Finally, I’ve got my own keys!
By Tim Herrick
Chevy Equinox Chief Engineer
Over the many months of developing the new 2010 Chevy Equinox, I almost had to wrench the keys to our early development vehicles from the hands of the other engineers on the team so I could drive it myself.
Why? Because the new Equinox is one great, comfortable ride.
The Equinox has lots of features that drivers will appreciate — a USB port and the ability to control your iPod through the steering wheel controls and the rear-vision camera system, to name just a few. But I want to talk a little about the Equinox’s seats, which are the most comfortable in the compact crossover segment thanks to a process we call “pressure mapping.”
Pressure mapping enables our engineers to assess the contact and pressure points of various people’s backs – and backsides – to figure out the contour of the seat padding needed to optimize comfort. Although everyone is at least a little different, we were able to draw some conclusions by looking at the data from people of all shapes and sizes. Working with the seat designers for the new Equinox, we have developed very comfortable seats for the driver, front passenger and even rear seat occupants, which we believe are the best in the segment.
But it’s not just about comfort in the seats. We set out to make the 2010 Equinox a great driving vehicle, too.
We started with two, new direct injection engines-a 4-cylinder and a 6-cylinder-which provide an excellent balance of fuel economy and performance, with the 4-cylinder delivering 182 horsepower and 30 mpg on the highway. The new Equinox also has a lot of structural enhancements, including a front, under-cradle brace that provides very good lateral stiffness. The Equinox is outfitted with hydraulic ride bushings and the right shock tuning. Larger brakes, premium steering gears, wider tracks and stability control also add to exceptional ride and handling. And the fact that the Equinox has a longer wheelbase than our competitors’ products means that it will ride more smoothly than other vehicles in the segment.
Now that we’re getting closer to production, I finally have the keys to a new Equinox for internal evaluation before it goes into regular production and I’m loving it!
That’s the engineer’s perspective. I’d like to hear about your perspectives – particularly those of you who are driving another compact crossover.
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“The Equinox has lots of features that drivers will appreciate — a USB port and the ability to control your iPod through the steering wheel controls.”
Say what? You actually think it’s a good thing to encourage drivers to divert their attention from driving?
When you take the wheel for your long-awaited evaluation drive, please don’t be messing around with the USB port or trying to control your iPod through the steering wheel controls. Instead, drive the car and pay attention to the road.
Hope that this is a possible replacement for my Maxx. I’ve got 130000 now but need to wait for something (from GM). Orlando? or Equinox?
We’ll definitely replace our 2005 Envoy with another GM. The Equinox would have been a strong contender, save for 2 things: 1) no auto climate control available that I can see; kinda chintz’d out there; 2) no memory seats. While #2 isn’t all that common, it’s practically a “gotta have” feature for us, with 2 drivers in the household and switching back and forth fairly regularly. I’m surprised it’s not in more widespread use, because it’s so much more useful than a lot of other optional luxuries.
If the GMC model on this platform comes through on those features, it will earn a spot on the consideration list. As it stands now, however, for this household the Equinox is out.
Nice job otherwise, though.
The equinox does have memory seats as an option also climate control
that crossover is beautiful. With product GM you are definately on the right track with upcoming chevy models especially.
This overall is a nice car, but the other kinks in your operating businessess need major overhaul.
It is my hope that by 2012 Saturn,Saab and Hummer will no longer exist, and the savings from operating those niche brands that command almost none of the U.S. market will be re-invested in GM’s core businesses.
I think with the right mix of new products GM can grow the market share of the BPG brands successfully integrating,marketing, and managing them as one company.
I was alarmed to see GM ready to shed Opel and Vauxhall as they have fallen on hard times but ultimately are a major part of GM’s global strategy going forward. it would be a shame to lose those brands. a person identified with Opel did however echo some of my previous posts that it is costly and nonsensical to carry the Vauxhall name for just one market in which they operate, that the company would be better off absorbing Vauxhall into the Opel brand name and discontinuing Vauxhall.
Holden and Daewoo are in similar situations where their product lines overlap and should be consolidated into the Holden brand and logo, of course that should be done soon as well as the other suggestions.
To close Saab,Saturn,Hummer would prove less costly than the closure of Oldsmobile and should be strongly considered as an immediate item. combined the three brands command 1.8% of the U.S. vehicle market but cost GM immensely to produce vehicles for. Saab could potentially be sold to the swedish government, but any action taken on the three brands should occur immediately.
keep up products like these and Gm will be on track to grow their marketshare here in the U.S. in the near future.
I haven’t looked at an American car in a while, but wow this thing’s interior is gorgeous! Doug, I think it’s nice they gave people the option to have those controls. It’s up to the individual driver to determine how they want to practice safe driving.
First of all I have to commend you on the new Equinox, but in the global market you’re in, why build a vehicle strictly for the US? You have the Captiva, Vue, and the Antara. I think one vehicle
for all major makets would surfice. I miss the rough and tumble days of the original small Blazers and was along with some critics impressed with the capabilities of the new Hummer H3T. With the ultimate demise of Hummer as a GM product, I was navigating through your vast web site and saw a concept Colorado with H3 underpinings. It’s one heck of improvement on the current Colorado styling and a more than capable rig to replace the H3T after you eliminate the Hummer brand . Why haven’t I seen this concept in any publication?
Very nice crossover. Saw it at the auto show and it looks good in person. Very expensive looking to my eyes.
Doug,
Steering wheel controls have been on vehicles (be it GM or other manufacturers) for over a decade now. What Tim is saying is that you can now control the music coming from your iPod through the controls on your steering wheel which is something you couldn’t do before. I am sure that using those controls are a heck of a lot safer than the person that chooses to text message someone WHILE driving. To me, texting while driving is just irresponsible driving.
Sounds like a great vehicle. Wish GM would have had it in 2005, when I compared the Equinox of that year to a Hyundai Sante Fe, but at that time it was no contest. Bought the Santa Fe. When I get around to looking for a new crossover in a few years, I’ll give the Equinox a try.
I hope the remake of Equinox is as good as it looks. Having driven the current model, I hope the interior usability and human factors issues have been resolved. The ability to adjust the back seat is a brilliant idea. The seats of the old model were rather soft and mushy. I hope the remake of the car has improved the seat design and the large turning circle of the current mode. The engine choices are very sensible.
Doug,
The alternative to the steering wheel control interface is what people are doing now…. Driving down the road looking at the display on their I-Pod and using the I-Pod’s face controls while driving. Significantly less safe behavior than using a steering wheel control interface.
From what I can see the new Equinox is another in a series of very competitive vehicles that GM has introduced in the last 60 months or so… GM’s percentage of great vehicles introduced vs. mediocre ones has been higher than any other vehicle maker for some time.
Tim,
I think the Equinox is beautiful. If GM continues making great cars the future is bright. One suggestion I would have is be more agressive and clear on pricing. Recent Chevrolet’s and Buick’s are priced too high. I believe your cars are better but if people shy away because of price you will have problems. Example a Ford Fusion SEL at tops is about $26,000 before rebates, a Malibu LTZ is about $30,000. I thing GM has great products but don’t price the Equinox out of reach.
I like it, I usually recommend the Equinox to people, however, fix the little problems because they seemed to have several. Quality is what GM needs to focus on, I can’t keep telling people to buy GM when I see the SAMETHINGS OVER AND OVER AGAIN (i.e., wheel bearings, cheap brake components that rot fast in the NY winters, steering shaft issues, ball joints, etc.) You have been building vehicles for 100 years, you’d think you could make a wheel bearing that lasts 100k easy. My 94 S10 didn’t get wheel bearings until i had 260k, my wifes cobalt ate two within 50k miles and my cavalier right around 100k. Seriously, take my advice, i’m diehard GM but this stuff gets old.
Bob L,
The Equinox does have memory seats as an option. Check the website: http://www.chevrolet.com/allnewequinox/premium-features/?evar1=Equinox_T1. I’ve also read that the remote start feature will activate the appropriate HVAC controls depending on the temperature. So far, I’m liking this a good replacement for my aging Murano.
Rick Rohde,
I believe you are referring to CHEVY COLORADO CREW CAB Z71 PLUS. This was a concept that was shown at the SEMA show in Las Vegas in 2006. We typically use these types of concepts to gauge consumer reaction or to look at different possible derivatives. To that effect, the Hummer H3T pickup was born, based on the Colorado platform. The H3T launched last year and is now available for purchase. You may have seen our press release on it at http://tinyurl.com/b3wx8s from back in 2006 or at http://www.pickuptrucks.com http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/01/3-unique-gm-tru.html. This truck was recently sold at Jackson Barrett last month. – Kelly, GM Full-size/Midsize Truck Communications
So will this vehicle get the nescessary marketing push to really make it successful? Will the life quality be higher than competitors? These are the game changers we really need to see.
Why is the focus still on gasoline car while the WHOLE WIDE WORLD is shifting its perspective to electric car? My goodness ……
Hello Paul and Bob L,
This is Mark Cohoon, Chevrolet Equinox Product Manager, and I’m pleased to respond to your questions and comments. Paul, I am very confident that you will find our new Equinox to be an excellent replacement for your Malibu Maxx. Equinox again offers the same kind of great rear seat legroom that you have become accustomed to in your Maxx, as well as our Multiflex Rear Seat features nearly 8 inches of travel to maximize either rear seat legroom room or rear cargo. With a best-in-class estimated 30mpg highway, we can say that our new Equinox crossover offers the fuel economy of a sedan with the functionality of an SUV.
Bob L, I am pleased to advise that the new Equinox features both Automatic Climate Control on our uplevel models, as well as Memory Driver Seat & Outside Rear View Mirrors on our LTZ model. Other segment-exclusive upscale features include a Power Programmable Lift Gate (opens hands free with a programmable height feature) as well as Advanced Remote Start (system senses outside temperature to determine whether to heat or cool the vehicle, as well as whether to turn on heated seats). Stay tuned as we release more information about all of the features and performance of our new Equinox.
“features both Automatic Climate Control on our uplevel models, as well as Memory Driver Seat & Outside Rear View Mirrors on our LTZ model. Other segment-exclusive upscale features include a Power Programmable Lift Gate (opens hands free with a programmable height feature) as well as Advanced Remote Start (system senses outside temperature to determine whether to heat or cool the vehicle, as well as whether to turn on heated seats).”
Mark Cohoon,
“Uplevel” model? “Segment exclusive?” Those must be current corporate GM buzzwords, eh?
* Automatic Climate Control
* Memory driver seat
* Power Programmable Lift Gate
* Advanced Remote Start
They all sound like complicated stuff that will probably break just after the warranty expires and be expensive to repair. Have you cracked the secret of how to build those complicated things so they last as long as the body and the powertrain?
My experience has been that GM usually builds a pretty sound powertrain and basic vehicle, but has been less than successful with complicated gadgets and geegaws which often start to rattle and fail before the actual car does.
Gistole:
GM’s strategy includes developing vehicles that can operate on a variety of fuels, including gasoline, electricity, biofuels, etc. While the 2010 Equinox is not an electric vehicle, we’re proud of the fact that the new Equinox will deliver 30 mpg, which is the best highway fuel economy of any compact crossover in the market!
Do you know that GM currently offers eight different hybrid (gasoline-electric) models in the U.S. alone and that the Chevy Volt, which is an extended range electric vehicle, is on track to launch next year? We also are operating the world’s largest fuel cell test fleet, what we call “Project Driveway,” a program in which consumers are driving more than 100 Chevy Equinox fuel cell electric vehicles to provide us with valuable feedback as we further develop this technology. So, we offer several alternatives to vehicles that run on gasoling only and we have several more initiatives underway, not to mention our focus on producing vehicles, like the new Equinox, that are very fuel efficient.
- Jim Burke, GM Product Development Communications
Does the new Equinox have power tilt and telescopic steering? How about electric parking brake and push button starting? I am just curious. Are these available on other products from other manufacturers?
The Equinox looks fantastic.
I look forward to your feedback!
Thank you!!!
Looks like a nice vehicle. Will this next generation model still be built on a spaceframe chassis? Did anyone consider switching to plastic body panels to maximize fuel economy like the old Saturn Vue had?
David – The new Equinox has manual rake column adjust and telescoping steering wheel as standard equipment. It also has a foot operated “push/push” parking brake which is convenient to operate and frees up the space between the front seats for a huge center console (can store a laptop or purse). Push button starting is not available nor offered by the competition.
With its available power programmable liftgate, memory driver seat and outside mirrors, dual rear DVD entertainment system, touch screen navigation with 40gig hard drive, USB port for iPod, etc……… the new Equinox introduces a whole new set of premium features to the compact crossover segment.
Thanks to Mark Cohoon and Joel for the updated information. With those features available, the Equinox is back on the list, if not a leading contender now! (And I’m glad I mentioned it so I could be corrected!) I am very pleased to see that GM is now pushing for premium feature availability on lower priced models, that is an excellent move, even if slightly overdue. Hopefully we’ll never again see the kind of debate that’s raged over the new Malibu not offering in-dash nav.
I look forward to an Equinox test drive this summer.
John:
The Malibu is competitively priced. The Fusion you are talking about is the 2009 model that is about to be replaced. The 2010 Fusion SEL is more expensive due to new features. A loaded Camry is well over $30k as is a loaded Altima V6. Fully loaded, the Malibu is actually cheaper than several of its rivals.
david shannon:
The Equinox, nor its competitors, have the features you are talking about. Power tilt steering columns are typically found on uplevel luxury brands, not SUVs starting under $25k.
Clyde:
“segment exclusive” isnt a GM marketing buzzword, its a common phrase. GM is correct in stating the Equinox is the only crossover in this price range with a power, programmable liftgate. It will also be the only affordable crossover with a standard direct injection engine and one of the few with a standard 6 speed auto. The RAV4 and CR-V have a standard 4 speed and 5 speed, respectively. You can always skip the optional features if you don’t like them but many customers are looking for the latest features when they buy a car. Auto climate control has been around for a long time and I have never heard of it malfunctioning once a car gets a little older. Same with memory seats, these are found on many luxury vehicles and have been around for a long time.
Mark Cahoon:
Any idea when more details will be coming out about standard equipment on each trim level? Also will the four cylinder engine be available with many of the nice features? I like what was done on the Malibu and it should be done with the Equinox as well- offer the base engine with the upper trim levels.
I have looked everywhere for the iPod integration and this is the first place that mentions it (including the Chevy site). What type of integration is it exactly, full? If so, thats a huge plus in my mind. Also, any idea of a release date and what the car will actually go for?
Beautiful car, cant wait to get it!
The Equinox looks very promising, much like most of GM’s upcoming products. I really need a drive when it comes out.
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iPod integration a “huge plus?” Would you please explain why? Don’t you people already have too many distractions when driving?
The person sitting behind the wheel should be watching the road and concentrating on Job One — driving. Piloting 4,000 lbs of glass, metal, and rubber down the road at high-speed is a serious matter requiring attention and concentration.
Sorry Sheth, “segment exclusive” and “uplevel” are nothing more than marketing jargon ~ buzzwords if you will.
And it’s a well-known fact of process and reliability engineering and operations research that the more complicated something is, the more likely it will be to malfunction. The only way around that fact is to design something to be more robust to increase the mean time between failure (MTBF) — I’ve seen no sign GM has done that since unfortunately more robust also equals more expensive.
Perhaps Mark Cahoon can jump in and tell us the MTBF* that GM’s reliability engineers have determined for that “powered, programmable lift gate.” Mark?
———————–
* It would be nice if GM (an other car companies) were to make a practice of giving us the MTBF numbers for their cars and accessories when they market their cars to us. It would help us make truly informed decisions about where to invest the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to buy a new car.
Doug,
iPod integration is a huge plus. People are going to fool with their radio’s no matter what. I’ll admit I have messed with my iPod while driving with my knee. If I could change the song using the steering wheel controls it would be much safer. Do you talk to passenegers while driving? Maybe GM should put a pane of sound proof glass between the two front seats so you don’t get distracted by your wife.
Regardless of that, this is exactly why GM will never win in the eyes of the consumer. If GM didn’t offer iPod integration, most people would complain that they are behind the times, and that the compeition offers it. Then, you have some people chiming in that it’s unsafe, and GM made a bad desicion to offer it. They can’t win.
Clyde,
You are right the more complicated things are, the higher the possibility that something will break. In that case should the entire auto industry go back to carbourators, no ABS, no traction control, and no auto climate control (being that messing with the climate control is apparently very unsafe, and GM shouldn’t offer HVAC in their cars because it’s a distraction according to some posters)? There is another losing arguement for GM. Offer auto climate control, and get chided by one person, but don’t offer it, and lose a sale to another.
Regarding your last statement, do you really think GM would give those types of numbers? If everyone shared every peice of information, their might as well be no such thing as intellectual property. Plus, if you want that on your car, do you ask for those numbers on everything you buy? I can’t stand how people hold automakers to far higher standards than pretty much any other industry.
“Regarding your last statement, do you really think GM would give those types of numbers? If everyone shared every piece of information, their might as well be no such thing as intellectual property.”
Tim,
No, I don’t think GM would happily or willingly give us those numbers. But yes, GM and the other car makers should make available the MTBF numbers for their cars and the accessories they put on them. You’d better believe that when the Air Force, Navy, and Army buy equipment from defense contractors that MTBF numbers are part of the contract evaluation and information the DoD asks for (or specifies) when they put a proposal out for bid.
MTBF numbers are not intellectual property. They are facts about products and something that should be available to consumers so we can make sound decisions about how best to spend our money.
Let’s say you want to buy one of the new “pony” cars. As an example, you find the following — purely fictitious for this case — MTBF numbers:
Camaro ~ 17 months
Challenger ~ 14 months
Mustang ~ 21 months
All other things being equal, which would you buy?
I realize there may be reasons other than MTBF that could affect your choice. But wouldn’t you like to know the MTBF numbers before spending several tens of thousands of dollars of your hard-earned money? About the only reason I can think of why a car maker wouldn’t want to reveal the MTBF numbers for its products is if they knew them to be substandard.
Car makers should be just as ready to give us the MTBF numbers as they are the expected EPA mileage, or the results of the latest J.D. Power and Associates surveys.
Sheth,
Yes, the 4-cylinder engine will be available and standard on all of our new Equinox models, from LS to LT to LTZ. We followed your concept of making some of the most desirable features and equipment offered in the compact SUV segment available with our 30mpg hwy powertrain. Watch chevy.com for future updates on packaging and options.
Clyde:
“And it’s a well-known fact of process and reliability engineering and operations research that the more complicated something is, the more likely it will be to malfunction. The only way around that fact is to design something to be more robust to increase the mean time between failure (MTBF) — I’ve seen no sign GM has done that since unfortunately more robust also equals more expensive.”
If you don’t like complexity you shouldn’t be considering a modern car. Most people chastise GM for NOT having enough high tech features. This just proves that some people are never satisfied. Since you can’t find any legitimate issues with the Equinox you have resorted to critiquing it for having too many features. That is just silly. The features you are so concerned about are OPTIONAL and widely available on other products from GM and their competitors. These are not examples of new, unproven technology by any means. Please try to come up with a more significant complaint about this vehicle.
Doug,
How is having ipod integration more of a distraction than RDS, XM radio, GPS systems, trip computers, etc.? Ipod integration is increasingly common and it allows people to control their ipod with the car’s stereo buttons and knobs. The point is that you don’t actually have to look at your ipod or touch it while driving because its integrated with the car’s existing controls. If anything, it helps reduce distraction levels.
Clyde,
When was the last time a fighter aircraft was driven down a street laced with potholes or across a median divider? The usage pattern of military equipment is highly controlled and regimented. The people allowed to interact with the equipment require specialized training and skills in order to use it. A motor vehicle is allowed to be used by anyone and broken by anyone with the money to make a purchase. It’s impossible to use a prediction model like MTBF for a consumer product like an automobile. From my experience; GM’s product is equal to or better than anything out there (most of the parts in the industry are supplied by exactly the same suppliers to every automaker and the requirements for those components are largely identical) so it comes down to cost, features, and appeal.
Mean Time Between Failure
I have to agree with Clyde — mean time between failure (MTBF) would be a good metric for carmakers to provide when they market cars to us.
Everything that someone builds has a MTBF — whether an engine, a sound system, or a power window. If I’m buying a car and trying to decide whether I want the powered-programmable lift gate, knowing what MTBF GM claims for that accessory could certainly help me make a smarter decision. If the MTBF were low, I might well decide to go with the manual, but sturdy and reliable, lift gate with the higher MTBF. And if a lot of people decide to do that, the positive result might be that GM would re-engineer the part and increase the MTBF. Sounds like everyone could come out ahead — consumers would have better information, and GM and its suppliers would be motivated to build better stuff.
I for one would like carmakers to provide MTBF numbers for what they build and want us to buy from them. It only seems fair. Perhaps the Consumer Protection Agency should consider requiring carmakers provide MTBF numbers for their cars.
“If you don’t like complexity you shouldn’t be considering a modern car. Most people chastise GM for NOT having enough high tech features.”
Sheth,
Who said I don’t like complexity or luxury?
What I did say is that if GM is going to offer something complex it is more likely to break. And I don’t want it breaking right after the warranty runs out. I would like GM to provide some assurance of how long something will last and whether it would be a good investment on my part. Providing the MTBF would be a good way for them to do that.
How many failures do you account for in the MTBF figures for children hanging off the gate? People pushing the stereo system amplifier into clipping and blowing out the speakers etc. The reason that MTBF isn’t provided is because it’s completely impossible to predict because there’s an uncontrolled variable in the equation – human beings. No car company is ever going to do that because doing so would pretty much be a flying guess.
“I’ll admit I have messed with my iPod while driving with my knee.”
Tim,
I’m sorry to hear you say that. If I were a state trooper and saw you doing that, I’d pull you over and give you a ticket so fast it would make your head spin.
Driving a car is a deadly serious business ~ one that requires near total concentration. A 4,000 lb car going at 65-70 mph represents an enormous amount of kinetic energy, and far too few people realize all that energy can get go out of control with little warning and just the slightest bit of inattention on the driver’s part.
Unfortunately, far too many drivers seem to have the same attitude as you. If you’re going to drive several thousand pounds of car down the road, get your head right and pay attention to the task at hand ~ not to what your iPod is doing.
Doug,
That’s not the real world. The real world is people **are** playing with their I-Pod driving down the road and not giving them an interface that allows them to keep maximum attention on the road because they “shouldn’t be playing with them” is just being intellectually dishonest. They will use them either way; it’s up to car companies to give people safe options.
Don’t complain to GM for giving people a way to manipulate their I-Pod that is orders of magnitude safer than doodling with in the right hand while steering with the left and holding the I-pod up in the line of view. If you don’t want people playing with their I-Pod; lobby for a legal change. It’s not GM’s job or responsiblity to lobby the government to make I-Pod use in the car illegal.
“How many failures do you account for in the MTBF figures for children hanging off the gate?”
David,
The mean is a mean — some things fail before the mean, some last well past the mean. (In fact, 50% of things will break before their MTBF.) But reliability engineers and statisticians know how to handle that using concepts such as standard deviation, root mean square, outliers, and sigma variability.
Factors also come into play such as fair and reasonable use. In the case of a car’s owner allowing their kids to hang off the loading gate and break it, the owner should have enough sense of ethics and responsibility to be a man and say, “It was my fault, we let our kids break it. I’ll pay for the repair.”
Doug,
You never answered my question. Do you talk to passengers while driving? Do you glance at them when talking? Do you ever mess with the stereo? Do you ever change your HVAC while driving? If so, you do not have total concentration while driving. Oh, and about being a state trooper. How many of them have laptops in their cars so they can runs your plates while they are still following you? I guess I should make a citizens arrest on them.
Clyde,
Isn’t the warrenty some assurance about how long something will last? MTBF doesn’t mean it’s going to break at the exact same time everytime.
“Oh, and about being a state trooper. How many of them have laptops in their cars so they can run your plates while they are still following you?”
Tim,
They all do, and that is part of the job for which they received rigorous training to do. Airline and military pilots also talk on their radios all the time while they are flying ~ but they are trained to do that and are also being constantly evaluated to see if they have the “right stuff” to handle it. Unfortunately, no one gets to evaluate you to see if you have the “right stuff’ to be messing with your iPod while on the road.
“You never answered my question. Do you talk to passengers while driving?”
Yes, I’ve talked to passengers while driving. I’ve also told the people in the car to be quiet because I need to concentrate on driving.
Tim,
If you’ve ever ridden on a Greyhound bus you may have noticed their rule against passengers talking to the driver. A rather good rule I should think. I also suspect company rules prevent professional bus drivers from playing with iPods as they drive.
My parents have an ‘07 Equinox. While I have driven it and felt largely unimpressed, they love it (so what do I know!). Either way, I hope this car does well for Chevy.
As for the quote above by CW at 12:31: “…the owner should have enough sense of ethics and responsibility to be a man and say, “It was my fault, we let our kids break it. I’ll pay for the repair.””
Yeah, good luck on that! I’ve been in dealer service departments for over 15 years and can easily count on one hand how many people come clean on stuff like that. Actually, it’s the ones that come clean that you end up feeling more inclined to want to help.
All this talk about gadget failure seems way off the mark to me. My ‘04 Corvette and our ‘05 Envoy are both loaded to the hilt, and except for a skipping CD changer that was replaced under warranty (and I believe that part is supplied by Pioneer or one of the other electronics giants), not a single one of the dozens of gadgets and motors has failed or done anything other than work perfectly. Just to be clear, this includes power operation of windows, locks, mirrors, electric instruments and digital readouts, heads up display, auto climate controls, stereos, nav system, memory seats, keyless entries, cruise controls, tire pressure monitor, adjustable magnetic ride control, power sliding cargo roof, sunroof, heated seats, auto dim mirror, and probably several other systems I’m forgetting. I trust GM’s gadgetry more than any other manufacturer in the world. Try talking to a Mercedes owner about their bells and whistles. My boss has replaced multiple motors and switches in his CLK, and at Mercedes service and parts rates you do not want to be doing that!
So yeah, a fully loaded Equinox is sounding really sweet to me right now!
So instead of giving people an interface that they can use safely with their eyes on the road; Doug would rather have them do what they do now. Mess with the I-Pod while juggling coffee and steering.
“Mess with the I-Pod while juggling coffee and steering.”
GM should install a “zapper” on the steering column. Reach out to mess with your iPod or juggle with a coffee cup and get a not-so-gentle shock reminding you not to do that.
Eyes on the road lads, eyes on the road.
Doug,
So have I. I tell people to be quite when I’m driving as well. I also don’t look at my iPod when I’m in crazy traffic.
I haven’t studied the training that cops go through, but I know they have pursuit driving training and stuff like that. Do you really think they have a course called “City Driving While Looking at Your Laptop”? I doubt it. Btw, I have taken evasive manuvering courses, and work on my laptop while driving on a daily basis for work. I guess that means I have “the right stuff” to mess with my iPod while driving.
Before this turns in to an argument. I’m not saying that people should mess with their iPod while driving. There are times you can do it, and time you shouldn’t. (Just like you said, you have talked to passenegers in some cases, and told them to be quite in others – it depends on the situation). I was just trying to show that having iPod integration is much better than what people (like me) do now.
“Do you really think they have a course called “City Driving While Looking at Your Laptop”?
No, but they receive training in setting priorities and knowing what they can do safely and when. They also receive periodic ride-along evaluations to determine if they know how to do their jobs safely and in accordance with standards.
With respect to pilots, they receive check rides and more than one pilot has washed out of training because the flight examiner observed an inability to fly and talk on the radio at the same time.
Clyde:
Provide me the name of one car company that provides MTBF figures. You wont be able to of course. If you don’t want the high tech features on the Equinox get the base model and be safe. The features you are questioning are widely used on other products that are on sale today. They do not represent new, untested technology at all. YOu are making demands of GM that are unrealistic and border on absurd. I don’t hear anyone asking for MTBF information before buying a BMW or Lexus loaded down with the latest electronics.
Doug,
Your complaints about driver distractions are pointless in this forum. The Equinox is offering features that customers demand these days. It’s up to the customer to be sensible and keep their eyes on the road. If Chevy didn’t offer iPod integration there would be angry posters here claiming GM was behind the times and failing to offer the latest technology. This blog is about GM products and GM issues, not general complaints about how many drivers do not pay close attention to the road. Each driver has to take responsibility for their own habits. I don’t want GM leaving out the latest features just because some drivers are not as focused as they should be.
“No, but they receive training in setting priorities and knowing what they can do safely and when. They also receive periodic ride-along evaluations to determine if they know how to do their jobs safely and in accordance with standards.”
And we can’t do that for every American so it’s up to a vehicle maker to provide them the safest possible interface to use for an activity they will engage in whether they have the user-friendly interface or not.
“Provide me the name of one car company that provides MTBF figures. You wont be able to of course.”
I’m well aware they don’t ~ that’s exactly why I’d like them to start.
As a consumer, how can you be opposed to the maker of any consumer product providing MTBF numbers to help consumers make smarter decisions?
Tim,
I recently attended the Atlanta International Auto Show and I agree that you’ve got a winner with the new Equinox. Congratulations! It seems to me to be the best of all worlds: great looks; quality inside and out; right size; excellent fuel economy. In fact, one of the cars that I went to the show to see was the new SRX. I was not disappointed, but I was glad to have the opportunity to compare it with the Equniox. Personally, I think I like the look of the new Equinox more! So I may yet purchase my first Chevrolet, after enjoying a Buick, an Olds and a Saab, my last three vehicle purchases. Of course, that’s only if I don’t end up in a new SRX or LaCrosse. The SRX was named “Best of Show” and the LaCrosse was named “Best New Sedan” in Atlanta. GM is bringing out such great new products, it’s hard to decide! Again, congratulations and keep up the good work.
“I’m well aware they don’t ~ that’s exactly why I’d like them to start.
As a consumer, how can you be opposed to the maker of any consumer product providing MTBF numbers to help consumers make smarter decisions?”
As a consumer I believe that the warranty on the vehicle indicates the manufacturer has faith in the quality of the product. If you feel that the 3 year warranty is too short a dealer will extend it for a nominal fee. My brother was able to get 2 years of protection for less than $600 when he purchased his new car. Again, if you don’t have faith in the latest high tech features you have the choice to get the base model.
Can you please tell me when the 2010 Equinox will be ready for purchase, the website says summer 2009 but if you can provide a more specific timeframe that would be helpful. Also can you let me know what time of stereo this will have? Thanks!
“As a consumer I believe that the warranty on the vehicle indicates the manufacturer has faith in the quality of the product.”
Warranties are a marketing tool, and have little to do with the durability, reliability, or expected length of service of a product. Manufacturers also conceal the cost of the warranties in the purchase price of the product.
An MTBF rating would be a much more reliable indicator of a vehicle’s expected durability than a warranty.
Clyde,
Who would make sure the MTBF ratings are fair. Would it make you feel better if I said my part has a MTBF of 5 billion years? It doesn’t mean it’s goingto last that long, but hey, it sounds good. Who says Toyota and Honda aren’t going to cheat the system (like they did with HP numbers or emissions systems)?
Oh and Clyde,
Company to company the testing isn’t the same. Lets go with head gaskets thermal shock. Lets just say GM tests from -40C to 120C coolant temp and the MTBF is 1000 cycles. Now Toyota tests only from -30C to 115C coolant temp, and they say the MTBF 1200 cycles. Which one is better? You’re not comparing apples to apples. I doubt the testing is the same for hardly any part between companies. Lets try another one. Door latches. GM slams a car door with 100lbs of force and the latch MTBF is 10,000 slams. Now Toyota slams their doors with 120lbs of force, but they only last for 9,000 slams on average. Which one is better? Which one is going to last longer?
MTBF isn’t going to work unless the test cycles are identical.
“Who says Toyota and Honda aren’t going to cheat the system (like they did with HP numbers or emissions systems)?”
Tim,
That sounds like a task for the National Institute of Standards and Technology: National Institute of Standards and Technology
Their specialty is standardization and measurement. They wouldn’t do the testing, but would certainly be qualified to write the standards. After all, when you buy a 60 watt light bulb, or a 120,000 Btu air conditioner, how do you know they’ll deliver as rated?
Clyde,
I’m not sure if your response was to both of my posts, but if so, I don’t think an outside company can/should dictate how to do durability testing. I’m sure there are reasons that GM tests the way they do, and I’m sure Toyota has reasons they test the way they do it. Why should one company be forced to change their testing standards? It’s like how the EU and the US have different crash standards. In the US there has to be some consideration for unbelted occupents, but in Europe, they don’t. The same goes for pedestrian safety. Maybe GM thinks doing a thermal shock to -40C is better than only going to -30C, why should they have to change?
So like I said, without having the same tests, MTBF doesn’t mean anything, and companies have reasons they test the way they do, and shouldn’t be forced to change.
The NIST is a good thing for the 60 watt bulb example you mentioned, just like SAE has a good standard for measuring HP. However, durability testing shouldn’t be subject to someone eles’s rules.
Tim,
If NIST can figure out a standard so that several different light bulb companies were able to agree on what a 60 watt bulb is, they can design a common standard to test for and determine MTBF.
Clyde,
No…they can’t. To measure HP is fine to standardize. To measure wattage of a light bulb – fine. To tell the light bulb company how to determine life of the bulb – no. To determine how a company should run their business – no.
It’s as if you’re saying that Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, VW, BMW, and all other car companies should just form one large company. Because you want everything common, why even have different companies?
And I ask again, why should one company have to change. It’s like how you raise your family is going to be different then how I raise mine. Should NIST come into my home and tell me how to raise my family because they think your way of doing it is better? I don’t think so.
I hope the back seat is more comfortable than the current model’s.
The online ordering guide is now up:
2010 Equinox
“Should NIST come into my home and tell me how to raise my family because they think your way of doing it is better? I don’t think so.”
What an outrageous stretch. You’re getting desperate now. How can you even correlate something as ridiculous as NIST coming into a home to tell you how to raise your family with a concept as reasonable as setting common standards for measuring MTBF?
But something you said earlier does make sense. Guidance telling automakers how to determine MTBF numbers could also come from the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE). Society of Automobile Engineers ~ History
Thank you to everyone for responding. A lot of good questions and responses have been posted. We have a lot of activity going on right now preparing for the launch of the Equinox. But it’s a labor of love. Our team is working very hard and having a lot of fun getting the vehicle ready for the start of production. Unfortunately, we can’t be any more specific on the timing than to say it will arrive at Chevy dealerships this summer.
As chief engineer, I want to respond to the quality questions. When it comes to engineering (and manufacturing), quality is our highest priority.
We’re currently building 2010 Equinoxes at the plant that validate our manufacturing process–making sure that all the parts go together as they were designed and engineered. All of the vehicles we are building now are being tested and evaluated at our Milford (Michigan) Proving Ground or in our test fleet.
Vehicles tested at Milford undergo complete durability testing in our labs and on test tracks. We’re able to accelerate the vehicle’s aging process to know the impact that 10 years of driving and environmental exposure will have on the vehicle. Each week, I personally review these vehicles, drive them and talk with the test drivers and test engineers to understand how the vehicles are performing.
Our test fleet vehicles are driven by engineers who accumulate thousands of miles to evaluate all of the systems under a wide-range of conditions–different road surfaces and grades, climates, altitudes, temperatures, weather conditions, etc. Aside from what they experience and observe themselves, each day our engineers receive thousands of data inputs covering all performance aspects of our test vehicles through OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics. This is a tremendous tool in enabling us to identify and eliminate quality concerns.
Prior to starting regular production, we will have driven our test fleet of Equinoxes more than 500,000 miles to make sure our new vehicles are ready for customer delivery. And this process isn’t just for the new Equinox; it’s how we now launch every GM product.
We’ve raised our quality standards, set more aggressive targets for our vehicles and tightened up our process controls. Our efforts have paid big dividends. For example, we’ve reduced warranty repairs by nearly 50 percent since 2006. It’s results like this that allow GM to back up its products with the industry’s best warranty coverage.
As chief engineer for the 2010 Equinox, I have a lot riding on its success. I want customers to be enthused not only the day they pick up their new car at the dealership, but also for every day that they own the car.
For anyone who’s still not convinced, just give us a chance. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Again, thank you for the responses and keep them coming.
HI Tim:
I work at the plant that builds the Chevy Equinox and I have to tell you were all excited about this
new design. After building the chey Tracker from 89-04 and watching our market share disappear
to the competition, we were very relieved to see the new Equinox come to Cami in 04. We knew right away that we had a winner. Now with this redesign we are again confident that we have a great
new product that will appeal to many. The new features on the 2010 equinox are great additions
to the features the current model already boasts. From the power memory seats, heated mirrors
and dual dvd displays in the front seats. To the rear view camera display when backing up and the
power lift gate. I was pleased to see that the controls for the windows and mirrors were moved
from the centre consule and dash back to the drivers door ( were I think they should be).
I don’t think I have ever sat in a more comfortable seat than those in this new Equinox.
They’ve kept all the features that we liked and added more to make this just about the best
in it’s market segment ( In my opinion) . Ramp up toward full production is going well.
Like most car and truck plants around the world and specifically here in North America, we are
all struggling and hoping that when we come out of this on the other side, we are a part of a much
stronger and more vibrant auto industry. To my brothers and sisters at GM, Ford and Chrysler, keep the faith. To our cousins working at the offshore north American transplants, of which mine is one, stay strong.
To all our friends that keep us supplied with parts, hang in there. Were all in this together.
And to you, the automotive consumer, don’t let up. Continue to demand the very best that the
auto industry can produce.
Brian Edwards
Cami Automotive/ CAW Local 88
Consider an engine which has fuel capabilities for:
1–Gasoline
2–E85
3–Natural Gas
4–Propane
5–Electric (VOLT)
An engine with all these fuel capabilities would be a huge step in the right direction and getting off foreign oil will leave more money at home to buy cars with.
Rick
Rick,
Perhaps it was an oversight, but you omitted hydrogen, compressed air, and high-speed flywheels.
What you say is true, but such a vehicle would also be dense with several different kinds of tanks, batteries, sensors, and processors, and would be extremely expensive.