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GM delays most future product, r&d in cash crunch

2K views 38 replies 17 participants last post by  minnfang 
"GM DELAYS MOST FUTURE PRODUCT": That headline should have been scheduled for Friday; It's scarier than any Halloween event.

Here is a little something contained in the article that just can not happen:

"GM tentatively will push back the launch of the Chevrolet Cruze, which was supposed to debut in the 2011 model year. That launch will be delayed six months to a year, say sources familiar with GM's plans."

Thus, we are (apparently) now three full model years from the Cruze.

So what do we get? Two more years of media writing like this (from Edmunds):

"Unlike some other fuel sippers emblazoned with all manner of stickers and badges, the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt is unassuming, a traditional American sedan. It looks just like any other Cobalt sedan you might encounter in an airport rental lot. If this sort of anonymity appeals to you, well, there it is.

As far as fit and finish goes, the Cobalt has none of it. We're sorry to say that from the first day we had the car, its hubcaps buzzed and rattled with every road reflector and driveway entrance. Body panel gaps are large enough to actually see the scissor hinges when the trunk is closed. The metallic paint showed several spots of orange peel plus uneven application. And there's that wrinkly pinch weld running the length of both running boards that we haven't seen since, well, window cranks went away.

This car really is a throwback to a bygone era. How did we ever survive the 1970s? We must've had so much more time and patience."
 
Cut brands you say? Hello dealer lawsuits... and all aboard the BK express.
Cutting brands may have become easier this year - the economy not withstanding.

By merging Buick/Pontiac/GMC dealer points, GM can simply starve one or two of the divisions of product. Keeping just one vehicle in the lineup is basically the equivalent of closing the division. Example - GM can reduce costs at Pontiac by simply providing the dealer network with a four door Cruze reskin - and nothing else. Buick can work with the Enclave, LaCrosse and Lucerne - and nothing else. GMC can sell reskined pickup trucks - and nothing else. All of a sudden, you have three brands combining to offer one simple product line.

Chrysler Group dealers in my area are becoming Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep stores. Same thing here - just getting rid of overlapping product will dramatically cut costs and confusion on the part of the public. Dodge pickup trucks, Chrysler cars and Jeep SUVs = One complete product line under one roof.
 
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