What does GM need to do to be successful?

[Colossus]

GM is capable of building some very nice stuff, both cars and trucks and even other things. But- over the past 30 or so years, they have implemented policy and made choices that were foolish and has cost them as a result. What do you think GM needs to do in order to be a successful manufacturer of vehicles now a days?

 

My thoughts:

- Own up to their mistakes, apologize for their mistakes, and be dang sincere about it.

 

- If they know about an issue such as the "Chevy Shake" or poor radio reception/workings on the 2014+ trucks, yet don't have a solution yet for it, OWN UP TO THAT! Don't try to sweep it under the rug and think they can wait 4 years until the next redesign or update. Admit there is an issue, and what steps they are taking to try to fix it.

 

- Treat their customers like they are gold and mean everything to them.

 

- Prove to the public that they have good vehicles and be humble about it, don't be trying to be snobby. Show the public just how they are trying to make vehicles that can be just as if not more reliable than it's competitors. What are they doing to be able to surpass the current ratings for reliability and owner satisfaction? You notice how Kia and Hyundai snuck up the ratings over the past 5-10 years to surpass even Crapota? Have they noticed how Crapota is really starting to put out some impressive sales numbers on their TURDRA (Tundra) pickups? Do they realize that this is likely because people have been so disappointed in the trucks they've had in the past, from Dodge, GM, & Ford that they are willing to go buy a new Tundra at close to MSRP with very few sales and discounts on them? And *gasp* do they realize that a good number of those Turdra owners actually like the thing? Hmmmm.

 

What do you think GM needs to do in order to be successful?

 

 

[pickmeup]

I have always found it interesting that people pay close to msro on Tundra. It has had its share of issues too. Excessive frame rot, wiring harness on rear of vehicle pure junk and expensive to replace, cam towers leaking on 5.7 as common as the sun rising, and the list goes on. Talk to anyone that has got a 5.7 and if their honest you usually hear it is a thirst gas pig. But people think its a big deal to get one on ''sale'' with 3,500 off msrp.

[diyer2]

I think they fall inline with a lot of the manufactures. They all cut cost foremost IMO.

But it would be nice to have honesty. IMO in our world today honesty is not as important as money, see it every day.

[StillOffshore]

I would guess that GM in general wants to believe that any issues are isolated to a handful of units. I mean, why would they publically announce they're at fault? Turn off prospective buyers? Maybe their research shows that hiding issues will create more new customers than the ones they lose because of these issues.

 

I'm not knocking anyone, but quite a few guys on this forum have bought another GM after they went through living hell on their previous one. Why should GM scare off people who are unaware of problems? And especially if the issues aren't 100% across the board...the whole "you might get a good one" argument. GM sees it as most are fine, but there are a few issues on certain units.

 

I agree, companies should do the right thing, but we all know they don't and likely, never will. Stockholders would have a heart attack if companies disclosed more than they do now.

[RyanbabZ71]

GM isnt alone. My father in law became a die hard Toyota guy around the time I bought my 2010. He talked trash and bought a Tacoma. He had the recall due to the rust (luckily his didnt have the issue) and last yr bought a 2015 hilander. A few weeks ago he was in a parking garage leaving a concert when he went to hit the brakes the dash lit up, brake pedal went to the floor and he hit the guy in front of him (low speed no damage). He took it to toyota the next day. They had it 3 weeks (only put a few miles on it) and basically told him we couldnt find the problem the SUV is fine. Moral of the story is he thought toyota was superior over every other brand. In a matter of a month he has backed off this stance in regards to the way they are treating this situation. I had him fill out an NHTSA "event" on this issue. We will see where it goes

[MikeNH]

All the manufacturers have hits and misses. The biggest GM issue to me is their total lack of anything interesting with the trucks. They're boring. Look at the performance and luxury stuff and it's obvious GM can take on the best of the world. Ram has the Rebel and the Power Wagon, Ford has the Raptor and GM's full size line has nothing. The ZR2 is cool but the midsize trucks don't do much for me.

 

And then there's just the bad decisions. The undercoating is probably the worst on any truck currently sold. And while I haven't personally experienced the vibration issues in any of the 2014+ stuff I've rented for work, GM revised their 2017 warranty terms NOT to cover slight vibrations. This is an embarrassing cop out because there is clearly a design flaw in the 14+ trucks.

[scott19677]

All the manufacturers have hits and misses. The biggest GM issue to me is their total lack of anything interesting with the trucks. They're boring. Look at the performance and luxury stuff and it's obvious GM can take on the best of the world. Ram has the Rebel and the Power Wagon, Ford has the Raptor and GM's full size line has nothing. The ZR2 is cool but the midsize trucks don't do much for me.

 

And then there's just the bad decisions. The undercoating is probably the worst on any truck currently sold. And while I haven't personally experienced the vibration issues in any of the 2014+ stuff I've rented for work,

 

"GM revised their 2017 warranty terms NOT to cover slight vibrations" This is why Im not buying a 2018 when they come out. The first time that I haven't bought a "new model" in 20 years. Hell Im on my third 2014. Not gonna get me for another time. Its just a shame all the other trucks look about as sexy as an ass full of poison ivy. just not a fan.lol

[StillOffshore]

That's kinda funny about the future warranty not including vibrations. I suppose that's about as close as they will get to admitting there is a problem.

[j-ten-ner]

...GM revised their 2017 warranty terms NOT to cover slight vibrations. This is an embarrassing cop out because there is clearly a design flaw in the 14+ trucks.

 

lol...and they still leave the back door open.

What is a slight vibration?

A "humming" like my truck does at about 80-85 km/h or the steering wheel rocking 2" to the left and right?

 

so long

j-ten-ner

 

Almost forgot my 2 cents on what it takes to make GM successful for me.

Cover the basics before you try to invent new stuff.

Like proper frame coating instead of lane departure warning.

Taming the transmission (programming) before adding more gears.

Not to jack up the prices so that they can give big discounts.

That could be a start.

[barry G]

the LED halo stuff, simple thing..drives me nuts. I hate the sight of it.

undercoating.. only waxy benefit is to see manufacture did not take a wild stab, all the way to delivery.

 

 

That aluminum engine venture..

its not going to be pleasant.

 

Why I am thinking of some hot rodder wearing sandals in the desert declaring a grippy baja rock the standard at 120F in the sun...

 

 

maybe gm needs to stay away from you tube.

[pickmeup]

Sport and fun to drive truck not in GM corporate DNA. Luxury and comfort appears to be the new GM. Sticker that comfort and luxury high and then we will discount 8 to 13,000 off seems to be working quite well for them I must admit.

[Grumpy Bear]

IMO it isn’t an issue that can be fixed but it is not for a lack of ability. They all have plenty of ability. What is lacking is willingness. Willingness and ability have become subject to their gods.

 

MONEY It is what they warship above all else.

 

Daimler Benz, Henry Ford, Horace and John Dodge, Louis Chevrolet, to name a few, were at one time names of people with passionate visions for the automobile. Built them, raced them, improved them and make them available to others who shared that interest and to those they felt compelled out of pity, compassion or love to serve as humans serve each other. They ate, slept, and blew breath into automobiles. It was understood that some profit was needed to perform the task at hand and no one minded because it was rewarded with delivery on those promises.

 

Those people have been replaced by cooperate entities whose names they bear but who are, by definition and by reason, soulless and unaccountable as a single human conscience would be.

 

They lack personal passions or visions and no longer serve the people they sell to or the goals of those that build them but sacrificed them in their entirety as offerings to their gods of money, power and greed. It is compromised and by definition therefor corrupt. What possible earthly fix is there for that?

 

You get a whisper every once in a while in a name like John DeLorean. Most of you are too young to have experienced any of this.

[pickmeup]

Good point . Look no further than the old Chrysler Corp. They was so used to getting bailed out the CEO wore a parachute on his back as part of his daily dress attire.

[Daryl Z71]

Doesn't matter to me, I'll never buy brand new again.

[pickmeup]

Its coming . Model year 19 they will tell all of us the new model addressing all of our k2xx problems and faults .lol. All we got to day is pony up for the next model.........and so it begins again .