Date: Sun, 13 May 2007 13:37:16 -0700 From: Lon <lon.stowellnospamast.net> Subject: Re: GM's excess baggage - Buick, Pontiac, Saab, Hummer
Walt Kienzle proclaimed: > "Eeyore" <rabbitsfriendsandrelationsnospamail.com> wrote in message > news:464749C0.98C8ADB4nospamail.com... > > [snip] > >>They may do but the US auto makers don't pomote them much do they ? Whilst >>Detroit continues to lavish its attention on SUVs and muscle cars, overall >>fuel >>efficency will continue to be dismal. >> >>Graham >> >> > > > Ah, now you have hit on something, but not what you think. In my opinion, > US auto makers do a miserable job of promoting ALL their models. Ford is > starting to do a better job with their mid-sized Fusion model, but every > other US promo I see is advertising "low lease rates" or "low financing" > with annoying music in the background, telling nothing about the car. A > while back, Ford was advertising "A Focus and a Dell (computer)" where they > gave away a "free" computer with the purchase of a Focus - targeted to > college students. I'd say you are giving them too much credit. Chrysler came out with the 300 series, but on their negative side is pretty much everything else they make except Jeep which they are also doing their best to emasculate and abolish. Ford just sold Aston Martin and is trying to trash Jaguar. The Ford 500 isn't really a bad car, as is the Mercury version, but neither one of them exactly pulls folks away from the lines for the Chrysler 300 [which is a disguised Mercedes chassis with an American engine]. Ford hasn't built a real showcase Lincoln since the Mark VII even through they have all of the Jaguar talent able to help them create a whole series of world class cruisers, say with an aluminum chassis for the series for better mileage. Other than the Corvette and the one Cadillac built of it, all of the interesting GM cars are warmed over Australian models...even though GM also has all sorts of talent available from European touring divisions. All three have the talent it would take to make a series of interesting, reliable, safe, and even economical cars, but not one of them has the guts to do so. > > Detroit doesn't advertise SUV's any better than their smaller models, or any > differently than the foreign brands. In fact, you may have it backwards. > Mercedes advertises their M series, Porsche their Cayenne, but I don't > recall any E series or Boxster commercials. The same goes for Kia, Honda, > Hyundai, etc. Agreed... but underneath, you need a vehicle not built by a bean counter or someone that never has to drive the result.
