Have you seen the latest GM adds?

[screembloodymurder]

When I opened my paper this morning, I felt like I was 'back in the fifties'. The add showed four vehicles that looked like they just came off a Mennonite farm. GM argues that management must stay in place. I say the sooner they're replaced the better. New managements first day at work should include a visit to a Toyota dealership. JUST LOOK AT THE CARS. It shouldn't take more than one visit to realize you need to bring in consultants from Japan. It only takes one look to see that Toyota and Honda make a better vehicle. Why not hire someone (anyone) from their production department? Then hire a designer that's not stuck in the fifties.

[Dissent Is Patriotic]

1. Does any one think that GM is intentionally painting a bleak picture.

I'm not very knowledgeable about business but the CEO has not been fired, in fact he received bonuses, an indication that he satisfied the business plan. Could the SUV movement have been there last hurrah before they cut and run to set up shop outside the U.S.?

[Warpy]

13. First,salary packages and bonuses are NOT tied to performance

and have become legalized embezzlement. He could be 100% responsible for driving the company into bankruptcy, and they'd still lavish millions on him first.

However, yeah, they're already cutting and running, and have been for many years, "outsourcing" what they used to make to nonunion shops generally in the third world and some production facilities to Canada, where they don't have to pay insurance costs.

Their CEOs will still squat here, though, along with small office staffs to push around so they can feel all manly and important. No country treats the CEO as well as the GOP US does.

[leveymg]

2. Actually, the Cobalt is a total Corolla clone

Now, if GM could just make an affordable family car that doesn't break down, fall apart, or lose half its value before it reaches your driveway, then I might buy one.

I agree with you about a number of GM products. Some, however, are quite attractive.

[screembloodymurder]

14. They have a few.

I love the Solstice.

[xchrom]

3. or do genuine retro-chic -- which they also don't do.

they really need to re-do the insides of their cars as well.

and toyota engines go forever -- gm cars don't -- i was late buying a japanes car so i have something to compare it to.

[leveymg]

7. They made a mistake w/ the new GTO. It should have been retro.

Instead, it looks like the Opel its based on. Not bad looking, but forgettable. They should have gone with the Concept car.
Not my cup of tea, but recognizably a Pontiac muscle car.

[xchrom]

8. but it's not like the old transam.

there's something about america's approach to suped-up that juuuust misses it.

i love to talk about the design of things -- just one of my things.

[DainBramaged]

4. If you don't own a GM car, so what?

I am sure you own a Honda or Toyota, so what I don't care. I am sure you're happy in the sameness in the egg you drive, so what. I am sure you make a point of telling everyone who does not own your favorite brand that they are stupid and don't get the same gas mileage or sexual pleasure from their vehicle as you do. And I am sure you point to endless resale value and that it has never ever broken or you've never ever replaced a single thing on it even though you own a decade old car.

Leave it alone. We're here to bash the Thuglies, not American Union jobs or the industry that keeps them working. Or do you want all of our automobile profits going to Japan?

[FranzFerdinand]

6. on point!

very well said. and to those who say "make it more toyota or, make it more like honday", ask the guy below this post how his wife likes the Vibe. i owned a Vibe for a 3 year lease and it was one of the most reliable cars i've ever owned.

GM is not tanking on itself. buy your foreign cars all day long, but don't wonder why GM is tanking...

[Ian David]

9. If you don't drive a Toyota Prius, you're a freedom-hating Rejectionist

:P

[DainBramaged]

10. What if I can't fucking afford one?

It comes down to money, every time, and even some of you fall into the ego trap. We drive what we drive and so fucking what. Because we don't meet your stringent standards for saving the planet we aren't worthy? I own an 8 year old Blazer because I can't afford one of your elitist Prius.

You take American jobs and send the profits overseas. For that I say damnation upon you.

[Ian David]

11. That's because I hate America and want to aid and comfort our enemies. n/t

[screembloodymurder]

15. The union workers do their job ( I used to work for GM )

It's management that is out of touch. LOOK AT THE CARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rman]

16. Profits go to anonymous bank accounts on the Cayman Islands anyway.

"Buy American" is so previous century, these days virtually everything is transnational and/or outsourced and/or off-shored.

Is GM aware of growing demand for fuel efficient cars at all?

[DainBramaged]

17. Prove your statement

[rman]

18. ok not literally *all* profit, but $53.1 billion in one year is a lot -

"corporate inversion", tax evasion and terror financing
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=114x18590

[DainBramaged]

19. When you understand shareholder distribution and reinvestment

get back to me.

[rman]

20. what makes you think i dont understand shareholder distribution and

reinvestment?

[benevolent dictator]

22. Regardless of that

look at who's employing the most people here. I'll give you a hint, it's not the Japanese automakers...

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

21. Right On DainBramaged!!!!!!!!!!!

Agree 100%, I'm sick of the American car quality bashing as well on DU, My grandfather worked at GM for 30 years and retired from them, He didn't get rich working there but it put food on the table and a roof over his families heads, that's one of the most important things in life. Heck GM is trying to take away retirements along with healthcare from him, and you what I'm still going to buy a GM Vehicle if it's what I'm looking for in a automoble. You know because there's still people here in the US that actually still work in GM Factories, My families been in those people's shoes and if they are making a product I like, I'm not going to boycott the company if they take away his retirement, I'm going give GM a fair chance for those workers who are still employed there, I mean if people hadn't chosen to purchase GM Vehicles from 1940's-1970's my family probably won't of had some of the things we've had in life. Maybe some the people buying these Toyota's or Honda's have never had family who where Blue Collar UAW workers so they just don't get it, and they're just ignorant on this subject.

On to the quality of GM products, I've owned 3 vehicles in my life, all GM, because these where the cars I wanted and liked. My first car was a 84 firebird which I bought for a grand, I maybe put 500 dollars into it in repairs, I bought this car in 1995 and until last year when I finally sold it to someone who's still getting use out of it at 270k miles. 9 years with a thousand dollar car that was 21 years old when I sold it I call that reliable.

I bought a 90 Beretta back in 99 with 69k miles on it for $1600, guess what cars still going at 150k miles as my back up car, maybe I've put a total of 500 dollars in repairs into it too.

My parent's had a Honda CRX, they bought when it was about 4 years old having like 50k miles on it, Car was pampered and always garaged with all up to date maintenance the original owners did this, parents continued it. This car never saw snow ever. After about 8 years of owning it, the engine blew at 150k miles. Now aren't Honda's engines supposedly suppose to last for like over 200k miles, so why would one so pampered & Maintained go out so early? Hey their both driving Chevy cars right now with at least 170k miles on them respectively.

So I guess this goes to show that not all bias towards Imports over American cars should be taken as truth. I'm not writing this to say my car's better than your's or any of those nanna boo boo games. Some people on here just seem so typecast, it's like some would make you think the only way to be a democrat or liberal, Is to drive a honda or toyota vehicle because they use less gas and that gives less money to the oil companies and helps the environment. If you don't do that your not a real Liberal or Democrat and your looked down to. Now I remember where people treated me like this, a right wing christian church I attend a couple of times. Acting like that is acting exactly like the chickenhawk republicans in giant gas hog trucks who have their tail gate plastered with bush & Pro Wars magnets & Stickers who just about everyone who posts here can not stand. We're all better than that here, because I seen so many smart & bright people posting, No one needs to stoop to the level of a republican ass.

[benevolent dictator]

23. I think a big part of it is perception.

When people have a Toyota or Honda that breaks down, it's the exception to the rule because Toyotas and Hondas are reliable.
When people have a Ford or GM that lasts a long time, they think it's the exception to the rule because Ford and GM make shitty cars.

It's a double standard.

[StuckinBFE]

5. I believe all domestic car companies need to look outside the US for help

I love the style and reliability of most of the foreign car companies. I drive a '92 Subaru with 225k miles and it is still running strong, my parents Blazer has 120k miles and already had the whole engine rebuilt. All GM is doing now is rebadging foreign cars, my fiancé just bought a new Pontiac Vibe aka Totoya Matrix.

[zbdent]

12. I've hated the Corvette designs since 84

and when the rest of the industry was going retro (read: Plymouth Prowler, 05 Mustang), the Corvette went the other direction.

And I saw the ugliest vette in the longest time . . . an 03 type with a "conversion" for a 1953 front (hinted at) . . .

shudder . . .

[depakid]

24. "a Mennonite farm"

Now, they're not quite that bad....:evilgrin: