|
|
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
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.
__________________
Afshin Current: 02 C32 AMG Previous: 92 500E 84 190E 2.3 5 Spd |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
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! |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
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?
__________________
89 300E 79 240D 72 Westy 63 Bug sunroof 85 Jeep CJ7 86 Chevy 6.2l diesel PU "The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." Marcus Aurelius |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Ok Flame On
__________________
Afshin Current: 02 C32 AMG Previous: 92 500E 84 190E 2.3 5 Spd |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
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.
__________________
Afshin Current: 02 C32 AMG Previous: 92 500E 84 190E 2.3 5 Spd |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I'm not so much brand-loyal as I am anti-GM (and anti-rice)... |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
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.
__________________
89 300E 79 240D 72 Westy 63 Bug sunroof 85 Jeep CJ7 86 Chevy 6.2l diesel PU "The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." Marcus Aurelius |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
I have to be nice to Ford...you're 100% right about the Pinto, but they do make a pretty good pickup truck
|
#10
|
|||
|
|||
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
__________________
Flash Gordon 2003 E500 BlackOpal/Charcoal 2004 Infiniti G35X |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
Flash Gordon 2003 E500 BlackOpal/Charcoal 2004 Infiniti G35X |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#13
|
|||
|
|||
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. |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
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
__________________
_____ 1979 300 SD 350,000 miles _____ 1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy _____ 1985 300TD 270,000 miles _____ 1994 E320 not my favorite, but the wife wanted it www.myspace.com/mikemover www.myspace.com/openskystudio www.myspace.com/speedxband www.myspace.com/openskyseparators www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic |
#15
|
||||
|
||||
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)
__________________
1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|