GM hoping big SUV category still has life

[boise1]

Stakes high as ailing automaker prepares to launch new full-size models

By Martin Wolk
Chief economics correspondent
MSNBC
Updated: 3:42 p.m. ET Jan. 3, 2006

Sales of big sport utility vehicles have tumbled over the past several months in the wake of $3-a-gallon gasoline, but don’t try telling General Motors Corp. that the behemoths of the road are running on fumes.

Even as consumer tastes appear to be shifting away from big SUVs toward smaller, more fuel-friendly "crossover" models, the No. 1 automotive company is preparing a major overhaul of its some of its biggest — and most profitable — consumer vehicles, including the Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.

“The bottom line for us is the utility market remains the largest category in the industry,” said Paul Ballew, GM's executive director of global market and industry analysis. “We are anticipating we will maintain our share of a stable market that is still very profitable.”

Even though Detroit has been roundly criticized for its overdependence on big, truck-based vehicles, industry analysts and executives say it is far too soon to begin writing the obituary on the SUV category, which rocketed to prominence in the 1990s and now accounts for one of every four vehicles that roll off dealer lots.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10499101/

[we can do it]

1. WTF Is Wrong with Them?

[benburch]

3. They know that Americans have more money than sense.

And they mean to separate Americans from as much of that money as possible.

[boise1]

6. GM and Ford remind me of a line from an old Firesign theatre skit:

"Stepping FORWARD.......into the PAST!!"

[Selteri]

7. Yes, lets take a failure and make it bigger!

What logic! What economic sense! Let's make a bigger gas guzzler when people are complaining about hte cvosts of gas and buying efficient cars.

I guess these morons DID NOT LEARN from the late 70s early 80s when gas prices spiked last time.

[InsultComicDog]

8. Heh

I want one of those big mofo's... I should probably be able to pick up a used one for cheap soon.

I'd only drive it a few thousand miles a year so fuel efficiency isn't my top priority...

[napi21]

2. If fuel prices settle back to under $2.00, they're probably right.

Wrong as they may be, there are still a lot of Americans who still LOVE them BIG VEHICLES!

[benburch]

4. That is just not gonna happen.

This summer expect $4 for unleaded regular.

[movonne]

5. Doesn't it sound like the CEO'S that are running this country,,

[wordpix2]

9. let them eat their gassguzzlers--, they deserve to go under-assholes!

[Mr Rabble]

10. GM is intentionally bankrupting themselves.

In an attempt to restructure without the burden of pensions, unions, and health care costs, the executives are trying to kill the company.

[KittyWampus]

15. That analysisseems correct. It's their version of Springtime for Hitler

[Richard Steele]

17. Yup. You summed it up nicely.

They are NOT really as stupid as they are pretending to be.
It's simply not possible.

The death of GM is deliberate;
and it's smaller than some of the SCAMS they have pulled in the past.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

11. Drugs And The CEO's Who Use Them....

At least they're consistent and predictible. Wouldn't want to change what is working so well.

[Turbineguy]

12. They need those nice big rear windows

to put Bush-Cheney stickers on.

"I'd pay $5 per Gallon to support these two assholes!"

[Orsino]

13. Hope = no plan. n/t

[hatrack]

14. GM Energetically Whistling Past Graveyard

Fricking IDIOTS.

[speedoo]

16. As usual, GM is fucking clueless.

I can't remember the last time they had a good idea. And I don't mind saying that my first car was a 1962 Chevy Impala.

That was a decent car, unlike the two other US cars I bought, both disasters from Chrysler.

[BlueInPhilly]

18. I work for a GM subsidiary

and I am baffled by the mother ship's adherence to big SUVs instead of leading the way on innovations. Just doesn't make sense, and Detroit is pulling everyone down with them. So sad.

[silverweb]

19. Idiots.

:crazy:

[Ian David]

20. Masculinity Challenged, Men Prefer War and SUVs

Masculinity Challenged, Men Prefer War and SUVs
By LiveScience Staff

posted: 02 August 2005
03:58 pm ET


Men whose masculinity is challenged become more inclined to support war or buy an SUV, a new study finds.

Their attitudes against gays change, too.

Cornell University researcher Robb Willer used a survey to sample undergraduates. Participants were randomly assigned feedback that indicated their responses were either masculine of feminine.

The women had no discernable reaction to either type of feedback in a follow-up survey.

But the guys' reactions were "strongly affected," Willer said today.

"I found that if you made men more insecure about their masculinity, they displayed more homophobic attitudes, tended to support the Iraq war more and would be more willing to purchase an SUV over another type of vehicle," said Willer said. "There were no increases for other types of cars."

Those who had their masculinity threatened also said they felt more ashamed, guilty, upset and hostile than those whose masculinity was confirmed, he said.

More:
http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/050802_masculinity.html

[roseBudd]

21. They know hip hop stars will drive them and dope boys will aspire

to them.

It's just SUV version 2.0 gangsta edition

[jakefrep]

22. Toyota is just as clueless....

...they're building a plant to make big trucks and SUV's in San Antonio (that get worse gas mileage than GM's trucks). The media is too busy fellating Toyota over the Prius to notice.

Like it or not, there will always be a market for big trucks among people who genuiinely need them.