Amazing, Toyota seems to have super powers!

 

That's the kind of news that just kills GM execs. I would love to see the look on their face when they read this.

 

You know domestic execs threw up into their expensive coffee when that was disclosed.

But, hey, at least they got the Unions, right?

 

I spent 11 years selling GM products. Chevrolet first and then Oldsmobile. The best gift that I was ever given, was when GM turned the light off for Oldsmobile. My agency gave me Scion to run and I do not look back. It is strange though, delivering a vehicle and NOT having it break down within the first few months, the reason why GM provides Roadside Assistance as standard in the warranty. GM better spend some time building a quality product, and then perhaps they can start to cut some costs.

 

GM needs to trim their market lines, period. GMC trucks and Chevy trucks? are you kidding me? why? How many name plates does it take to sell a car? Toyota does it, but there are differences between the Lexus ES300 and the Camry that go beyond the sheetmetal, which is wildly different as well. The 4-runner looks nothing like it's GX brother. What difference is there between a chevy truck and a GMC truck? Then you add to that $1500/vehicle to provide insurance for retired workers, and you wonder how much longer they keep this up w/out radically shaking things up.

Now a brief history into how the big 3 got themselves here in the first place:
Trucks + cheap gas = big profits.

Cars have little profit in comparison, so let's not worry about them, just do the bare minimum, and we'll keep selling them to rental companies and die-hards.

Now, depending on large profits from Trucks + expensive gas = uh oh....

 

Let's not forget the horrible contracts that GM and Ford allowed the Unions to have in the 70s, 80s, and 90s! In order to prevent any sort of wage hikes, the companies promised all manner of other favors, including the ridiculous health benfits forever crap.

What I find funny is that GM's current CEO, Rick Wagoner, was the CFO under Roger Smith when the terrible decisions were really made.

 

Unfortunately, it is just a matter of time until GM is laid to rest in peace...

Yes, there is a chance for their survival, but it's going to be tough. This is what I think...
I will be surprised if GM is still in existance in ten years, and I will be surprised if they are not in existance in ten years.

I read that Toyota execs do not want GM to die because they do not want to be held resposible for their demise through the public eye.

 

I don't want GM or any other domestics to go away, either. I think it would be bad for the US if any of them folded. I don't mind whoopin' them, though
I agree with GM needing to trim some lines or vehicles. Getting rid of Olds was a step, but I always thought having both Chevy and GMC trucks was kind of strange.

 

If GM and/or Ford went under, it would be disastrous to the U.S. economy. With that many people out of work, there would be that many less consumers able to spend money on commodities, like Toyota products.

But I agree with Rick - don't go, just fight for second and third.

 

GM won't have much of a choice after this year. Toyota had predicted to be the #1 automaker in the world in 2007, but most estimates put them in the driver's seat after 2006. I don't think you will ever see Ford or GM fold in our lifetimes, but there will be some serious bloodletting down the pike. Remember they don't just need to worry about Toyota, but the big "H" is steaming along too; and I don't mean Honda. Would the folding of Ford or GM destroy the US economy? Well, I heard many people say that is the US steel industry went belly up that was it for our economy. Did our steel industry go under? Yep. Are we still here? Yep. Do GM and Ford deserve to go under? Yep. Would it be a good thing for any of us? Nope.

If you wonder why I say they deserve it, do a little research into both company's records and statements during and directly after WWII.

 

Good point.

But, hey, in the immortal words of Mr. Takagi from Die Hard: "Pearl Harbor didn't work, so we'll get them with tape decks!".

I guess you could substitute Toyotas in there.

 

hmm isn't that funny.. it's like we won the battle but they won the war... 60 years later we all have an H/A/L/T/S badged vehicle in our driveway. and I think the five dollar a gallon mark will mark the end of GM

 

i heard a report on the radio to day...because of the crazy healthcare plan that GM offers theyhave to cover viagra for there employees...last year the genral spent $17 MILLION on viagra!!! you would think with so many happy workers they could build a good car...

 

well yeah, but i think they are too busy thinking about getting home to their wives than to make a good car. I had a GM, it was good for a while.... till it had problem after problem, then I upgraded to a tC!

 

^^^^ You and so many others. Just took an '02 Sierra 2500HD in on a trade. The owner just couldn't stand the cost in gas.

 

Toyota has been working toward this goal for a long time, and they've been pulling it off in small increments for as long as I've been with them (3 years) if not longer. Case in point: for the 2007 Camry, there's little if any price increase, but more standard features. Just like the motto -- Kaizen -- continuous improvement. Hey, we don't make this stuff up.

Scion of Lewisville