FUTURE_OF_GM

Initially Ford underated the F-150 tow rating to throw off Nissan and their Titan. So when they (simultaneously) came to market Ford upped the rating by 500 lbs to its actual stat. It was just a good way for them to keep their competitve edge when they were bench marked. So, essentially maybe GM isn't showing it's full hand of cards yet.

GREAT POINT!!!

I'm definately not a "Yes man" (If people are thinking that) I b*tch about dumb things GM does morerso than most around here. Besides, it's not like it matters much.. My posting style certainly hasn't changed in the 4 years I've been on C&G and it certainly isn't going to anytime soon. This isn't directed at anyone in particular.. I'm just defending my name.

2.39... That'd be great.. We NEVER hit that low (Because of our horrendous gas tax in NC) We hit around 2.70 something, which I can live with. But anything over 3.00 makes me angry and worried.

More pics. Looks hot in this pic: This one gives us a better idea of the grille and how it is shaped... Lots of Envoy in there. Second window glass could've flowed much better without the C-pillar kicking back IMO I think the headlights are whats throwing a lot of people off... Some may think they crest too much and should've been shorter. By cresting into the hood it gives off a car-like (feminine) vibe instead of a muscular truck vibe like the wrap around Tahoe lights.

Yeah, GM photography does suck bad.... The post press conference pictures of the Tahoe were 3X as good and I expect the same from the Yukon. Oh, one thing I don't like though is the chunky ( some might say unrefined) side and tag bracket molding on the Yukon. It's okay, but could've been done better. That could be purposely done too.. Since Women make the majority of major purchase decisions now, and GMC has one of the highest conquest rates in GM... Why not target a GMT900 at all of those urbanite soccer moms that would otherwise buy a Honda or a Toyota? But I agree.. I've always viewed GMC as TOUGH trucks, like the old 50s and 60s medium duty trucks. Chevy was always the urbanite or cruiser choice to me

Well, I disagree there... GMT800-GMT900 being conservative was a given since they pull in so much volume that GM can't afford to risk, not to count, why fix what ain't broke? I think they'll pull in conquests because the real sale is how technological and detail oriented they are. It's almost like the C6 except better. GM took a proven winner and refined the tar out of it to make an excellent vehicle that can be universally loved. I agree.. I think it's the fact that the current Yukon and Denali have a timeless upscale look, with all of the streamlining and chrome where the new Yukon is more monotone and less bling-bling. Kinda like they took a new Yukon and made a "Bob Lutz bland" Denali for it. It's not bad, but I hope it's as impressive as the current Denali (Which I thought looked cheap in pictures at first BTW) in person

First impressions: It is kind of polarizing at first, but I think that could be a good thing since it'll make people set up and take notcie and say "Wow, it's no longer a Chevy with a different grille" I like it though... The Yukon is pretty concept-like in appearance, kinda reminds me of the GMC graphite. I also see a lot of Escalade in that front end, which is a good thing for sales but not nessecerily for me since I liked the current Denali better than the current Escalade. I also see some Terra influence which is a good thing, but I wish it was sharper and more machine like as what is seen in the Terradyne (But that's just personal preference, and I'm odd in that way too) I see Envoy resemblence as well. I like it quite a bit... The wheels on the Yukon look EXCELLENT!!!! The interior looks excellent as well although I was hoping for a little bit more differentation and a little less conservative design (As in the Tahoe as well) I think the Tahoe should've received the circular tailight treatment instead though since that IS a Chevrolet trademark (One that they appear to be moving away from, kinda sorta, unfortunately) Overall, maybe not my cup-o-tea, but I think it'll do well!

So, what exactly is so much better about a Toyota? Better reliability? Not really. Better asthetics? Sure, but that definately doesn't make their cars appealing. Better yet, Has every Toyota of the last 30 years been a STELLAR example of engineering and refinement to lust after? The simple fact is this; Toyota makes LESS appealing cars than GM, Ford and Chrysler with roughly the same quality and roughly the same innovation. The only appeal they have is IMAGE. And that false IMAGE is perpetuated by the media, people who are stuck in the past or either want to ignore the present. People are conformists... Everyone conforms to something and ANY social psychologist will tell you that most of us have 2 basic needs. The need to be liked and the need to be right. So, by telling people that they are no longer right by buying domestics (reliability, efficiency, etc.) and reinforcing that for 30 years while simultaneously telling people that they are no longer liked because they buy domestic cars (Buy calling them outdated or less intelligent or less stylish) while reinforcing that for 30 years, the media has caused a HUGE surge in import sales simply because people want to CONFORM to what is good without having to develop a new "Schema" ( think stereotype or an automated way of evaluating that stereotype) to think about it in a logical way through "Controlled Processes." Therefore, they become what I commonly refer to as "sheep" because they conform to something just because a supposed "leader" tells them they have to conform to be liked and right. When they do this and are not satisfied with the car it creates what we call "Cognitive Dissonance" which is a feeling of guilt associated with not doing the right thing. The person knows they shouldn't have bought the car deep down, but to turn back now would be putting their "Positive Self Image" in jeopardy, THEREFORE they begin to justify and find excuses for doing what they did in order to save face. (Prius owners anyone) If we can take down the media or at least begin to change perceptions of the media (One C&G member at a time) then we can destroy this system and subsequent HUGE lie. THAT IS WHY I PREACH ABOUT THE MEDIA CONSTANTLY Cognitive Dissonance EXAMPLE: The Heaven's Gate cult (Remember, the people who thought the Hale Bop commet was trailed by a space ship that would take them all to the next realm) went to a telescope shop and bought a high powered telescope in order to see their space ship. When the ship was no where to be found instead of accepting the fact that there in fact WAS no ship, the cult members returned the telescope because they had convinced themselves (Through justification) that the telescope was somehow defective.

Could GM be bluffing on the MPG figures? Like Ford bluffed on the F-150 tow rating... GM has just said "They'll get over 20 MPG"

Because it's a money making scam Create panic---Make bigger profits Just like if you create enough panic you can devalue a stock and make a profit when it goes back up.

Wow, I wonder who this was directed at? True, but EVERY GM car has it's virtues. That's purely subjective and on a case by case basis. (EXAMPLE: Basically you're saying that the GMT800s are no better than the Tundra or that the C5 is no better than the Viper) So you're saying that there is absolutely NO bias what-so-ever??? And that EVERY car GM has made for 30 years has been trash? The Buick Grand Nationals, Pontiac Trans Ams, Cadillac CTS/Escalade, Saturn SL, etc. Okay. Yes because there is a difference between professional reporting and kicking GM in the teeth with sarcastic, imaginary, subjective comments just for the sake of hating American cars. Besides, Detroit's contribution to the country should be enough for them to at least get a FAIR shake. You're kidding right? You don't remember all of the discerning and horrible articles on the HHR by the analysts and journalists BEFORE IT EVEN DEBUTED? You don't remember the Impala being virtually written off by the media during the LA Auto Show press conferences? The media isn't going to make a miraculous 180 degree turn...And even if they did it wouldn't make up for 30 years of lies and deceit. (Sure GM wasn't at its best then but it wasn't the trash they made it out to be either) Besides. Last time I checked this was an opinion blog anyway. Doesn't that conquer all?

Just found out from the news today (Yes, eventhough I'm anti-press I do glance every once in a while) that as of now there are only 2 other place in America where gas prices are higher than what I'm paying. Those places are 1) Hawaii and 2) Some high class place up north I think. So we have the third highest gas prices on average in the nation. The other day my community had the most expensive gas prices in NC. They're averaging from 3.19/gallon to 3.21/ gallon for regular here. I got a tank in Charlotte this weekend for 2.98/gallon though...SCORE!!! Just thought I would whine a bit.

The Yaris: Good God what an ugly car. The Rio: I actually like in a strange way. The Azera: Did Hyundai hire all of Honda's retired designers? Because all the new Hyundais look like streamlined previous generation Hondas. The Grand Vitara: It looks GOOD (Not surprising given its roots) and has a better motor (GRRRRRRRR) GM: getting slayed by its Japanese affiliates now too. B & R Class: Not attractive at all, in fact weird. Fusion: WOW!!! Hot!!!

CREDIT.

This one was a no brainer, but GM chose not to for some reason... It could STILL work as a Chevrolet or Pontiac. I'd STILL love to see GMC go Terradynne and Terracross (Acadia maybe? Terracross was Lambda if I rememeber correctly) I loved the Cielo and Regal Cielo as well. GM experimented with a lot of stuff they never put into production the two affore mentioned included. By watching their concepts they were the HOTTEST company in the industry. To bad all that innovation was for nothing Agreed!!! I also think the Oldsmobile Recon could've done a lot for Olds along with the Profile and Alpha. Hell, IMO we should still be building Fierros and Corvairs.

GM marketing sucks period. (Although they have improved MARGINALLY as of late)

Well, well... My, how times have changed! GO CADDY and GO FORD!!!! The breakdown: 4 American cars. 6 European cars. 0 Asian cars Guess those new Infiniti's aren't so hot either. Of course; 1) I'm sure the public won't take note or will brush off the fact that not one asian car made the list and 2) I'm sure the public has no idea that an Aston is actually a Ford. P.S. I was sure the Chrysler 300C or 300 SRT-8 would've made the list?!?!?!?

I think having a pleathora of options is a great thing so customers can "build their own" Impala. Reminds me of the '99 Silverado when it came out. The only thing that differentiated the LS from the LT trim was 1) Leather seats and 2) Heated outside mirrors. You could order the leather seats for the LS, but not the heated mirrors. :blink:

You know, the more I think about this the more it pisses me off and the more it shows just how DUMB these people are. GM IS a fuel economy leader.... GM HAS implemented hybrid technology, more than Toyota in fact and GM IS THE leader in hydrogen technology. Yet because of ignorant bastards like this who have a lot of stupidity and an axe to grind combined with GM's reluctance to defend themselves for some unknown reason, GM has a reputation from neanderthal 70's America. GM needs to shut these people, people who just want to see Detroit die-just for the hell of it, up or at least contest them. [shameless self promotion] Hire me GM! You'll never lose another fight again and if you do then we'll at least make sure they know they've been in one helluva fight [/shameless self promotion]

At one time Reuss was rumored to be a candidate as a successor to Lutz, I wonder if this promotion puts him more in line to do that? I saw that and was VERY impresed! Every issue of MPH that I've seen (Only 2--this one and the one with the yellow Z06 on the cover) have been EXCELLENT and very respectful of domestics, not to mention the quality and photography is some of the best I've ever seen. Those two MPH's might be a fluke, but if not then I'm all for supporting them. They really gave all of the domestics I read about in them all the respect they deserved. Where di this magazine come from anyway? (It's just now filtering in around here) If it really is as unbiased as I thought it was on first impression then I hope it eats everyone elses lunch (MT, C&D, R&T, AW Automobile etc.) I hope so with all my heart.... But, alas, we've all heard that before.... You know, just before the media destroys them for intangible reasons (It must sell more magazines)

Excellent post!

Precisely. And maybe he can pre arrange things to actually make GMPD's job easier since he has that experience.

But not likely... Taking over a company that is hamstrung like GM by legacy, UAW and cost would be a logistical and investor nightmare. Especially if you're a company that already has the ability to do pretty much everything GM can do except better and faster. Toyota, with all their money and might, would be essentially committing suicide by taking over GM and they know it. Besides, Toyota never has and probably never will buyout anyone. It's been against their policy for years. THESE QUOTES by these "ANALYSTS" are nothing more than the typical GRUDGE match waged at GM by the anti-GM, anti-Detroit and anti-DOMESTIC patrons of our media. And P.S. Pearl Jam sucks...... bad........ :Toyota:

Ladies and Gentlemen; David Healy: A greenie with wishful thinking.