MY GM PREDICTIONS:

[Stewart G Griffin]

Since we're coming up on the new year, i figured this would be an appropriate time to discuss our favorite automaker.

Predictions (and in a few months you can see if i was right or not):

Not nessesarily in order and i don't nessesarily agree with the following predictions:

1) Pontiac gone.

2) no more GMC

3) Corvette gone or moved to buick  (even though corvette is profitable)  The corvette is already a completely separate brand in japan.  In this case, a wealthy person(s) will buy corvette name, tooling and factory.  But it just won't be the same.

4) Camaro discontinued after one model year.

5) Malibu and impala morphed into one car, possibly to be called impala.

6) Volt flops

7) Chevy will continue to build trucks, but the styling gets worse and more bizarre.

New cruise successful, but they're saying they can't make a profit on small cars.

9) Cadillac stays, but who cares.

10) GM will try to use and/or collaborate with ford with drivetrains---engines and/or transmission.

11) GM will try to use and/or collaborate with toyota with drivetrains and carlines.  They already do it now to a lesser extent with the cobalt which is a rebadged corolla in japan.

12) Gm still wants to combine with chrysler.  It's like an alcoholic that knows drinking is bad, but just can't keep away from the bottle.............

13) Buick gets lamer than it already is.  (actually, i feel buick is ok, it's just not as good as before which is why i'm using the term "lame.")

14) no more RWD cars for Gm except XLR, but this won't last either.


More as i think of them.  Feel free to add.

[dumbucket1]

what makes you think buick will stay?

[Tony_SS]

what makes you think buick will stay?

2 words: Old People.

[dumbucket1]

I thought that's what cadillac is for 

[Stewart G Griffin]

1) Well, because i don't think they can cut more than one brand at a time.  i know i said GMC would be gone too, but GMC and pontiac are really together.   As far as saab, hummer etc., they are selling them, not disconinuing them.  So they don't count.

2) The other reason is honestly, i think buick is lamer than pontiac and since gm managment sucks---this is something they would do-----cut the better brand.  So that's another reason.  See, my predictions are based on previous managerial behavior at gm.  i mostly don't agree with my predicitons, but based on past behavior, this is exactly what they would do.  Pontiac could easily be made awesome again, but some people are smokin' crack.
It's true that older people prefer buick and similar brands, but they also can and do like toyota camry's.  But i think Buick will stay because apparently GM is trying to be as lame as possible and buick is lamer than pontiac.   Actually, i don't even think it's a question of being lame as both pontiac and i think buick still sell quite a number of cars.  Gm has their math screwed up and they are going to punish pontiac for it.

[VileZambonie]

Everyone is freaking over the economy but it will bounce back. GM will still be there and the volt will be a hot ticket. It's styling and concept is pretty impresive

[Tony_SS]

I thought that's what cadillac is for 

Cadillac is for wanna be rich folks and rappers. 

[N2TRUX]

I think it will depend on how much of a concession the Feds made the UAW take. As long as the UAW has a strangle hold on GM all of their divisions are in jeopardy. If the Feds were able to force deep enough cuts then most of GM will bounce back.

Buick might survive due to the popularity of the Enclave. It has sales numbers that are close to the GMC Arcadia, and still growing. They have so few models now that they might not disappear. If they could get the "Invicta" concept to market it should boost sales.


Buick Invicta-

[69byrd]

I hope you are wrong about GMC being gone. I actually prefer the styling of the GMC over the Chevrolet.

[Stewart G Griffin]

1) i will bet here and now that the volt will flop.  You name the stakes and see if we can reach an agreement, everyone here will be witness.   No cash; i have a few parts laying around that i will probably never use.  Or, if cash, then maybe the loser has to donate to this site or something.  Or loser donates a part to a member in true need(although everyone is in need in some way?)  If you just want to make it a bet with no stakes, that is cool too.  Interested?


2)  It's funny you (and about 12 other random persons) say that the GMC styling is different from chevy's.  i still can't tell the difference;  Am i missing something?
i personally believe that GMC should continue also, but there may not be any choice;  Supposedly by eliminating brands, gm can save money because there will be less employees?  And, as we know pensions, health care etc. are supposedly killing them.

Predictions continued:

Longshot prediction:
15)  A Chinese company either buys GM outright or injects massive amounts of money into it and thus becomes joint owner.  (bye-bye quality).

[dumbucket1]

Stewart, what's your thoughts on Saturn?

[Tony_SS]

The only difference btw GMC and Chevy is some faux wood trim and badges. Whats the point?? GM needs to trim the fat.. Saab should go too.

[Lt.Del]

I do predict one thing:  The United Auto Workers will become less dominant.  They are one of the reasons GM is having so much financial turmoil. Remember last year when GM plants had to shut down and the chain reaction it caused the supply manufacturers?  They wanted Washington to step in and be a mediator.  GM knew it was losing money then, and could not increase any more freakin salaries and benefits, but the Union suceeded in their threat of a  large work stoppage. We see this about every other year now with GM.  To prove their worth, the head guys at UAW threaten work stoppage.  The manufactering industrial jobs are already the highest paid in their type of work, why keep asking until GM's back breaks?  I don't get it.  They are forcing down the hand that feeds them.  C'mon people!  You dont see Toyota doing this and GM workers are paid more than Toyota workers.  Am i missing something?  It is time for the UAW to take a freakin' hike.

[truckjunkie]

SgtDel you've said a mouth full your predictions sound good , I trully hope GM can get it together , an i totally agree w/ down w/ the UAW they have served there purpose now they need to go couse i'll never buy a new one till they make me , an pontiac was gone in 80 w/ the last true pontiac v-8 , yes it was junk but still a pontiac v-8

[Captkaos]

GMC and Chevrolet are built on the same assembly line, cutting either one would just be a matter of saving grilles and badging.

UAW is definitely a killer on the Big 3's side.  The concept of a union is great, but the UAW now is just a political vehicle leveraging workers.  They should have been gone years ago when this started happening.