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  #1  
Old 05-07-2004, 02:03 PM
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GM......Destined To Be The Best?

I know I'll probably get flamed for saying this but I'm getting a strong impression that if GM continues on it's current path it will once again produce THE BEST cars in the world. Why am I going out on a limb saying this.

1. They're investing tons of resources on equipment/computers to reduce their product development cycle.

2. They're hiring top engineers and managment from all over the world to help bring their quality back. (They hired a top Toyota QM recently to change their manufacturing process) They are no longer testing their cars for the warranty period, they are now testing their cars similar to the Japanese.....to failure.

3. They're putting the emphasis back on the product rather than the bottom line.

These are three key reasons I fairly confident will bring them back on top as far as consumer perception goes.

Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

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  #2  
Old 05-07-2004, 02:09 PM
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I'm quite sure that there is nothing the company that brought us the Aztek can do to become the world's best car company.

As far as I can see that list of actions that they are pursuing should have been pursued 10 years ago. They're onlyplaying catchup.

How's that for opinion with no facts!
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  #3  
Old 05-07-2004, 02:15 PM
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I hope your right – that’d be great. I’m just a little confused though – when did they make the best cars in the world?
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  #4  
Old 05-07-2004, 02:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by crash9
I’m just a little confused though – when did they make the best cars in the world?
Yeah I think that was a mistype on my part. What I should have written was "they will once again be considered one of THE BEST auto manufacturers." I know in the past (50's - 60's) many people would aspire to own a Caddy similar to Mercedes in the 80's and 90's.

Ok Flame On
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Old 05-07-2004, 02:28 PM
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Quote:
So Gm had the AZTEK there are far worse vehicles around.
While that may be true I'm having a hard time thinking of any that weren't manufactured in the former Soviet Bloc
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  #6  
Old 05-07-2004, 02:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by That Guy
While that may be true I'm having a hard time thinking of any that weren't manufactured in the former Soviet Bloc
LMAO that is exactly what I thought too.


The Aztec was definitely not a looker but as I understand it was reliable and actually did what it was suppose to really well. So maybe it's not fair to compare it to a Trabant.

Anyways I wouldn't judge a manufacturer on it's history as long as I saw clear evidence that things are changing. As Virginia Dude posted, as long as the beancounters don't get in the way GM really does have an great chance.
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  #7  
Old 05-07-2004, 02:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by crash9
I’m just a little confused though – when did they make the best cars in the world?
You and me both...

I'm not so much brand-loyal as I am anti-GM (and anti-rice)...
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  #8  
Old 05-07-2004, 03:08 PM
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Don’t leave Ford out of your thoughts. Remember when the Pinto had that all glass 5th door?
I was married to the ex-wife of one the stellar design genius responsible for that.
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  #9  
Old 05-07-2004, 03:26 PM
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I have to be nice to Ford...you're 100% right about the Pinto, but they do make a pretty good pickup truck
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  #10  
Old 05-07-2004, 03:33 PM
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Quality and reliability don't come by accidentally. Most car mfg know what it takes to be on top in quality, and it is not a secret what Toyota, Honda, and lately Hyundai do. Why is not Detroit doing it for the last twenty years? Total commitment in quality is a cultural thing, not just a slogan that you throw around. I remember over 10 years ago I was working for a major chemical company. At that time the hot topic was quality, zero defect, etc. The company spent tons of money to train everyone in their headquarters. Guess what I observed, those that were conscientions in their work learned the stuff, those that were there just to get paid for 8-5, never learned jack!

If GM is serious about it, it would take decades to do it right even with the total committment. Like I said, it takes a long, long time to change culture. I hope GM can do it. It will bring back pride and more competition for the US consumers
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  #11  
Old 05-07-2004, 03:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by TheVirginiaDude
Oh come on now, Buick Grand national, Corvette........ Cadillac STS Camaro Z28 SS , Impalla SS on Mid 90's and others...

THere were some very exceptional cars there. And every manufactureer has their duds.
The issue is not making a hit or dud. The issue is making quality and reliable cars for a sustained period, consistency, which is very much harder to do and Detroit has not done it. Even the new kid on the block, Hyundai, has made tremedous stride in quality. The latest survey rated Hyundai on par with Toyota.
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  #12  
Old 05-07-2004, 04:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by crash9
I hope your right – that’d be great. I’m just a little confused though – when did they make the best cars in the world?
1965. Noone, including Mercedes Benz, made a car that did its job as well as the 1965 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, Sedan de Ville, or Fleetwood.
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  #13  
Old 05-07-2004, 04:29 PM
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I hope you're right. I've always liked the looks of most of the vehicles to come out of GM's factories. As VW is rapidly learning though, there is ALOT more to a car than stellar good looks. The whole package needs to be done right. Planned obselesence has been around the domestic automakers for several decades now. Unfortunately, I don't share any of the hopes that somehow, GM will finally walk away from that ideology of making money on replacement parts for their substandard vehicles. Even if they ARE successful, I've had enough bad luck, over a wide enough timeframe, that it will take them a LONG time to prove to me that they've finally come around.

As to the Corvette, Camaro, and Buick, they most certainly are NOT examples of awesome vehicles to come out of GM's factories. All they were, were blazingly fast rattletraps with intense appetites for constant repairs.

No, I'm not anti GM, I've experienced their concept of product quality, the latest being that Saturn VUE. I had to take a 10K loss on that thing to get rid of it before the warranty ran out after 6 times in the shop for serious problems, and beginning to indicate that it was going to require a seventh.
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  #14  
Old 05-07-2004, 06:22 PM
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The 55-57 Chevys (Bel Airs, Nomad Wagons, etc...) were some of the most imitated car designs ever, in styling and mechanical areas. The Cadillac styling was also highly influential in the 50s and 60s. Even the comparatively conservative and understated Mercedes styling department eventually had to give a nod to them by adding fins to their sedans back then!

There have been tons of mechanical and styling innovations throughout the Corvette's lifetime. It's never been a Ferrari, or a Porshce, or a 300SL, but on the other hand, one could always be bought for a fraction of the price that those cars command, while still offering VERY high performance (OK....except during the smog pump days of the mid/late 70s! ). For decades, Corvette has been the definitive American sports car that "normal" humans could actually afford.

The past 20 years or so haven't been very good at GM for the most part, but they WERE innovators and leaders back in the day....they could do it again.

Mike
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  #15  
Old 05-07-2004, 09:14 PM
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Corvettes's can also be bought an owned by average people. Ferrari 360's are nice but the guy working 9-5 making 75k a year can only dream of one. But a nice new Corvette Z06 is 50K. Throw in 10k for mods and you can give the 360 a run for its money. (or out run it)

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