Date: Tue, 8 May 2007 14:01:29 -0400 From: "Willy" <willyknospamigy.net> Subject: Re: GM's excess baggage - Buick, Pontiac, Saab, Hummer
"GlassVial" <glassvialnospamAM.hotmail.com> wrote in message news:18np335gucrbq1530906tn2nloktq1tjpjnospamcom... > >There is no reason to keep Pontiac on life support. The G-spot lineup >>is a dud which does nothing that Chevy and Saturn can't do. The >>Solstice just takes away from the Saturn Sky, and there is no reason why >>the Solstice couldn't simply be a Chevy sold as the entry level version >>of a Corvette. I can't think of any good reason to keep the current >>Pontiac lineup in place. GM already killed the brands but they don't >>have the guts to pull the plug. > > You forgetting about the Vibe (which is actually just a Toyota, > ironically enough) and the (supposedly) upcoming G8 which is supposed > to replace the Bonneville? It took GM forever and a day to dump the > redundant (redundant, redundant) Olds arm, Saab just loses GM money > (not to mention it's starting to get to the point of rebadge-city, and > that's it) and Hummers are just status symbols for overpaid athletes > and get about 6 miles to the gallon when gas prices are at an all time > high. And Buick, well, there's just really nothing there anymore, how > stupid is this concept, lets make a Lucerne and a Lacrosse, both > (basically) EXACTLY the same fucking car with a few minor differences > and expect our customers will buy it. Fat chance. > > GM needs to slim down and here's what I think GM should look like (in > the US market, anyhow): > > Chevrolet - value line/catch-all/trucks > GMC - trucks (duh) > Pontiac - sportier line > Caddy - luxe line, absorb Buick into this and come out with a > value-line/affordable Caddy or two! Look at the Jag X-Type, for > example, it's an affordable "luxury" car. > Saturn - niche market/small cars > > Makes sense to me, although I'm sure some will disagree :) > > -GV > I agree with you except for your Buick comments. Buick is supposed to represent the luxury class that sits between Chevy and Caddy. However Caddy now has models starting in the 30's, and a fully loaded Lucerne can be in the mid 40's... but they're completely different cars, with a totally different look. Price alone cannot be the determining factor. Dumming down a Caddy to Buick prices has obviously already been done. But there is a profound difference in the look and style between the two brands. Herein is the issue, in my humble opinion - The ONLY way to get a true full sized luxury GM automtobile without going to Cadillac is a Buick. Impala is now a mid sized car even though it's touted as full size, and the luxury options on an Impala are extrememly limited. No GPS, no bluetooth, etc... is available. For Caddy to fill the size niche with a full size car at a Buick price would lessen the perceived value of Caddy's more expensive models, and that would definitely be bad marketing. Value line cars with names associated with luxury brands have traditionally been short lived. Remember, Caddy has already tried that (remember the very well dressed Cavalier marketed under the Caddy moniker Cimmaron.).... And how about the Mercedes 190 series, just to name a few. Willy
