Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2005 19:34:58 -0400 From: ma_twain <ma_twainnospamo.com> Subject: Re: GM global?
James Sweet wrote: > "Tex" <texnospamm101.org> wrote in message > news:0tmdnZ2dnZ0dqZi8nZ2dnRmel96dnZ2dRVn-y52dnZ0nospamast.com... > >>GM goes global: >> >> http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103024 >> >>This actually sounds like one of the smarter moves GM has made. Took them >>long enough. It will clearly take years to implement. Now if they can >> > only > >>pull this off _and_ maintain brand identity. It has the makings of >> > watering > >>down the distinct nature of each GM brand (in particular, Saab). >> >>- tex >> >> >> > > So essentially what they're saying is that every brand car they produce will > be absolutely identical under the skin? That sounds far worse than even the > current arrangement, the different "brands" will have no real meaning at > all. > GM is already doing this. Look at all of the components failing on the current Saabs. These are 'volume purchased' parts used by all GM divisions - 'volume purchased' means reduced cost. This article seems to place an emphasis on more than just common parts - common design. The Saab 9-3 was supposed to be a common platform with other GM cars. The Saab engineers modified the car so it earned a 5 star crash rating while the other GM cars did not. What does GM do? Count beans and punish Saab for creating a different car - never mind it has a 5 star crash rating which GM brags about in their ads. . . > >