First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
.........................................................................
Pontiac does offer a few things - namely the Solstice and G8 - with the GTO
before that. Yes, the GTO didn't sell well but that had more to do (I think)
with the GTO "rebadge" of another car (i.e. no "ground up" design of a car
worthy of the GTO name). On its own merits it was a great car - heck, I'm
shopping for a used one right now. The interior of the GTO alone was
world's ahead of any other GM product at the time (and most still).
Frankly, the worst part about the "good" cars in Pontiacs line up is that
they come from Holden in Australia...what the heck, GM...why does "American
Muscle" need to come from Australia!?!?! GM is (for now) the largest car
company in the world and I am convinced they CAN design a car as good as
anyone, but it is obviously management at the top that says "No, go this
way, not that way" that these designers are having to appease. BMW,
Porsche, etc...are irrelevant, they do not sell enough cars to wipe GM's
butt. Everyone likes to compare GM's product line with the European lines,
but it is Toyota/Honda/Nissan that are their actual competitors. I can't
find my "to date" auto sales link, but here's a September link that will
show you what I'm tlaking about:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/by-the-numbers-september-2008-nobody-wins-edition/
The chart above is pretty telling. EVERYONE is down on sales and many of
the foreign makes took a bigger hit in September than even GM (although
Hummer is just a big toilet bowl right now). GM of course just spend a
bundle retooling for more efficient vehicles and is looking to introduce the
ultra cool (for greenies) Chevy Volt...just in time for $1.50/gallon gas
(yesterday I saw a pump at $1.54 a gallon and I'm sure others have seen even
lower)...poor GM, they just can't win.
Later,
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Zarychta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "First Generation Firebird-L" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: [FGF] OT: GM mulls shedding Pontiac
First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
.........................................................................
Though what's the point of ditching Chevrolet trucks and keeping GMC? It
seems like it would make more corporate sense to ditch GMC and have one
brand name rather than keeping two alive. But that's just me.
I think Buick needs to go in a bad way!
Caddy makes some cool stuff... if you're into 5k lbs 4 doors with big
motors.
I dunno, I think that the whole GM corporation needs to undergo some MAJOR
changes... until it does so, it will not be able to get out of it's own
trouble.
The fit and finish of interiors is the first thing! My goodness! Follow
what
BMW and Volvo and other European car makers are able to do... (Niklas can
step in here) Those interiors are VERY nice! They don't fall apart etc.
They also make performance cars which are in the same price line as other
cars like the new BMW M3... and are not anywhere near as nice. It just
seems
to me that they really need to step it up a notch and go back to the days
of
quick cars with out options and decent interiors. Who needs Navigation? 10
spearker sounds systems? Etc? BMW realizes that and offers a stripped out
model of the M3. Chevrolet? Not so much it seems. Though you can configure
one from the website, I've hardly been able to find one at a dealer.
I lost my faith in newer GM vehicles when I had my GMC truck. It was the
worst pile of junk I've ever owned. My Dad now has an '04 GMC, it too has
had numerous problems which just doesn't seem right for someone who has
been
building cars and trucks for a LONG time.
This is why I have my old Firebird, it is dead nuts reliable, quick, and
fun. I don't have to worry about it falling apart.
/rant on GM.
Paul Z.
68 350 Coupe
On Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 9:02 AM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
.........................................................................
Keep Pontiac
lose Buick
keep Cady as the flag ship luxury
dump chevy trucks
keep GMC trucks
Keep Chevy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]>
Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html>
Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/>
Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/>
Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999>
FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]>
Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html>
Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/>
Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/>
Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999>
FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store>
