General Malfunction: GM

I'm a GM guy, or was, I find the new Mustang the best looking new car in some time. I like Cadillac's top of the line convertibles, but mainly, I'm quite upset GM is playing to trends and suffering (A la HUMMER fiasco for one) What do you feel is missing from GM's gameplan, missteps, poor designs, features, ads.... Or maybe more important, American cars in general...is it still technology? Build quality? I personally feel the competition was somewhat helpful but American cars are built on a tradition of moving style where each name plate pays honorable heritage...the new Mustang is prime example

BILL

gm has a good motor, but the cars now i don't like...they have no style...if they made a old school camaro like the mustang i would buy one..even if they made the gto like that i would be happy...i sat in my buddys camaro and all i saw was a huge dash...i could not see the hood or anything...the car looked like a doorstop..so as it sits, i'll just restore my 1967 chevelle....

I used to work for GM and I live in Australia where the GTO (Monaro - Australian name) is produced. GM is facing a major challenge as they have too many vehicles in their product lines(Hummer, Chevy etc) and there is overlap, resulting in cannabalising their own products. Since GM has so many products and relatively short vehicle lifespan, they spend so much of time on new designs and not enough on making better cars. A perfect example, the European manufacturers Mercedes, BMW have approx 7 year life span so they have much more time to look at quality whereas GM's product lifespan is approx 3 yrs.

I am intersted in anyone else opinion.

i dont understand...are u saying GM isnt building like it was? or theyve always built shit cars? or there behind the competition?
well there one of the biggest car manufacturers out there, and they have more extended manufacturers than anyone else in the world, there obviously doing something right...have any of you driven any newer model cadillacs?, now i know why everyone makes such a big deal about them....

I recently did a search for Cadillac data, I came across three sites not related to GM that offered interesting time line data, I can't recall a link at present but may well put that in here is a reference... It concluded with GM's new design philosophy described as Arts and Science approach. Alot of GM's Design Studio work in the past was drawn from the Bill Mitchell school of thought, and that still had previous influence from the great GM designers/managers before him. The 70s had many flaws, but a great respect for that 50s and 60s post war influence. How can anyone not appreciate the excitement that spawned the muscle car era? I see nothing like that in the new generation of cars, other then the most highly priced contingent. Take the Ford race inspired GT, I heard at one point pulled from production, yet another one suggested to take it's place. It's far from cookie cutter in image!
This does mostly relate to Styling and Interiors which I realize is another forum I passed by, but I was talking with a woman who feels the same, so it's not just me! haha
BILL

a three year warranty on a car that will take six years to pay off.....you do the math....but GM stands behind their cars and trucks,and always have.....far behind....wouldn't want to be hit by anything falling off after all...

i love how ignorant idiots can be...

I agree Goatman,

GM is hurting right now for the simple fact, people THINK imports are built better than american cars, the reports PROVE that american build quality is better or as good as most of the import cars made today.
Buick has the best ranking of ALL car manufacturers and I beleive Caddy is second. The Holden Monaro/GTO was built as a BMW fighter in OZ and the build quality and ruggedness are there.
I give you that style wise GM has to grow a few more balls, like DCX did with the 300C's, Magnums and the new Charger.
GM is at a turning point right now as with alot of automakers and if they dont turn the boat around they will sink, and ohhh about the Camaro like the 1st gen..wait till Jan 10 you might see something cool come out of the curtains..