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03-21-2012, 07:23 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 554
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General Motors
Well I see that as much as things change they really do stay the same.
In my opinion GM has, in the past made the collossal mistake of brand blending. I can remember when Pontiac was the preformance division of GM cars like the GTO, Tempest, Judge, Trans AM, even the Fiero was a nice attempt at a small 2 seater sports car. But then they offered a minivan to their line up????
Cadillac was the luxury brand and had vehicles that were specific to that brand. Then GM produced the abortion of a vehicle the Cimmeron. A glorified Chevy Cavalier with nothing more than a different front end and options.
So in more recent years I was glad to see they were getting further away from platform sharing. I mean yea it makes sense to develop a great engine and transmission platform and use it across many vehicle lines but when they share sheet metal and all look the same I think you loose brand identification. Soon a Pontiac and a Chevy and a Buick are all the same thing with different price tags.
With the dissolution of Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer and years ago Oldsmobile they really only have a few platforms left right? Which I also would have rather seen the ellimination of GMC before Pontiac but hey what do I know.
Well as previously mentioned the more things change, and within GM they have changed a lot in recent years (since 09) They do seem to be willing to make the same mistakes all over again.. The Volt which is a great car and a step in the right direction but is anchored with a steep price tag which is killing it is turning out to be far less of a flagship for the company as they hoped. So fine it doesnt sell to the expectations they had hoped for but as with all new Technology the first attempt is rarely the best attempt. First cell phones, flat screen TV's come to mind.. Very expensive and not nearly the quality and features we enjoy today. But you have to start somewhere.
So deal with the lack luster sales and continue to develop the car into a state of the art vehicle. Nope not GM. They plan to launch the Volt in a Cadillac branded version called the Converge. WTH! Hey your loosing your a$$ on one car so lets make an identical one with a different badge on the front and even higher price tag and I'm sure the public will come running for one.. Idiots..
Also I see yesterday the newly remodeled Impala will be built on the Cadillac XTS platform. Hopefully without shared sheetmetal but geez guys get with the program and stop sharing so much across brands. Otherwise just elliminate everything other than Chevy.
Also do people really like the fact that every car in their line up now all looks the same. The front end of a Sonic, Malibu, Impala all are so similar most folks cant tell the difference if you can mask the size of the vehicle.
Reminds me of the 90's Ford Taurus, Tempo, and Escort and how they looked like the same car in Sm, Med and large. Are their designers just that lazy or uninspired?
I really wish GM would operate Cadillac almost seperate from the other GM brands and not share much anything other than powertrains. Dont make all your cars look the same. Bring the excitement back. launching a bunch of new models that all look the same isnt exciting or going to draw people into the dealerships. Maybe take some notes from Kia and figure out how to drop the price down a few grand. Thats what people really want. A nice car for a great price. They dont want a $40,000 electric car or a 30k family car. They want something in that 20k range that gets 35mpg and will last well beyond their last payment. reliability of a Camry comes to mind.
Stop focusing on the crap that doesnt matter to consumers and get in touch with what people really want. They were heading in that direction but seems they have already started to revert back to their old ways.
4 years out of bankrupcy and they are slipping back into their old ways.
I have hope for them but with platforms like the converge I really struggle with being a fan.
__________________
Rob
2000 Monaco Windsor Cummins 330
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03-21-2012, 09:24 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 684
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I have to agree with you. It really all started back in the 70's and I think with most brands the cars are all cookie cutter one size fits all type approach.
At one time when you bought a GTO you bought a GTO, a 442 and a Buick Grand Sport, then they almost became identical except for a few minor changes in tail lamps and other trim as well as their badging.
As far as I was concerned that was the downfall of GM when they bought all brands under one roof with no individuallity.
It really tore me up when they did away with the Oldsmobile but the way they screwed it up in the end that brand deserved to die.
I was an Olds fan from the day I started to drive with Buick always being my second choice. But those days are long gone.
I still do drive GM though my wife an 07 Saturn, me an 05 GMC Sierra, my 86 Corvette and my 05 Southwind.
Had a couple of Fords and Chryslers but always came back to GM.
__________________
LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY
Going down that long lonesome highway,Bound for the mountains and the plains
Michael Parks / Then Came Bronson - 1969
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03-21-2012, 09:37 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Posts: 5,173
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Amen to both of the above.
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Travel well, travel safe,
Jim
2006 Tiffin Phaeton - 2011 Cadillac SRX
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03-21-2012, 09:43 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club Fleetwood Owners Club Solo Rvers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lakin, Ks.
Posts: 3,636
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http://youtu.be/w_v1onUZ8r8
Before I became a GM fan (in the 1980's) I always remember this ad. Recently found it.
Right in line with the cross branding you are speaking of.
Enjoy the video.
I myself am now all GM for the past 15 years, but back when this was filmed, it was a subject of great controversy, indeed the head of GM called the head of Ford and asked them to remove it, which they did.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Kent: 2015 Fleetwood Bounder 35K
With Ferbie (ShihTzu) Lilly (Pekingese) & Daisy (Yorkie) Memoriam: Katie, Spencer, Zoey, Susie, Angie
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03-21-2012, 11:08 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Stillwater, Ok
Posts: 4,812
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I have complained about that for years in the ford line. All the smart guys tell me it is to cut costs (get 80-90% of all the parts the same and inventory shrinks dramatically). Understand that, IF that is the direction you are going, only offer one car, don"t pretend the Edge is so Different from the MKX etc. Guys, guess we have lost that war in both the GM and Ford camps but I refuse to buy foreign where all the profits are sent overseas so guess I am stuck with it. Still can"t find anything that rides even close to my old town car. You just can't beat the ride of a heavy old boat like those things and it always got over 25 mpg. We had several of them from the late 70s til they quit production except for that stripped down limo shell with no options that they sell now. Oh well......at least Ford did not take any bail out money.
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2020 New Aire 3543
2018 Lincoln MKX
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03-21-2012, 05:37 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 684
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The ad was great I remember that!
It's very sad what the auto industry become, I don't think that they make any cars that really envision anything from the past. I applaud Ford for the rebirth of the Mustang, GM to follow with the Camaro. Chrysler with the Charger,,, but a 4 door?
It makes me think that the world of collectingcars is over because there is nothing to collect anymore because they are all "Cookie Cutter" Foreign wannabes.
I have never owned a Foreign car except for my two Austin Healy's, a 53 100-4 and a 62 BJ7, and I sure wish I had them both now.
Well I guess the good old days of "Great Cars" are over.... They have no class!
__________________
LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY
Going down that long lonesome highway,Bound for the mountains and the plains
Michael Parks / Then Came Bronson - 1969
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03-22-2012, 09:01 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 684
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Quote:
You just can't beat the ride of a heavy old boat like those things
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By the way I might add here, I'd take and old Lincoln or Caddy Fleetwood over anything made today, specificaly for the ride alone!
Almost had a Lincoln Mk VII back in 89 but the dealer rubbed me the wrong way on the deal, we were buying a car "that" day and it ended up being a new Olds 98 ! One of the best cars I ever owned!
__________________
LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY
Going down that long lonesome highway,Bound for the mountains and the plains
Michael Parks / Then Came Bronson - 1969
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03-22-2012, 09:25 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Florida Cooters Club Solo Rvers Club Coastal Campers KZ RV Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Travelling the East Coast
Posts: 170
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Just as a bit of added info, I recently started looking at medium duty trucks. While doing so I spoke with both the GMC and Chevy dealers in town. The GMC guys said they thought Chevy was the only ones still selling the Kodiak line. Chevy's GM actually called the corporate office, and turns out if you want something heavier than a 1 ton, you're gonna shop Dodge or Ford. Chevy is out of that market. What a disappointment...
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'12 F-450 Lariat
05 KZ 45' Escalade Toy Hauler
00 Harley Road King, 94 Dyna Wide Glide, 83 FXR
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03-22-2012, 11:45 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 684
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That is a disappointment,,,,Guess they're toooo busy sorting out the problems with the Government Fad Mobile aka The Chevy Volt....
One thing that also really irritated me was when the took the "Barn doors" off the Suburban, Lift gates don't cut it with me!
__________________
LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY
Going down that long lonesome highway,Bound for the mountains and the plains
Michael Parks / Then Came Bronson - 1969
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03-22-2012, 12:22 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,198
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Give me a break on the "brand blending"
The first midsized gm vehicles were all on the same corporate platform, the cutlass, regal (or whatever they called it back then) andd tempest were all on the same frame and shared the same glass in 1962.
When the chevelle came out in 64, the others moved to that platform.
Transmissions have always been shared, tho there were 2 diffwerent bellhousing bolt patterns.
Rear axles have been shared since before I was born...
Worse at ford, fords, lincolns, and mercs have shared most everything since before the war, as in WW2.
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03-22-2012, 12:24 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,198
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Hmmm, forgot to mention the chevy 2, which morphed into camaro/firebird....
I did hate the day when they started sharing motors btw.
And ford always shared motors.
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03-22-2012, 02:28 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club Fleetwood Owners Club Solo Rvers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lakin, Ks.
Posts: 3,636
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RovinOn
By the way I might add here, I'd take and old Lincoln or Caddy Fleetwood over anything made today, specificaly for the ride alone!
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http://youtu.be/HNgfwxT015A
1985 cadillac seville commercial - YouTube
Wonderful vehicles.....
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Kent: 2015 Fleetwood Bounder 35K
With Ferbie (ShihTzu) Lilly (Pekingese) & Daisy (Yorkie) Memoriam: Katie, Spencer, Zoey, Susie, Angie
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03-24-2012, 09:00 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 684
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Original Turnpike Cruisers!
__________________
LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY
Going down that long lonesome highway,Bound for the mountains and the plains
Michael Parks / Then Came Bronson - 1969
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03-24-2012, 10:11 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 61
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Ok, so I am guessing I am younger than most who have posted on this thread (45) and i don't mean any disrespect by any standards. But, GM reported a record profit last year, for ALL of their history.
One has to keep in mind they are a company who's main goal is to make profits. In many peoples opinion this can be diluted by stock value.
In the process of profit making, they had too "listen to the consumer" and bring what they want to the table.
I for one was brought up working on cars. I always seemed to have the oil change, maintenance, and rebuilding tasks placed on me as a boy for my families vehicles. Once old enough to drive, I could rebuild any system on any brand vehicle. Naturally I did to the tune of a few to many speeding tickets
Anyway I was a GM fan for most of my life but always owned any vehicle that came along as a "deal".
I removed my self somewhat from being a "car guy" for several years due to ugly issues that came to be in my life.
A few years ago I bought a 2010 Camaro SS and my interests in things with a motor peaked again.
I will say after a year or so I found the Camaro (and many other American models) to somewhat boring and lacking in design.
About 9 months later I bought an Audi S5 to add to the stable. This was my second ownership of a European model, first being a 84 Porsche I bought in pieces and re assembled/sold for 200% profit. This car excels so far ahead of anything American. Really, it's kinda sad.
The reason GM has "European wanna bees" is because the German car makers have been force to be way ahead of the american car companies in fit, finish, and most importantly design.
They (Europe/GB and the like) have been paying way more for gas, oil, taxes, for a long time. The demand has controlled the market there.
It will happen here too, it just has to find its way.
All this being said, nothing sound or feels like a late 60's Muscle Car!
I don't care how hard they try, that's one era that can never be reproduced!
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