GM's Product To-Do List

[GM-10]

They need jet packs or something like that.

A G6 with a jet for acceleration would really put them back on the map.

[63cat]

GM needs to follow through with its concepts.

Look at the awesome Buick concepts: the LaCrosse, Bengal, Velite.

Where are they?

What about the Chevy Bel Air?

It makes the products that do come out, all the more disappointing.

[WillCG]

Good post, NSAP.

Regarding quality, here are a couple of things I noticed on a recent visit to a Buick and Honda car lot. Check these out if you have any time and you'll see what I mean.

Honda is slipping on their interior quality. Looked at the dashboards/IPs on the Accords and new Civics. The seams on the various separate panels do not line up...not good IMO. Pay special attention to the top-middle dash of the Accord. Look at the sides of the separate piece where it meets with the rest of the dash; the seam is lower than the rest of the dash on some cars, and higher on others. And this wasn't on one or two Accords. They had 19 on the lot and I'd say at least 16 were screwed up.

And now for Buick. Check out the trunk lid on the Lucerne and the gaps between it and the rear fenders. Not a very good alignment job. But there's something else that is much more noticeable. Check the left edge of the trunk lid where it wraps down to become part of the rear fascia. The point where it goes vertical is not flush with the part of the panel above the tail light. Sticks out like a sore thumb. And this was on all the Lucernes on the lot.

GM has come a long way with quality...I'll grant you that. But they've got a ways to go.

[zeobandit]

Great read. Bring on the change!!!!

The keyless ignition is cool. My bosses new Camry has that. If Toyota can put it in a Camry, then GM should be putting it in everything, or at least offering it as an option.

[chevygurl72]

problem with gm is they don't know what the consumer really wants!

[jzEllis]

i know I'm in the minority on this, but 6 speed transmissions are useless and don't offer any benefit other than bragging rights. just like the whole pushrod vs OHC argument. its just feel good stuff for us car guys. Joe blow on the street could care less.

which leads to another point. the reason the foreign small cars get better gas milage is because they are "generally" performance dogs, and are much lighter. a weak engine with a broad torque band and good economical gearing coupled with light weight will do it every time for good EPA numbers. not to mention the fact that better engine isolation (liquid filled rubber mounts and engine bay sound deadening) will help make it seem more refined and playfull when partnered with the OHC characteristics of a high red line.

and to prove my point in the real world, how come the 3.8L v6 can hold down 30+ miles to the gallon with a 4 speed, rev to 5800+ rpm in a flash (95+ models) all while pulling a contemporay fullsize car? by refining what works and by having a broad torque band and economical gears. plus i know of no W bodys and only one G body that comes in over 36-3700 lbs.

and from personnel experience I've yet to hear of ANY regular car owner complain that they don't have 6 speeds. and I've NEVER heard a 3.8l owner complain of vibration and harshness or lack of power. those are all car guy and mag complaints.

just something to think about. i generally agree with everything said.
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[steve333]

Here's my list of things for GM to do:
1. Make all of their engines direct injection.
2. 6 Speed Automatics in everything.
3. Base Engine of Malibu should be 2.4 Ecotec.
4. Improve Ecotec's to be world class smooth.
5. Tilt and telescopic steering wheels on everything-everything.
6. Adjustable Pedals optional on all models.
7. More comfortable seats, all height adjustable.
8. Switch sompletely to soft touch plastics for all dashboards.
9. Constantly improve products. If car mags complain about something, fix it immediately.
10. Increase warranties to 5 yrs front to back, 7 yr. or 100,000 mile powertrain with no deductible and fully transferable.
11. Parking Brake must be on console unless model has tranny shifter on steering wheel.
12. Make Buick designs bolder.
13. Make a Firebird as well as Camaro.
14. Make Pontiac all RWD-all muscle all the time, with AWD an option on many models.
15. Make small 4 door RWD vehicles starting at around $18,000-Chevy Chevelle and Pontiac Tempest.
16. Pontiac needs to go back to all names, no numbers-Le Mans, Firebird, Tempest, Grand Prix, Bonnevile or Catalina, etc.
17. Impala needs to be RWD with AWD option.
18. Caddy DTS should remain front wheel drive for geezers, go back to DeVille name, and be made more retro looking.
19. Saturn Ion should remain, with the same name, just improved.
20. Switch advertising agencies-whoever came up with the Cobalt commercial where a guy and girl are dancing in front of headlights should be the first to be fired. Ditto for the insipid and boring Tahoe commercial.

[ByTheLake]

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.

I'll accept the Solstice and Sky as good designs ... I'm still covering my eyes whenever I see a bloated GMT-900.

I've waited all my life for an automotive design renaissance. I'm not saying that cars must be styled to appear 'aggressive' or 'retro' to look good. Why can't cars simply have tasteful, interesting, classy lines? In the past year we've seen new skin on the Impala and Monte Carlo, and I fail to see even a hint of 'interesting' or 'tasteful' design in either. Cobalt?? Come on GM.

You can hold your breath if you like while awaiting this new 'golden age of automotive design', but every time I'm convinced that the car companies finally 'get it', I'm let down in a huge way. Today, I can't think of a single vehicle that I'm looking forward to with anticipation ... how sad.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by steve333

Here's my list of things for GM to do:
1. Make all of their engines direct injection.
2. 6 Speed Automatics in everything.
3. Base Engine of Malibu should be 2.4 Ecotec.
4. Improve Ecotec's to be world class smooth.
5. Tilt and telescopic steering wheels on everything-everything.
6. Adjustable Pedals optional on all models.
7. More comfortable seats, all height adjustable.
8. Switch sompletely to soft touch plastics for all dashboards.
9. Constantly improve products. If car mags complain about something, fix it immediately.
10. Increase warranties to 5 yrs front to back, 7 yr. or 100,000 mile powertrain with no deductible and fully transferable.
11. Parking Brake must be on console unless model has tranny shifter on steering wheel.
12. Make Buick designs bolder.
13. Make a Firebird as well as Camaro.
14. Make Pontiac all RWD-all muscle all the time, with AWD an option on many models.
15. Make small 4 door RWD vehicles starting at around $18,000-Chevy Chevelle and Pontiac Tempest.
16. Pontiac needs to go back to all names, no numbers-Le Mans, Firebird, Tempest, Grand Prix, Bonnevile or Catalina, etc.
17. Impala needs to be RWD with AWD option.
18. Caddy DTS should remain front wheel drive for geezers, go back to DeVille name, and be made more retro looking.
19. Saturn Ion should remain, with the same name, just improved.
20. Switch advertising agencies-whoever came up with the Cobalt commercial where a guy and girl are dancing in front of headlights should be the first to be fired. Ditto for the insipid and boring Tahoe commercial.

Wow, that's a mighty expensive list, but then again, how costly is losing a customer?

How about this one ... stop 'dumbing-down' the cars for the US market, such as taking a European design or new concept with nice projector-style headlamps and replacing them with reflector beams for American customers. Hey GM ... those things do get noticed - you're fooling nobody.

[VivienM]

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 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.

People don't complain about the keys because the division-branded PK3 keys are a huge improvement over the cheap GM-branded keys they had before.

Not to mention, the single key works for the door (yay for removing the key cylinder on the pass. side) and the ignition!! My dad's 03 Buick still has the old old old old school GM "one key for the door/trunk, one for the ignition", though at least they're double-edged keys, unlike the ones used in the 90s.

The key situation is typical of GM in general. It's a Good Enough key that was introduced too late, takes forever to make its way across the product line (I think the 2005 Century was the last GM car to not use PK3?), and is dated by the time it's used across the board. Doesn't that sound like lots of other attributes of GM vehicles?

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by VivienM

My dad's 03 Buick still has the old old old old school GM "one key for the door/trunk, one for the ignition", though at least they're double-edged keys, unlike the ones used in the 90s.

Yes! GM clung to the dual-key concept for way too long ... and to the single-edged, teeth-pointed-down keys. Funny.

[hotrod747]

I have to disagree that Saturn and Pontiac are competing for the same market. It is correct that this appears to be the direction GM is taking Pontiac. Trust me, Pontiac is a "rebel" and Saturn is best described as "politically correct" or "import fighter" brand. I agree that all Buicks, Pontiacs and Saturns, should at least offer options like HID headlights, NAV, and many other modern features found on the competition. With the current shift to smaller vehicles, GM should definitely take heed and offer more on the list of options to make them more appealing to the possible- buyers. I love the G6 coupe and sedan, but GM really should make some of the high-end options available.

[hotrod747]

Originally Posted by steve333

Here's my list of things for GM to do:
1. Make all of their engines direct injection.
2. 6 Speed Automatics in everything.
3. Base Engine of Malibu should be 2.4 Ecotec.
4. Improve Ecotec's to be world class smooth.
5. Tilt and telescopic steering wheels on everything-everything.
6. Adjustable Pedals optional on all models.
7. More comfortable seats, all height adjustable.
8. Switch sompletely to soft touch plastics for all dashboards.
9. Constantly improve products. If car mags complain about something, fix it immediately.
10. Increase warranties to 5 yrs front to back, 7 yr. or 100,000 mile powertrain with no deductible and fully transferable.
11. Parking Brake must be on console unless model has tranny shifter on steering wheel.
12. Make Buick designs bolder.
13. Make a Firebird as well as Camaro.
14. Make Pontiac all RWD-all muscle all the time, with AWD an option on many models.
15. Make small 4 door RWD vehicles starting at around $18,000-Chevy Chevelle and Pontiac Tempest.
16. Pontiac needs to go back to all names, no numbers-Le Mans, Firebird, Tempest, Grand Prix, Bonnevile or Catalina, etc.
17. Impala needs to be RWD with AWD option.
18. Caddy DTS should remain front wheel drive for geezers, go back to DeVille name, and be made more retro looking.
19. Saturn Ion should remain, with the same name, just improved.
20. Switch advertising agencies-whoever came up with the Cobalt commercial where a guy and girl are dancing in front of headlights should be the first to be fired. Ditto for the insipid and boring Tahoe commercial.

I have to agree with your list! I'll just add: Make all new Pontiacs design leaders in their segments. No more dull designs for Pontiacs!

[VivienM]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Yes! GM clung to the dual-key concept for way too long ... and to the single-edged, teeth-pointed-down keys. Funny.

When did the single-edged keys finally die?

[sigma]

I don't know, but the keys to my 1996/1997 Lumina have the two seperate single sided keys