L.A. Story
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
The Los Angeles Auto Show is under way in southern California, and General Motors has a high profile at this year's event, now moved to November from early January, which I think was a good move on the part of the organizers.
It began last night with the introduction of the Buick Enclave by Rick Wagoner, with an assist from Tiger Woods. The Enclave, which we first showed as a concept at the 2006 Detroit show, is now ready for production. I think it's a great example of what we've been discussing all year right here — the renewed emphasis on quality and craftsmanship and attention to detail at GM Design. But I'll let you investigate it for yourself and tell me if you agree.
Today, Rick made a very important speech at the Motor Press Guild's annual show kickoff breakfast. Rick outlined our plans to lead the industry into a new era of technology, with a broad array of advanced solutions to the challenges facing automotive transportation today.
We'll also be unveiling the new Saturn Vue that I wrote about last week, as well as a hybrid version of the Saturn Aura, the Aura Green Line. In addition, we'll be showing the upcoming GMC Yukon Hybrid, an application of the two-mode hybrid system developed with BMW and DaimlerChrysler that we'll be shipping next year.
Please click on the following links to take a look at these new cars and trucks, read the text of Rick's speech, and watch video from our Los Angeles events, and be sure to tell us what you think.
Video: Rick Wagoner's keynote address
Video: GM news conference
Speech: Rick Wagoner addresses the Motor Press Guild
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Wow! GM is busy today!
Caught a nice brief from Mr. Wagoner today during my power lunch. Okay it wasn’t a power lunch but it felt empowering. I thought, “Where’s Lutz, he must be in the trenches.” Because what I heard the other day does not jive with Lutz’s vision. Lutz said GM WILL be in every niche in the future, now I hear GM is thinking of ditching the minivan.
WHOOOOOOOOWP WHOOOOOOWP
Okay pull over I am going to have to cite you for holding up the fastlane. Now don’t say you weren’t swerving and going slow I was following you for the last 100 miles.
What do you mean you’re dropping the minivan. Look go to any libary 12 o’clock in the afternoon on any weekday, what 50% of the vehicles are minivans. You want a portfolio that looks like swiss cheese or velveeta? So it took you a good decade to catch up to the crossover market now you plan on doing the same with minivans, a segment Detroit created. I guess GM is in the giving mood, send Toyota a red bow while you give the gift of the minivan market to them. On top of the fact that the Astro and Safari are gone where is GMC’s midsize utility van?
You know what I guess that’s what this forum is for anytime you slip up, slow down or doze off we will wake you up with flashing lights and sirens. Okay one more time let’s review. You lay out the perfect portfolio for each brand then figure out how to get there and don’t slow down on the vision.
Now I am going to let you off with a warning this time…
Wait a minute weren’t you the one I caught sleeping at the Buick wheel?
Mr. Lutz,, I think it would be a plus to put our hybrid buses into perspective of how much fuel they actually save,, Compare this to other hybrid passenger vehicles and point out that higher consuming vehicles make sense to ” tackle” for fuel savings. Give us some stats on how much they save
Bob~
I have three letters for you GTO. Where, when? Thank you.
Good efforts Bob. Hope the Milage difference in the Hybrids is Major. One thing in the regular new cars, Could you please speed up the turn signals? The newer cars and trucks, for instance the H3, They make the vehicle look like it has an electrical problem. Thanks!!
Mr. Lutz: I like the new VUE and thanks for offering the 6-speed automatic with the 3500 V6, any chance E-85 capability will be added to this engine?
If not the 2008 VUE Twin mode hybrid system should add E-85 capability along with the rumored “Plug In” capability giving it 29/40 MPG capability on gasoline and around 30 MPG on E-85.
The new Enclave is all that the concept promised and only needs an “Ultra” model with the 5.3L AFM V8 from the Impala SS and a “Limited” model with the 2008 VUE Twin mode hybrid system to make this a full lineup.
Hopefully the Tahoe Twin mode hybrid will be able to deliver the 18/26 MPG that a 25% increase from the conventional one would calculate to. Again how about E-85 capability, GM has it on the SAAB BioPower hybrid so it can be done.
The Enclave,which was first shown as a concept
Bob, why does the US get the sub-par Vue interior? The Opel Antera has a much nicer interior (think center stack)even though they’re supposed to be the same vehicle. The interior in the new Vue just looks cheap.
Great job GM!
I am really delighted and excited that GM announced its plan to offer a plug-in hybrid electric Saturn Vue in the coming years.
For a short-distance commuter like myself, I think the plug-in hybrid approach offers the best chances of reducing environmental impact and oil dependence. I can plug it in each night and save gasoline the next morning!
Because I subscribe to a green power program with my utility company, this means that my car will be that much “greener.”
I was afraid that the first PHEV would be a goofy impractical vehicle, so I am especially happy that GM’s first PHEV is going to be the Saturn Vue, which is almost an ideal mix of size and utility for me.
Great news for GM on the plug-in hybrid. I just hope that the delay between “announced” and “available” isn’t as long as usual for GM. It’s always disappointed to see/hear something new only to find out you can’t get it for 2 or more years.
Saturn’s really looking good with all the upcoming products. I’m really looking forward to hearing some exciting Pontiac news in the next couple of months (and hopefully it’s not that it’s becoming a 4-banger tuner division as has been rumored).
I love the Enclave! GO Buick!! What I liked most about the Enclave introduction is when Wagoner said “there are more dynamic Buicks in the pipeline.”
That is so exciting and I hope one of them is a convertible.
GM’s current and future line up looks strong and the imports will feel it. You need to expedite the use of the new 5&6spd transmissions as soon as possible in all the cars and trucks. The next cobalt needs to be a real hit. Strong bold styling inside and out. The Saturn Astra must have a 3door hatch version and must have a Red Line turbo version. Keep the Astra name. Also a high performance AWD version of the Astra and/or next cobalt would be important. Interior plastic quality needs to improve. Soft and low gloss and rich natural colours, no light grey. B segment in NA can not be ignored. A smaller rear wheel drive sedan would fill a great niche. Keep up the great work.
Bob,
Will the hybrid system on the Yukon be available on a model near the base price? I have a family of 7 and our household income is nearly 90k a year, but there is absolutely no way that I can afford to drop 45k on a vehicle. Unfortunately, hybrid vehicles like the Yukon tend to only be available in loaded form. That’s certainly all that I ever see on dealer lots whether it be Ford, Chevy, Toyota, or Honda. Please work to change this and also work with the dealer network to stock some less-featured models.
See how much ink you got with the plug in Vue announcement?
I wish that the technology was going into something smaller and lighter, with better aero, but it’s a start.
Where do we put our deposit down to get in line to buy one? When will it be available?
What Buick needs is a station wagon a la A6 allroad quattro!
Hi Bob,
I’m happy to see that the new Enclave will hit the roads soon. It’s not exactly the Buick I’ve been dreaming of but I’m sure it will be popular.
Now, I hope that there will be other great surprises from Buick soon! And as Rick Lupori suggested, it would be great to see an Enclave Limited… I’d see this model with a longitudinally mounted hybrid V8 and 4 portholes!
I just noticed that a picture of my Buick was chosen to be on the FYI GM blog here’s the link:
http://fyi.gmblogs.com/2006/11/thursday_nov_30.html
Bob
I care very much about Buick. With the exception of the 95-96 Riviera there havent been any recent Buicks I want but I hope for Buick to build cars I like someday.
I think Buick should become a baby Cadillac. Cadillac should move more upscale and Buick should follow. I would have a family resemblance between Buick and Cadillac.
Cadillac would be 90% v-8s and Buick maybe 70% v-6s. Cars like the CTS 6 would be Buicks Cadillac would build the 8. Cadillac would build cars like the STS 4 door and
a 2dr version called the Eldorado with v-8s and a Buick version bearing a resmblance would have the 6 cylinder version. Cadillac should be benchmarked against
Mercedes and Buick benchmarked against Audi for example. For too long GM has ignored public perception of its brands. GM needs to find a way to get the public to percieve Cadillac as an equal alternative to Mercedes while Buick should be percieved as an equal alternative to Audi but with Lexus quality. The near luxury field is dominated by imports. Customers in the 40 to 60 age range now routinely consider imports first in the near luxury field. This is because the Americans have been disorganised for too long and have only been thinking about making trucks. Bob, I know that you head is in the right place. I know you are trying to bring back rear wheel drive. To be like the Europeans Buick must have rwd. I applaud what you did at Chrysler and I applaud what you are doing at GM. I applaud the changes at Cadillac, the Solstice and the future Camaro. I applaud the fact that there will be rwd Impalas and Buicks built in Oshawa. I think you agree that GM must look back to its rwd heritage. Before the rush to wimpy fwd drive cars in 1986 GM still had an over 40% market share. I blame GMs decline on the fwd cars that started in 86. GM by default handed the luxury and near luxury field to the Europeans starting in the late 70s.
The future successor to the Lacrosse should be rwd and offered as both coupe and sedan. The successor to the Lucerne should be simalir to the STS with a 2dr called the Riviera. Would it be too expensive to build a 2dr Lucerne and call it a Riviera?
I would like to see the Rioviera as well the Eldorado make a comeback. These can be high profit hedonistic cars. If GM built a 2dr Lucrene called the Riviera and sold between 15000- 20000 units would it be profitable? The time might be right for coupes to make a comeback now that SUV sales have peaked. I suspect that SUVs and coupes compete against each other. I know a number of people who used to drive coupes and then switched to SUVs in the mid 90s. The last Riviera started out with sales in the low 20,000s and then declined to about 10,000 a few years later. I think the complete dominance of SUVs in the public conciousness of the mid to late 90s as well as the forcing of daytime running lights in the late 90s helped cause the decline. Is it a coincidence that GM began forcing daytime running lights on customers in the mid to late 90s and that market share subsequently declined a few years later?
Personally I hate daytime running lights and regard them as a deal breaker. Why alienate those customers who dislike this feature?
Mr. Lutz, It’s good to hear that GMs direction is now focused on alternative fuel like Vue plug-in hybrid. Mr. Wagoner also said that the biggest challenge for the plug-in is the battery but according to him it’s surmountable. If it’s surmountable why it is that he can’t give specific timetable for the production of the plug-in hybrid. Why he announce it to the public if he is not certain?
I hate to say it, but I’m a little disappointed with the Enclave interior. Maybe an Ultra version will solve my issues down the road? Yes, you kept most of the shapes of the concept, but all the really differentiating features, like the wood tray tables, gorgeous overhead console, and electroluminescent lighting got dropped. I’m also disapponted that the HUD, something many Buicks have had in the past, is an option on the Acadia but not the Enclave. For middle aged drivers with middle aged vision, like myself, HUD is a great feature, and one that makes the difference between a car I’d prefer and one that represents a compromise. (As it sits, we’ll probably replace our Envoy XUV with an Acadia in ‘08.)
IMO, GM should also spend a couple of bucks to have more than, what, about 5 steering wheels spread over dozens of models? The fact that the C6 Corvette doesn’t have a unique wheel is unbelievable, and practically unforgiveable (I have an ‘04 C5, and at least it doesn’t have a steering wheel I can find on a Pontiac Torrent!)
Overall you’re making big improvements, but what you need to be doing is scaring the competition. So far, I doubt Toyota is very worried.
Bob,
Bottom line, besides the Lucerne, Buicks lineup is disgraceful. The Lacrosse is a styling dud. There is nothing about that car that excites me in the least. How do you expect to compete with Volvo S40, Honda Accord, Chrysler 300, Hyundai Sonata, as well as probably 30 other models, when this is what you bring to the table? The Terraza, please, I don’t even want to get started on it. The Rainer was ok at one point, but its design is starting to age, and it is not aging very gracefully. Last and least is the Rendezvous. Im not really going to say much about it, because I know its getting dumped in place of the Enclave. The fact that it made it this far however, is a mystery to me.
Its good to see that you have put some ideas back into Buick, but The Enclave certainly isn’t going to save them on its own. Put out models like the Velite, get a new sedan going with some style, and while your at it, try bringing back the Grand National. If you do it right, that could defiantly get people talking about Buick again.
Other than that you guys are doing an incredibly good job. I cant wait to see the new Chevy’s at the Auto show.
Good luck,
Frank
I’d like to make a general comment pertaining to GM’s fuel efficiency. First of all, my family has been Toyota owners for decades. All of the cars we have ever owned from Toyota got an average of 25-27 MPG, and were primarily 4 cylinder models with few whistles and bells. Indeed the cars were reliable with an average of 200k achieved before we would buy another one.
Anyhow, I recently took a trip to see my folks. Me and my wife rented a car from Nashville to Raleigh, NC.We rented a Pontiac Grand Prix. As someone who has no experience with GM products, I have to say that I was very impressed with the car’s amazing fuel economy. Despite having a very peppy V6, we got on average 32 MPG.
I was also impressed with the attention to detail such as the automatically adjusted volume control, the layout of the interior, and the way the car handled. Admittedly, some aspects of the car felt cheap and needed polish, but considering the lower price of this model, it was more than sufficient.
The reason I am posting this is because while your current commercials mention that you have more cars that get 30+ MPG, I don’t think the public is fully aware of the fact that many of these cars are actually full-sized and equipped with conventional aspirated engines and not costly hybrid technology. When I think good gas mileage, I think small and compact, devoid of features, and cheap.
If more people knew that they could get a decent car fully equipped with great acceleration, a bigger engine, and a full compliment of features like the car I rented that got over 30MPG, you might be able to persuade more owners of import cars to consider GM brands.
What I am saying in conclusion is that more needs to be done with your campaigns that emphasize value through affordable innovation, fuel economy that doesn’t translate into “economy” cars, and more detailed explanations of the many features your cars have to further enhance the consumer’s awareness of your vehicles.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the car I rented. I hope to see this quality continue and perhaps once the time comes to upgrade from my 12 year old toyota truck, I might be looking at some GM products.
-thanks!
Hi Bob,
The Enclave and Vue look like winners. Glad to see GM getting it together. I am also glad to see a RWD Impala that will share components with the Camaro and possibly a Buick. I suggested this in one of your early blogs. Some more free advice, bring back the front tint strip on your windshields. Your vehicles look cheap without it and it is functional.
Bob,
This is a great looking wehicle inside and out. I only hope that it is convincingly differentiated from its sister vehicles – unlike the Pontiac Cobalt and Chevy Pursuit twins (mix up intentional).
I also hope that it proves reliable over the long term.
In response to a post above, pls do NOT bring any family resemblance between Buick and Caddy. Do not forget the 1980s, where the only differentiation between several Pontiac, Olds, Buick and Caddy’s were the tail lights and front fascia. There is no way to measure the long term damage this did to brand identity. Caddy has its own identity now and should keep it.
On an unrelated note, please stop putting the GM badges on all GM cars. They are too small to see – they are not serving their intended purpose of letting people know what vehicles are part of the GM family. Instead, they look like blemishes and disrupt the lines of the car, especially since they are on different places on all models.
Thanks,
Chris Hayne
Bob, so far so good. But what happened to the minivan?! I will be purchasing a sedan for myself next year. I feel the new CTS will be the one; however, my wife will need to replace her minivan in 2009. SHE WANTS another minivan! Please, do not force me to look at ToyoHonda vans!
Congratulations Rick and GM on a fascinating speech the implications of which will be felt in the industry and on the world for decades to come.
Now I want you to know on this same day Microsoft was introducing its new Vista software, this same month Sony introduced the new Wii and Playstation introduced the third generation. Look all those things pale in comparison to what GM is doing. They introduce the same pig with a new suit but look at ethanol alone.
This one industry alone can put a factory in hundreds of towns and put thousands of people to work. It can increase the price of depressed farm crops to prices farmers never thought possible while enriching farmers and investors from Souix Falls to Niagra Falls and diverting billions and billions of dollars from the Middle East to middle America.
And we already saw when GM stock was going up this year all of Wall Street was counting their windfall. Once dead and dying portfolios saw signs of life, Blue chip stocks came out of their 5 year slumber, money once tied up in real estate coming back to the market. The dow tested new highs and blew past 11,000.
Yup, make no mistake, there are a lot of things going on but if you want to help America, make no mistake, you have to help GM and all the other ships can get pulled along. So I don’t care what kind of operating system or game system if GM is doing well we all look pretty.
You know some people like to volunteer on the bread lines and that is good, but how about helping before they get there. Let’s teach each other how to fish. Two ways.
Technology – Fuel for the vehicle.
Design – Fuel for the soul.
Look, nobody in the car world cares about Buick or Tiger Woods. Where are the hybrids and the RWD V-8s with stick-shifts? People now either want retro muscle or modern super-efficiency, not more mediocre front-drivers.
And honestly, using the Saturn Vue as the forefront of your hybrid platforms is like, well, like using the Aveo as the forefront of your small car platforms.
Honestly, your marketing people would have it a lot easier if you all would give them decent product to market.
How much further do GM sales have to fall before you realize that a consumer with the funds to purchase a new vehicle has the intelligence to choose a quality car?
Rather than trying to put lipstick on a pig (or a hybrid engine in a Vue), why not make sure there’s a real hybrid version of the Enclave available ASAP?
It’s a lot easier to take great strides once you stop shooting yourself in the foot.
Congratulations on the excellent showing in LA! From all accounts you guys stormed the fort and captured the most positive media attention out of all the auto companies at the show. I hope this is the start of the swing in momentum you need in the public eye. The product is there, perceptions need to change. I think this was one of THEE major steps in getting that ball rolling. I can’t wait to see what is in store for Detroit this year at the NAIAS. See you there!
Phil!!! I LOVE those cars of yours!!! (O.K., I am partial to the Wildcat, seeing as how I have a ‘65 convertible.) I believe it is a custom, for it is the 46667 body, but no cornering lights. I too would like to see more from Buick, especially if they would get back to their heritage, building great looking cars along the lines of the ones from the ’30’s to the ’60’s. One has to wonder (as a car to bring people into the showrooms) if they could take the engine from the Rainier and add 2 cyl to it and make it a dohc inline 8. Now THAT would turn heads to see the scripted “Buick Eight” on a car again. Happy motoring!
It’s good to see GM rebounding in this business-changing, more fundamental way. The GM of the 1960s couldn’t succeed today. Kudos for the hard work; it just didn’t seem possible that the leaders of THE giant American manufacturer couldn’t figure out the correct path, and sure enough, you’re doing it (just don’t let up). And it’s good to see GM taking a lead on reducing oil dependancy. I hope the new hydrogen car makes it to production within 5 years. Wouldn’t it be something if GM is the one to lead the USA away from the vicious circles of the middle east. All that would be left to do is the RWD Impala. Style it with the same elan & confidence of the early 60s Impalas, Biscaynes and Belairs, and you’ll have my first GM sale since 1984.
Oh James,I suppose daytime running lights can be shut off, but why? My insurance has dropped over $150 since I got a car with DRL, plus dummys who occasionally look up from their cell phone calls can see me better.
Dear Mr. Lutz,
I already was watching the latest innovations and vehicles from GM, especially regarding the LA Auto Show, on your website.
My proposal: Please, get the Hybrid-System of the Saturn Vue XR also for the Opel Antara, which seems to be a twin to the Vue. In Germany Toyota/Lexus is doing advertising on its Hybrids very intensively at the moment. I think it would be a great thing for Opel to demonstrate that they can provide something like this, either. And I presume, an Antara Hybrid would be less expensive than corresponding offerings from Lexus. At the same time Opel would leave its main competitor (Volkswagen) in the dust.
Good to see that the 6 speed automatic is making it to the 3.5L V-6 as indicated with the ‘08 VUE. The new VUE weighs almost 500lbs more than the ‘07 and is about the same size. That’s alot of extra weight.
I think you need to make it a 6 speed manual vice 5 speed manual for the 4-cyl VUE. My ‘02 VUE runs at 2900 rpms at 65mph. That’s too much and increase noise in the cabin.
Once again, get that cheap spongy steering wheel out od the Saturn Aura immediately.
Get a better grade of standard leather
in the car too.
And while on the subject of seats, DO NOT ALLOW YOUR SUPPLIERS TO GIVE YOU IMPRECISELY STITCHED AND UPHOLSTERED SEATS ANY LONGER!! AT ANY BRAND!
I looked at the Enclave site and I could see that imprecision already. FACT, YOU ARE THE ONLY MANUFACTURER THAT STILL ALLOWS THIS BULL****!!
END IT NOW, BECAUSE PEOPLE NOTICE!
One thing that I would like to see GM do is develop a more refined portfolio of semi-luxury cars on par with Lexus. While I do think Cadillac has gone a long way since it’s 1980’s granny-style sedans, there seems to be a lacking mid-section. You have the lower level CTS and upper STS. Both of these cars are fine in their own regard. They do offer a more unique option for the typical C-class Mercedes and BMW drivers. But something is still missing from the Cadillac brand in general.
In a broad sense, I still feel that the final finishing touches on the Cadillac models is lacking. The cars show and photograph well, but upon close inspection, one can see that the treatment of the interior materials, and some smaller items like exterior trim are throwing the whole experience off.
This is an age where even the tiniest things make a big difference. For example, if I go down the freeway and see components of the car’s suspension and exhaust system, I pay attention to the machining quality of those components.If I see Chevrolet style exhaust mufflers on a cadillac, it’s an immediate turn-off. It is attention to these small details that add up to the whole. Skimping on anything on a modern luxury car is simply unacceptable to those used to paying a premium for some of the European and Japanese makes.
That said… GM has an advantage over the current Japanese and Euro makes by NOT being amazingly boring or plain.
Despite clever sheet metal treatments and velvety-smooth ad campaigns, a Lexus still looks like a Camry. Inside and out. is it quality? Yes. Does it look exciting? Not a chance. Lexus has an undeniable Japanese kitchen appliance look to the interior. Very comfortable. Very well made. But nothing to brag about.Bland is a good word to use when discussing Japanese luxury cars. But people buy them because they promise undeniable reliability that gives them an array of gadgets that fail to break unlike their European rivals.
Similiar things can be said about Mercedes and BMW- but more so in Mercede’s case. It seems like many European brands are creating rather bland-looking sedans these days. The Latest lineup of Mercedes looks like an upper end Kia. That bubbly plasticy look is not befitting of their marque.
Seeing as how both of these brands do not fair as well when it comes time to report their reliability, it is fascinating that people buy them still. The reason they buy is because all of these brands pay attention to minute details. People that buy these cars like nice things and will take this over actual mechanical reliability.They are in essence overpriced cars with substandard quality.The marque is their most valuable asset.
So… what does this mean for GM? For one, Cadillac’s current design philosophy is one that is very distinct in a world of rounded, boring looking luxury cars. Your upper end Cadillac models are indeed stunning to look at.At the same time, reliability of Cadillac vehicles are much higher than the European sedans, thus some of the same value that you get with a Japanese Luxo brand.
Hence there is a need for a mid-level Cadillac model as well as a continued effort to iron out the kinks that result in finished products that still need some more panache’ in order to get them up to par with the current competition.
Lastly- THANK YOU for getting rid of the former “been a long time!” commercials for Cadillac. There’s nothing better for tarnishing your brand’s resurgence by using trash-rock from the 80’s to sell it. The current Life liberty and pursuit is WAY better.
If you do these things, I can guarantee all those Bimmer owners who are fed up with paying $150 for oil changes and suffering from rampant electrical problems will come running.
Mr. Lutz,
I like the positive direction you keep moving General Motors in. The new Enclave looks to be great! Yes I am actually talking about a BUICK! (That old persons car!) Please Mr. Lutz keep pricing down, I want to walk out the door with a CXL and hardly any options for 30-32K in FWD! Please keep the price down, then watch them fly of lots. If the price gets much above low 30’s for a FWD CXL I will most likely not buy one. Then I will look at a Torrent or something. For some reason I keep coming back to the Enclave!
Mr. Lutz you have beening doing a wonderful job and with Wagoner I know you guys can keep turning GM around, keep the GM revolution going! Oh and where is the Bonneville? That name shouldn’t have been killed, bring it back! You really are just hurting Pontiac, don’t make silly choices like that. Names evoke mermories and heritage take advantage of that! Other than that job well done and its looks like another GM product will be in my car-port!
-Best of Luck
Chris
P.S. You guys can take on Toyota and BUICK can beat LEXUS!
Hey, Bob I love the fact that you continue to set the record straight about GM and its cars and trucks. I always do the same when confronted with doubting customers at our Saturn dealer in Schaumburg, IL. Thank You and Jill for the great cars and trucks that Saturn is getting. I have followed Saturn since i was a little boy, and i currently have an sl2 that i put 240,000 miles on it. I have a sweet spot in my heart for this division because of the special circumstances in which it was created. Thank You for allowing this gold mine brand to finally command full respect in the market with sexy product and import busting customer satisfaction!
Bob,
I would first like to say that I think you (as well as Mr. Rick Wagoner) are doing a great job of turning around GM but I hope you don’t rest on your laurels because there still is plenty of work to be done. I also hope that you read these blogs because the people on here care a lot about GM and more importantly are your current, future and potential customers.
Interiors, interiors, interiors . . . . . . . . .I keep reading how GM is making better interiors for their cars but I recently was on a business trip and rented a Pontiac G6. I walked up to it and thought it was a very nice looking car, but as soon as I looked inside I was shocked at how CHEAP the interior materials were. The plastic was the cheapest, hardest stuff I have ever seen. I have owned a VW and now an Infiniti and maybe I am spoiled but you have to do better. You don’t need to have all the bells and whistles of a luxury car, but please use better materials. Do you ever see the interior of your base cars that are destined to the masses? Maybe you should if you don’t.
As Lexus is beginning to introduce its new 7 speed automatic it is disgraceful that GM is still using 4 speed automatics for many of its cars. People don’t want ancient technology.
Cadillac and Chevy should be your premier brands. That means you should either cut GMC, Pontiac and possibly Buick or severely cut back the product b/c you are taking money away from your better brands. Take the new Tahoe, it’s awesome and should be a class leader but instead you spread the money around and offer 3 average SUVs instead of one class leader – the same thing goes for the Solstice and Sky. If you don’t want to cut your brands at least carve out a niche for them:
Pontiac – rear wheel drive and only three models: Solstice, G6 and the GTO
Buick – all wheel drive mid-American luxury and only 2 models: a better looking Lacrosse and Lucerne. If you must have a cross-over, give it to GMC.
GMC – cut it, it is taking away from Chevy.
I recently bought an Infiniti G35 6MT 2 door coupe (305 hp 6 sp manual) and I love it. I really wanted to buy a GM product but there was nothing that caught my eye. I’m 34 and wanted a sporty yet luxury 2 door coupe. You guys really dropped the ball on the GTO b/c that could have been HUGE if done correctly. I hope that GM has a car the next time I look to buy, but by then it may be too late b/c Infiniti did a great job earning my business and even a better job in keeping.
Good luck and thanks for listening to me.
Bob Lutz, I dare you to take some advice from your own book by getting brave (I’m referring to the book entitled “Guts” which seems to bear no relevance to Lutz’s performance at GM). Reinvent the Buick GNX. A turbo V6 with well over 300 horses stock. That will atleast give Buick some significant press for a change.
I sincerely hope GM comes out with strictly high quality vehicles that are radically different in design than the competition.
“Bob Lutz, I dare you to take some advice from your own book by getting brave (I’m referring to the book entitled “Guts” which seems to bear no relevance to Lutz’s performance at GM). Reinvent the Buick GNX. A turbo V6 with well over 300 horses stock. That will atleast give Buick some significant press for a change.”
Posted by: Brett on December 3, 2006 02:59 AM
I wholeheartedly agree that Buick a GNX would get people talking about Buick! However, Bob can’t do it alone as he’s not the only one who makes decisions at GM. He’s doing his job.
He’s been at GM since 2001. However, from what I read, it’s only now that we’re seeing the full Lutz effect (i.e. – Pontiac Solstice & Buick Enclave).
I can assure you, more homeruns & grand slams are coming as long as Bob at GM.
Chris,
There is no way on earth you’re going to get an Enclave for $30,000. Plan on spending at least $34,000 and more like $38,000 when it’s all said and done.
It’s a luxury car.
Bob,
Three quick questions:
First: Can I get details on the Astra? Will the five door be available? Will it have the 1.9L CDTI engine available?
Second: Does GM have plans to build a small, 5 door, 40+ mpg (city) car? I’m going to be in the car market very soon, and that’s the car I want. If GM makes one, I’ll buy one.
Third: Why didn’t Rick Wagoner take the pledge, proposed by members of the Rainforest Action Network, to be the leader in fuel economy by 2010? Do you think this is because GM can’t do it?
There’s nothing better for tarnishing your brand’s resurgence by using trash-rock from the 80’s to sell it. – Edvard
Unless you’re talking about some other commercials I haven’t seen, the song used was Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” from 1971.
And Zeppelin is far from “trash-rock.”
“Where are the hybrids and the RWD V-8s with stick-shifts? People now either want retro muscle or modern super-efficiency, not more mediocre front-drivers.”
Actually, I’d love to have a retro muscle car that also gets decent mileage. Who wouldn’t?
BTW anytime GM wants to build something approaching the sophistication, comfort, luxury, and performance of the Citroen DS, SM, and CX series of (non-mediocre) front drivers, I’m sure you’ll find some interest. Alas, not even Citroen makes those odd, quirky, exotic cars anymore.
GM wants to bail out of the minivan market? Not a smart move, in my opinion. The possibilities of the minivan platform haven’t come close to being fully exploited:
Police minivan- room for 2 officers in front, with a backward-facing “security seat” in the rear (molded fiberglass with a trough to collect discarded contraband), and a large center section for stowing specialized police gear. Not designed for “pursuit,” that’s why you need to bring back the turbo-6, RWD Buick Grand Nationals.
Firefighter minivan: room for 2 firefighters up front, a rear-facing “rapid deployment seat” for another 2 firefighters in the rear, center section for stowing firefighting gear; rear seats fold flat quickly to convert to a mini-ambulance for evacuating injured people quickly.
That’s just off the top of my head, I’m sure an imaginative designer could come up with dozens of other “niche market” applications.
Why do we all assume that fuel efficiency is the sole domain of the “cheap economy car?”
I can probably name a dozen high-end cars that use exotic, lightweight materials in their construction, but these types of cars are generally designed to be ultra-high performance vehicles. Wouldn’t these same lightweight materials also make sense in a high-dollar luxury sedan that also gets great mileage?
Robert,
I posted on your blog quite prolifically last summer. I was a big fan of yours but extremely critical of GM and by extension your “product” efforts at GM.
While I wouldn’t declare victory for GM as its problems run much deeper than product and include marketing, branding, loyalty, pre and post sale customer experience, etc, I have to give credit where it is due.
The product coming out of GM and expected to come out of GM has shown some pizazz. I don’t see any more Aztecs, Cobalts or Malibus. Frankly, the product GM needed to succeed all along was in the portfolio. It was overseas. With the Aura, Vue and hopefully a few more jazzy cars here from Europe and Australia as well as some “decent” American designs, the portfolio is better. But, the Lacrosse, G6 and a few others are still sorely lacking new product launches.
And, finally, if for nothing else, embracing green concepts including a plug-in, will give GM some much needed positive billings.
You aren’t hitting too many homers yet but at least you are connecting with the ball. Can we speed it up a little in the compact, subcompact space here in the US? Your product is still extremely weak. And, what gives with the Aveo? Are you telling me that thirty years after the Chevette you cannot come out with a subcompact, almost micro, that doesn’t deliver more than mid 30s mpg? How about an Aveo plug in or a six speed or a diesel or something to get that up to 55mpg?
Best wishes and continued successes.
“And Zeppelin is far from “trash-rock.”
-Admittedly, I got the era incorrect on that song. But to make my previous point a bit more clear, paring baby-boomer rock with a brand that needed to be brought into the 21st century did little to translate the modern design into something BMW and Mercedes drivers would want to pay attention to.Frankly, the ad campaign lacked sophistication and simply made the whole brand look silly.
If you look at the kinds of commercials BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Acura, and Audi use, they ALL use the same kind of montotone, sort of obnoxious style and ‘elitist’ language that makes the cars seem more important than they are. Sales are no longer called sales. They are called “events”. Or my personal favorite- the Lexus ad with the deer that gets in the way of the Lexus SUV with the revolving headlights. “What kind of difference does it make?… a very noticeable one.” That makes me want to roll my eyes. Pu-lease… No need to use unecessary rosy language. Then again, it obviously works for brands like these since they do sell well.I think they are very well aware that the majority of their consumers are suburbanite soccer moms who aspire for luxury, hence using such breathy, overly ‘important’ sounding ad campaign must do much to appeal to a seemingly growing segment of the middle class US populace eager to embrace upper class symbolism.
I can understand why you would want to appeal to baby-boomers with Rock N Roll from the 70’s, but if you want to launch a older brand into a new era, you need to approach it from all angles and hit all age brackets. So while a 50 year old might be nodding his head in appreciation, the 30 year old will simply pass off the car as one for stodgy old men. Why not advertise to 25 year olds as well? Why not experiment with truly unique advertising styles until a niche is found with the product?
That said, the current campaign is about 200% better and at least strays away from the throng of boring, dry commercials produced by the competitors. I would like to see more exploration being done in this vein.
I heard about GM coming out with a plug-in hybrid? I actually sought out information on GM for the first time in my life. Plug-in hybrids are a no-brainer. I would love to buy a domestic car, this would give me good reason to. A fully electric car would be even better. The coolest car i’ve seen this year: the Tesla.
Amen Barry, 12/5, 11:04 AM.
Check out the back to back road test of the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa on page 44 of this week’s Autoweek.
Weight:
Fit 2432#, Versa 2722#
Mileage:
Fit – EPA combined 35 mpg, AW overall 34.3
Versa – EPA combined 32 mpg, AW overall 31.1
You can say anything you want about EPA mileage numbers, but I think that the AW numbers have a lot of credibility. And they aren’t feather footing either!
Note that the Honda has a SOHC engine and a 5 speed manual. Not exactly rocket science. Come on Aveo, get in the game.
Does anyone know how much an Aveo weighs?
I am a salesman for Buick Pontiac GMC, and I would love to see some of the interiors currently put in GM Holden vehicles sold in Austalia. The G5 is a start, but we could really kick some Japanese butt with some of the designs our company is currently retailing worldwide. Is there a reason the U.S. market always gets shortchanged in the styling of our available vehicles? The Commodor and Monaro shells are beautiful, and would sell very well here. This is the most important time in GM’s history in our market, and we need winners!
As evident above, including my own post up there, a lot of people are very focused on interior quality these days. Bob Lutz and GM management likes to talk a good game in this area, lately, yet I noticed that the Enclave is already getting some negative comments about interior quality from the press. Like this recent snippet pasted directly from Edmunds: “After a brief sit in the front seat, some of the plastics and vinyls still seem questionable to us…”
Sigh. Why, oh why can’t GM fully commit to interiors good enough to preclude this kind of criticism? You’ve known about the problem all through the development time of the Enclave, presented an absolutely gorgeous interior concept, and yet this production version barely has time to dent the carpet at the L.A. Auto Show before influential writers are already noticing corner-cutting!
I love GM too much to let this go. You’re still making it very hard to argue to people, as an enthusiast, that GM is every bit as good as any competitor, when you hold this up as the example.
Paul, you’ll be hearing more about the Astra very soon. As for your other questions, at this point, there is no conventional car available in the U.S. that gets 40+ mpg in the city. The best is the Toyota Yaris, with EPA ratings of 34mpg city/40 mpg highway. The comparable GM vehicle is the Chevy Aveo 5-door. The label numbers are somewhat lower, 27city/34 highway. However, the EPA calculates that difference works out to less than 60 cents a day in gas, if you drive 15,000 miles per year and pay $2.65 per gallon of gas. So for many drivers, this is getting pretty close to a wash.
No full-line manufacturer — American or Japanese — can pledge to be the “fuel economy leader.” The midsize and full-size trucks demanded by millions of Americans inevitably burn more fuel per mile than smaller vehicles. GM continues to make consistent improvements in fuel economy, and is the fuel economy leader in a number of model-to-model comparisons. The expanded commitment to biofuels and hybrids that Rick Wagoner made at the Los Angeles Auto Show is the real deal, and it is backed up by one of the strongest R&D departments in the business.
Tom Wilkinson
Director, GM News Relations
I can understand why you would want to appeal to baby-boomers with Rock N Roll from the 70’s, but if you want to launch a older brand into a new era, you need to approach it from all angles and hit all age brackets. So while a 50 year old might be nodding his head in appreciation, the 30 year old will simply pass off the car as one for stodgy old men. Why not advertise to 25 year olds as well? – edvard
I’m a 25 year old and I love Led Zeppelin. (Though “Rock and Roll” isn’t my favorite song of theirs.) But those commercials irk me because the same folks who loved Zeppelin in 1971 are the ones buying Cadillacs now, and that depresses me.
Will I turn out that way? I hope not. Cadillacs, to me, are for rich, old guys who complain about capital gains taxes and live in gated communities. I don’t ever want to be like that. Of course, the same goes for Lexus, BMW, Audi, and other luxury brands, so GM’s not alone in that perception.
The kind of commercial that really gets to me is the new one that Toyota’s running. It says “we all have our reasons” for driving smaller, more fuel efficient cars. That’s the kind of person I want to be perceived as by people who see what kind of car I drive. Are there any GM cars that exude that mentality? Not that I’m aware of. They all seem focused on power and prestige; things I’m not interested in.
In other words, I don’t want to be the high-powered executive in a Cadillac. Or the tough working man in a Chevy. Or the speed demon in a Pontiac. I want to be the treehugger in a Prius or Civic Hybrid. Or on my scooter. Where’s the GM car for me? And the VUE and Aura don’t exactly cut it. They’re too “normal” to be “treehugger” cars. Also, they’re too big for the parking situation in my neighborhood.
And since my first reply to this post was ignored, probably because I mentioned a certain non-profit organization whose acronym is also the past tense of ‘run,’ I’ll reiterate my first two questions for Mr. Lutz:
1) Will the Astra 5 door make it to the states? Will the 1.9L CDTi engine be available? Or will it have a hybrid system available?
2) Is the change in classification of the VUE (from SUV to ‘crossover’) a reaction to the negative connotations that the term ‘SUV’ has taken on?
“there is no conventional car available in the U.S. that gets 40+ mpg in the city.”
No, but there is a simple answer out there that you at GM are already working on at least for large trucks. Clean diesels. A year ago I drove my wife’s parent’s VW Jetta TDI wagon. With all 4 of us in it, with luggage, going over the Blue Ridge mountains it got close to 50MPG the entire 1200 mile trip. In the city it was around 44MPG. This is a no-frills, 5 speed manual, 1.9 liter turbo diesel car. It doesn’t use hybrid technology yet gets better fuel economy than a Prius.
Honda is currently working on a clean 4 cylinder and even a V6 for future products. These engines exceed 2009 EPA clean air requirements. With the recent introduction of cleaner diesel fuel in the US, the way is now clear for car makers like your company to develop not only the clean diesels for full size trucks you’re currently developing, but smaller and even mid sized cars and trucks with smaller diesels.
Everyone keeps talking hybrid, plug-in hybrid, ethanol, etc etc when all along the simple solution is researching smaller cleaner diesel engines.
Now… just imagine a diesel hybrid… 70+Mpg. This is your golden ticket. Jump on it before Honda does it first.
Noel: The Aveo 4D weighs 2531 (manual); 2542 (automatic) the 5 Door weighs 2343
(Source: Chevy Website)
Paul: Did the rainforest guys ask ALL of the other automaker executives the same question?
It would only be fair to ask all of them.
Not picking on you, but I wish these environmental groups would get on board with alternative fuels and give GM some credit on E-85.
GM is one of very few automakers actively working to not only make vehicles that use E-85 but make the fuel available to consumers. We need any and all available solutions to our energy and environmental problems.
I agree with you on the Astra or Corsa for the U.S.
Just read a road test by HonestJohn in the UK on the 1.3L Corsa which he stated the Corsa delivered “the best economy figure I have ever achieved in any car”
(57.76 Imperial, 48 MPG U.S.).
Mr. Wilkinson: Will the Astra Twin-Top, Estate or Panoramic Windshield equipped 3-Door models make it to the U.S.?
Hopefully next to the 4-Door and 5-Door models.
GM needs to fast track the Corsa here also. I know Mr. Lutz said it would be a few years but GM needs this car today.
At least offer the 1.3L Turbo Diesel or the new 1.8L VVT in the Aveo with a 5-Speed Automatic.
As for your other questions, at this point, there is no conventional car available in the U.S. that gets 40+ mpg in the city.
Yes. I’m not talking exclusively about conventional cars.
However, the EPA calculates that difference works out to less than 60 cents a day in gas, if you drive 15,000 miles per year and pay $2.65 per gallon of gas. So for many drivers, this is getting pretty close to a wash.
Unless gas prices go up, which they are guaranteed to do in the short term. Also, quite a few people are choosing more fuel efficient cars for more reasons than gas mileage savings.
No full-line manufacturer — American or Japanese — can pledge to be the “fuel economy leader.” The midsize and full-size trucks demanded by millions of Americans inevitably burn more fuel per mile than smaller vehicles.
Wouldn’t having the best-in-class fuel economy in every segment be the same as being the fuel economy leader? Why can’t GM say that?
Did the rainforest guys ask ALL of the other automaker executives the same question? It would only be fair to ask all of them.
You’re right, it would only be fair to ask every car company. But imagine if they did, and the Toyota or Honda executives said “Yes, we will pledge that we will have the best-in-class fuel economy for every class of vehicles we produce in by 2010.” It would be a complete PR coup, taking the wind out of the sails of every other auto maker in terms of fuel economy.
I’m asking GM why they couldn’t say that. It’s very disappointing and irritating to me to see them run from a group like the Rainforest Action Network, and then complain about their perception amongst treehuggers like me, and the public in general.
Not picking on you, but I wish these environmental groups would get on board with alternative fuels and give GM some credit on E-85.
I am on board with alternative fuels, and I think biodiesel, and E-85 to a lesser extent, are going to be important stepping stones to a post-fossil-fuel economy.
But there are three issues I have with the way GM is handling biofuels:
I only vehicles that GM advertises as E-85 capable are large vehicles that are already inefficient, like the Suburban and Avalanche. Why can’t the Aveo or the Cobalt run E-85?
GM is also neglecting to inform people that vehicles running E-85 get poorer mileage and decreased performance because of the lower energy content of ethanol. This could be why the smaller GM vehicles, the ones I’m interested in, don’t run E-85.
Third, GM is completely ignoring biodiesel. As edvard said, the TDI engine in late-model Volkswagens is not only very efficient, but also very capable, and doesn’t require complex new technology. Also, it can run any blend of biodiesel with no change in performance or fuel economy. (Emissions actually improve with biodiesel.)
GM has cars in Europe, like the Lacetti CDTi or the Astra and Corsa, that run diesel engines and get phenomenal gas mileage. However, they’re not bringing them to the states as a ready-made answer to the hybrids that other companies are releasing.
Finally, the idea of using corn, which is a very resource-intensive crop, to produce fuels is inefficient. I realize, however, that there is quite a bit of research going into cellulosic ethanol that will be able to use just about any plant material, from grass clippings to corn silage to switchgrass, as feedstock, which will lower the amount of energy necessary to produce it.
” I want to be the treehugger in a Prius or Civic Hybrid. Or on my scooter. Where’s the GM car for me? And the VUE and Aura don’t exactly cut it. They’re too “normal” to be “treehugger” cars. Also, they’re too big for the parking situation in my neighborhood.”
Paul makes a very good point here. As silly as this might sound, if you look at the numbers out there, the Prius is beating the living crap out of all the other hybrids. Why?- because it LOOKS like a hybrid. The thing looks like a giant door wedge on wheels. In my opinion, the car is hideous. But it appeals to people who buy them because they want to make a ’statement’ about the kind of person they are. From a practical standpoint, the Prius and none of the other hybrids really make that big a difference in the scheme of things. They get better, but not fantastic fuel economy, especially since they rely on a potentially costly bank or replacement batteries to achieve the 15+ MPG extra they get in the real world ( not anywhere close to the 60MPG initially claimed).
So in the end, what you have as hybrids are simply mediocre cars with somewhat better fuel economy. But image is stronger than practicality in this country, and even if they only got 5MPG extra, people that want to be perceived as tree huggers would buy them anyway. Image is everything, and slapping a hybrid sticker on a stock Chevy truck will never cause people in this camp to come clamoring.
As far as the kind of consumer that buys Lexus/Audi/BMW/etc etc… All I can say is that when I come into work every day, I see an enormous amount of these cars in the parking lot.Many are driven by younger guys barely out of college. Many are probably leasing them, and for others it eats away at most of their income. Indeed I see some of the fat-cat type old cigar-chompin’ men driving them as well, but just like the Prius, a Luxury car, or any car for that matter fits in the same camp of perceived ideology. So what that the C-class Mercedes is really just an econo car with Mercedes skin over the frame. Who cares that some of the jaguar and Volvo models have Ford engines under the hood. People don’t care about what it might have came from as long as it at least feels and looks like quality.
Go out driving around and just look at the newer malls and huge houses being built. Most are built with cheap materials, sprayed insulation, plastic siding and stucco. It looks nice but the reality is that its a smoke and mirrors show. Americans want to feel good about themselves, no matter what they drive or how they live. if you can put them in a product they feel good about, then that’s what companies have to focus on.
I guess that’s why I am fascinated by the auto industry: half of the business is judging consumer psychology.
Bob,
Please use the Lambda platform to build a smaller version of the Avalanche along the lines of the Honda Ridgeline. It will sell like hot cakes if it looks anything like the Avalanche!
Just a thought from one of your dedicated suppliers.
Regards,
Jim Hersey
Mr. Wilkinson:
34 mpg city/(Yaris) vs. 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway (Aveo) is not “a wash”. It is the difference between excellence and mediocrity. That is GM’s problem in a nutshell.
edvard is absolutely right that perception is everything. People want to make a statement about their committment to the environment and to reducing dependence on Middle East oil. They will go with the top line number every time, even if the Fit/Versa/Yaris cost more. So it is with the Prius, as edvard so correctly points out.
Thanks Rick. I guess I could have found it myself if I looked hard enough. Also, your insight into the GM offerings in Europe is highly educational, if totally frustrating.
If the Aveo 5 door is actually 89 pounds LIGHTER than a Fit, then what’s the problem? Mediocre engine package and lack of the Fit’s 5 speed automatic. Come on guys. Send an e-mail to Korea – “Get with the program!”
Tom,
I’m assuming your response was positioned at least in part to my question. It appears from the comments there are quite a few of us who respectfully would appreciate more out of GM in the compact and subcompact space.
Now, I appreciate your response but if I was the CEO at GM or head of product development, the Aveo would not have made it out the door in its current implementation. And, if someone gave me your canned answer, I’d let you know that type of response is never to be put forward as an excuse in my presence. Ever.
The Chevy Chevette got the same mileage (EPA) as the Aveo does thirty years later. 27mpg city is the best you can do in a car smaller with less curb weight than the Chevette? This is a sign to me that GM’s insular attitude still exists. Defending a poor implementation of a product?
When I was in college twenty years ago, my room mate had a Rabbit Diesel that got over 40mpg in the real world.
GM has spent more money on research in the last thirty years than the amount of money NASA spent to create a whole new set of technologies to send a man to the moon and we get 27mpg.
That attitude will not win GM converts. Nor will it cut it with an empowered consumer looking for leadership before they consider GM products as we’ve heard how the General is going to change many times only to see momentum for change die on the vine.
The true sign that GM has seriously embraced change is not to suppress criticism but to embrace it rather than rationalizing what we all know is a very sub par implementation of a subcompact. The good news is GM can and should amend the Aveo as well as bringing the Corsa to America as another poster has pointed out and Lutz has promised. Then see the markets will respond.
Depending on whether you have a sedan or the Aveo5 the curb weight is 2300-2500 lbs.
Bob
Paul: One reason GM is reluctant to make a pledge of “have the best-in-class fuel economy for every class of vehicles we produce in by 2010.” is that it is nearly impossible to do given the number of competitors and that only one of them has to market one vehicle that may give up driveability for maximum MPG.
A better pledge maybe:
“Have one of the top three fuel efficient vehicles in every segment we are in.”
This may seem to be cop out but it is a pledge that could be accomplished and would force all competitors to focus on fuel efficiency.
GM already has accomplished this pledge in several segments.
You are correct about GM marketing large vehicles in E-85 advertising.
GM does offer the Impala and Monte Carlo with E-85 capability and the Impala delivers 26 MPG in the real world on it. Granted it is not the 32-35 MPG possible on Gas, but 26 MPG is better than many of the Impala’s competitors deliver.
GM offers the 2.4L engine offered in the HHR, Cobalt and G6 with E-85 capability in Brazil and I would really be interested in a HHR LT2 with this engine.
As far as lower performance this is not entirely true, if an engine is optimized for E-85 it should perform better since E-85 has a higher octane than gas.
A very desirable Aveo, Corsa or Astra could be made by offering the new 1.6L 115 HP VVT engine that will debut on 2007 European Astra models in the spring. Given E-85 capabilty and a light pressure turbo it could deliver excellent MPG on E-85 with class leading performance.
Bio-Diesel has some fuel quality standard problems right now but they should be worked out within a year. This is holding many manufacturers back on full support as is the fact that true “Low Sulfur” Diesel is not available in 100% of the U.S.
I agree with you and edvard on the Diesel issue and would like to see a little “give” on emissions from some states. A very small difference in emissions for a year or two will make little difference on the environment and it is not like they will sell 10 million diesels in these states in this time. It will take 3-5 years before diesels are widely accepted and PURCHASED by the the public in the entire U.S. market.
I would agree that there does need to be a solid deadline set and adhered to.
I do believe that our world class farmers and bio-chemists will find solutions for using nearly all forms of biomass to efficiently produce ethanol, butanol or hydrogen.
The most interesting alternative of all is based on 2.5 billion year old “technology” and can not only produce fuel from Algae but cleans the air while doing it.
This brings up another subject.
Mr. Lutz, Mr. Wagoner or Mr. Wilkinson: Can any of you tell us why GM has not made a blog entry for the award winning HUMMER O2 Algae fueled design concept?
This two dimensional design concept uses phototropic panels filled with algae to produce pure oxygen from CO2 even when is it parked. The used algae can be recycled as biomass for fuel production and the vehicle itself is 100% recyclable and is made from post-consumer materials.
Granted it is just a concept but it looks like a viable vehicle that could be on the market in limited numbers by the 2015 target date for the design challenge.
I went to the Arizona International Auto Show and was disappointed that I could not sit in a Solstice especially the GXP model. Saturn had the Sky Red Line to sit in so I dont understand why Pontiac couldnt have a Solstice to sit in.
While I’m at it lets design the new GTO with the 66 or 67 in mind. If you dont think customers would be visiting your Pontiac dealers your crazy. Hey Bob visit with the Pontiac clubs throughout the nation or easier yet pick up a copy of High Performance Pontiac and Pontiac Enthusiast and see what the Pontiac faithful are looking for. Its not hard. Pontiac has a fanatical fan base, just ask us.
Great idea to have Pontiac go rear drive but they do need a bread and butter car to sell to the masses like the G6. Keep the old names and do not switch to G names. We like the Bonneville, Grand Prix, Tempest, Catalina, Firebird, etc. Customers do not go to Pontiac dealers looking for Minivans, Sport Utes, economy cars. They go to Pontiac dealers for performance and style.
Thanks for listening!
Firebirds and Trans Ams will always live on!
As said other times, instead of changing the cars to consume other fuels, change the fuel to be used without problems in today’s cars. As said before, B100 biodiesel can be used by cars that are already using fossil diesel. To gasoline-powered cars, the answer is biobutanol. A guy drove across the U.S a 1992 Buick Park Avenue without engine modifications. So, if we can run our rides on an eco-friendly source, isn’t it better to prevent a huge shredding of existing vehicles just to change them to new ones? Hey, if I can run a 1960s muscle-car on clean-power without changing its big-block V8, it would be great, don’t you think?
Bob,
You said this:
“Toyota has become the ‘default’ car purchase for many Americans. To get Americans out of their Toyotas you have to give them more than just another automobile to buy. You have to make them want the other car. This is why compelling design has become so crucial.”
Here:
http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee964d8
How can you say this is true for the Cobalt, G6 and Lucerne or LaCrosse?
You have got to hit home runs every single time. I am interested to see what your MCEs will bring for these models. The Cobalt has to redefine the segment in terms of style, interior materials, fuel economy and refinement–as well as interior space. Good enough and “pretty good” won’t cut it.
The Lucerne needs a shot of adrenaline–and a different platform. Th einterior is not up to Enclavve levels–and neither is the exterior for that matter.
No more bland, big cars. Time for real, eye-catching style.
The LaCrosse is an unadulterated mess.
It looks ugly, with nary a majestic line.
It needs to go. Sorry!
Build something more palatable on Epsilon II; with style that will attract younger buyers.
Lastly, do not dumb down Art and Science for the BRX!!
There are too many “round blob” SUVs in this world. Make it more comfortable, stylish and roomy than the RDX/X3 with more power, better handling and drivability and fuel economy.
It should have the two-mode hybrid too.
The Aura is good, but the interior is not the best you can do at GM. The 4-Speed has go to go, and the interior has to be visibly superior to the Camry/Accord.
It also cannot lack feature slike navigation and keyless start/go or rear armrests for that matter.
Integrated interior design is the key.
Lastly, with GMC as you premium truck brand–along with the Escalade–I wish you could do something to better differentiate them visually on the interior.
They should have a totally different interior cabin environment than Chevrolets. Then you may be able to getmore people to look at them.
Just changing the dash is not good enough.
I know you have to amortize costs, but I am sure you can use design to your advantage.
Another thing I would like to see in the GMT 900s is a panoramic sunroof. This should be widespread now.
GMC needs it own keyfobs (each division does) and interior lighting and design should differentiate it from other divisions
New materials on the interior should help play up the industrial feel of the inside.
As for the Escalade, it should be walking all over the Range Rover’s interior.
This vehicle needs it all–including a sophisticated suspension and stitched leather everywhere–and all the bells and whistles.
Keep it up! Keep pushing the bounds!
Let’s just get those interiors rolling.
Rick- We actually have a post about the Hummer over at FYI. Take a look, and thanks for the good question.
I’m a little suprised. I make a comment somewhat critical of GM and asking for a high-mileage car and I’m not told to “Go buy a Toyota.” Maybe attitudes really are changing…
Thanks to John for bringing this to my attention:
To get Americans out of their Toyotas you have to give them more than just another automobile to buy. You have to make them want the other car. This is why compelling design has become so crucial. – Bob Lutz
For a lot of people, myself included, design for design’s sake isn’t enough for us to buy a car. If it doesn’t work well, and I’m not talking about just reliability but also ergonomics, intuitiveness, and predictability, it’s not good enough.
Also, not everyone is a car guy. I need a car that will get me from point A to point B as cheaply and reliably as possible. Toyota and Honda have done this for years. I don’t need flash, and I don’t need power.
I think the Astra, properly implemented, could break into the “Toyota” market. It’s nice looking, but it also looks like it’s got good design fundamentals.
Bring it over with a full range of engines (diesels included) and don’t try to market them like Pontiacs.
Paul,
Why are you on this blog? I cannot understand why someone who hates GM so much would spend so much time on a GM blog attacking everyone who doesnt agree that GM does everything wrong.
While you (and most ToyoHonda buyers) obviously don’t care about styling, it is important to many buyers Saying GM should ignore design because it’s not an important factor to a “treehugger” like yourself is silly. Almost every car has decent ergonomics, good build quality, a quiet ride, etc. in today’s world so design is going to be a differentiating factor as we go forward. It’s amazing that you haven’t been offered Wagoner’s job since you have all the answers and it’s all so simple. I would also like to know why you are putting the responsibility of introducing diesels to this market on GM’s shoulders and no one else’s. Americans have not embraced diesels and it makes no sense to attack GM for not offering more of an engine type that people don’t want. I think the fact that two cars offer diesels in the US for this model year speaks for itself. You obviously have double standards when it comes to villifying auto manufacturers. GM can do no right and you are blind to the faults of their competitors. Very unproductive and disingenuous. It’s apparent your only purpose here is to air out your vendetta against GM. You talk about the Aveo’s mileage but dont talk about GM’s aggressive hybrid program. Why is it Honda or Nissan or anyone else hasn’t announced similar plans for expansion of hybrids? Your point seems to be that GM doesnt care about fuel economy but the facts don’t back that up at all. 34mpg subcompacts are one thing, but you have to look at what each manufacturer is doing as a whole to reduce gas consumption. Honda hasn’t even committed to making one hybrid truck or SUV. Does that make any sense if Honda is such a “green” company? The Fit is great, but the Pilot gets the mileage of a V8 with V6 power.
I am also amazed by all the G6 and Cobalt bashing here. Reading these comments one would think these two cars are amongst the worst on the road. The Cobalt is a little dull but it’s refined, has better than average power, three engines and a SS supercharged model that will outrun the Civic Si. What is so wrong with that? Aside from pedestrian styling I think the Cobalt is a nice small car for those who are looking for basic transportation. The G6 is one of the better looking cars in this class. It has a powerful 4 cylinder, an affordable midrange V6 and the 3.6 DOHC V6 with 6 speed in the convertible model. The G6 is more than a match for the underpowered Fusion and stacks up pretty well against the Accord. I personally do not have a problem with the G6’s styling at all, especially with the 17″ and 18″ wheels. It looks better than any Accord or Sonata I’ve ever seen.
Why are you on this blog? I cannot understand why someone who hates GM so much would spend so much time on a GM blog attacking everyone who doesnt agree that GM does everything wrong. – sheth
I’m on this blog because I’ve got a vested interest in the success of the US auto sector. If Ford or DCX had a corporate blog, you can bet that I’d be there making the same noises.
And not everything that GM does is wrong. GM, however, isn’t doing much right in the sectors that I’m interested in. Their compact and subcompact cars, at least the ones available in the US, are underwhelming. If and when I get details about the Astra, I might change my mind.
Look at it this way: If GM doesn’t know what I want, how can I criticize them for not making it?
I’m not attacking people who don’t think GM is doing everything wrong. I’m telling GM what I want and what I think would work. If they didn’t want criticism, they have the ability to tell the moderators to delete my posts. It’s very honorable of GM to allow criticism here.
It’s amazing that you haven’t been offered Wagoner’s job since you have all the answers and it’s all so simple.
I don’t claim to have all the answers. I think I have a few of the answers. I also think I bring a different perspective to the discussion. I’ve tried to keep my criticism constructive. And if GM would like to pay me for my insights, I won’t say no.
While you (and most ToyoHonda buyers) obviously don’t care about styling, it is important to many buyers Saying GM should ignore design because it’s not an important factor to a “treehugger” like yourself is silly. Almost every car has decent ergonomics, good build quality, a quiet ride, etc. in today’s world so design is going to be a differentiating factor as we go forward.
Design for design’s sake isn’t helpful. Design that helps ergonomics is more helpful. A few examples are the Fit’s innovative backseat design, or OnStar’s voice navigation, or the adaptive headlights on the Astra.
But when design interferes with ergonomics, like a rising beltline and descending roofline that reduce rear visibility, or BMW’s iDrive system or, according to a few hilarious videos I’ve seen, the new automatic parking feature from Infiniti, then it’s going to drive people away from vehicles.
I would also like to know why you are putting the responsibility of introducing diesels to this market on GM’s shoulders and no one else’s. Americans have not embraced diesels and it makes no sense to attack GM for not offering more of an engine type that people don’t want. I think the fact that two cars offer diesels in the US for this model year speaks for itself.
I’m not putting the responsibility on GM. I’m making the suggestion that they’d do a great deal to solve their perception problem if they would just bring over the diesels they have in Europe that are both getting rave reviews and excellent fuel economy. People could finally walk into a GM dealership and walk out with a car that gets over 40 mpg.
Honda hasn’t even committed to making one hybrid truck or SUV. Does that make any sense if Honda is such a “green” company? The Fit is great, but the Pilot gets the mileage of a V8 with V6 power.
That’s great, but I’m not in the market for a Pilot. I am in the market for something like the Fit. And GM doesn’t make anything that compares favorably. At least in the U.S.
The LA AUTO SHOW was informative as usual, and I’m glad GM gave us some insight there towards their promising new hybrids (Saturn showing the most wrt cars) and the Camaro.
However, the crowds seemed thickest around the European brands, especially VW. Given VW has an awful dealership and reliability record, why are so many people looking at their cars? My guess is, aside from offering the ride and handling enthusasists crave, VW vehicles fill niches the US manufacturers still ignore.
Example: The small SUV or micro wagon. GM offerings either have weak engines (the Theta’s 185 HP Chinese engine excels at nothing), or – still – half finished interiors showing improved plastics but lapses in fit/finish and seat comfort.
If VW can sell these, so can GM. Getting vehicles from Opel (like you did for the ‘04 Malibu) are fine by me, but please keep them intact and don’t “cheap ‘em down” just because we are USA consumers.
Paul: I have no problem with you posting your views on this Blog, I believe that is what Mr. Lutz and GM created it for.
I do not always agree with you, but isn’t that what make the U.S. the greatest country in the world. It is OK to voice your opinion and disagree with others.
I must say that GM has posted views on this blog that surprised me, and they should be given alot of credit for it. They have proven they are more than willing to listen to many views on a subject even when it is not complimentary – this is more than I can say about the mass media.
Seth does bring up an excellent point about Diesels.
I would like to see the U.S. adopt one emmission standard for diesels. I believe this is now the main reason diesels are not widely offered here.
I cannot blame any manufacturer for being hesitant about developing a diesel for the U.S. market.
This is thing that has always bothered me about environmentalists. They do not always compromise on issues that actually hinder the implementation of technology that would help the environment.
The U.S. has some of the strictest diesel emission laws in the world and they do not need to be “tightened” further. At least for the 3-5 years it will take before diesels are sold in any real numbers across the U.S.
Is any thought given that a new diesel will replace a high polluting older diesel?
Or that the CO2 emissions will be lower on the new diesel than the gas powered trade in?
In this time I am sure that the necessary technology to meet very strict emission standards will be economically available.
It will help HCCI technology and direct injected gasoline engines. Alternative fuels like E-85, CNG, Bio-Diesel, Butanol and Hydrogen in conventional engines will be aided.
Do you know why diesels aren’t successful in the US market? One *primary* reason. In the late 70s, early 80s we were in a similar situation with gas prices. GM introduced an automotive diesel that was the lemonest of lemons. Main bearing failures galore because they didn’t increase the strength necessary to handle the additional stresses of a diesel from a gasoline copied design.
Now, GM would never, ever in a million years do that today. But, having the largest domestic manufacturer introduce such a sour taste in the mouths of consumers set the diesel initiative back three decades. This round diesels will be here to stay and I have little doubt GM will be a leader this time.
It has nada to do with tough emissions. It has everything to do with diesels created a sour taste for consumers as a primary. Secondarily, it might have been emissions, smell, mildly less performance, etc.
I had a laugh when the neo-hippies jumped on stage after Mr. Wagoner left. You just have to love people who make fools out of themselves. I’m surprised it didn’t make a big mark in the press coverage of the LA Auto Show.
You can talk about the Acadia, Aura, and Enclave, but the vehicle that really counted was the Camaro. I saw the red car at the premiere last show and the silver this one. If I wasn’t a poor kid paying for rent and school, I’d be gearing up to buy one when it comes out.
I know it’s not part of the green chat going on, but that’s the car I want. I just love that car.
Doubting Thomas Here
Regarding the new crossovers (Buick and the other rebadged versions) being released by GM….I am going to make a prediction.
First, I do support GM but not blindly; poor decisions (SSR, badge engineering, ancient drivetrains and engines dating back 30+ years, terrible, heavy designs, missing entire markets, the inability for them to get control of the company wrecking unions, job banks, etc…) DRIVE ME CRAZY and the people responsible for these things should be sent to Toyota!
However, the first thing that will happen with these new crossovers is Motor Trend will run a comparo against the Marano Vs. Pacifica, Vs. Ford Freestyle (is Ford still making cars? I am not sure. Thanks UAW!) Vs. Volvo Cross Country wagon and perhaps throw in an Audi.
Guess what will happen?
While I don’t want to see this, I’d be willing to bet my wife’s 2003 defunct Olds Bravada that the Freestyle and the GM crossover will round out the bottom two spots in the test no matter who they are put up against.
We’ve seen it ALL before:
1) GM here is close but the engine starts wheezing at 4500 rpm while its competitors pull strongly to 6000 rpm
2) The steering is vague on center
3) There is a rattle in the drivers door (like my wife’s truck)
4) The trim around the license plate is not applied improperly (like my wife’s truck)
5) Terrible wind noise around the a-pillar (like my wife’s truck)
6) It is the slowest vehicle we tested
7) It gets the worst observed mpg of the group.
It will be just like the test Motor Trend did on the “new” Mailbu SS. LAST PLACE. GM got beat by – of all things – the Mitsu Galant! That floors me. So GM faithful will sit back and say to themselves we will have to hurry up and wait – AGAIN for something that might get lucky and hit the mark.
I hate being part of a losing team.
Excessively strict emission standards have been singled out in countless press releases by every major auto maker in the U.S. market.
The same time GM was selling subpar diesels Audi, BMW, VW and Mercedes Benz were selling quite a few diesels in the U.S. and over the years I have read many articles from very happy owners wondering when diesels would be available across a wider portion of the market.
The high demand for diesels in light duty trucks and the fact that GM has thousands more buyers wanting a Duramax diesel than are available is testament that the “sour taste” is not a problem.
Diesels of today have few of the noise and smell problems of those from the ’70’s. Now that low sulfur diesel is available across the U.S. the only roadblock to automakers offering diesels are the strict standards in a few states. States that make up a large portion of the market and one that would be most likely to embrace them.
In the late 70’s early 80’s Rabbit diesels with the spare mounted on the tail were very common in southern California and many owners would make special trips to Baja just to fill up the large tanks they would install.
If these strict standards did not exist I can guarantee there would be at least a dozen diesels available in the U.S. market for the 2007 model year and by 2009 every automaker would offer more than one.
Of course this will not happen and as usual we will have to put up with higher emissions and fuel use because of short sighted policy making.
I would also point out that this same poor judgement will keep diesel hybrids out of the U.S. market.
Is this really what we want?
If anyone is genuinely serious about the environment they need to enable automakers to create vehicles that will solve our problems instead of insuring they are never made.
A little reality, it is not like dead birds are going to litter the road behind diesel powered cars because they spew so much pollution that they are knocked from the sky.
Sorry, for getting sarcastic.
It has nada to do with tough emissions. It has everything to do with diesels created a sour taste for consumers as a primary. Secondarily, it might have been emissions, smell, mildly less performance, etc. – Barry
There are more and more people who don’t remember those bad diesels GM made. And there are plenty of good diesels available in Europe right now that are proven designs.
Rick,
Indeed it was a very serious problem of sour taste. It was so bad that 60 minutes ran a story on it. GM’s diesels in the v8 passenger car market destroyed demand. Since most of those consumers are dead or too old to drive, we now have an opportunity to re-intro diesels. Yes, the demographic of a GM diesel buyer was 50+ at that time. The slate is now clean enough.
Sorry to disagree but you, my friend, are wrong. And, 5,000 Audi diesels a year in a market with 17 million new cars sold and 2-3x that many used cars sold is a poor statistic to support your position.
Dear Mr Lutz,
Your team has done an excellent job on the new production Buick Enclave making it as close as possible to the concept vehicle. Well done!
However, I am disappointed that this luxury family vehicle is lacking very popular and important features found in the competetor offerings: heated & cooled seats including second row and Bluetooth wireless communication. I sincerely hope these features will be available at least as late model year options.
Thank you.
Warren.
Toronto, ON
Canada.
“Since most of those consumers are dead or too old to drive, we now have an opportunity to re-intro diesels.”
Posted by: Barry on December 18, 2006 11:50 AM
I’m 38 & very much alive. One of my daily drivers: A 1983 Buick LeSabre diesel. I rebuilt the engine at 215,000 miles, and it has 237,000 miles now.
The DX block engines (1983 & after, I think) were fine engines in the hands of an experienced diesel owner.
My dad (also an experienced diesel owner) bought this car new in 1983.
The lack of knowledge from owners and even service people contributed greatly to the demise of these engines.
I wonder why the designers of cars use such old ways of doing things. I mean my philosophy is use waste not haste. I mean why dont they use the heat.???
Enclave’s lookin’ good. You know, Buick would still work great as a niche brand with just the Enclave, the LaCrosse, and the Lucerne in the US line-up. Nothing else is really needed. Three classy, good-looking, useful cars for the US, and 3 is just enough for the Chinese to think Buick’s a big deal on US soil too.
CHEVY LOVER DRIVING A FORD F150 LARIAT . CHEVY TRUCK INTERIOR OUT DATED AND HAS BEEN FOR YEARS. LOVE THE ENCLAVE CONCEPT UNTIL YOU WATER IT DOWN . LIKE THEY DO WITH ALL THE CONCEPT’S WHEN THEY DECIDE TO BUILD THEM . WHY WASTE SO MUCH MONEY AND TIME . IF YOUR NOT GOING TO PUT CERTAIN ITEMS ON A CAR BECAUSE OF COST OR TO HARD TO BUILD, THAN DON’T PUT THEM ON CONCEPT FOR US TO LOVE AND THAN FEEL LIKE WERE GETTING SECOND HAND JUNK, WHEN WE GET TO SEE THE REAL THING AT THE DEALER.
I drive a 2005 Chevy Tahoe, and would love to purchase a new Suburban. However, until GM realizes that the 3rd row seats need to fold flat and out of the way, I will not invest that much money. I really, really want a Suburban. But, the ‘push button, fold flat 3rd row seats’ in the Ford Expedition are so far advanced compared to the ‘fold down the back & leave a hump’ 3rd row seats of the Suburban & Tahoe. I removed my 3rd row seats to have flat storage area. Of course, I have needed the seats several times, and they were in my garage!!! Being an older woman, I can’t handle constantly moving the seats in and out. The ride of the Tahoe & Suburban is light years smoother than the Expedition — WHY can’t GM just fix the 3rd row seat situation?