From the NY Times:

Speculation that G.M. would eliminate either Pontiac or Buick became fevered last month when Robert A. Lutz, G.M.'s vice chairman, referred to the two as "damaged brands" at a conference in New York moderated by Morgan Stanley.

"Over time, if one of the troubled brands or one of the brands that's been undernourished for many years, if it fails to turn around, then we'd have to take a look at a phase-out," he said, according to a transcript.

After those words led to a barrage of reports that G.M. was considering eliminating Pontiac or Buick, executives quickly backtracked, with the company's marketing chief, Mark LaNeve, reassuring dealers in an e-mail message that there were no elimination plans. Mr. Lutz, in comments on G.M.'s corporate blog, fastlane.gmblogs.com, blamed a "shock-type journalism environment" for the flap and added that his comments were "taken out of context and twisted just enough to cause panic among a lot of good people."

"We have no plans to shed a brand," he added. "Period."

But with G.M. stock trading at a 12-year low as the company faces its darkest financial outlook in years, such statements by top executives reverberate loudly.

 

I wonder if the price of gas has anything to do with it $2.57 a gallon yesterday.

 

Ford is right behind them and on the way also

 

GM has produced too much crap for too long....bottom line....

The G6 has been a flop. The cars are already being discounted....

 

The G6 is the new Grand Am. Its expected to be discounted. What new sedan in that class is not discounted? The new Solstice has a waiting list at MSRP. GM did produce crap for a long time. One of the bigwigs actually used worse words than that when I was at a dealer breakfast in NYC. They also said at that time that Lutz was misquoted, and its going to take time for people to give GM cars a chance. If you read the reports most of the new cars (Cobalt, Equinox, Malibu, LaCrosse, Corvette) are all getting great press, but the cars were bad for so long people are hesitant.

 

EXACTLY.
And this is what I've been saying for quite a few years now, it's all about perception.
These people flock to import nameplates as if they're the 'second coming' or infallible or something, well they're NOT. Mercedes and BMW have been putting out some seriously unreliable **** lately, Nissan has had it's issues and even the ever popular Hondas/Toyotas (Acura/Lexus) that so many people tend to have shown some signs of imperfection.
This is NOT old 1979 or even 1985 GM and Ford anymore, these new cars are damn GOOD and they are awesome values, all the anti American bias in the world cannot change that.

<--- GM and Ford forever!

 

Ten years ago, Ford stock was at $10.. yesterday it was at $10..

 

Go to www.fastlane.gmblogs.com and you can post on thier blog.. My letter was posted- but no reply YET.

 

GM is turning things around.its going to take time though.

 

The G6 will never be a big seller. The car is average, thats it. Its a nice improvement over the Grand Am, but a well optioned G6 it close to $29k. It will become the rental car of choice, just like the Grand Am....Good luck convincing people to buy a G6 over a V6 Accord. Resale value alone would sway me to buy an Accord and its not like the G6 is an 'exciting' car. Both are bland.

The Cobalt should sell well, especially the cheaper models. Japan's economy cars have all gotten rather expensive over the past few years. A decently optioned Civic/Corrolla/Sentra is ~ $18k. The Cobalt should be able to step in there and make a mark.

The Lacross will be a bomb. Not sure what people are actually buying them for in real world numbers, but I looked at one a few weeks ago. They are actually quite nice inside and look better in person then they do on TV. But $31,000 seems crazy to me. Maxima owns....

Malibu is supposed to be solid. I have not checked them out much....

The C6 will sell well as long as the prices stay where they are.

The Solstice may do just enough to keep Pontiac around. The cars supposedly will have a killer initial waiting list at MSRP or above. Thats a pretty neat car.

GM should hype the Saturn Vue V6 more then they do. Thats a badass SUV. For all the Dodge Hemi-BS, the Saturn Vue with the Honda V6 isn't much slower. They are quick little SUVs, something like 15.4 I think. Build quality is supposed to be decent and the drivetrain should be solid.

Unfortunately I think most of the new Caddies will be bombs. The imports have just taken that class over. I'm surprised the CTS-V hasn't sold better, thats a pretty world class car IMO. GM faces a major image problem with Caddilac against the imports....

 

The upcoming G6 GT (or maybe GTP?) should add a bit more excitement into the line, pumped up V6, suspension etc. There will be a 2 door and a convertible as well and possibly AWD.
What bothers me a bit is that all the import flag wavers normally love the new Audis, this G6 does look a bit like an Audi, yet the import buyers still won't acknowledge this otherwise good new car.

 

I'd never get an Audi, look at the reliability reports of them. Horrible usually....

How about a G6 w/ 280 horsepower, NICE 17" wheels, and a $26k tag? That would get it done....

Why can't they use the small LS1 like they do in the Monte?

 

Oxymoron.. like "Jumbo Shrimp" or "Dry Martini"..

 

depends what it is....a 280 hp version of the blown 3.8 would suffice....

of course a small northstar or small LS1 would be even better....They just seem to be treading water, not offering anything truly earth shattering....

That little convert looks neat though....

 

Mr. B.: I am tired of your obnoxious anti-GM posts. Also, I am sure many others here are, as well. If you are a true blue oval lover, why don't you post your crap over with them. GM vehicles still are boss in most forms of racing, in case you haven't noticed...Read the paper, or visit a track sometime, whether it be a dragstrip or Nextel Cup track, or road race...--GM vehicles are the ones to beat....WJ

 

 

NJ is weird.... WJ

 

So put me on "Ignore" and be done with it.

Others here have understood what I write, if you are so infantile that any difference from your opinion is blasphemy- that's on you, buddy boy.

 

Bobbo Boy is right about the GM stuff but do you wanna get into the 3 torched brand new F-150's i've seen in the past 3 months being towed down the road? I just saw my latest crisper yesterday. Spontaneous combustion anyone? There's good and bad to every car company. Get real.

 

Aw, it's your right to post what you want, I guess... I was just in the mood to stick up for my loyalty to the GM and Chevy nameplates last night. You've been around here awhile, also. Pretty stupid on my part to question anyone elses loyalties.... WJ