VIDEO: FastLane Readers Ask About Reliability

August 28th, 2007

VIDEO: FastLane Readers Ask About Reliability

Bob’s series of video interviews at the 2007 Woodward Dream Cruise continue today, this time touching on GM and reliability. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor

Posted in Bob Lutz

47 Comments

August 28th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Noel Park

The current, August 27, Los Angeles Business Journal has a list of the top 25 best selling cars in L.A. County for the period June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2007.

One interesting statistic, the Toyota Prius was in 5th place with 10,029 units. The highest ranking GM offering was the Chevrolet Silverado in 10th, with 7,510 units. The only other GM offering in the top 25 was the Tahoe in 22nd, with 4,825 units.

Toyota sold a total of 112,893 units and Lexus 22,708.
August 28th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Luke

Great!!!

Congratulations!

I like the idea of “Infinite Life” — I realize that parts will wear out eventually, but if I can replace those parts, I’ll be happy!

I’m eying both the Volt and a diesel-powered 4×4 Colorado for long-term positions in my driveway. After I get a raise, of course.
August 28th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Edward Hayes

Let’s go for depth Bob, let’s go for depth!

Chevrolet steps up to the plate and now it represents GM’s drivetrain prowess. It’s great that GM has stopped advertising GM and started to enhance its brands. The results are amazing.

Buick and the tradition of quality is about to pay off, tipping the scales to the domestic car’s favor. Add the virtually limitless abilities of the Chinese workforce to innovate, imitate, and create the possible synergies for Buick North America will be unlimited.

Do yourself a favor, make the next stop for the Holden FJ Efigy after its Woodward tour, make the next stop for that vehicle Buick’s design headquarters in China and tell them “Think about it, see what you can do.”

The nature of a good brand is that it expands its umbrella or footprint. As Chevy is becoming known not only for “Better than expected value” along with unmatched drive train technology, Buick will have the umbrella of unmatched quality along with unmatched design and style innovation. With the catalyst for that innovation being the 100 years of design heritage to draw from.

Pontiac’s umbrella is not only unmatched performance utilizing “mostly” rear drive sports car like handling and design, but an outlet for exciting and untraditional product and concepts from Holden - like the Holden ute perhaps that would be right at home in a Pontiac/GMC showroom .

Saturn’s umbrella is not only unmatched customer service but superior European derived styling.

So what happens when you introduce an umbrella or footprint for a brand? Here is what you are doing,

You are building a brand.

And GM’s greatest weakness - the brand, becomes its greatest strength once again.

Build Buick’s umbrella!
August 28th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
HotCarNut

Bob,

I commend the efforts that GM has made in terms of quality and durability. The JD Power results speak volumes and should serve as a warning to the Toyotas of the world that the focus has returned to product quality and performance at GM. This is a vast cultural change for an organization that for the better part of 3 decades was focused on volume and market share. Kudos to you and your team for helping to bring about this change. As an automotive enthusiast and a consumer myself, the difference is evident in the products that are in the showrooms now, and especially in the products that are due out within the next 12-24 months.
August 28th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
SteveG

Sounds great but notice that many of the nameplates that finished high are no longer around-Century, Regal, etc.
This is one problem with changing names so often.
The LaCrosse should go back to being called Regal.
I personally would change Lucerne to Electra.
Bring bacck the Park Avenue.
Riviera.
Along with the Enclave you would have a winning lineup.
Also, as a Cobalt owner it seems that infinite life wasn’t applied to this model or any other Chevy. The car is less than 2 years old and feels like its 8 years old. Not impressed with the build quality of the Cobalt at all.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Mark J

Bob,
I know we have had to wait for some of your vehicles to come out that were fully under your control for development.

Now finally the 2008 Malibu specifications and pictures are out. I’ve been waiting for this car to come out to tout to all my Camry and Accord buddies as the car to try from GM. However, after seeing the pictures and specifications of the new 2008 Accord I am once again dissapointed that GM again as failed to be the market leader.

Why is it that on the competition (2008 Accord) I can get NAV, bluetooth, manual transmission, more hp with better fuel efficiency, better resale value, rear arm rests, etc… (the list goes on but I think you get the idea).

Now I agree that the Malibu looks better outside, but on the inside I think the 2008 Accord blows it away.

Once again I feel like GM has let us down against the competition. Don’t get me wrong I think the Malibu is the best midsize GM has put out to date, but again the competition (namely the 2008 Accord) has raised the bar and once again I’ll be telling my friends, family, and co-workers ‘wait till the next one on EPII’.

What is class leading about your new 2008 Malibu that beats the new 2008 Accord? Yes I know on-star! Yea!! Anything else?

Signed,
Still waiting for next year…
August 29th, 2007 at 12:59 am
Jeff

GM reliability needs to be measured beyond just the parts. I am a car enthusiast and purchased a 502 Ram Jet from GM Performance Parts. The engine ran very poorly for the first 200 miles. I took it to the nearest GM dealership and they had no clue what this engine was. They then told me that the engine was defective and had a “scored piston”, but they could not do the repairs. They could not work on their own engine??? I took it to another technician to do the work and the piston was fine. There was only a defective fuel injector. I had an engine pulled and opened up solely on the recommendation of GM’s Professional Technicians, incuring thousands of dollars in bills when all I needed was a $144 fuel injector. GM’s response? NOT THEIR FAULT. They have no responsibility as to the diagnosis or parts. Don’t waste your breath telling me about GM’s focus on quality or reliability.
August 29th, 2007 at 5:00 am
Bob B.

I am glad that someone at GM realizes how important the 3 year quality survey is. Initial quality doesn’t mean much beyond the effectiveness of new car dealer prep.
August 29th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
kurtW

It appears GM is indeed getting a handle on new vehicle quality and reliability. Glad to see that happen and hope Buick reliability will someday reach the other GM brands!

Unfortunately, GM remains plagued with an antiquated Dealer Franchise system (other USA automakers have that too). Toyota recently reviewed their dealers and _very_ actively encouraged them to provide good sales and service practices. It would be great to see a similar GM program do the same for their dealers.

Shouldn’t a goal of an automaker be to have repeat customers and “brand loyalty” rather than just one quick sale?
August 29th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
E.L.

Reliability?
Where is Mr. Welburn?
I want to talk about style.

You guys have GOT to produce the concept “scrolling keyfob” for Cadillac with an in-dash or induction charger.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/7471/scrollwheelkeyfobuc4fa8.jpg

Brilliant idea!

Keep working at those interiors.
I did not like any of the ones released today, but keep at it.
August 30th, 2007 at 7:57 am
John

Why is it that GM does not put in a headrest on the middle seat wheter in the middle row or back row? Other than the Dodge Nitro, it appears all other manufactures have them. Otherwise, just what adult would use them…they are a safety risk.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Rene Curry

Hello Bob,

I like the design/quaity concept of “infinite life”. This is very important because it costs too much to service older vehicles today due to their complexities. This will lead to an improved quality perception down the road. As more older Asian vehicles become second & third vehicles they will now be subject to a bad quality perception as they wear out.

As you move ahead to other propulsion methods consider a modular car for your lower end vehicles. I like the skateboard concept you had. You could then make many body styles that just bolt them on. Standardize the platform and it’s mounting points. Make the drivetrain & suspension a six point bolt-in with everything attached. (cooling, electronics, trans, the works) You could then sell new drivetrains down the road so you can upgrade your vehicle. You could change the model of making money on the vehicle to making money on the modular components. Kind of like HP making money on printer cartridges and not the printers. To do this long term modular concept corrosion prevention would need to be a must.
August 30th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Lee Youngblood

Just bought an 07′ lacrosse after owning several toyotas. What an improvement! I’d forgot what it was like to have a smooth quiet ride, with lots of low end torque. Plus the gas milage isn’t much less than my 05 Corolla with a lot more car and comfort to boot. I grew up riding honda motorcycles and, as I said, have had several toyotas. the Japanese are good, but they’re not that good. I’ll take the “old” pushrod 3800 in a GM car over anything. It’s an unbeatable combination of value, power, economy and durability. And, if it breaks, I can fix it fairly easily and at low cost. That, to me, is infinate life. I love cars, looking at them, riding in them, and tinkering with them. I am in my mid-30s, and this is one American who hopes there will always be an American auto industry.
Sure, GM and the others have made some crap (my dad’s 350 olds diesel and those infamous blown head gaskets we replaced twice in the garage)
But never under estimate America’s ability to recover and rejuvinate.
We practically invented the modern auto industry as the world now knows it, it’s a big part of what made us the world’s largest, wealthiest economy, and we’re just too good at it to forsake it and relegate this industry to foreign companies that, again, are by no means superior. Go GM
August 30th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Michael

Okay, now I finally “get” it. We’re supposed to drink the Kool-Aid, er, believe GM has started to focus on quality again. We’re supposed to believe GM builds good cars again. But therein lies the rub–why was GM building bad cars (or in one case above bad engines) in the first place? Why do 2-year-old GM cars feel like 8-year-old GM cars (the Cobalt). Why do Cadillacs feels as flimsy as Chevrolets?

Why should we drink the Kool-Aid now? A car is a big investment, and GM has built some really bad, bad, bad cars (and not that long ago).

There are many angry baby boomers who GM felt perfectly okay about burning. They will never buy GM again. And GM can talk until it’s blue in the face, but talk is cheap, cars are not. When the least expensive GM car beats the most expensive Lexus on quality, the world might take notice. When GM finally styles some cars worth owning (no, the 2008 Malibu is still Chevy Ugly), maybe then we’ll notice. When GM stops alienating or ignoring ethnic and other minorites (see Subaru for how a car company can be inclusive), maybe we’ll stand up and cheer.

Until then, I’m not drinking the Kool-Aid.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
oem porsche oil filter

well thats good for chevrolet.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:42 am
Stanley W.

I live in the Bay area near San Francisco, a place notoriously hostile to domestic cars. I moved here last year and have always been impressed with the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky. But where is the advertisement? I have been here for 13 month and only yesterday to see one of these hot baby for the FIRST TIME, while it is reported that 5.3% total sales in this area is Toyota Prius. You have an image problem here and YOU need to correct it rather than give car sales to Toyota/Honda, which control about 2/3 car market, the German and other Asian companies control about 25%, ONLY 6-7% from Detroit Three. Act now or lose even more in this crazy but affluent market. Look at this remark from someone who only buy Japanese cars: The American cars are disposable. I am sure this is ridiculous and it is up to GM to correct that! BTW, I am thinking about the Malibu 08.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:48 am
Luke

Rene Curry,

I really like that idea! I’d be much more likely to buy a new bolt-on body for a workable drivetrain than to replace a whole perfectly-good car.

My existing 1998 Ford Ranger is perfectly good — there’s nothing wrong with it, really. But, if I could put the existing body onto a new 4×4 chassis with alternative fuel capability, I’d be much more likely to spend money on a new chassis. As-is, I’m reluctant to by parts, and also recluctant to purchase a replacement — because I want to hold out for new diesel and/or hybrid technology. The machine is already modular, so this could be an option already — if the vendor would be willing to work with me.

If I can get something approaching the modularity of my PC out of a car, then a DIY guy like myself might actully start buying non-used vehicles.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:10 am
FrankNic

Bob,

I do not, nor do any of my family members work for GM. That being said, I think it would be a good idea to have a reward system set up for factory workers. Say you gave them X amount off the cost of a new GM vehicle, for every X amount of cars that go a predetermined amount of time, with X amount of warrantee claims. Basically, the better job you do the more off a new car you get. Personally speaking, after a while of doing the same thing, I get board and start to care less and less. (Less and less = poorer quality). But, if I had a reason to put a better effort into the cars I was building, and I could see some sort of reward for my work, I would be more inclined to do a better job.

Can’t wait for the a new Monte.

Have a great Labor Day!
Frank
August 31st, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Brent

Ah, yes…quality and durability.

Frankly, perhaps the most durable car I EVER owned was a 1988 Olds Delta 88. (Some who follow this blog closely might remember it — not only the model, but mine, in particular.)

Sure, things went wrong (needed new shocks/struts, new brakes, and a camshaft pully, of all things) at points along the way, but the day we retired it because my brother totaled it in an accident, the “Delta Force” had well over 200,000 miles on the odometer and did not burn a drop of oil between changes — NOT A DROP.

This car, by the way, shared its drive train and engine internals with Buicks and Pontiacs of the same vintage, whose internals were the precursors to today’s Buicks (and some Pontiacs). So…those who might scoff at my comment because it references a defunct brand are blowing hot air.

Compare this to the Toyotas I’ve owned since. The ‘91 Celica ST did live up to Toyota’s reputation, in ways. The family drove it to 299,000 miles, when my aunt totaled it agonizingly close to the 300,000-mile marker. But, for the last 80,000 miles, it blew blue smoke at every start-up and ate oil like anything. In fact, at 270,000 it got bad enough for me to pass it on as a loner car for the family. You’ve just read the rest.

And, to top all that off, it was better than my ‘95 Celica GT, which has cost me about $5,500 in repairs these past two years — essentially, the entire chassis has required replacement, and it’s still not right. Furthermore, it has blown blue smoke out the back at start-up ever since a wee 115,000 miles displayed on the odometer. Since, I’ve edged very close to 200,000 miles, but the only way I got here was by adding a full quart of Lucas PLUS a can of Restore 4-Cylinder Formula at EVER OIL CHANGE.

Needless to say, I am suspicious of Toyota’s durability being all that much better than GM’s; in fact, I sometimes wonder who’s truly drinking the Kool-Aid.

(Note to GM: Why, you ask, have I owned Toyotas after having so much luck with an Olds? Well, you guys really need to offer manual transmissions. They are that important to me.)
August 31st, 2007 at 4:06 pm
mark

kool aid this..
1971 pontiac lemans 98000,.
1980 chevy citation 4 cyl.. 188,000, .
1977 chevy chevette 225,000,
1983 pontiac grand prix, 145,000
1988 pontiac grand prix, 127,000.
1997 pontiac grand prix leased for 4 years 56,000 no problems
2000 pontiac montana lesed for four years, 60,000 no problems
2000 gmc sierra 170,000 so far,and on it way to 300,000
2004 pontiac grand prix gtp 78,000 needs a brake job, the first, otherwise no problems…
so I’ve owned gm products all the time i’ve driven, rarely any problems outside routine maintenence.
I have had no reason to drink the import kool-aid nor send any of my money to those poor hapless, godzilla tormented people.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Sue Plier

Michael is absolutely spot on - there is very little focus on quality and reliability at GM when compared to the overwhelming distraction of the mandated requirement to find cost reductions. Re-designing, re-engineering, and the wasting of valuable development resources all in the name of finding pennies is a crying shame. GM could really be a great company again, but will never rise to that occasion since the beancounters are firmly calling the shots. All the shots. Drink the Kool-Aid my friends - the beancounters have plenty to go around. And if you want any business with these guys, you best start gulping.
September 1st, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Gary Dikkers

SteveG said: “Sounds great but notice that many of the nameplates that finished high are no longer around-Century, Regal, etc. This is one problem with changing names so often. The LaCrosse should go back to being called Regal.
I personally would change Lucerne to Electra.”

Steve,

Talking about Buick names, and mentioning the La Crosse, that brings up an interesting question I’ve been wondering about ever since the La Crosse came out: Why did Buick pick that name?

1. Did they name it after a city in western Wisconsin along the Mississippi River?

2. Did they name it for the rugged sport first played in North America by Native Americans?

3. Or, is it named for the French word for “The Cross?” (I’m pretty sure they would not have named it the Buick The Cross.)

It would be interesting to know what their motive was.

If they are starting a series named after cities in Wisconsin, there are some wonderful choices out there — many inspired by Native Americans. For example, there could be –
The Buick Oconomowoc
The Buick Menomonie
The Buick Waunakee
If they are starting a series of cars named after rugged sports, there could also be –

The Buick Rugby

The Buick Hurling

The Buick Pentathalon
And if they have decided to use French names, the possibilities, of course, are endless.

Cheers,

Gary Dikkers

September 2nd, 2007 at 5:13 am
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Yesterday, like every Saturday, there’s a car-magazine on our TV-channel “Kabel 1″, it’s called “Abenteuer Auto”. They reported about the long-term test, concerning the Toyota Corolla Verso D-Cat. Result after 1 year and only 33750 miles: 3 break-downs (engine failed), 1 recall (who wonders?) concerning the front passenger airbag-deactivation, in addition, unimpressive 24.8 mpg (Diesel!) in the average. Just to all those, who still believe, only Toyota is the benchmark for everything automotive…
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:28 pm
ghent

i think it is pretty realistic that when the new Malibu comes out, it could sell at least 200,000 units a year. GM should also expand the Buick lineup. The Enclave is really, really good. And this is the first time I am asking, do we really need Lexus? For the first time, GM has an answer. For those who dont like Cadillac’s edge styling, Buick is the right choice. Next Buick should come out with the coupe shown in Shanghai. Make no mistake, GM. This is the chance of a lifetime. You blow it, you miss it. GM has the potential and the technologies, to become the largest and profitable automaker… AGAIN!!!
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:57 am
Deneu

Back it up with a 100k, 10Y warranty, and then you’ll get the import-owners intentions. Without that, you’re just wasting time. GM has lied to many times before.
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:02 pm
T. Williams

Bob,

Take a look at the “cars to avoid” section in the April issue of Consumer Reports magazine. You’ll notice that Toyota is not on this list at all - any nameplate, any year. The “H” brand has very few cars listed as well. The naysayers will say that CR is always in favor of the Japanese companies, but this section is compiled survey data sent in by consumers. And you have now validated CR data as true and meaningful since it shows GM in a positive light on a few discontinued nameplates. Until GM gets all the brands and nameplates off this list, your job is not done. Until GM gets more red than black in the yearly car surveys, your job is not done. Buick and Lexus cars in the same sentence is still a joke. The cars are just not on the same level in features, fit and finish and quality of materials. That’s because Toyota and Lexus have extremely great working relationships with their suppliers, and GM is at the bottom of the barrel with their supply base. A recent survey was published where GM made improvements, but was still far far below the rest of the competition along with Ford. Until the strategy at GM turns away from cost reductions, the focus will never be on quality the way your competition does it. Toyota is quality first, reliability second, technology third and cost last. GM is cost first, and if that isn’t low enough, nothing else matters since you probably won’t have the business. And if you do get the business, the focus isn’t on quality and reliability improvements - it’s about further cost reductions. So you start with the cheapest that you can get and strive to make it cheaper.

How can GM expect to succeed as a global leader with this misdirected strategy? It hasn’t worked in the past 10 years - how much market share have you lost? It is about time to try something vastly different - try working with your suppliers instead of squeezing them. Look where this strategy has gone with Toyota and Honda.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:22 am
Phil Racicot

Brent,
The 3.8 V6 in your ‘88 Delta 88 was a Buick engine. (just like the 307 V8, Diesel engines and the Quad4 used in some eighties Buicks were Oldsmobile engines).
September 4th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Brent

Phil…thanks. I realize this, and what a phenomenal engine it was/is.

I wrote my comment in a way that others, quick to slam any evidence of GM reliability — you know who you are, folks — might continue reading, lest they write off my comment as irrelevant simply because my former car was an Oldsmobile.
September 4th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Steve

I don’t drink Cool-Aid, so feel free to knock yourself out. Okay, with that aside, let’s talk cars.

I haven’t owned a domestic make vehicle for quite a while now; mainly due to the fear of the lack of reliability. The Ford Mustang I owned had transmission problems and it costed me a fortune for its repairs. Similarly, my Pontiac Firebird had the exact same problem. Today, I own and drive a Nissan Altima. I bought it brand new in 2001. The car did encountered numerous recalls, but thus far I have yet to pay one penny for any repairs outside of regular maintenance. Just recently, I rented a Chevy HHR on a road trip from San Diego, CA to Las Vegas and back. The whole trip was roughly 600+ miles total. On the way back to San Diego, the Check Engine light came on. The car was driving and running fine and it made it all the way back to San Diego without any problems. However, the car had only 2,700 mile on it. For such a new car, why would the Check Engine light come on? That leaves something to be desired.

I do look forward to purchase the new Chevy Camaro in 2009. The car looks great and I’ve been itching for another mucle car since the demise of my Firebird. My only concern is the reliability of the car. GM, please take note here, if your car comes up short, I will never buy another domestic make ever. Here’s your chance to win me over, again.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
edvard

I’m sort of with Steve on the whole reliability issue. Yes, GM makes a few cars that I wouldn’t mind owning. I do feel that you get better value with domestic cars these days.

For example, I rented a Pontiac Grand Prix a year ago. Nice cushy medium-sized car with neat features like a stereo that adjusted the volume automatically to compensate for cabin noise and a peppy V6 engine that got over 30 MPG. On the other hand, the engine made a strange plastic grinding sound when started in the morning for 5-10 minutes until it warmed up. This was a new car. I told the rental company about it. His reply: They all did it. Not exactly a confidence booster.
September 5th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
ghent

well done GM for the August sales figures. Toyota is down 2.8% while GM gained 5% and achieved 26% market share. Prius sales are up 26% while Lexus posted record sales. One trend is clear here. Either you opt for extremely fuel efficient cars that drive like a boat, or rear-wheel drive vehicles.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Tom

Other than the mistakes of brand/product strategy, the quality and reliability issues have been the #1 issue that has cost GM (and Ford) over the last 30 years. Bob is addressing this critical issue head-on, and we get a bunch of random comments about everything other than quality/reliability.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:55 am
Joe B

I am so glad you posted this Mr. Lutz. It’s so awesome to hear you say “infinite life”. I know it’s an exaggeration, but I like where you’re going with that idea.
We at Camaro5.com have often talked about the reliability issues with the new Camaro. I’ve always defended GM - saying ”they’ll come back”. But it’s glad to have your words to back me up.

Bravo, Sir.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Rene Curry

Sidenote: I noticed brake lines & fuel lines on 90’s GM products corrode at a high rate.
Add that to your list of improvements.

For benchmarking…Your own late mid 90s forward 4.3 V6 will last 200,000 miles + with only maintenance. No oil burning, ticking, or related issues. Whatever key design elements were used should be evaluated for all your drivetrains.
September 7th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Lee Youngblood

“I live in the Bay area near San Francisco, a place notoriously hostile to domestic cars.”

Let’s face it Stanley W. a lot of folks that are “hostile to domestic cars” are hostile to America, period. They see the auto industry as part of the traditional American establishment, an industry that is big. And to them, big industries are worse than terrorists. I don’t know of any marketing/pr campaign that is going to change that freaky mindset. While trying to get in touch with their yen and yang, they also get this idea that anything asian is pure as the mountain snow, more honest and more in touch with nature and the universe. That’s not so much about cars, but about thinking that just about every traditional American icon (including “big” “gas guzzling” American car namplates) is somehow evil and must be eridicated.
Hey, I like Japanese stuff, too. But I’ve been around it enough to know that they can make flawed stuff, too. In fact they can make some outright crap. (Just ask all those Toyota folks who got replacement engines thanks to “oil sluge.”) And, Japanese gas milage ain’t that great, either. My wife’s new Toyota Rav 4 (a four-banger that gets less milage than my 3800 lacrosse)is actually made in Japan at their Kushu plant. It had the a/c break after just 20,000 miles. An o-ring wasn’t installed right at the factory. Also, the fan setting has two speeds: real low, or real high. There is no inbetween, and that’s bad engineering. And, my new Corolla at 70 mph hummed/whistled like mad thanks to air seeping through the vent, even when it was closed.

No “kool aid” here guys, just a statement of fact. Asian products are great, but they are by no means worthy of exclusive worship.

I believe Mr. Lutz made the statement one time that he believed their are people in Washignton who “hate” the American auto industry. And, he is right. But, it’s not just in Washington, it is in pockets throughout this nation, and it’s a much broader issue than simply who makes a better car. It’s just a symptom of a much broader disease eating away at this increasingly self-loathing nation.
September 8th, 2007 at 1:32 am
Car Car

When a car is reliable, you will hear about it from its owner. Sometimes I wonder if GM shot itself in the foot by building all those unreliable cars in the not too distant past. I remember those advertisements in the auto-mags that GM ran a while back about how GM was not doing a good job in the past 10 years; and GM was admitting to its own faults. It was a starting point to realize that something has in fact gone very wrong, but it is more wrong not to fix those faults.

Bob, you can talk about infinite life of a car until you turn blue, but what do the customers say? The day that the customers say GM cars are reliable will be the day of true success for GM.
September 8th, 2007 at 1:34 am
Denny

Something as simple as a loose gas cap can turn the “check engine light” on - this is a check on the emissions-related parts of the vehicle and the associated watchdog sensors. In my experience with Honda, it rarely means an actual engine mechanical failure. And in 35 years of mostly GM ownership, I’ve never seen a warning light on except at start up.

Speaking of the H brand, they replace a lot of transmissions under warranty on certain years and models, having a failure rate high enough to necessitate a warranty extension to 100K. To their credit, they do, absolutely, stand by the product even after the initial warranty period when called for. GM needs to step up in the same way and take care of those who purchase their cars in good faith. We don’t need any horror stories of big repair bills shortly after the warranty expires. Think of it as incentive to strive harder for that Infinite Life. Loyalty is priceless.

Boomers like me with emotional ties to the domestic product are on the downslope. Now we have car buyers who might not look at every passing Bowtie like I do. (I can tell you that for me, driving in the Bay Area is almost painful for the relative low volume of American cars.) But hey, I call that a good challenge. Product, and standing behind the product will win out.

I’m betting on the General.
September 8th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Rick Lupori

I rented a Chevy HHR on a road trip from San Diego, CA to Las Vegas and back. On the way back to San Diego, the Check Engine light came on. The car was driving and running fine and it made it all the way back to San Diego without any problems. However, the car had only 2,700 mile on it. For such a new car, why would the Check Engine light come on?

Posted by: Steve on September 4, 2007 3:45 PM

Most likely the gas cap was not put on with the minimum of “Three Clicks” to ensure it is properly seated (this applies to ALL cars).
September 8th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Rick Lupori

Just bought an 07′ lacrosse after owning several toyotas. What an improvement! I’d forgot what it was like to have a smooth quiet ride, with lots of low end torque. Plus the gas mileage isn’t much less than my 05 Corolla with a lot more car and comfort to boot….
I’ll take the “old” pushrod 3800 in a GM car over anything. It’s an unbeatable combination of value, power, economy and durability. …..
That, to me, is infinate life. ….
I am in my mid-30s, and this is one American who hopes there will always be an American auto industry.
Posted by: Lee Youngblood on August 30, 2007 4:46 PM

Thanks Lee for proving what I have been saying for some time.

Mr. Lutz, As Mr. Youngblood proves, the 3800 engine has many desirable traits and is still a valid option in today’s market. If GM would just add the 6-speed Auto to the LaCrosse/Lucerne with the 3800 it would give them a 30 MPG rating (2008) and improve sales.

While you are at it put the excellent 12-way power seats with 2-postion memory to accomodate the two different drivers that will be driving these cars from the GMC Denali.

Buick is supposed to be GM’s FWD Luxury division, start putting some LUXURY features on them. Besides the seats are the most important part of an interior - it is where you spend all of your diriving time and has the most effect on the “comfort level” of the car, the more features they provide - the better.

You have a price advantange from the lower cost 3800, that would allow both the 6-speed and better seats and still have an MSRP below the competition while increasing your profit margin due to higher sales - Maybe you need new beancounters.

I am tired of seeing GM decontent vehicles to increase profit at the cost of sales - remember no sale = no profit.
September 10th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Edward Hayes

This is great news, the Chevy HHR is #10 of the top ten GM conquest vehicles, (those vehicles that have the highest non-GM trade-ins.)

The number #1 reason we build vehicles is profit, a close second is to deny the competition profits so this list of 10 vehicles available at gminsidenews.com is an important one.

Other vehicles of note include all the Lutzonian vehicles like #1 Hummer H3 and the Solstice and Sky. A surprise to most would be the Pontiac G5 making the list. It’s no surprise to me, one of the top reasons I argued for the G5 to keep Sunfire customers and challenge the Scion tc.

Speaking of coupes Nissan is introducing the Altima Coupe now pay attention to their marketing campaign. Their marketing campaign is classic, textbook, run of the mill from the Japanese play-book and GM will be well off to heed the formula.

In Japan the engine of the consumer is to have the latest gadget, just as in the U.S. but even more so. In a typical Japanese automobile commercial like the Altima Coupe or Lexus they make a simple point why this car IS the latest need to have gadget for some gee-whiz technology. You remember the self parking campaign by Lexus and now the Altima Coupe is harping about some techno prowess 99% of us have no clue what it is. But it is effective.

A basic philosophy of marketing and sales is if you win the argument, you win the sale. If the automaker makes the case that this IS indeed, a gee-whiz technology and Doctor/PhD. potential customer says “I don’t have that, I am not sure what it is, but I gotta have it since no one else will.”

GM, listen to me - very important, if you can’t win the customer with the techno argument to prove you have the next gee-whiz iPod singing, iPhone calling, Wii game playing techno gadget then you are loosing sales. Period.

You have the technologies no doubt, cylinder deactivation, On-star etc. but you have to run at the top of the wave. Take a technology in the new CTS for example that few understand make a simple argument why its gee-whiz tech which no one else has, win the argument and win the sale.

In short.

Talk up the newest technology in your cars like BMW, like Lexus, like Nissan. The customers may not understand it but they understand when a company has the newest gadget of technology, it is a MUST-HAVE item and that is what these new Saturns, Cadillacs, Chevrolets and Buicks should be hyping.

Trust me, and trust the formula it works. Just ask the Japanese how they got 50% of the market in the U.S.

They will not tell you but Edward Hayes will tell you.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Patrick

I enjoy GM vehicles very much and I’ve owned seven GM cars since I started driving in 1979. That said, the quality drop-off between my 1964 Pontiac Catalina and 1977 Chevy Monte Carlo represents where GM went wrong.

I bought the Catalina in 1979 when it was 15-years-old and had well over 100,000 miles on the odometer. The car had not been garaged and wasn’t owned by a “car guy” so it wasn’t given TLC, either. Regardless, the interior was in great shape with working window cranks, solid control knobs, no dash cracks and no holes in the top of the seats. When I bought the 1977 Monte Carlo it has 70,000 or so miles, it was four years old, and it, too, hadn’t been garaged. However, there were rust holes behind all four wheels, the radio knobs came off in my hands, the window cranks broke regularly, the sun had made holes in the top of the seatbacks, the high-beam dimmer switch didn’t work, etc. In other words, between 1964 and 1977 GM had begun to follow the unfortunate American trend of squeezing out every penny of profit today, no matter what the long-term consequences. And buyers of GM vehicles during the 70s and most of the 80s experienced various degrees of subpar quality. To no one’s surprise, those same buyers were turned off to GM and they passed those feelings on to their kids and anyone who’d listen to them.

GM’s quality has improved since my 1977 Monte Carlo. I’ve owned a 1984 Monte SS, a 1991 Saturn SL2 and a 2004 Impala since then, and each of them has been better than the one before. But I was willing to give GM another chance and many others of my generation were not, and are not.

This isn’t said to denigrate GM or its vastly improved products; it’s said to explain why GM’s market share keeps declining. Those burned by a bad car ownership experience are much louder than those who have enjoyed a good one; people complain more than they compliment. So there is a “lost generation” of potential buyers for GM products, and quite possibly two or more.

However, the improvements in GM’s quality and reliability can work in the company’s favor just as their past poor quality worked so effectively against the company. Those new buyers pleased with their GM products will be willing to buy from the General again, and to tell others of their positive ownership experiences. Good reviews can bring more import-intenders into GM showrooms as well. If the product continues to improve at the rate we’ve seen in recent years, the word will get out and GM’s fortunes will improve as well. It’s going to take time, but if the quality, reliability and interiors improve, over time so will sales. GM’s reputation took time to damage, and it will take time to repair. But it can be done, and I believe that process is underway now.
September 13th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Rene Curry

More underhood space to go with infinite life!!

This makes repair costs lower and keeps the tuners happy.

This will make the cars popular with the aftermarket and the younger crowd that may buy them used. It could help resale values.
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Stephen Sylvester

98 Malibu 110,000 miles waterpump $800, 120,000miles fuel injection system $750.00 145,000 threw a rod when my wife and two baby girls were in the car stranding them, bought a Toyota. Nice job G.M. I’ll never buy another American car as long as I live. Oh by the way we were always a Chevy family as my grandfather and dad both worked there. Start making cars as well as Honda abd Toyota and in 10 or 20 years you might get back your maket share, otherwise you will end up as a footnote like the Edsel.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Dave

Bob:
I have a brand new 08 CTS with 2200 miles on it. It is everything the writers are saying about it and more. In spite of the fact that I’m “on it” all the time, the mileage is far better than promised. Everywhere I go people are talking about it and asking about it. Absolutely the best and most fun car I ever drove. But, a week ago, a wiring harness broke (?) which took out my AWD, ABS, TC and Stabilitrak. I chose to continue to drive it rather than take a loaner. The part has been ordered for a week and all they can tell me is that is has been “back-ordered?” Needless to say, some of the bloom is off this rose. This is not a dealer problem. The fault lies entirely with Cadillac.
October 7th, 2007 at 5:32 am
Jeff B

After having recently purchased a low mile used 07 pontiac grand prix and getting rid of an older audi
all I can say is what a relief to be riding in a well built American car.

When things go wrong down the road which they invariably will with any car all I ll have to do is head down to autozone and get the part, which will be some of the most reasonably priced on the shelves, as opposed to getting reemed buying foreign parts. GM I really like this car. It looks good, it feels good, handles well and I can afford the payments.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Grady S. Mobley

I have a 1989 Chevy 1500 P/U with 402,000+ miles on a 350ci.engine that has never had any internal maintenance. Still pulls and hauls well. Are their any recognition programs out there from GM for this achievement? This is Volvo territory.
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Jay

Was looking for some help on diagnosing a ticking in the front end of my 98 Grand Prix GT. It only happens once i hit about 40 mph and it’s very pronounced. It sounds like it’s coming from the front driver side wheel but I’ve inspected the boots on the cv joint and it looks good. I know it’s not the engine because it only does it when I’m moving and only when I’m going over 40 mph. Please help

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