Yup. Let 'em go down.

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1984 300TD

I think Pontiac is being closed down first. There was a news blurb on a couple hours ago with a "news at 11" thing.......

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1993 300E 2.8 185k miles
2006 Mustang Convertible 4.0 Eaton Supercharged

As far as I am concerned GM was finished the day they released the Escalade. I mean, come on, a cadillac TRUCK?

They completely forgot their original purpose. Chevy's were for "everyman", trucks were for working, Pontiacs were for styling, Oldsmobiles were cruisers, Buicks were for luxury and Caddy's were for success.

That mish-mash of cars they have releasing since the mid 80's was bland to say the least.

They lost the truck market when they made their trucks into big cars. Sure, they're nice inside but I want a truck I can overload a ton or two of crap in without worrying about someone spilling a soda on the velour seats.

And the equivalent would be to say "Porsche was finished the day they released the Cayenne. I mean, come on, a Porsche TRUCK?"

The Escalade was Cadillac's best seller and it not only entirely reinvented the brand, but it made it profitable. The same is true for the Cayenne and Porsche. Just because you remember the good old days when things were neatly compartmented for your enjoyment, doesn't mean that things don't change - they do, and often for the better. Cadillac builds a product now that has fantastic quality with a top notch service to back it up. The Escalade was the leader to that end.

How can you possibly blame GM's failure on the Escalade? Geez.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I guess I should point out that it was MY opinion that GM was finished with the release of the Escalade and we all know what our opinions are worth.

Porsche did not have a truck so it was an innovative step for them.

GM already had the truck line.

I'm not saying the Escalade doomed GM but if it made the brand so profitable why is this discussion being held?

Yeah, I'm kinda stuck in "the good old days" mentality I agree but I'm trying to get over it.

Mike, sorry, but it literally comes with the territory. Coastal territory. That's what goes on at the coastline. Literally.
Nor'easter comes in and washes away the sandy beaches.
Hello, Army Corps of Engineers? How about beach replenishment? We lost 100 yards of beach. When can you dredge or truck sand back in? Summers coming and we need those tourists coming to the beaches.
Three years later... "Hello Army Corps of Engineers.........."

Shoveling "sand" against the tide.

Don't misunderstand me. I generally support this practice (because it dirtectly benefits me. It fattens my ox at at another's expense.)

What? You WANT sand? C'mon out here on vacation and I'll give you all the sand you'd ever need!

That practice drives me nuts because your beach sand wash's into my channel and I get stuck because of it.

The WASPS love a nice sandy beach, and the city is all to willing to provide, sadly the Army Corps is not so willing to dredge.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Isn't it wonderful that even rich beach-front owners qualify for welfare?

Yah, Clarkson said sure, Land Rover could build a sports car, too, but who would want to buy one?

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

And then Ford bought them, right?




I said it in the other thread; they lost brand identity. The Escalade would've fit in the original Cadillac brand identity because it wasn't a work truck, it was (supposedly) a luxury SUV. But all GMs cars and brands got mixed and mashed together, having no focus or purpose, no concept for the cars. They were just market responses to cars that had that, and were done much better because of it.

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1984 300TD

GM is also asking a fair number of other governments (where they build or sell cars overseas) for bailout money to keep going in their country. These are generally places where you have to build the car in the country to avoid high tariffs.

As far as I know they have all collectively laughed at GM.

I don't understand why the automobile industry should be any more privileged than, say, the textile industry. Other than their powerful unions having influence over politicians.

I think we are having an economic "reset" much like Japan did in the 1980s that lasted a decade. Interesting that their reset was due to a real estate bubble too.

GM as it currently exists is nothing more than a money-burning machine. There is no limit over time to how much money they can be given. The bad situation is made that much worse by the "bankruptcy" publicity - there is more reason to avoid GM than before.

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

They need to bring back the Chevy Citation

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek (Mine)
2019 Subaru Outback (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

I'd prefer the Chevette...this way I can sound big to all my friends and tell them i just bought a 'Vette!!

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

I wouldn't mind if the guy who designed the Pinto lost his pension.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman