Flint defends media

[The O.C.]

But where would all this eventually end?  Let's suppose for a moment that the Impala is a fine vehicle the way it is.  Let's suppose for a moment that many people even LIKE the overhangs and find the car pleasing to look at.  Let's suppose the Impala gets pretty decent gas mileage in its present form (over 740km on one tank of gas in a recent run from Quebec!).  Let's suppose it has the most reliable 4 spd transmission on the market.  Let's suppose that 80% of the market doesn't know how many gears their vehicle has other than to put it in "D."  Let's suppose it is AS reliable as the Camry.  Let's suppose that it is $2,500 cheaper than the cheapest Camry and about $4,500 cheaper than a comparably equipped (read: V-6) Camry.

  Just because YOU would pay $4,500 to run with the BETTER (?) DOHC power plant and an extra gear doesn't mean that MOST people would or could.

  However, under that category of Tyranny of the Enthusiasts, the usual suspects will continue to hammer GM for these "deficiencies" until GM heels and provides all of these things, thus bringing the car up another $3-5,000 and pricing more people into the Kia/Hyundai market.

  According to the rabbling media, we should all be driving Porsches or BMWs - anything else is a compromise.  Well, most people can't AFFORD a BMW, so they lease an Impala.  But just enough people believe this crap about the superiority of Japanese vehicles and the "deficiencies" as noted above to keep Japan Inc's factories rolling and North American jobs flying out the window.

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Okay....I tried to wave the white flag....but you've convinced me that you are as clueless as they come.....

MOST people DON'T agree with you on the above Impala "attributes" such as overhangs and reliable FOUR speed automatics.

And being "cheaper" than the Toyota and Honda competition really doesn't seem to matter either, eh...? Not when Camry and Accord are the two hottest-selling cars in the country.....and if you took out Impala's significant rental-car sales, (and Camry's less-significant, and Accords almost non-significant rental sales)......RETAIL demand for Camry and Accord would be even STRONGER compared to the Chevy.

AND I frankly don't see how ANYONE that truly desires a BMW (but can't afford it) is going to settle for an Impala. That's ludicrous. They'll settle for an Accord EX or some other lesser-expensive import. OR, they will settle for a pre-owned BMW, Benz, Audi, or Lexus.

You need to open your eyes and see the true reality of what is happening to GM in the marketplace.....but more importantly, WHY it's happening to GM in the marketplace.

GM has too much of the mentality YOU share, CARBIZ.....and that is what will continue to drive them down into the ground. Why don't you take a look at the COVER STORY for this week's (8-21-06) Automotive News.......

"Toast on the West Coast."

"Detroit 3 are getting killed in California; Toyota keeps on rolling."

"For those who want to know just how much the Detroit 3's U.S. market share might shrink someday, California may be the canary in the mine shaft."

"But California is worth watching not only because it's a big market but also because it's a trendsetter. And California motorists continue to favor import brands."

"Toyotas brands now generate more retail sales in California than the North American brands of GM and Ford combined."

"Top ten best-sellers in CA: From top down......F-Series, Camry, Civic, Corolla, Accord, Tacoma, Tahoe, Silverado, Tundra, and Altima."

Your thoughts, comments, and insights are welcome. And I'd think twice before you rant off on some sort of "California-doesn't-matter" type of comment.....ignore this market, like GM has, at your own risk.

Edited August 21, 2006 by The O.C.