Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew @ 240sxMotoring
They keep GMC because it's sells at huge premiums compared to the chevy equivalents. Translations: A GM brand that actually makes good money.
|
GMC vs Chevy equivalents do sell for more but do not sell MORE. The only reason GMC does well for GM is it's Commercial grade trucks which I think Barry mentioned. The Silverado is still the second best selling vehicle in the country and the Sierra equivalent isn't even close.
What GM is doing is just fine. Long overdue IMO.
Here's the run down the way I see it going into the future.
Chevy should be all cars and CUV's.
-Impala: (don't care at this point if it goes RWD because it's still like #5 best selling car in the country. It ain't broke (even though it's dated) so don't fix it.
-Cruze: The Cobalt replacement is 100% better the the Cobalt and the Cobalt is the best small car that GM has ever made. AKA it's going to be a DAMN fine seller
-Volt: Comes out in 2010. I'll bet money on it's success. GM doesn't have a choice but to back it 150% unlike it did witht he EV back in the day.
-HHR: Redesigned in say 3 years based off of the Cruze (just like it's currently based off the Cobalt). Still going to be a VERY good seller and will be that much better of a car.
-Equinox: Just debuted. I predict it'll do much better then the previous gen. Styling wise it's got it right.
-Traverse: This is the best selling, best equipped, and best looking of the Lambda Quadruplets and will continue to do well as GM's larger CUV.
GMC
-Tahoe and Suburban and Silverado: ALL become GMC models. Tahoe and Suburban will be made in LOW volume to match the LOW demand. Only people buying them in the future are going to be the guys hauling boats. Soccer moms need not apply any longer.
-GMC Acadia: GONE! Redundant and will only water down the new more
Hardcore GMC image.
Saturn
- As much as I don't want to see it go because it has actually one of the best line-ups of cars out there, it's time. Then next gen Aura will become...
Buick
- ...the next gen Lacrosse. Saturn was supposed to get it, but there out and Buick will be the new golden child. Marketed at younger buyers the brand could actually fare well.
-Lacrosse: Next Gen Lacrosse should be based on the CTS, but I don't see that happening. In actuality it'll be based off the same next gen platform the Impala will be at some point. STYLING WILL MATCH THAT OF THE SUCCESSFUL CHINESE DESIGNS!
-Enclave: Sticks around. But that is it for the Lambda vehicles.
Saab will be gone. Sold. IF they can find a buyer.
Hummer will get bought up by an Indian company or MAYBE even AM General. AM Genreal is who GM bought the brand from in the first place and rumor is they are an interested party.
Pontiac
-G8 will still continue to be a success.
-Solstice WILL be redesigned.
-Rest of the line-up will go out the door until GM is better position to add to the line-up.
Cadillac
-CTS will still continue to be a storming success. Look for better more fuel effecient engines to be offered in the near future. It will also expand into a full line of cars like the C Class and 3 Series. A hatchy looking
wagon and the
coupe will be out by late this year.
-STS/Deville both will DIE and be replaced by a car either based off of the next gen Impala or if things can go well a New RWD platform that GM has been on again off again about making. I hace no clue at this point but can say that the STS and Deville will be replaced ASAGMcan.
-Future SMALL Sedan/Coupe will be out by 2010 by my prediction. The CTS doesn't actually compete directly with the 3 Series and GM really wants to. They have a platform called the Alpha Platform that they will be using. It'll feature a the Ecoboost Turbo 4 and also a DI V6 both with competitive power output and fuel economy to compete with the 3 Series.
-Volt Caddy will come out in 2011 or so and again will be a huge success as people start to flock to smarter cars WITH luxury.
-SRX will take the Escalade's place.
-Escalade will HAVE to go by by even if it does mean so much to the brand. Numbers are way down and there's no reason to keep the truck at this point.
That pretty much sums it up IMO. I'd do one for Chrylser but it would consist of me saying to merely axe every car they have or go out of business.
Ford on the other hand is looking like it's going to be in really good shape in another year.