Why is GM failing so bad?

[saxon22]

Quote from clacy:

Quite simple, yet many factors have brought them to this point..........

1. They are burdened with VERY high labor and pension costs. If you are going to do that you absolutely must build/sell a superior product, that can bring a premium. With the quality of vehicle that the foreign manufacturers produce, the big 3 cannot charge a premium any longer.

2. They also put all of their eggs in the truck/SUV market. Obviously there has been a paradigm shift in regards to vehicles mpg and that market dying as we speak. That market will NEVER get back to where it once was.

3. They also have earned a very poor reputation due to inferior quality and service issues that most consumers have experienced for themselves.

4. Lastly, they make cars that are not aesthetically pleasing, in my opinion.

1. labor is no higher than in other western world countries. I doubt german worker gets paid less to build cars in the "motherland".
As for health care - GM could have lobbied the Congress to introduce universal HC. They sure did push other agendas on the congress.

2. Like I said management is at fault here.

3. same amswer - management

4. same again sucky management

 

[jprad]

Interesting article on car ownership costs.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...view/what-that-car-really-costs-to-own-ov.htm

 

[saxon22]

Quote from 377OHMS:

lol what?

I'm my little town about every other vehicle is a Ford truck.

I have a F-250 Lariat Crewcab Turbocharged Diesel that I use on my little rancho and to blend in with the locals around town.

Can't haul much hay and feed in my Carrera lol.

Land Cruiser, hehe.

Little being the operative word here. Get out more and you shall see what THE REST OF THE WORLD drives. I assure you it has that elusive T stampped somewhere on the body.

You are right the chance of spotting a ford or GM car are as elusive as spotting a carrera.

 

[saxon22]

Quote from 1flyfisher:

Land Cruisers? not in this country but maybe the rest of the world. I like my American made trucks. EXCELLENT vehicles. It's the only reason I give a damn about U.S. automakers.

Depends what you consider to be the best.

Fuel consumption?
frequency of repairs?


I take a Land Cruiser over any american truck any day.
BTW I once drove from New York to Panama and back so I have been off road a little bit and unlike fellas who buy their trucks to drive to a local "get together to clime a bit and get dirty a bit" I have done the whole 9 yards.

 

[clacy]

Quote from saxon22:

1. labor is no higher than in other western world countries. I doubt german worker gets paid less to build cars in the "motherland".
As for health care - GM could have lobbied the Congress to introduce universal HC. They sure did push other agendas on the congress.

2. Like I said management is at fault here.

3. same amswer - management

4. same again sucky management

I totally agree that management is at fault in items 2-4. But do you honestly think that the unions aren't to blame for #1?

Sure the Germans are likely making quite similar money, but those cars are selling for twice as much as American cars. Their quality is vastly superior.

 

[377OHMS]

Quote from saxon22:

Little being the operative word here. Get out more and you shall see what THE REST OF THE WORLD drives. I assure you it has that elusive T stampped somewhere on the body.

You are right the chance of spotting a ford or GM car are as elusive as spotting a carrera.

Well, wrong again. There are more Porsches within 1 hour of my location than in all of Europe. Los Angeles is Porsche capitol of the world jackass.

 

[jprad]

Quote from saxon22:

Little being the operative word here. Get out more and you shall see what THE REST OF THE WORLD drives. I assure you it has that elusive T stampped somewhere on the body.

You are right the chance of spotting a ford or GM car are as elusive as spotting a carrera.

F-Series Celebrates 25th Anniversary As America's Best-Selling Truck

"Ford F-Series is celebrating its 25th anniversary as America's best-selling truck, and its 20th anniversary as America's best-selling vehicle – car or truck."

http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/news/ford25.html

 

[swtrader]

Quote from jprad:

Interesting article on car ownership costs.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...view/what-that-car-really-costs-to-own-ov.htm

that chart confirms what i've always believed and have done

couple year old American car is the best value

 

[jprad]

Quote from swtrader:

that chart confirms what i've always believed and have done

couple year old American car is the best value

Yep, the carry vs. operating costs chart shows that buying it once it's 2 years old and keeping it for no more than 3 is the lowest TCO you're going to get.

 

[saxon22]

Quote from 377OHMS:

Well, wrong again. There are more Porsches within 1 hour of my location than in all of Europe. Los Angeles is Porsche capitol of the world jackass.

No need for name calling sir. Los Angeles is number one in a lot of things. This however does not change the fact that outside your little enclave, (meaning the US) most people prefer Toyotas when it comes to trucks.