease, and it had a nickel finish, beautifully made key that resembled titanium. In fact, NSX owners would refer to it as the titanium key, even though it wasn't really made from that. It had a certain "weight" to it, and made you feel a little bit more special every time you got in the car. It was also $105 to replace (ouch!)

But here's my idea, and I hope GM runs with it and not Toyota or Honda. The key should not only have the usual remote functions on it, but should incorporate an MP3 player that interfaces with the radio, as well as your home PC. Perhaps a joint venture with Apple. Of course, it would be an option on many cars, but could be standard on the higher end.

Originally Posted by nsap

A 40 MPG+ car. Enough said there right?

It would be nice indeed if they can hit that magic number with the new Aveo. But on the subject of that car, I sat in one at the New York auto show and the interior was great! There's a faux leather option (I guess they used to call it vinyl, but I really did think it had a leather interior) that looks classy, and the dash is terrific, blowing away even higher priced Chevys. The Honda Fit, while a formidable competitor, looked cheesy in comparison. I think this Aveo could really leapfrog its predecessor, even though its conventional 4-door body is nothing to write home about.

Originally Posted by nsap

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!

I think most of us want to see GM's ongoing renaissance come quicker, but the time frames we're seeing are about as good as any realistic analyses of the business could expect. Steady mates, and don't panic. I think they're on it!

[findthisfunny]

I just realized, that none of GM's cars with the exception of Cadillacs and the Corvette offer HID and/or Navigation as an option.

[yamahr1]

Originally Posted by findthisfunny

I just realized, that none of GM's cars with the exception of Cadillacs and the Corvette offer HID and/or Navigation as an option.

That might be true about HID, but Nav is an option on the Pontiac Grand Prix, all the new GMT900s (Tahoe, Yukon included), Chevy Trailblazer and GMC Envoy (I have an '05 with Nav), and Buick Lucerne. I could be missing some, and I know there are more to come, I think including the LaCrosse, which no doubt about it should have had a nav option from day 1.

[jbartley]

Good read, except the push button start.



There is an awful lot of car buyers who don't want this option.

The fob is VERY expensive to replace, and some people don't want to deal with it, period.

[mjd1001]

My issues with GM cars:

-as said above, no more 4 speed automatics. Even entry level cars are getting 5 speeds now, and a few 6 speed are on tap for some entry level cars later this year. GM needs 6 speed autos now, and within a 1, 2 AT MOST for cars like the Cobalt and Ion.

-Personally, I want to see more small, sporty hatchbacks. Cars in the size category of the Hyundai Tiburon, Opel Astra, Toyota Celica, Mini Cooper, etc.

[findthisfunny]

Originally Posted by yamahr1

That might be true about HID, but Nav is an option on the Pontiac Grand Prix, all the new GMT900s (Tahoe, Yukon included), Chevy Trailblazer and GMC Envoy (I have an '05 with Nav), and Buick Lucerne. I could be missing some, and I know there are more to come, I think including the LaCrosse, which no doubt about it should have had a nav option from day 1.

Sorry I wanted to say (Passenger) Cars does not offer HID, or Nav. But thank you. You are right, the Lucerene and the Pontiac Grand Prix does offer NAV. But I have not yet found an offering for HIDs for any of them.

[ChevyRules]

I agree NSAP. No more 4 speeds. As smooth as they are, there OLD! As another member said, get the iPod control thing into there cars. No GM don't put it in Saturn and Cadillac only to make it a premium option, put it in all divisions products even in the Aveo. The corporate radio is fine. Looks good and easy to use. KILL THE 3400 V6 ASAP GM!

[steverino]

(1) HUD (headup displaywith more info) in every vehicle, so you can keep eyes on the road

(2) quicker refresh cycle. Like every other year minimum. At least change something on the interior or exterior that makes it look fresher than the vehicle you bought 4 yrs ago. Better yet make improvements every year so the vehicle evolves & morphs itself into a leader that no other manufacturer can leapfrog

[cfch3399]

Good article.
I agree with placing quality as the #1 issue. Regardless of what GM does, quality has to be first. And while the general consensus on this board is that GM's quality is good these days, I just had a sobering experience renting a G6 recently. I experienced something that's all too familiar for us owners of older GM cars: warped brake rotors. I was shocked and very disappointed to say the least. Has GM still not addressed the quality of their darn rotors???

While rebadging has no fans anywhere except with automakers, it's today's reality unfortunately. And with GM's/Lutz global dreams, badge engineering takes on a whole new world-wide dimension. But it seems to me that in the past, GM was better about it. The old Grand Am, the Alero, Skylark didn't exactly look alike. While the G6, Aura, and the next Malibu will look a little too similar. I blame this partly on GM taking a step beyond badge engineering and that is excessive parts-sharing. We don't just have corporate radio/HVAC controls, but corporate mirrors, corporate door handles- notice that all GM cars under Lutz have the pullout door handles, the same 2-cupholder setup in front of the center console, keys, all Kappas and most Deltas get the same temperature-gauge-defficient instrument panel!!!; there's similar taillights, etc.

Which leads me to my concern about Lutz's vision of generic-looking cars. I personally didn't mind Pontiac's excessive body-cladding, it made Pontiacs unique and unmistakeable. But Lutz loves the previous-gen Audi clean design. If you look at a G6 from behind at a distance it looks very similar to a LaCrosse, Taurus, Ion Couple, Scion TC, G5, Cobalt sedan, Geo Metro. Lutz has this obsession with 90s Euro-style traingular headlights that is rendering all his cars identical. Badge engineering is tolerable but only if the cars don't look the same on the outside.

At the same time one has to wonder about GM's lack of wisdom in underutilizing Sigma. Once DCX started the rebirth of RWD, GM should have released some Sigma-based Pontiac and Chevy.

The corporate radio/HVAC issue bothers me. Even though the unit looks, feels and works great, there ought to be a way for GM to come up with different looks/designs of the same unit.

One way to increase mileage that GM is overlooking is using lighter materials. There cars are so darn heavy and feel heavy too while driving. Lighter materials, less parts would help.

While we all would like to see 6-speeds in all GM's, in truth it just doesn't seem feasible for GM. It would easily increase the price of cars considerably. Imagine all the G6 models going up several hundred if not thousand. It just wouldn't be a good deal anymore. The price is the 07s is already higher than 06. It's a shame that GM will start using the 6 speed only on expensive cars while continuing to push car prices into the 30ks.

I continue to wish that GM overcomes its loser-culture and becomes more confident and shows some leadership in design and technology.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by cfch3399

While we all would like to see 6-speeds in all GM's, in truth it just doesn't seem feasible for GM. It would easily increase the price of cars considerably. Imagine all the G6 models going up several hundred if not thousand. It just wouldn't be a good deal anymore. The price is the 07s is already higher than 06. It's a shame that GM will start using the 6 speed only on expensive cars while continuing to push car prices into the 30ks.

I disagree. These new six-speeds don't have to cost anymore than their four-speed counterparts, they just need to get production to it's full capacity.

[cfch3399]

I hope you're right. But GM has to get back the additional cost of materials, design, and engineering of this transmission and additional profit on top of that. Otherwise they could have started by placing them in their more popular models instead of on the most expensive ones.

Originally Posted by nsap

I disagree. These new six-speeds don't have to cost anymore than their four-speed counterparts, they just need to get production to it's full capacity.

[ilovegmtrucks]

for one thing Pontiac and Saturn are similar now but hopefully once the Zeta comes it will be seperated even more..what GM needs to do is give each division a different look like Caddy got the Sixteen design..Saturn is coming into its own with their look..GMC just bout has its own look and Saab and Hummer has its own-why cant GM give Buick and Pontiac give them their own design and own designers maybe theirs someone who can overcome what Pontiac has screwed up over the last 5+ yrs with the GP,dyin Montana,WTF Torrent..the only cars that help Pontiac is the G6 and Solstice-G6 with the sedan,coupe and conv.-now maybe give Buick the Skylark wit the same options and give it a base price of the Cobalt SS with the Solstice engine and a 6spd auto and call it Skylark CXL as the base model then use the G6 3.6 engine with a optional stick shift and some uplevel options for the CXS..and if they really want to bring customers back to the dealerships build a GNX off the Zeta alongside the Camaro,GTO/Firebird and build it here let Australia handle the Zeta there with the MC/Impala/GP or G8..

[Saturn69]

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 Ion averages 35-37 mpg, to me, that's pretty good. And good luck actually getting that 30+ from the Impala. Fuel economy ratings measure emissions in grams per mile, while on a test platform - not driving - and using a formula, they 'guesstimate' what the mpg would be, they don't actually put a gallon in the car and drive it to see what it gets. Japanese cars tend to run cleaner, so their mpg look better on paper, yet they aren't too hot at actually getting what they say, either.

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by uujjj

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

It was '00-'02 the SL1 and SC1 only, equipped with 1.9L SOHC and 5speed manual and they only achieved that mpg rating in the last 2 years. The previous Saturns were about the same as the Ion with the S-series (DOHC) at 26C/36H - (SOHC) at 28C/38H and the Ion at 26C/35H. I see no reason to complain considering the extra interior and trunk room, power, weight and refinement the Ion has over the S-series cars. The SC1's and SL1's weren't terribly quick, although faster than a Prius and were great reliable cars that lacked the power, looks and refinemet that market was wanting at the time.

[peterj2706]

I agree totally with your post. In addition GM needs to look at what is really being offered. Most foriegn manufactures now offer a depth of options GM and F don't even seem to understand. Stability control is quite common place once you get out of the low priced lines. Remotes don't just unlock doors anymore (lower and raise windows for example). The one area GM is ahead - the Driver Information Center (baddly named as the DIC), is wonderful, competing with high line Lexus, Audi, etc., but they don't even advertise it (Lexus does, putting a 'taylor your automobile' spin on it). When will these guys really start looking at the competion?