Christening a New Design Center
By Bob Lutz
Vice Chairman
Today I'd like to share a few thoughts about what I did yesterday, which was attend the dedication of the new General Motors Europe Design Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
I'm proud of the evolution of our design staff, and indeed our entire global product development organization. And now, as we run the business on a global basis, having all of our GME Design teams – Opel, Vauxhall, Saab and Advanced Design - together in one facility, is a great step forward.
The timing is good for this move, as Opel, Vauxhall and Saab are experiencing growth in the marketplace and are significantly advancing their future design language. Opel/Vauxhall has significantly raised its design profile with products like the Astra GTC, Meriva and Zafira. We'll continue to create more innovative concepts and adventurous designs in upcoming vehicles like the Antara and the new Corsa.
Saab, obviously, is a very different brand with a completely different customer base. Its Scandinavian origin and aircraft heritage is very important, and we'll continue to draw upon those for inspiration. The next generation of Saab models will be striking … with the Aero X concept leading the way and providing a good sense of Saab's future design language.
Visiting the new facility in Rüsselsheim was especially interesting for me, because I was there in the 1960s when Opel was doing groundbreaking designs like the original Opel GT, and the so-called 1720 Opel Commodore.
These were high points in Opel's design history, and we look forward to creating more of them in the new center… Only this time they won't be purely for Opel, but for all of General Motors.
The designers that work in our new facility will contribute to all of GM's brands. In fact, the cross-pollination is already under way. GME designers have visited North America to demonstrate the interior precision that has become an Opel hallmark. And GMNA designers have shown their European counterparts how to dial in more sizzle and glamour into their own interiors. That's the way the whole company should and will work.
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Dear Mr. Lutz,
I hope you make design the center of GM like you said on TV.
I was hoping this new design center would be in the US.
You need to fire more accountants and hire more engineers and designers and let them loose.
I know Art and Science was hard. It was hard for me to love at first too.
But I like the Cadillac front and back haunches, especially in the SRX. Please do not lose its distinctiveness.
More importantly anythign you can do to restructure GM around interior design would be great.
Let them have internal competitions like they had for the Camaro exteriror.
Also make them take courses and look to interior design for inspiration:
–high fashion
–Modern home design ie. high-quality appliances
–Modernist bathroom fixtures and home switches (Grohe etc.)
–Bang and Olufsen
–Swiss watches
Don’t give up. I hope you hire many more designers and reorganize the cilture of GM around designers and concept guys and make this happen
Don’t stop until you have your OWN DraxlMaier.
Russel
P.S. I like the interior of the new Escalade. I like how it flows etc. I hope to see more Art and Science influence in the interior soon– kind of like the Imaj interior a little. I know it has to flow, but I think there is a place for knife edges in every interior.
Also, I hope you SWATHE your new interiors in padded leather and real wood (nickel and aluminum too).
More importantly to people in the U.S. should be how this design center’s influence will affect future Saturn product.
Will Saturns of the future look like Opels but sport American OHV V6’s and get built alongside Pontiacs and Chevies and share their mechanicals, or will they actually BE Zafiras and Astras (domestically produced from a global design slightly modified for US regulations, or imported)?
I’m hoping for the latter, as a Saturn that just looks like an Opel isn’t what will take Saturn to the next level.
Bob,
I’m glad to see that GM is putting more of an emphasis on design in general, and specifically interior design. How long will it be before we begin to see the fuits of these labors? As I’m sure you get a sense from reading the comments posted by fans, the styling both inside and out of all GMNA cars (Vette excluded) leaves a lot to be desired. Cadillac has done well on the exterior, and the interior of newer cars is an improvement over the old. However, you still aren’t up to best in class. For Cadillac, I’d take a really good look at Audi’s interiors. For GMC and Chevy, take a look at Chrysler’s instrument clusters and Mitsubishi’s overall theme and execution. Infiniti also does a very nice job.
I’ve ranted before about exterior styling, but needless to say: GET BETTER QUICKLY! People buy cars more for looks than they do for performance (sad, but true). Look what exterior styling did for Chrysler in the 90s. The product had miles to go as you well know, but the styling was best in class by miles across the board. Now, they are in the best financial position of any of the “Big 3″ and they only incentivize cars near the end of their model life. Even though they make the press for big incentives, they’re using them the right way, at the right time, on the right models, and for the right reasons. The models that everyone wants don’t have an incentive dollar in sight.
Thanks for listening,
Nathan
Eurolutz
Bob Lutz checks in today with a follow-up on ideas he introduced months ago. Last October, Lutz outlined a plan to globalize GM’s product development efforts. He described a re-organized design group that would coordinate their work across brands. He’s
Mr. Lutz,
You forgot to design-in the turn signals in the side mirrors of the Escalade.
The new X5 has them.
You should put them in all your cars.
Also, I hope that Chevrolet really kicks it up a notch with exterior and interior design.
The Impala is great. Now DO THAT AGAIN!
I hoep to see such an interior in the new Malibu.
Also, if the Malibu is to compete witht he Accord etc, it must go a long way.
Take the fake wood from the Escalade, and put it in the Malibu.
A while back somebody suggested you use cheaper yet more exotic woobs like Bamboo and Mesquite. Both are easy to grow and cheap.
If you don’t use fake wood, use these.
Even oak and cedar burl would be better than the black plastic.
Again, if it is too expensive, use imitation leather all over the dash (Padded! The last leather you stretched ove the hard plastic so that it took the plastic’s shape and feel).
Make the Malibu cometitive and well-designed. Chevy need this.
Thanks
“Unlike U.S. carmakers that have a reputation for taking a hard line with parts makers, Toyota is renowned for its strong ties to its suppliers based on close cooperation starting from the early stage in a vehicle’s development as well as the mutually beneficial transfer of knowhow.”
from http://www.autonews.com
Is this true? The only way you can build what you design is to work with your suppliers to get what you want at low cost and high quality.
PLease change your ways, GM. I am tired of the excuses.
Dear GM,
Engineerign and design go hand in hand.
Why didn’t you put Independent Rear Suspention on all you rGMT 900s?
Better handling would have raked in even more customers.
Bob,
You are saying and doing all the right things. Most important, those concept cars which show the future design direction like the Aero X is absolute genious. The designs are drop dead gorgeous.
Right now with cars like the Holden FJ Efigy, Velite, Aero X, Solstice, Cadillac Sixteen and Camaro, GM already has shown design prowess. More amazing still is the stuff you can’t show yet, (well I have heard.)
I personally thank you for coming out of retirement to save the US auto industry and GM.
God Bless You.
Mr Lutz, please integrate GM’s global sales into global production… in europe there are some beautiful cars, in austrialia there are some great performance vehicles even styled better then some of the vehicles here in the states… my question to you, is why arent these vehicles imported to help GM’s apperance, obviously it doesnt help the bloated NA work force, but it might help marketshare…
Bob, I’m very happy to hear we will get the Astra in the USA. Yeah, I know not confirmed. Please don’t dilute the cars dynamics (i.e. soften it up) for us. Those of us who will be buying these cars actually like to drive. We want a good handling car with excellent dynamics. Also, the panaoramic windsheild has to come over, there is notghing else like it on the market. It’s also a great idea for future SAABs, very canopy like.
Nathan, you must have forgotten about WHO led Chrysler to design aggressive, distinctive cars. It was Bob Lutz! I think he’s doing an excellent job turning things around, and yes, every vehicle, not just GM’s vehicles have shortcomings. I am loving what I am seeing from GM these days, even with less money to go around to invest than Toyota or other manufacturers, GM has been aggressively trying to get it’s stuff together in design, and I gotta say, it’s working! Great job on the new GMT-900’s and the new car designs, it’s going great. My advice is to never be satisfied, and to try to beat the competition in everything you do. That would seal your legacy as one of the best product gurus of all time. I think you know what you are doing anyway, and keep it up, Bob!
This looks like a very positive step. The AeroX is distinctive in design, and if more are coming out based in that vain, GM has some big winners ahead.
Speaking of design what a beautiful interior in the Tahoe/Suburban. Why didn’t the upcoming Silverados get this interior? The Pickup interiors look cheap and bland in comparison. What a downer since I was looking forward to that great looking interior in my new truck. What is wrong with you?
You should move your design center to California. I am not sure I have seen exciting designs in the current parade of European cars.
Bob, I am truly envious of the impressive facility in Rüsselsheim.
It is awesome to see global interaction within GM design. This will truly give GM an edge over its rivals. Stay focused on design and it will pay off!
The Opel-Saturn cross-pollination looks set to make Saturn one of the strongest GM brands in the world.
..Now that you’ve taken care of the 2nd largest design centre in GM world, I’m hoping we get some focus on the 3rd largest design centre (at GM Holden Design)!! (Subtle hint)
Speaking of design, Bob, great job on the Escalade!
Just a few small things:
The outside is gorgeous and the inside looks good, but looks can be deceiving. There is almost no storage room in the back, the rear windows only open partway, the sideboard windows not at all. The upgraded stereo is marginal and little things like the cupholders are still cheap and not what you would expect on a vehicle at this cost.
Gas mileage to date is terrible, around 11-12 miles per gallon in mixed (city/hwy) traffic.
I cannot wait for the hybrid!
There are a number of rattles in the vehicle as well. All things considered, I would have expected more from a vehicle at this price.
Good job overall though. I don’t ever want GM, the king of trucks to be beat by my neighbor’s lowly Mercedes me-too!
I am on my third Escalade. Have had an ‘02 and ‘04 and now ‘07. This is the best yet. They solved most all of my issues with previous models. Dash is lower and well laid out, visibility better both fore and aft. Seats are a little smaller but still very comfortable. New 6-speed tranny is much better on response through the full range and seems to get better mileage than my ‘04. Navigation system is a vast improvement. Ride is much more controlled. Plush without giving up responsiveness. Power fold and tumble seats are nice, but having to manually put them back up is a waste. Power lift and close rear gate is a wonderful feature. Suggested Improvements: Third-row seating seems a bit oddly laid out with two cupholders on only one side. Storage compartments in the rear (luggage) area are needed. Would also like to see a 110-volt outlet in rear. Glovebox is not very accommodating. Can’t even fit the manual in it. Front-passenger seat
memory would be nice
If you want clean design, look at Bang and Olufsen. You’ll get myriads of ideas for you interior designs as well as sleek packagind and luxury operation.
Mr. Lutz, I think your design should be more than all-encompassing. I know you have “Quiet Steel”, which I think you should use more in your designs; but can you also develop “Quiet Plastic”?
This would vibrate at lower frequencies and produce less sound.
I am still waiting for the manufacturer who would be able to design the first absolutely silent sunroof and side windows. I am tired of hearing the whining motors and the disegaged locks. Even if you have to build it out of teflon and rubber, I hope to see silent windows and sunroofs hopefully on the next Cadillac CTS.
Maybe Active noise cancellation will work here. What do you think Mr. Lutz?
Have you seen some of the cars that grace the video games? One of my favorite places for car watching is my nephew’s video games, especially the cars in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas for the Xbox.
There are some classic looking cars that hark back to the 50’s Buicks, and coupes that take you back to an era of car design that only existed in our imagination. Designers should check these cars out and build them sometime.
These cars represent what we can do when we throw fear out the window.
Oh, and the dollar is weaker time to bring the Cadisaac to America.
Dear Mr Lutz,
I think, it was the right decision to bring the Opel Astra to the US-market, in order to strengthen Saturn’s position. In my opinion you even should go further and also present the Signum, Meriva and, maybe, Zafira at your Saturn-dealerships. As I see there are no really similar models within your US-portfolio yet, consequently this shouldn’t have any negative influence on the sales of your domestic brands.
What, in my opinion, really should be changed in Europe: Please, try to stop the separation of Chevrolet-dealerships between those, offering Chevrolet, built by GM DAT, and those coming from The States (e. g. Tahoe). This just might confuse customers and I don’t believe, the Kroymans-Group necessarily has to distribute the US-built Chevys exclusively. I think, they’ll better concentrate on the Corvette- and Cadillac-sales all over Europe. Thanks for paying attention.
If you want good gas mileage, don’t buy an Escalade. That’s pretty obvious.
And hybridizing an Escalade is like putting sails on the QE2. Attractive, but not altogether useful. A small car will always be more efficient than a large car. If you really cared that much, you’d buy a smaller car.
I love your continued interest in design, but I wonder about the focus. Is there any concern that market cannibalization will get worse rather than better? For instance, the Aero-X. A gorgeous machine to be sure, but its target market seems to be other GM products.
“If you want good gas mileage, don’t buy an Escalade. That’s pretty obvious.
And hybridizing an Escalade is like putting sails on the QE2. Attractive, but not altogether useful.”
Not everybody WANTS a small car. They are not practical for a lot of people. I may need a more “capable” vehicle to carry and/or do the things I want. Or I may just WANT a larger vehicle. What’s wrong with better gas mileage, even in a bigger vehicle?
Bigger vehicles have a lot more room to improve mileage than small cars do. You could spend thousands of dollars (hybrid?) to improve the gas mileage on a small car and NEVER save back the money it cost. That same money spent on a vehicle that gets 11-12 mpg will save back those thousands of dollars YEARS earlier.
“A small car will always be more efficient than a large car. If you really cared that much, you’d buy a smaller car.”
Not when you have to make three trips to do the same work. Or if the small car is completely incapable of doing the same work.
I know, the Escalade will usually just be transporting a driver alone, which a small car can do. But if I DO need a bigger car every once in a while, that small car is completely impractical. Should I buy two, or three, or four vehicles so I can always have the most efficient vehicle for my task? That would sure be good for GM, but hardly practical for the buyer. The practical vehicle is the ONE vehicle which I can use for the majority of the uses I’m going to think that I’ll need it for during the coming years.
Mr. Lutz, what’s the status of the XV8? It’s almost 5 years already since it was revealed to the public.
Bob
One thing I would like to see is more choice of colors for interiors. Black interiors give me a little claustrophobia and grey interiors depress me. I like colorful interiors like red blue and green.
i hope they do not use the wind tunnel as the main design tool like they do now. that is why a new impala looks a lot like a malibu only on a larger scale. the best COD numbers all “blow” the same design
The pic of the Opel GT brought back memories of when I owned one. They were great little cars, and nothing on the road looked like them. I added a weber carb, sway bars, gas shocks and wider Eagle NCT tires to mine, and had a great time in autocrosses and hillclimbing competitions, outrunning the nose-heavy Datsun 240Z’s. I was hoping the new Solstice would be as nimble as the little 2000 pound Opel GT, but its a tad too heavy for that. Of course, the Opel GT didn’t have to pass emission, bumper and side impact laws that are in place now either, which probably has a lot to do with it. Hope the new design center comes out with some unique ideas like the GT.
I prefer Art and Science to anything out there. I especially like the sharp haunches–front and rear.
There is a lot to be said for this style.
While you are on that, I hope you contract out the interiors for all your future vehicles to that DraxelMaier outfit you see there. wish they’d be more distinctive–reflecting the influence of Art and Science a little.
Also, please do not drop the ball on the new CTS. This has got to be the one that beats the 3-Series once and for all.
That means it must have all the amenities and then some–UNIQUE to Cadillac (sorry I feel strongly). Take Charge!!! You are the man to do it, Mr. Lutz.
It also means that it must be lighter–even if it is bigger and that it must have more power and body discipline like a Soviet soldier–no roll allowed.
Bluetooth, Ipod, one-touch up, power tilt/telescope (smooth), huge nav screen, best-in class room and trunk storage.
And if you do a convertible, I hope it’s going to be a hardtop convertible where the roof stores vertically behind the rear seats–the first hardtop convertible with a trunk!
Go get them Mr. Lutz. Hit them a blow they will not believe.
Home Depot and Lowes both offer trucks you can rent. I imagine places like CostCo or Sam’s Club will be doing the same in the near future. There are also car and truck rental services almost anywhere in the country. Finally, there are car sharing organizations in most major cities in the US.
There is no reason to own a huge car. In the rest of the world, people get by with smaller cars like Opels. Why can’t Americans?
If you want a big car, fine. But I don’t want to have to pay for the additional wear and tear on roadways, the environmental clean up from the increased fuel use, or for the geopolitcal consequences of oil addiction.
To put it another way: I have no problem paying for YOUR needs. I do have a problem paying for YOUR wants.
Nathan, you must have forgotten about WHO led Chrysler to design aggressive, distinctive cars. It was Bob Lutz!
No, gm_enthusiast, I haven’t forgotten. It’s why I continually make Chrysler references in my posts. Bob Lutz happens to be my favorite auto executive of the last 20 years. However, the turnaround at GM is taking a great deal longer than it should have, and the execution of a lot of the models has been extremely poor to this point. It seems that GM took six steps backwards in the mid 90’s and the early part of the 2000s, and it still isn’t recovering as it should. Crisis mode was not engaged in a timely manner, and now GM is at least 2 product cycles behind the leaders of the pack and perilously close to falling even further behind. Yes, they’ve done a great job with the GMT-900 series as I’ve pointed out repeatedly. However, the car line has been left to twist in the wind for the better part of a decade. The Impala is terrible from top to bottom and carries nothing over from the extremely popular Impalas made from 94 – 96. My ex-wife has one and it is the most worthless POS in its class from the styling (inside and out) to the power and handling. The Chevy Malibu desperately needs to go the way of the Pontiac Aztek. The Cobalt has no true design form except in the SS guise, and I’m not a big fan of using wings and body kits to add character to a car. GM’s entire engine program needs to be overhauled, and there is no excuse for an automatic transmission with fewer than 5 gears making it into a production automobile in this day and age. Toyota is winning market share with bland product offerings that are impeccably executed. To take that market share back, GM has to create products that visually appeal to buyers to get them to stop at the dealerships. Then, those models have to compare favorably on three factors to market leaders like Toyota:
1. Power
2. Economy
3. Price/Value
Power and fuel economy go back to poor product design and material selection. Power in the design of the engines. Fuel economy in the selection of transmissions, the materials within the car (the lighter the car, the better the MPG will be for a given engine), and the technology in the engine management system. In all aspects, GM is grossly deficient. I am an automotive enthusiast, and I long for the days when car companies (especially GM) weren’t afraid to send their best products out and dare everyone else to match them. Now, we don’t even get a product that a designer would willingly associate themselves with. Ultimately, neither of us is the true judge for GM: the car buying public is. According to the market, GMs products aren’t up to par and even with heavy incentives over the last 5 years (they started right after September 11, 2001) GM has continually lost market share. The future is now gm_enthusiast, and GM is a decade late to the party.
Sorry for the rant,
Nathan
Well, Paul in that case, nobody should be driving at all. They should just move to a city, live in high-density housing, and walk, bike or take public transport.
Driving is somewhat of a luxury, but do not expect to get unlimited kudos for half-hearted “environmental” choices like buying a small car.
Read what GM has to say above about hydrogen.
Dear Bob,
I am pleased to read that GM don’t give up. Its necessary for giving a kick response to the market and complain its needs an organization that could be flexible and able to adapt to every market, but as you know for this you need a big standarization in those thing that could be standarized, reducing the fied axets and making more agile the way of doing thinkgs and concentrating to those things that add value to the customer.
But this standarization and synergies in some brands and in some aspects of engineering and design must be applied??
Brands like Saab and Cadillac, need more than some basic designs developed and to give to those special customers than decide to purchase one of those cars instead of a Merc, BMW or Audi.
For this reason, the big question is. What role would have the Russelheim design center in the development and design of the new Saabs(for example) and what would be the role of the Trollhattan and Saab brand Center. What would be the Power of decision and influence of the Swedes in its own products?, and how many of features and influence of the German Designers and Engineers would be applied in the Saab products?
I Imagine that in Russelheim it won’t be many Saab engineers and designers, and could seems stupid, but that Gap between Sweden and Russelheim could make a big turn around of the way of doing things(the corporation culture) and the influence in the products, that could be quite dangerous for the Saab image.
A big standarization and centralization could give to GME big advantages in costs, comunications between departments, agility in the development etc etc… but that aggility and benefits must be applied in the way of giving to Saab and every brand the capability of concentrating in its core business and giving to its products its own touches, technologies, philosophy, engineering, design….
This is a big issue, that you must take in consideration about this centralization of the resources. Its needed to have a good definition of the role of every brand, and its capability of designign and engineering its products and applying its knowledge to add value and not making badge engineering.
greetings
Mr. Lutz: One of the first challenges the new design center should take on is a Solstice Sedan.
Pontiac should be GM’s performance RWD division and have cars that have real driving excitement at an attainable price for enthusiasts. Chevrolet can provide the entry point with the Camaro at under $20,000 and Cadillac will provide the Luxury RWD cars starting in the low $30,000 range.
Pontiac needs a focus point and in the U.S. market only (2) brands have provided cars in the compact RWD segment for more than 20 years; BMW (3-series) and Mercedes Benz (190 and C-Class).
BMW is perceived as a provider of high performance Sport Sedans with the 3-sreies the most popular model on the US market. According to Automotive News BMW sold 67,919 325’s, 33,780 330’s and 5,254 M3 models in 2005 for a total of 106,953 BMW 3-series models in the U.S. BMW sold 52,722 5-Series, 9,934 6-series, 18,165 7-series and 10,045 Z4 models in the same year per Automotive News.
This makes the 3-Series the most popular BMW with over a two to one ratio over the 5-Series. This is why GM should focus the Pontiac brand against BMW and Cadillac should focus on Mercedes Benz.
In the U.S. market Mercedes Benz has the perception of making luxury performance cars and sold 60,658 C-Class models but sold 50,383 E-Class and 14,835 of the nearly same size CLS Class models in 2005, making the CLS/E-Class Mercedes best seller on the U.S. market with a total of 65,218 which is also more than the BMW 5-series. There were 27,436 S-Class, SL and CL Class models sold.
Most BMW buyers prefer all out performance over luxury and are very loyal to the brand. Most Mercedes Benz buyers like the smoother, less edgy feel of their cars and buy them in place of a BMW. Granted Mercedes does offer AMG versions but BMW also offers the M Series.
The bottom line is BMW is perceived as a provider of Sport Sedans and Mercedes has the perception of making luxury performance cars. This difference provides a market for both Pontiac and Cadillac and ones with a price differential, The BMW 325 and C-Class both start around $30,000, but the 525 starts at $43K with the E-Class at $50K and CLS at $64K. The gap widens at the top with a 7-series at $72K the S-Class at 85K and SL $95K
The Lemans (Solstice) Sedan is the car that Pontiac must build to define itself as a serious player in the performance sedan market. To minimize risk GM should offer the Lemans (Solstice) Sedan first and BTS only if the Lemans gets off to a good start. Cadillac could lose a lot of credibility if a car the size of the Solstice Sedan fails.
The Lemans (Solstice) Sedan should start at about $24,000 and have the 4.2L I-6 as standard and 5.3L V-8 optional, with the 400 HP 6.2L V8 on the GXP. A five speed manual would be standard on the base cars and a 6-speed on the GXP. I-6 models would have the 5L40-E optional, and both V-8 models would offer the 6L80-E with paddle shifting.
The best part is about the Lemans (Solstice) Sedan —- NO iDrive!!!!
The Cadillac BTS (not BLS) would offer a 300 HP version of the 3.6L V6 as standard with a 350 HP Northstar as an option and the Supercharged Northstar on the V-series. Six Speed manuals would be standard and the 6L80-E with paddle shifting optional.
The Grand Prix Sedan would share parts with the GTO, CTS and Camaro architectures and provide buyers who like the new GTO but need a 4-door. It would only offer the V-8 power trains and use the 505 HP 7.0L V-8 on the GXP model to compete against the M5.
I think Pontiac could sell quite a few $29K Lemans sedans and $36K Grand Prix sedans. Prices are what the average model would sell at – for reference a moderately equipped 325 is $37,845. The 400 HP GXP Lemans would be around $40K and the 505 HP 7.0L Grand Prix about $50K.
The base model prices are not much different than the current G6 and Front Drive Grand Prix GXP models.
These prices are for a car that drives very much like a 325 or 525 with V8 power and that great GM styling found on the European Opels and US market Solstice/Sky/Camaro models.
This is the key point and one that cannot be compromised as GM has done in the past. The car must deliver the power, ride and handling in a solid, refined, aggressively styled package.
GM has the parts and the knowledge base to build these cars at a competitive price.
GM can do it; the only question is will they?
Opel makes amazing products, they need to be shared with the rest of the world!
The Opel Astra should be in the US as the Saturn Astra.
THE NEW CORSA should be in the US as the Saturn Corsa.
The new Holden Commodore should also be in the US as the Saturn Commodore!
Why does GM still do stupid internal badge engineering exercises (such as the Pontiac G5) instead of focusing on getting good cars from Europe & Australia to the US!???
Please listen Bob!
And keep it simple!
There is NO need to change what works (The Aura’s US-style interior is a let down compared to the Opel interiors!)
Finally! Somebody gets it!
Paul:
Actually if you put a hybrid on a big vehicle you get better fuel efficiency than if you put a hybrid on a small vehicle. You save a lot more fuel percentage wise with the hybrid on the big truck than you do on the small car.
Bob
Having raced an Opel Manta in SCCA in the 1970s, I have a warm spot in my heart for their design staff. A modern day RWD Manta with 2.4 Ecotec and a 6 speed manual would be a wonderful car.
I must be crazy. I check the Chevrolet website at least once a week only to find that the little tag at the bottom of the Camaro page still says, “You can’t buy a Camaro just yet, but you’re allowed to dream about one.” I’ve owned 2 4th Gen Camaros and my family has had 2 other ones, a 94 and a 78. My grandfather is a retiree. I’ve owned 4 new Chevys since turning 17. I’m 31 now, stationed overseas and “chomping at the bit” to get a new car upon arriving back stateside. Unfortunately, for performance in the 2 door variety, I don’t have much choice from GM. I could buy a Corvette, which I dearly love, but don’t think is practical for daily driving. I could buy a GTO but I find the styling bland and the 30,000.00 sticker, while easily in my price range, a bit high for something that looks like a big cavalier. What am I rambling about, you might ask yourself.. I saw the concept Camaro and fell in love all over again. I’ve regretted selling my 99 since 2002 when I had to replace it, and I’ve dreamed of the day I could get another one. I just don’t know how much longer I can stay loyal and wait. My current car isn’t going to last forever, not that I want it to. So please, let’s expedite the production process before I go ballistic and purchase an overpriced M3 with my military discount. Oh, and on a side note: Why did GM products get dropped from the AAFES Auto Exchange Overseas program?
“Home Depot and Lowes both offer trucks you can rent. I imagine places like CostCo or Sam’s Club will be doing the same in the near future”
Renting a truck or van once or twice a week would cost more than owning 3 vehicles…. a lot more.
“There is no reason to own a huge car. In the rest of the world, people get by with smaller cars like Opels. Why can’t Americans?”
In the “rest of the world” people are (generally) less prosperous, live more in urban areas, with smaller streets than American urban areas, they have more available mass transit, they have less “open spaces”, and gas costs $6 a gallon (very high taxes). Of course they drive smaller vehicles. If you want Americans to buy smaller vehicles, you’ll need to propose some REALLY big gas tax hikes. Good luck selling that idea.
“If you want a big car, fine. But I don’t want to have to pay for the additional wear and tear on roadways, the environmental clean up from the increased fuel use, or for the geopolitcal consequences of oil addiction.”
Since heavier vehicles have larger tires, they don’t impact the highways any more than small vehicles. There is essentially no “environmental cleanup” to be done for any modern car, but, yes, there are geopolitical consequences to excessive oil use. That’s why the larger vehicles (even if they are rented) need the benefits of improved gas mileage. Hybrid, ethanol, fuel cell …whatever it takes.
“To put it another way: I have no problem paying for YOUR needs. I do have a problem paying for YOUR wants.”
Since the roads are financed through gas taxes, the small car owners are the ones not doing their share.
In the seventies, the US government forced the automakers to improve gas mileage. Well, that means a car with less weight / less power. The car buying public didn’t want such “incapable” cars, so they started buying trucks instead.
Man, with all due respect, Mr. Lupori gets me cracked up every time.
Pontiac = BMW?
“Attainable price” and “BMW” do not go hand in hand. People do not buy BMWs because they are “attainable”, but rather for an equal mix of prestige, luxury and precision engineering (known as the BMW ride). Hence, nobody, save you perhaps, cross-shops BMW with Pontiac.
I would show up at the golf course/country club with a BMW, but not a Pontiac–ever.
Just because Pontiac claims to be “sports” (which it very well could be if it pared down its line-up and focused on fewer, better-made cars with less black plastic on the interior), doesn’t mean that it’s equivalent to BMW.
This Opel looks cute, i like it!
Bring the Opel Corsa to the U.S. to compete with the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris!!!
How does “GM should focus the Pontiac brand against BMW and Cadillac should focus on Mercedes Benz” get interpreted into Pontiac = BMW?
The reference to the 3-series being the focus means that the Pontiac Solstice Sedan should be similar in size and have driving dynamics as much LIKE the BMW 3-series as possible. That’s all.
I just don’t want Pontiac to come out with a big skid pad number bounce bucket with sporty styling.
The Pontiac Solstice Sedan target market would be 25-40 year old enthusiasts that need an affordable 4-door sedan but want one that performs like the Mustang, Camaro (or other performance coupe) they may be trading.
The problem was GM has never offered a car like this before.
If GM can sell 40,000 Solstice and Sky Convertibles in the U.S. there is a market for about 100,000 Solstice Sedans and another 50,000 for a Cadillac BTS. It will also give Solstice and Sky convertible buyers a viable GM option when they have to replace the convertible.
The amazing thing about this whole issue is not one person seems to have thought what kind of car the Solstice Sedan would be. The $24,000 base sedan with a 230 HP 6 cylinder and aggressive sport styling with enough passenger and cargo space to accommodate 4 adults on a short vacation make a desirable package.
Step up to a well optioned sedan with a 320 HP 5.3L V8 power in a capable chassis for about $30,000. I don’t know of an enthusiast who would not want to at least test drive the V8 one.
Almost forgot the best part, with AFM on the V8 it would deliver 30 MPG on the highway (75 MPH cruise).
I want one.
Dear Mr. Lutz:
Would like to suggest a car/project to get some more ummmph back into Buick. Suggest a new entry, called the “Magnum”, with 357 horsepower. Of course a brand new body design, along the lines of the original Rivera, something to bring back the “jazz” and “fizz” that Buick used to have.
And for sure get rid of that terribly dull grill design. Probably six gears in the automatic transmission, for better gas milage, and really design a super inside cabin, leather, wood, GPS, a killer radio, sound system, and of course, really comfortable seats. And announce in advance that there would be only so many made that year.
Best of luck every day,
Allan
Certain parts of the car wear out or corrode. Bearings among other moving parts obviously
wear out. But they can last a lot longer. Using nickel coated stainless steel bearings[inconel(C)] for the alternator, fan, and all other parts that use bearings would be a start.
Double coating? How about triple coating the certain areas of the auto that tend to corrode?
I know gas lines corrode and the bottom back edge of the door does, along with many parts exposed to the elements.
Obviously Chemical Engineering is necessary to manufacturing autos, but it can be used to
increase the standard at all levels that the current processes are not at.
If GM would put the best metals, alloys, plastics, etc. where needed, the automobiles they made would be superior to the competition, have endurance and have incredible durability.
GM could become synonomous with the best and have the highest end automobiles, and be the envy of the automobile world. And customers would be willing to pay the higher price for these automobiles.
Not feasible? In its heyday the Model T used the best materials and was made to drive on the awful roads of that era. And it isn’t necessary to say how popular it was.
Lastly, and most importantly, as these parts were used for your cars and maybe auto production increased, more high paying American jobs would be created.
Dear Mr. Lutz:
After viewing the pictures of the Saab Aero X, I have to say that I am impressed. It would be nice to see a car based on this prototype make its way into production.
On another note, I have seen the recent Saab TV spots highlighting the aircraft heritage of the company. I think that you can appreciate the unique heritage of Saab, and the special niche that it holds in the market place. Marketing these vehicles understandably presents special challenges.
However, the ad spots running with the jet fighters are incredibly lame. This is such a kitschy approach when what you are trying to do is represent a unique and special brand. The selling message of the car should stand on the style and engineering excellence of the vehicle itself without having a lot of jets swirling around it. The spots looks like they were intended for school kids and not sophisticated car enthusiasts, who should be the intended target market for Saab.
Marketing automobiles is at best an inexact science. Sometimes you have to go on your gut and ignore what the focus groups tell you. GM can do better than the current Saab campaign.
Regards,
PW
Dear Mr. Lutz,
I would love to see more Opels come here as Saturns. You need to keep the interiors though. I do not like the RubberMaid interiors of low-rent cars here. I know the Euro-interior would be more expensive, but I have a solution:
Why don’t you wrap your luxury car dashboards in real padded leather and use quality imitation /fake leather (convincing vinyl) on your cheaper models?
That way it will look as if all your cars are upscale. It would be a very nice touch.
I also like the clean lives and lacquer paint job I see in the Corsa and Dodge Caliber consoles. It’s much better than hard plastic.
I agree with Kennedy. Bringt the Astra and the Corsa here immediately.
Better yet if they are hybrids too.
What I want is a Vauxhall Signum. I am drooling over that car. There are so many possibilities for those of us who like the style of the VW Golf but want way better reliability.
It would make a good entry-level/college car. Saturn is already popular where I am. The Astra/Signum woul djust blow everything out of the water.
Can you do that for me, Mr. Lutz? One Signum please.. Will it be the Saturn Aura 5-door?
Make the SSR four-passenger and rip-ready to go (with a sharper rear roofline). Power it up, fix the console quality and sell it for $28,000 base and I’m all over it for sure.
Also, advertise it like a regular car (a “ute” maybe). Don’t just let it languish, make it affordable and ubiquitous.
This is also a good vehicle to put the two-mode hybrid in.
Mr. Lutz: Will the new design center be creating 2 Door and 4 Door versions of the Corsa and Astra?
The Corsa 3-Door and 5-Door will provide strong competition to the new Fit/Versa/Yaris trio and needs to be offered as both a Pontiac and Saturn, much like the Vauxhall/Opel offerings in Europe. The Vauxhall nose could be redesigned into the Pontiac twin port style.
The Corsa platform should be used to introduce the 1.3 or 1.7 CDTi engines to the U.S. market and could return about 60 MPG highway.
But the U.S. market demands 2 and 4 door models.
A 2 Door coupe version of the Corsa with a rear roofline similar to the Astra Twin-Top would be popular in the U.S. market. Since the youth market is very style sensitive, a 2 Door coupe with a 140 HP 1.8L Ecotec with 5-speed manual or optional Easytronic would be popular. A Redline version with 180 HP 1.6L turbo and 6-speed would be a great platform for young tuners. This model would give GM credibility in the small car market with Gen Y and improve the perception of GM.
One reason GM has a bad perception in the market is that they never offered a high MPG (over 40 MPG) sub compact with great styling. Corsa’s with the Easytronic transmission would show GM does have high MPG conventional designs that have innovative features.
4-Door Corsa models would be different from the new Aveo by using a stretched 103″ WB with the same roofline as the 2 door coupe. This great looking 4-Door would position the Corsa Sedan above the Aveo in Europe as an Opel and in the U.S. as a Saturn. Best in class styling, performance drive-train and high MPG make the Corsa 4-Door the perfect entry level car for both Pontiac and Saturn.
The Tigra could also be offered as both a Pontiac and Saturn giving them a model for buyers looking for a FWD alternative to the Solstice/Sky.
A new Meriva and Combo from the Corsa could also be successful in the U.S. market.
The Astra 2 door is actually already designed as the Twin-Top, only needing slight modification to a fixed roof configuration similar to the G6 coupe/convertible. The fixed roof 2-door Astra’s unique hardtop design creates a new segment in the compact coupe market.
The 4-door hardtop based on the Estate model 106″ WB would be a segment exclusive and have the sport styling of a coupe. Both the 2 door and 4 door styles are favored by U.S. customers and with these models, GM could come close to the 308,000 sales of the 2005 Civic lineup with 200,000 attainable, doubling 2005 Ion sales.
For buyers looking for utility with style and high MPG the Astra Estate would fill their needs. The OPC/VXR version could replace the current SAAB 9-2X. The Astra Twin Top could be offered as a SAAB if the price needed for profitability were too high for Pontiac/Saturn. A conventional soft top version maybe created for Pontiac or Saturn.
SAAB could also offer 3 and 5 door hatch versions of the 2 and 4 door Corsa/Astra, combining sport styling with utility; something SAAB was known for at one time. SAAB could also offer the 1.9L Turbo Diesel with 6 speed automatic in the new 9-2X. These models could also be offered in Europe where the 2 and 4 door model Corsa/Astra may not.
GM has had success in Europe with the Corsa and Astra with over 1 million Corsa/Tigra/Astra/Meriva and Zafira sales in 2005, the Corsa and Astra alone representing 734,000. GM should be able to sell 350,000 U.S. Corsa/Astra models especially with 2 and 4 door offerings. The improved perception of GM as a provider of desirable high MPG small cars would draw many first time buyers who could become long term customers.
At the upcoming auto shows in Anaheim, LA and San Diego GM should have a ride and drive event for “Future Saturns” with the entire Opel line from Agila to Zafira. What better way to find out how these cars appeal to real Southern California buyers? I think the Combo, Meriva, Tigra and 5-Door Vectra may surprise with a better than expected reception – if not GM will have learned something for little cost.
I just wanted to leave this comment on the Tahoe:
What I like–
Great ride and handling – surprisingly nimble for it’s size – great turning radius – I have the LTZ – loaded and it’s as nice as the Denali or Escalade – just maybe not quite as pretty (depends on your taste) but quite a lot cheaper. Navigation Radio is Great and very accurate for anyone who travels. XM Satelite radio is a dream also. Quality has been improved inside and out over previous model. Comfort, quiet and driveability is on par with any large car.
Niggles–
Not much – if I want to be picky, then….. -Remote starter works better from the left than the right! Go Figure! -Heated seats only heat center panel of seat making the side bolsters feel cooler by comparison – still better than no heat. -City gas mileage is not terrific. Highway I have coaxed 22 mpg out of her – but not in cruise mode. V-4 works but V-8 cuts in too quickly and unneccessarily. Any gentle increase in gas pedal pressure kicks it into V-8 mode. There is a HUGE potential for GM to tune their D.O.D. system so that it would stay in V-4 longer and the truck could easily attain as much as 30 mpg on the Highway – I’m convinced of it! Maybe a button for the driver to override Active Fuel Management and make it run only on 4 cylinders until I tell it otherwise.
It could shut down 4 random cylinders so as not to wear some out over others.
Overall,
In a large SUV (room for 6-8 passengers) – it’s as good as it gets!! Get a bug/stone deflector and splashguards right away if you want to save your paint. If you do mainly ‘City’ driving you may want to wait for the hybrid due out this Fall – if you can justify the extra cost. If I had to do it again, I would in a Heartbeat!!
GM Europe is the king of small cars. Don’t let the Honda Fit beat you!
Show them how it’s done.
Bring on the Corsa, Vectra, Agila and Meriva!
Show them how it’s done man…
Plop a hybrid in them and just bring it on. Enough is enough. Time to rule, GM!
Bob,
As both a Saab and Corvette owner, I appreciated your comments. My 2004 Saab drives better than the 4 previous Saab’s I’ve owned. Sadly, it may be my last because of GM’s decision to allow GM card holders to truly see Saab as a part of the GM family. It is dissuasive factor.
Mr. Lutz,
I am have been excited about GM products from the moment I touched the throttle of, of all things, a GM Van 16 years ago and the way that it responded linearly, like German cars do.
I have been watcching with bated breath the re-emergence of the Saturn brand as a more thouroughly designed brand. The use of the Opel Vectra for the Saturn Aura is great solution to a floundering design language. I would LOVE, absolutely get in line for right now, the opportunity to purchase the other similar products in the Opel OPC line. America is ready for the European style minivan in the Zafira and the hatchback Astra are cars Americans need to have available. Saturn is a perfect place to begin differentiating the GM brands and re-badged Opels will propel saturn into the stratusphere.
Please please please. As further evidenced by the move to the Mini and further development in the super-compact market, America is overly-ready and wants it…
I am excited to hear your response or actions in the marketplace.
Regards,
Jason Adams
Mr. Lutz, you just stated that the Saturn line would be a big thing this year for GM. We think so to, but please put out a Redline model of the AURA. And please “un-refine” it as the lady earlier stated about what they did to the original concept. Put back the large aggressive fender flares, put in the center exhaust stack. Put in WHITE gauges with numbers in 10 mph increments and BIG RED needles. What is up with this 20 mph increment thing anyway. It take eyes away from the road to long to read. 20-40-60-80 do NOT correspond the any of the posted speed limits. They are mosttly 45-55-65-70 and now 75. We need to middle mark back between the 10 mph increments.
Its dangerous. Get your Ergo folks on this and put out a dash for the DRIVER. Tilt it towards the driver. All radios MUST have 2 knobs. Stop putting proprietary radios that control other things such as A/C or other gadgets. The customer may want to remove and replace the radio. Bigger buttons on all devices and lettering that can be read from across the car.
I like the idea about GM paying for a prepaid gas card for selected vehicles…why not take it a step further and negotiate upfront gas deals for purchasers of GM cars….you could get the consumer better pricing by going to Exxon and negotiating a pre-established price for all GM car drivers…Kind of like a buying organization…you give Exxon or whoever tons of volume and gives the consumer a better price…
I hope that GM can address the “insert radio here” design of its consoles.
It’s the same radio in the:
Impala
Grand Prix
Malibu
Saab 9-3 (upcoming)
DTS
Tahoe
and on and on….
I say keep the innards the same, but change the face fo the radios. Each car should have a unique dashboard/radio design.
The “corporate radio” is not working at all.
Also, the radio could be more modern in design.
I’d rather have an LCD touchscreen on all GM models (scale that) than green LED displays (Radiotron, 1970).
Shoot for the stars MR. Lutz. A touchscreen in the new and improved Impala/Malibu (all models) will blow others out of the water. This is a much better use for money than the “GM badge”.
Oh yes! Put a stop to that “corporate radio” right now!!!
It’s ugly!
Even Ford has a different radio for each division.
Reverse that, Mr. Lutz! Immediately! Integrate your radios please!
Stop the big cut-outs to insert the radio into.
Russell,
GM picks up bad habits like an untrained dog. The people at the Saab forums are already vomiting over the new 9-3 dash. The old one was awesome! The new one with the corporate radio is a disaster!
Mr. Lutz, please! Put a stop to this. There is no substitute for proper interior design. You were going so well up till now!
You cannot allow this to take root at GM. Don’t cut costs on the center console at all.
John
I see the Pontiac G5 rebadge of the Cobalt has a better radio, 3 spoke steering wheel, and a nicer looking silver trim. I certainly hope the Cobalt is getting all these improvements. If not, then you are just dumbing down Chevy for the sake of a division that has much smaller sales-it doesnt make sense.
The Cobalt needs improvements to make it more competitive. It cannot wait another year.
And why aren’t you using direct injection in your Ecotec’s to make the more fuel efficient? Don’t you use them in Europe? The Aveo can sorely use a better engine also.
And the Equinox-how can you keep that 185HP Chinese built POS when Toyota put in a much better engine their RAV4? You guys need to keep improving your products, not just replacing them in a few years.
UPDATE your vehicles!
Mr. Lutz,
Quick question regarding exterior design / paint. How does BMW make their exteriors seem so much more expensive or elegant than our competitive models – STS, CTS, etc? For some reason when you look at their sheet metal it just looks more robust, sleek, and the paint job just looks better. You close the door and it sounds different. You lock the door and it sounds expensive. When I lived in Europe I noticed the same sounds when locking an Astra, or closing an Omega door, but I have not seen any sheet metal that seems to match BMW’s. I have driven several Cadillacs that are almost there on the doors, but they end up being hard to close. How does BMW do it? Will the new Saturns utilize the European locking systems on doors? It would be a nice touch.
Cadillac should be taking cues from the Cien interior. Give THAT to DraxlMaier and watch it bloom!
Mmm, Saab designed in Germany? Why don’t you move the design center for your american brands to Sweden? Surley we could design a true american pickup truck, or…?
You own Saab, and I respect that. You have the right to own Saab and speak about it, since you bought it. But please, do not make a fool out of yourself claiming that you understand what Saab stands for, what Saab is, the truth about Saab. And don’t insult all the Saab fans worldwide with either, especially us in Sweden. Be a man, tell the truth about what you will do with Saab, since what you are actually doing is not in sync with what you say. Please do us that favour, and try to be honest about it.
I loved Saab. I grew up with the Volvo vs Saab in Sweden. But my next car will probably be a Volvo. Why?
Because I love the way a Swedish car is designed and built. And a Swedish car can never be designed in Germany, the same way a true BMW can’t be design in Spain.
So please, do us that favour at least and tell us the truth – that the Saab we all knew and loved is gone, and Saab is headed somewhere else as a rebadged Opel as long as tou think this little project is fun to tend to. You will get credit for it, and people will remember you as an honest man.
PS: Saab is not born from jets, it’s born from props. And a true Saab is made by trolls in Trollh√§ttan. DS.
Mr.Lutz, Please bring over the Opel Astra OPC and leave as is. Just put a Saturn Badge on it and call it good. I wouldn’t feel right as a GM Employee,having to purchase the VW Golf R32 variant in order to get an affordable Euro Sport. No asian brand cookie cutter sport coupe/hatch has the style and performance to match in the same price range.Also get rid of the Aveo and replace it with the Corsa. It would capture a lot of Fit,Yaris sales. Thank You.
Mr. Lutz,
your killing me with this new design center. Excuse my raving, but here we go again with more great products, that the US market will likely never see.
I just returned from France and saw every kind of SAAB and Opel, Corsa, and all with great high efficiency, high torque turbo diesel engines.
Think I can get one in the U.S., not likely. My SAAB dealer said, “don’t hold your breath.”
How about a small SUV or pickup with a TD engine, no not a 6.7L monster just enough to tow around the family and a small boat?
Why do you produce so many great products that never make it to the U.S.?
Mr. Lutz,
Keep the Vibe! Just make it cooler!
Just read on Forbes.com that Pontiac is going rear wheel drive. I hope you do not get rid of the Vibe. It’s the first Pontiac I’ve ever owned and I really love this car! It is poised to be a Dodge Caliber beater, but I’d recommend combining the AWD version mated up to the 6-speed with the factory optioned supercharger for much needed torque. Add a hoodscoop from RK Sports, the factory cold air intake, the sweet factory rims (for a lot less than the current grand apiece) and call it the Trans Am Package.
Please, keep the Vibe! Just make it cooler!
Brenan Sharp
Dear Mr. Lutz
Design has always played an important role in the automobile industry. If a design was considered a “trendsetter” and the car sold accordingly, the reward for the people behind it was manifold. Design is sexy!
What about fuel consumption? How much importance in the past was given to the engine?
Quote by Larry Burns:
At General Motors, we are committed to reinventing the automobile, for today and for the future; to minimize its impact on the environment; to promote energy independence; and to create a better, safer, more responsive driving experience for consumers around the world.
Such and similar quotes from competitors are common. But is really anything done about it? The statistics of fuel consumption, especially on US cars, tell a different story. The trend has also caught on in Europe. Bigger cars, bigger engines and more horsepower.
When we approached carmakers in Europe with a new proven technology that reduces fuel consumption by up to 30% and exhaust fumes by up to 40% we were not taken seriously. Arrogance and ignorance seem to be a common thing among industry leaders. Were are those hands on executives that look ahead further than to their next pay check? Innovation is the engine of any company – but it takes visionary people to see opportunities. Maybe somebody will listen to us and grab the chance.
In the last couple of month oil prices went steadily up. Consumers feel the impact – so will the whole world.
Mmm, Saab designed in Germany? Why don’t you move the design center for your american brands to Sweden? Surley we could design a true american pickup truck, or…?
You own Saab, and I respect that. You have the right to own Saab and speak about it, since you bought it. But please, do not make a fool out of yourself claiming that you understand what Saab stands for, what Saab is, the truth about Saab. And don’t insult all the Saab fans worldwide with either, especially us in Sweden. Be a man, tell the truth about what you will do with Saab, since what you are actually doing is not in sync with what you say. Please do us that favour, and try to be honest about it.
I loved Saab. I grew up with the Volvo vs Saab in Sweden. But my next car will probably be a Volvo. Why?
Because I love the way a Swedish car is designed and built. And a Swedish car can never be designed in Germany, the same way a true BMW can’t be design in Spain.
So please, do us that favour at least and tell us the truth – that the Saab we all knew and loved is gone, and Saab is headed somewhere else as a rebadged Opel as long as tou think this little project is fun to tend to. You will get credit for it, and people will remember you as an honest man.
PS: Saab is not born from jets, it’s born from props. And a true Saab is made by trolls in Trollh√§ttan. DS.
There is excitement in design, but designers should be restrained from causing a significant deterioration in functionality and safety. After renting a 2005 Impala, and driving it over 1000 miles in a week, I was extremely impressed with it. I would not have hesitated to buy or recommend it. However, the 2006 Impala, although it is still impressive, has a serious design flaw. The outside mirrors are pointy, and their functionality has been significantly compromised. The visibility has been reduced to the point that I would not buy a new Impala nor recommend it to anyone. The same thing can be said of Malibu and G6. I am currently recommending the new Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 series. These cars have excitement in design without significant impairment of functionality.
Bob Lutz, remember that.
I have to agree with many sentiments expressed above. GM really needs a North American design center somewhere far away from “The Tubes” California for example. Somewhere where the designers and engineers can be free to use their imaginations and turn automotive design into an art form again. The Camaro concept proves that the classic coke bottle shape hasn’t been fully explored, perhaps that shape would look good on a RWD replacement for the grand Prix sedan as well. Right now I believe your designers are being stifled by to much internal politicing. They need somewhere away from all of that to fully develop their ideas, and see what works. I think also that certain design screwups (pardon the expression) could also be avoided. What screwups? take a look at your new Roadsters. The fuel tank is located directly over the rear axle, a location which almost totally negates any usable trunk space. Other roadsters of this type don’t seem to have such poorly located fuel tanks. The Miata doesn’t, the Alfa Spyder’s didn’t, hell, even GM’s own Fiero had a better placed fuel tank. The over the axle tank is also a big reason why the GTO isn’t selling very well. For such a large coupe, people expect a decent sized trunk, something that the current “Goat” just doesn’t have. Hell, it also severely limited trunk space in the previous F Bodies, giving the Mustang a clear advantage in practicality. Important since many of those cars are used as primary vehicles if their owners don’t have kids to carry around.
once GM can establish a seperate US design center (something that’s helped Ford a great deal by the way), Then when a well thought out, beautiful design is brought to light, the bean counters can be told to find a way to make it happen, rather than them saying what can or can’t be done. I’m sure nobody will care about “Invisible parts” such as a Corvette using the same washer bottle as an Impala and the same door trim clips as a Cobalt. As long as they all come together well and work as they are supposed to.
I am sorry that so many of the “future” GM cars still look like SUV’s. Does Chevy have a car to compete with the Toyota Prius, or even the Hyundai Accent. Some of us have always thought that smaller is better and more people are joining us in that opinion these days. Also, considering the global market, SUV’s just don’t make sense. I am sure I ma not telling you anything you haven’t already hear, but I just thought I’d add my 2cents.
GM vehicles are looking really good, but i think that Gm needs to bring back the look they had like the chevy look and the gmc look on suvs and trucks, instead of copyin everyone else and making the cars square