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Car Forum / Saab Cars / August 2005GM global?
GM goes global: http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103024 This actually sounds like one of the smarter moves GM has made. Took them long enough. It will clearly take years to implement. Now if they can only pull this off _and_ maintain brand identity. It has the makings of watering down the distinct nature of each GM brand (in particular, Saab). - tex > GM goes global: > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > - tex Believe it when you see it. > GM goes global: > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > - tex So essentially what they're saying is that every brand car they produce will be absolutely identical under the skin? That sounds far worse than even the current arrangement, the different "brands" will have no real meaning at all. > So essentially what they're saying is that every brand car they produce will > be absolutely identical under the skin? That sounds far worse than even the > current arrangement, the different "brands" will have no real meaning at > all. I think it's one of those things that sounds smart to bean counters. But bean counters aren't very smart, they only know how to count beans, and usually put a company on a fast course to self-destruction. If GM were smart, they would advertise the fact that the cars are indeed unique to their various markets and, more importantly, to their loyal fan base---and keep the bean counters in check. >>So essentially what they're saying is that every brand car they produce will >>be absolutely identical under the skin? That sounds far worse than even the [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > unique to their various markets and, more importantly, to their loyal > fan base---and keep the bean counters in check. If all they are taking about is uni-body and engine-block then fine. But if this means the same brakes, the same interiors, the same suspension, then count me out. If I am not mistaken, the Jetta and A4 share a "platform" but perform and look vastly different. If this is what GM plans, then thumbs up. >>GM goes global: >> [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > current arrangement, the different "brands" will have no real meaning at > all. GM is already doing this. Look at all of the components failing on the current Saabs. These are 'volume purchased' parts used by all GM divisions - 'volume purchased' means reduced cost. This article seems to place an emphasis on more than just common parts - common design. The Saab 9-3 was supposed to be a common platform with other GM cars. The Saab engineers modified the car so it earned a 5 star crash rating while the other GM cars did not. What does GM do? Count beans and punish Saab for creating a different car - never mind it has a 5 star crash rating which GM brags about in their ads. . . > Look at all of the components failing on the > current Saabs. These are 'volume purchased' parts used by all GM > divisions - 'volume purchased' means reduced cost. If that's the case, why is Saab at the bottom of the quality rankings among GM divisions? Perhaps the problem is the parts that are unique to Saab being of less quality. > So essentially what they're saying is that every brand car they produce will > be absolutely identical under the skin? That sounds far worse than even the > current arrangement, the different "brands" will have no real meaning at > all. Actually, it sounds a lot like Toyota and Honda. Why don't people get harrumphed about that? > > So essentially what they're saying is that every brand car they produce will > > be absolutely identical under the skin? That sounds far worse than even the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Actually, it sounds a lot like Toyota and Honda. Why don't people get > harrumphed about that? Uh ? Are you suggesting that Honda and Toyota share the same 'platforms' ? Graham > Are you suggesting that Honda and Toyota share the same 'platforms' ? > > Graham No, but, for example, Camry, Sienna and Highlander are essentially the same underbody, with some tucking and stretching to get the footprint they want. Not quite as much sharing among Accord, Odyssey and Pilot, but its close. Jim |
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