First Podcast with Bob Lutz
Podcasting
Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman, talks about the
realities of today’s market for full-size sport utility vehicles with host
Bill O’Neill, GM executive director of communications. Bob also discusses the fuel-saving technology in the new SUVs, luxury interiors, Displacement on Demand and the future of crossovers. Oh, and blogging, too.
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Great Interview! I must say, the new Tahoe is gorgeous and distinctively Chevrolet. Expressive exterior, luxurious interior, and 20+ MPG. Great job GM!
Hi Bob
I’m glad to hear more about the new SUVs you are launching. Happy to hear about all of the improvements that would require a test drive to understand.
Vastly improved suspensions, and cylinder DEAC should improve sales. You did a great job selling the gas mileage of the new truck, but this could be improved by adding some cam phasing on the V8 pushrod.
Without question, the interior looks way better than before … congrats on that.
However, I was expecting a more drastic change in exterior design on the 900 series. In any case, great job on the front … but the tailgate looks like a minivan (at least in the pictures)
Finally … why chose to preview a new offering in beige of all colors ????
I really like the new 2007 Tahoe, and it’s a great new product – however – with Honda and Toyota gearing up to sell an enormous amount of Hybrids, and with their vehicles given incredible high marks from consumers, why is GM so confidant – talking up the Full size SUV and Pickup market? “On the Streets of America” every 9 out of 10 people I talk to worry about the continuing rise of fuel costs and talk about how Domestic companies like GM seem like they are ignoring the largest share of the market – passenger cars. It’s going to be too late for GM to compete when Hybrids from Honda and Toyota dominate the streets and begin to populate the used car market. When is GM going to bring some of their highly efficient smaller 45-50 MPG European Cars to the market here and try to get current Hybrid techonolgy by license if they cannot develop and deploy their own?
Bob:
The new Tahoe looks nice. The interior looks much improved. But what I just do not understand is why you did not put a diesel in it. With gas at $3.00 per gallon, that decision just does not make any sense. Instead of 15% improvement in mileage, a diesel would give 30% improvement.
A full-size SUV that gets better mileage than most mid-size SUVs would be barn-burner.
So where’s the diesel?
Bob’s Podcast
Since I started this weblog, there’s been a few things happen that have really illustrated the potential of blogging as a medium. It’s direct. It has the potential to remove the middle man (big media) and allow direct communication between, say, a comp…
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=107290?tid=edmunds.h..insideline.promo.1g.*
Hey Bob,
I’d love to hear your comments on the latest Solstice/Miata comparo.
According to edmunds.com
“the Miata walked away with this one… the biggest reason the Miata took this one is the simple fact that it’s 10 billion times more fun to drive. It’s more responsive. Its engine is livelier and its gearbox feels like it was plucked from a shifter kart. It also has more steering feel, and it stops better.”
Yeah, that’s a little awkward.
Pontiac’s new flagship getting spanked by a Miata?
That Solstice GXP better be sweet, or you all may have to move up your plans to fold Buick and Pontiac into the Chevrolet brand.
Still waiting to hear about the Camaro relaunch though…
I would have enjoyed hearing some info on the CAMARO.
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Hi Bob,
The headlines read: “GM fate hangs on new 2007 Tahoe; GM may not be able to survive as the SUV sales will decline due to high fuel prices”. Can someone explain to the media that GM is not just counting on SUVs, GM has plenty of new cars in the market and more to come; e.g. Malibu, Cobalt, DTS, STS, and so on. Why the Media does not publish news that GM has 20 or more vehicles which provide >30 miles/gallon fuel average. Can someone do some calculations that 364 GM hybrid buses on the road are equivalent to so many Toyota’s hybrid cars.
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Whenever GM feels like it would benefit from a shot of straight-talkiní car-guy honesty, they trot out Bob Lutz, the one man in the company whoís familiar enough to average car-buying Americans who also has impeccable credibility with the…
Mr. Lutz,
I have been following the changes at GM for some time, and have been optimistic for the future. I was really excited about the Solstice, had my deposit down in March, had my order in soon after. I even spent time on the Solstice forum that you referred to during the Solstice First 1000 party.
Sadly, I am no longer optimistic about GM’s future. My order (through Exchange New Car Sales – a program for overseas military) was cancelled by the dealer after GM pulled the entire allocation from the Overseas New Car Sales program. Further, GM is pulling out of the program all-together.
The military car sales program enables US Military members stationed overseas, and deployed, to order US spec vehicles, without it, service-members are stuck with buying local cars which we may not be able to import to the US at the end of the overseas assignment.
GM’s cancellation of the Solstice from this program cost me my dream car. GM’s leaving the Exchange New Car Program will cost it any sales to overseas military members for some time, not a good move in my opinion.
Miata? 10 billion times more fun to drive?
Well the Solstice is 10 billion times more fun to look at.
Anyway another, more credible automobile source (well now they are more credible) said…
“This is the Pontiac that thinks it’s a Porsche…(comparing it to the new MX-5)today the bouquet goes to the Pontiac Solstice.” Automobile Oct. 2005 pg 56.
I never wanted a car more than the Solstice, the last car I liked this much was the Dodge Viper. Still you could not drag me into a Miata even to test drive it, it is somewhat repulsive.
THAT’S PROBABLY WHY THEY GOT RID OF THE MIATA DESIGNER AND HIRED THE SOLSTICE DESIGNER.
About the Tahoe…
I do love the GMC version the Yukon and I can’t imagine this package becoming better, it is a wonder to drive. I am glad that you took the time to further differentiate it from the Tahoe and Escalade and your efforts will pay dividends.
About the blog…
I never dreamed that we would be able to correspond with top GM brass. If you have the vision of an Eagle this blog will be a great resource.
The Eagle sees opportunity and danger better than anything. Avoid the nonsence about killing brands and heed the advice about…well just about everything else.
Know who you are (5 strata) and know where you’re going (5 strata around the globe.)
Finally…
Ford set the record for profit in a single year of $25 billion until Exxon… You said product can not solve all your problems ie. your legacy costs.
Is $25 billion too much of a goal for a bigger automaker?
You said product alone can not solve your legacy costs
BUT I HAVE FAITH IN YOU BOB!!!
In ref to John’s comments
about the Solstice reviewed
in Edmunds. First of all, Edmunds is not an authority I’d hold much credence for reviewing cars. If you would have read the Oct issues of Motor Trend or Car and Driver, you would observed that the Solstice matched up very well against the MX-5. In fact Car and Driver in a comparison picked the Solstice. I quote ” The heavier Solstice has two personalities: cruiser and sports car- it excels at
both. In this purely subjective evaluation, the Solstice scores higher.”
Further I would add that the Solstice has got cool
attention getting looks, while the MX-5 looks generic and bland. Read the article from Car and Driver, I think you might have a different impression of the Solstice.
In closing, I would take the article from Edmunds at face value, they are not the authority on new car reviews.
When all is said and done, the Solstice is a serious contender to the MX-5. It’s no pretender.!! And when the turbo version comes out next year, then watch out MX-5!
Bob, still waiting for news on that CAMARO.
I’m also still waiting to hear about that new Camaro. There are lots of loyal Camaro fans waiting on some news… give us something besides rumors!
Keep up the podcasts. I enjoy being to listen to your commentary wherever I want, instead of having to read it on my computer screen.
You should definitely do more to advertise GM’s ability to deliver high-fuel-economy vehicles. I’ve always been amazed by the highway mileage delivered by many of your pushrod engines and four-speed automatic trannies.
The C6 Corvette is the perfect example of a car with mondo horsepower and extremely reasonable gas mileage. It has almost twice the horsepower of my car (Lexus IS300) and uses /less/ gasoline.
Bob:
Its been well documented in the press that the fuel economy ratings listed on the stickers of new cars are not necessarily accurate when measured against real-world driving. I noticed that a recent selling point of the 2007 line of SUVs is improved gas mileage. Please, for the future integrity of GM, please tell me that the advertised fuel economy will be an accurate estimation of real-world driving!!!
Matt
Matt:
The EPA mileage rating on the sticker will not and cannot be realistic. That is not due to anything that GM does or does not do. GM is not trying to mislead you.
The EPA mileage rating is determined by following a testing methodology specified by the EPA. That testing methodology is flawed. GM and all other manufacturers must, by law, follow this flawed methodology.
Consequently, your mileage may vary from the EPA mileage rating.
Bobcast #1!
Work (damn it!) prevented me from listening to and commenting on Bob Lutz’s first Fastlane Podcast, which appeared last Thursday. We’ll fix that right now. (Isn’t the photo a hoot! Damn, these big company PR machines are good!!) Lutz was
ENOUGH ABOUT THE CAMARO! I think Bob has the message that you folks want a new Camaro. It might be a good thing for GM to introduce a new Camaro, and it might not. Yes, the new Mustang is a big hit, but there are other kinds of cars out there. Focusing on a new Camaro right now might look like a copycat of the Mustang, and that’s the last thing GM needs. Let’s face it, these days, cars like the Mustang and Camaro are niche vehicles, and sort of a throwback. The Camaro’s heydey was 30 years ago! I would rather see GM focus on something that would compete with BMW and Lexus. Camaro? I love ‘em, love the heritage, but these days, the name speaks of 1980s high school parking lots. Let’s move forward.
Le podcasting ‡ la pointeuse
Le podcasting commencerait-il discrËtement sa percÈe en entreprise ? Voici en tout cas quelques indices de l’intÈrÍt de certaines sociÈtÈs pour le podcasting :
- un rapport de synthËse signÈ Edelman chez Shoob
- le podcast sur le blog du…
Hey, Chris G… you post what you want, the rest of us will post what we want… it’s a free country and last time I checked we all still had freedom of speech! If we want a camaro, we have every right to ask about it. I’ve heard lots of talk about a concept car being shown in January, and I want to know more. If you want a different car, feel free to vote your dollars there.
Jared:
Thanks for the comment regarding EPA mileage. However, because the EPA tests are flawed, it may tempt a car manufacturer to tweak a vehicle for the EPA tests, rather than for the real world. This is important to note because manufacturers are under intense pressure now to improve their mileage ratings.
-Matt
I just read an article saying that GM plans to raise prices and thus regain margins with the new 2007 line of SUVs. Hmm….unless those vehicles are truly Revolutionary (with a capital “R”) for example, they can fly or use banana peels for fuel, you are in perpetual state of catch-up/more-of-the-same.
Why not use some genuine American creativity instead? For example, license the Segway technology to create an enclosed two-wheeled vehicle. Or one that doesn’t use tires. Or uses a low-cost turbine. You know, creative, innovative products. The public is tired of evolutionary.
First off bring back the camaro. Just kidding. Second someone has to add the new MPH website to your links. That’s just a glaring omission that can not go overlooked any longer.
http://www.mph-online.com
As for solstice vs. miata, I realize this is a GM site but it is sad to see people commenting openly about which is better when they haven’t driven either. I just spent a week testing the new MX-5 and found it an amazing vehicle. Plenty of room for a 5, 10′ guy like myself but probably too small for anyone 6+
Regardless it was quite a vehicle and the interior was top notch especially considering the low sticker, $25K for full loaded with leather/touring equipment etc. I’m going to a GM event today so hopefully will get to compare the Solstice. Also by the time the GXP comes out the Mazdaspeed MX-5 will most likely be out as well
And leave Edmunds alone. Geeze they’re one of the most popular websites out there, period. Not just automotive websites. And also I find their reviews very close to reality compared to the other print mags out there.
The local Pontiac dealer here in Jacksonville, FL is running a full page ad that says they have 19 Solstices and 43 GTOs in stock and ready for delivery. You think, just maybe, they might be fudging a bit??
Now I’d probably get flamed for this, but With all the comotion going toward GM these days… the look of promising coupes coming out of GM, Camaro, hopefully firebird as well, possibly a Buick coupe, Solstice Coupe…
and with all the expansion of Hummer, Why not make a $40-50k Hummer coupe similar to the Batmobile/Tank in the recent Batman… I think it would fit the brand just perfect, and even if it wasnt a speed demond, it would definatly have an audiance I think…
GM put too much emphasis on SUVs to the detriment of cars. Granted SUVs were cash cows but it is always wise to hedge ones bets. I think SUVs will always be around but I think they have peaked in market share. There are still a lot of people who like cars better than trucks, if only they werent all front wheel drive sedans.
Product cant solve all GMs probelms but wiothout desirable product you have much bigger problems.
Just saw your new Impala with the V8.
Looks good.
Now if you’d just weld the back doors shut and cut off the top, you might really have something.
Bob
I like the looks of the new Tahoe,When will you be offering the employee discount on it and what will the rebates be
To Scott,
Rebates should be over, incentives should not continue, as of The GM total Value Promise. Although they might… The Incentive on most of the NEW GM’s vehicles ought to be the Vehicle themselves like the Solstice, z06, HHR, and hopefully the future GMT900s as well. Chrysler didn’t do the industry a favor by introducing rebates into the Automotive buisness…
The business blog backlash is nigh
Sure, most CEOs don’t have the time to blog. But will they consider blogging a waste of time for everyone else?
To Tim
Maybe what you say is true,however GM will pull the trigger on another program as soon as a prolonged slump occurs at which point I will consider a
Tahoe
Interesting!
I wish GM well. I’ve been a little worried about them since I sold my last Chevrolet back in the 60s.
I’ve attempted to make a gift to GM several times of a design they should have been building for years. Seems like automotive engineers have made up their minds and don’t want anybody to attempt to confuse them with the facts.
I started sharing this with everyone I could several years ago. It looks like a few are beginning to catch up. Mitsubishi has produced the wheel drive system. Their design uses only LI batteries. It is strictly plug in. When you open the engine compartment, there is just a big open space.
I really think this is the way to go. With a strong commitment by the feds, we could grow and process all the biodiesel we need from algae grown around the Salton Sea.
For about the past year I have offered anyone who would listen the following info: One of the American automobile companies has responded. I have had some positive response from several educational institutions but – as far as I know – none have done any experimental work to verify my claims.
Here is what I have been proposing:
In one scale or another every one of these systems have been proven.
Like to produce a vehicle that can burn rubber on takeoff on all four wheels and get 90+ mpg?
What I would like to see the automakers working on would have:
1. A turbocharged, two cylinder opposed, 2-cycle, air-cooled diesel directly driving a generator. (It would not be running most of the time.)
2. A 111 volt Lithium-Ion Polymer battery pack.
3. Nothing but wires going from the controller to every wheel, except for the necessary additional friction brakes (of course).
4. An added advantage of this would be the ability to recharge from the electrical grid while at home, saving even more on fuel.
Each wheel, depending on the feedback to the controller from wheel speed sensors would drive with just the right power depending on the accelerator position. You would get recharging from deceleration just as you do in today’s hybrids. You would also use this feedback to stop the wheel from skidding.
Each wheel would have a stationary stator and a series of fixed magnets closely adjacent all around the inside of the wheel. In a sense it would operate each wheel in a very similar fashion that the maglev trains use, except the motion would be circular, of course. Something very different about this type of motor is that the stators are fixed to the axles and the magnets are driven around them. This gives a significant increase in mechanical advantage. That’s like turning an ordinary electric motor inside out.
There would be no need for ordinary electric motor brushes. In fact, many electric motors operating today are brushless.
Such motors already exist in the model airplane field and their efficiently is amazing – approaching 90%. I’ve got a couple and doubt that I would ever buy any other type.
It’s possible to hang the model on the prop right out in front of you and accelerate straight up, like a rocket, with this type motor.
In the vehicle the motor/generator would not turn on to recharge the batteries until they needed it. There is already experimental Lithium-Ion driven cars that can get in excess of 200 miles before they have to be recharged by plugging them in. You would top off your batteries overnight by plugging them in. Some cutting edge research by Toshiba -employing nano-technology – indicates that recharging can be done so fast that you could top off while eating lunch.
Lithium -Ion battery technology is so new that I doubt that very many automotive engineers have even heard of them, much less thought to use them in this manner. Their energy density exceeds that of any other form of rechargeable energy storage.
The Lithium Ion battery is the most efficient battery available right now. So is the outer rotor electric motor the most efficient motor.
Build an Automobile right and it will weight less and have simpler, easier to repair/replace modules.
Lets see what we can eliminate while improving performance and efficiency.
Transmission – None
Ignition system – None
Liquid cooling – None
Valves and valve train – None
Use bio-oil/fuels for both fuel and lubrication.
Feel free to pass this along to anyone you know in the Transportation business.
I bought a Honda Civic Hybrid last summer. I enjoy it more than any vehicle I’ve ever owned. I will Never buy another vehicle that isn’t a Hybrid and doesn’t get at least 50 mpg.
As far as I can tell, Detroit isn’t even thinking the same way I and the vast majority of its potential customers are.
Mitsubishi has produced the wheel motor/drive I mentioned above. You can see an illustration at: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/08/new_mitsubishi__1.html Scroll down and click on illustration. You can get it to fill the page by a second click.
Good Luck!
William Lucas Jones
It seems the only problem with GM is in its vehicle lineup. It’s not. Yes the perception that Japanese autos are better has squeezed the American auto industry and to that extent debilitated it.
But the big problem for GM now is its workers. Will they give in to lower wages, less benefits, and reduced pensions? It seems ridiculous if you were standing in the shoes of the worker.
But it is simple. Do not do the three things mentioned above, and you may have not a company to work for.
GM has 77+- billion dollars waiting to be doled out over the next few years in these “legacy” costs. Without the concessions from the UAW, it may well be that GM the goliath, turns into the mouse.
Bob,
As I looked through a local Chevrolet dealer’s newspaper ad this weekend, it occurred to me that it was the first time I could remember where each Chevrolet vehicle in the lineup was competitive – no glaring holes in the line. Congratulations on that.
Keep up the good work.
Mike
Fortune magazine October 10, 2005 issue pg 136-148 gave the following statistics.
Saudi Arabia’s estimated oil reserves are 264 billion barrels. Cost of recovery $3 a barrel
Oil Sands in Alberta, Canada reserve of 174 billion barrels but there could be as much as 1.6 trillion barrels with better technology.
Oil shale. The U.S. has 2 trillion barrels, more than two-thirds of world’s supply.
As oil prices rise these energy alternatives are looking more competative and are finally being tapped.
We are not going to run out of oil. But we will see shortages and snags all the time, but again we will not run out of oil.
G.M. needs to HEED (hydrogen, hybrid, electric, ethonol, and Diesel) what the public wants with the ability to adjust its fleet to hybrids or Hummers whenever the market changes. And it is good that G.M. is not abandoning or ignoring its important full size trucks but balancing it with new more efficient technology.
Great job on the HHR. We are seeing a revolution happening. They said it was late, retro is over, it looks too much like…well they were wrong, 8,600 in the second month on track to sell 100,000 with no inventory.
Raise the roof, raise the sails. There is a revolution about to happen in the car market. Buick can do for the family sedan what the HHR is doing for the compact market.
Bulging fenders, high roofs, high belt line, high window profile, flat floors, style and sprinkled with nestalgia.
Stop competing with the Accord. Make great cars like you once did and you will be great again.
Buick is the Harley-Davidson of the car world, just make great cars again and they will be waiting in line for Buicks too…I am telling you.
Mr. Lutz,
I have written to you a number of tuime sove rthe years ab]nd have been a supporter of GM for many years. My father was a welder and your company provided a good liing for our family.
But I think you have some serious issues that GM has to address.
First. I saw a Solstice yesterday for the first time. Don’t worry about the Miata. It is the real deal. The dash is a little cheap looking, but for the first time, you have gotten 95% of the car right. The owner agrees. He traded a Honda s 2000 for it and although he loved the Honda, the Solstice is sending a message to the rest of the real sports car world. I read a reply in this blog about the Miataa being a billion times moe fun to drive. Everybody has an opinion and the Miata shouldn’t be the benchmark for this car. Boxer. Forget the Miata.
Put a straight six in or even a five and let everybody suck your exhaust.
WINNER…. Solstice. Good going GM
Now for your trucks. and the nuts on this page worrying about a Camaro and Trucks. You have spent too much and will never realize a profit from your SUV and trucks. Trim the options (like Toyota and Nissan) and
quit glamming them up. Become a car company again and brand all of your trucks as GM. Camaro..a cliche, competetion is now the 350 and its ilk. The P-51 Mustang was a great plane, maybe one of the finest examples of AMerican ingenuity, workmanship and inventiveness surpassing maybe eventhe model T. But would you want to fly a Mustang against an F-22, The competition is the European joint fighter and the many Russian Su’s and Mig models out there. Think ahead. The Solstice is the beginning for GM.
PS The imapala SS is HOT and another winner. Put a six speed in that scratcher.
Looks like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon after the Aveo’s success. Honda is bringing a new car over and Toyota is improving their entry and worse still Nissan is got a new one with 120 HP. You could see this coming a mile away the Aveo is under powered gets poor mileage and before you know it will be in last place. IT seems GM cannot stand prosperity. We just sit back and wait for everyone to get better and then wonder why we are falling behind. Are we going to meet the challenge or are we just going to stand pat as usual. At least GM could offer a diesel to help with the mileage and open up the market a little but I fear not. Business as usual!!!!!
Hi Bob,
I was wondering when/if we will ever see the Opel Zafira or Astra lineup in the states – realizing the lengthy regulatory issues surrounding a transplant – is it possible to see Opel in our futures here – I ask because it seems as thought the compact wagon/shrunken mini van market has arrived
It’s a great to have such an exchange. We’d like to have more from top VIP aroud the world.
This actually is an attempt to get feedback to the top that might help you guys. I have a Pontac Transport minivan; and would have liked to buy a domestic replacement; since there are dealers in town, and the 3.9 engine seems to have enough guts. (the 3.5 is NOT competitive in performance or mileage.) . I won’t be. The “new” SV6 has most of the same problems as my old one. No up&down windows for the kids. No side air curtains. PURPORTEDLY galvanized steel that rusts FAST if the paint chips. AND I CAN”T GET POWER DOORS WITHOUT ORDERING A DINKY, OVERPRICED DVD PLAYER!!! Are your marketing guys insane? I might have still leased one (I’ll likely never buy one agaisn until they stand up better)despite many of the design flaws; but a REQUIRED DVD OPTION to get a power door? Even on the Terraza?
I am going to end up with a Honda Oddessey (touring probably; perhaps an EX-L to avoid the DVD)
Next Generation: (1)Go back to the plastic panels. This is a market that will buy durabilty over close panel fits. Your steel doesn’t last despite aggressive maintenance. My 15 year old Toyota Celica is much better!!(at twice the age!!).(2) Side curtains and stability control standard, like all the import brands; or at least a stand-alone option on ALL MODELS (not just the loaded ones) (3) bring back lumbar supports. I bought the pontiac because the seats were better than the Chrysler. (4) DO NOT try to tie mechanical (door) items to an entertainment system!!!! (5) get a (HIGH OUTPUT) turbo diesel from one of your European divisions. Get normal windows for the sliding doors. Kids want that. (6) Make a van that is BETTER than the Hondas and Toyotas, (not one that’s almost as bad as the Ford)and charge for it. Compete on QUALITY and VALUE. Right now you have neither. And Hyundai/Kia are about to crowd you right out of the bottom end of the market in minivans with the new Sonata-based models.
Mr. Lutz,
I have been a GM man all my life. Although at times it has been difficult. In the Fall of 1976 I went to purchase a vehicle and asked why your company didn’t make a four door Blazer? I was told if I wanted a four door get a Jeep. About 15 years later the four door became car of the year. Go figure! Well along those same lines I am now at a crossroads again on vehicles and hope that someone will listen this time. I live in Alaska and I have been told that the hybrids do not work well here in Alaska so I have another idea that is strictly “thinking outside of the box”. I have mentioned it to salemen and they blow it off in the same manner as the four door Blazer. Bear with me as I go into the past. About 15 years ago I had an experience with the Olds Delta 98 in San Diego. I was upgraded to this vehicle and frankly didn’t want a gas hog to drive North to LA and on to Las Vegas and back. I made it to LA without a fill up and thought the gas gauge was broken. I then filled up and started keeping my mileage on the heavyweight. Turns out the rental people were right the “new” experimental North Star engine was very efficient. Travelling at even high rates of speed the vehicle was extraordinary. So here finally is the $64,000 question. Why doesn’t GM put the North Star engine in a vehicle like the Yukon. I am told because they don’t have enough torque and after all they are an SUV. My point is that my wife drives one for safety and does nothing more than drive to work and haul groceries and hockey gear with her SUV. I see many families doing the same rather than driving the old station wagon. If we can accept this point I believe that GM has all the tools to sell Yukons and Tahoes tomorrow. If GM is worried that mom or pop will hook up a boat or trailer to this vehicle simply change the name to FUV for family utility vehicle or HUV for household utility vehicle. Then market it to the customer without a towing package and emphasize that it is “not” an SUV hence the name change. Change the Yukon and Tahoe names for the FUV or HUV to Progeny,Lineage,Genre,Tribe,Clan etc,etc……Take a risk and don’t make my wife have to pay an extra $4,000 to haul batteries around in her Yukon for efficiency. Put the North Star Engine in the vehicle and call it an FUV and I’ll buy the first Lineage off the line. My wife would prefer it in white please…..
First of all I would like to comment on why GM decided to put a 5.3L LS motor into a FWD car (Impala, Monte Carlo). The torque steer is the worst of any FWD vehicle out there, and the torque management system just makes it even less enjoyable.
You know you want to…
I hope that we see a much brighter future for GM RWD cars. The trend and demand has shifted from FWD to RWD and the shift is across the board of products.
Obviously it would be nice to see GM come back at the Mustang with an affordable monster horsepower Camaro. Retro design (that’s the trend incase everyone has been under a rock), but done up with functionality in mind. Also, let’s see GM actually market the Camaro this time instead is leaving it far behind any other vehicle campaign. Ford markets the Mustang every chance it gets, and it has done very well. I see nothing wrong with following Ford’s foot steps with the marketing of the new Camaro, GM just has to make a superior car and that will be enough.
PS: A special version sporting the SS tag with a 427cid LS7 option would also be nice
Have been trying to get in touch by e-mail to relay an idea for an ad for the new Buick Lucerne. unable to locate any address that works for forwarding an idea sent to Martha Stewart.
I don’t think the GM lineup is as bad as many people say, and I also don’t thing GM is in that bad a position.
If the workers are smart, they’ll give in to the management’s requirements, as there’ll be no GM left for them to work for, if they don’t. I’m sure the UAW will understand that sooner or later.
About the Solstice. I haven’t had the pleasure to drive t myself, yet, but the reviews I’ve read were less than encouraging. GM has a history of building sporty cars, so I hope they finally get their bits together to bring this heritage to the 21st century.
GM put too much emphasis on SUVs to the detriment of cars. Granted SUVs were cash cows but it is always wise to hedge ones bets. I think SUVs will always be around but I think they have peaked in market share. There are still a lot of people who like cars better than trucks, if only they werent all front wheel drive sedans.
Product cant solve all GMs probelms but wiothout desirable product you have much bigger problems.
GM put too much emphasis on SUVs to the detriment of cars. Granted SUVs were cash cows but it is always wise to hedge ones bets. I think SUVs will always be around but I think they have peaked in market share. There are still a lot of people who like cars better than trucks, if only they werent all front wheel drive sedans.
Product cant solve all GMs probelms but wiothout desirable product you have much bigger problems.
Bob:
My 13-year old son loves to see you fly your awesome jet over our house (by Georgetown Club). Not to intrude on your privacy, is there a possibility he would watch you land or take off?
Mark Yagerlener
Did you know that the Mazda MX-5, known as Miata in North America and Roadster in Japan) This car started production in 1989 in Japan. This was one of the first major small sports cars and spurred on car manufactories from other companys to produce modles such as MGF and the Toyota MR2
Although they tride they could not sell as many cars as Mazda. The total of MX-5 cars sold is a massive 750,000
From used car parts
When will the LSX tall deck be available?
When will GM have heads and intake be available?
Please let me know at your earliest convenience, thank you
GM has done a great job freshening the product. I now own two GM products. Chevy needs to replace its tired cheap looking badge and replace it with something from the past or come up with a new one rich looking replacement to compliment the producet. My Trail Blazer SS has a cheap looking oversized gold badge and so does the new Malibu badge is no better.
Bob Lutz for president!!!!
Right on Bob! Im with you and think that Global warming is a crock of ****.
You all will continue to have my business!
Bob,
Is the Easter Bunny going to come this year?
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/nov2007/bw20071116_842776.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily
I owned a first 1000 Solstice and now have the GXP. Having seen the Coupe, I know it will be next. It is so gorgeous that it deserves better quality plastics etc on the interior.. please, we will pay for a better interior. I cannot wait. Great Job!!
BOB, bought an 06 sts v! omg GREAT VEHICLE. Great job on the design