Making Design the Priority; Once Again

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by parakleets

The Malibu's styling looks best on the Maxxx version, especially in the SS trim level. I even liked the Maxxx, with the former chrome moustache look. I don't think that comparisons of the Malibu to Camry/Accord are fair. Malibu is more in line with smallish mid-sizers, such as Ford Fusion, Mazda6, and Nissan Altima. In this class, I don't think that the Malibu comes close, not in horsepower or styling (inside or out). As for Camry/Accord, the Chevy Impala is GM's best answer. I think it competes favorably with both, in the large-ish mid sizer class. I will admit to being a sucker for the new Camry's interior, especially the cool looking, illuminated center stack (radio, HVAC control area).

My wife's Mazda6s has iluminated controls in the HVAC area. Toyota copied this.

[Ty_99]

Originally Posted by 2648562

It's a good article, but when I look at the Malibu (especially the one you pictured with its parts bin add-ons), the Impala (with its bland copy cat styling and dollar store interior), the new Aura (probably the biggest let down ever styling wise), the 900 SUVs (with their low American parts content and resemblence to the badly styled, laughable early '90s Blazer), the Pontiac G4 or 5 thing (maybe the worst rebadge in GM's history), and the slew of once great but neglected cars and trucks they have, I really have to wonder if they aren't moving backwards in a big ******* way.

The new Aura a let down? GMT 900's resembling badly styled 90's blazers? where are u getting this from? seriously?
The G5 pursuit was a car that came out with the cobalt up in Canada, just Pontiac cried about the loss of the sunfire, and the vibe (orginally planned sunfire replacement) wasn't living up to expectation, so GM did what they could to put something in there until a proper can can be done. The current impala has been around since 2000, yet still seems to be doing not to bad for a car styled 6-7 yrs ago (with only a minor surface treatment done). The SS model of the Malibu shown there is pretty nice looking, least better then the camry or any year (in my opinion) but then again we are all entitled to our own opinions right?

[nadepalma]

I think that this is a good write up, and while GM has been moving in the right direction, they need to make sure that small successes don't get to their head. Fact is that GM needs to regain their swagger without getting arrogant. And they NEED to do that without pulling out the "We're the biggest automaker in the world and everyone needs to bow before the GM alter" cause it will cause them problems in the end. If GM would always try and run their operations and keep the frame of mind as the "underdog" they'd take more risks and arguably have better results cause they'd feel they were fighting for marketshare rather than just defending their turf.

[jbartley]

well said!

even an ugly design, if car is quality, can sell!!

looks at bangle bmw's!

(the new 3-series is very handsome, and the 7-series at some angles, but the 5-series, is just offensive, and downright ugly. As hard to look at in traffic as an Aztek)

[redfox]

Quit copying after honda and toyota and come up with your on design and things will be ok gm.

[Havasavana]

Originally Posted by tgagneguam

This would be the perfect reason why no company should place too much emphasis on having a "character leader" like Lutz. Besides, if he is the leader that he's drummed up to be, he would have been simultaneously grooming several replacements while he tended to the task of fixing GM's design studios. Management seems to work best when it has several layers of talent, not just one man that's charged with turning around a near $200 billion corporation.

I remember reading a comment Lutz made a year or so ago on this subject. Apparently Wagoner had said something to him about infusing others in GM with the importance of styling. Lutz's response was something like "there's only one person I have to convince Rick and that's you". Surely the acceptance of the stuff Lutz has sheparded is convincing enough.

But it's very important to keep focus on the factors that have made Honda and Toyota so successful too: reliability, durability and increasingly, fuel efficiency. Not enough people will buy stylish junk.

[cfch3399]

In the late 80s and 90s, American cars, looked better, were more powerful, and cost less than the competition. It wasn't all that long ago when you could get a Camaro Z28 for under 20k. Today, You can't find a GM car for that price with a V6.

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

It's possible that the domestic competition was less strong in 1997 when the Malibu won the award.

[asim]

Nice write up! GM HAS hope...so I hope that everything will balance out.

[toronado10]

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

While the real fruits of their efforts are yet to be seen, there's no denying that considerable progress has been made in the design/engineering front.

When GM focuses on producing something with high style and high value, it is met with success. I have a feeling that there is a lot more where that came from.

More vehicles like this, not plain "me too" vanilla cars will have buyers flocking into showrooms by the bucket load.

No doubt; good things are happening at General Motors. Excellent products are coming out , and the turnaround is finally kicking in.

This made my day. The article is very true also, and the new products/concepts prove it. (Chevy Camaro, Pontiac Solstice, Buick Enclave, 07 Tahoe, the entire Cadillac range and the new wave of Saturns have the great styling that will bring GM back to profitability)

[LeSabre]

Work is under way on the replacements for the Malibu and Impala sedans. Rumor has it that both of these vehicles are moving forward with a bold, retro inspired (key word there) design. Their has been an enthusiastic reception from the media in previews of these vehicles. Of particular interest is the next generation 2009 Impala, set to debut in 2008 and depicted in the photo above. Rumor has it that the next Impala will be based on the RWD platform Zeta/Zeta-Lite, with styling mimicking the classic 1966 Impala.

Where is the said pic?

[ChevroletRevived]

That was a typo.

[LeSabre]

A typo you say?

Hmmm...

It doesn't look like a typo. Though it did make me ask a question.

[charts.2]

Originally Posted by goblue1999

You must be kidding, that Caprice was named the Motor Trend Car of the Year in the early 90s.

2006 Honda Civic
2005 Chrysler 300
2004 Toyota Prius
2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe / Sedan
2002 Ford Thunderbird
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
2000 Lincoln LS
1999 Chrysler 300M
1998 Chevrolet Corvette
1997 Chevrolet Malibu
1996 Dodge Caravan
1995 Chrysler Cirrus
1994 Ford Mustang
1993 Ford Probe GT
1992 Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan
1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LTZ
1990 Lincoln Town Car
1989 Ford Thunderbird SC
1988 Pontiac Grand Prix

Also in 1977.

[redfox]

Once gm gets away from trying to copy after honda and toyota and get there own style back they will start selling more cars. Make the new style modern with just a hint of the past also i think the honda and toyota styling is getting old and boring.

[ChevroletRevived]

Very true. Excitement/passion will be injected into Chevy showrooms with the new Camaro/Impala. Design really is becoming the priority at GM.