Thoughts from the Curb

Dec 11, 2008 - The Rant: Eight is Not Enough From GM

So I was interested to read on Inside Line yesterday that GM is promising to cut eight as yet unspecified nameplates from its product portfolio by 2012.

Wait a second, eight? Eight is not enough. Because I have nothing better to do apparently, I jotted down every single GM nameplate currently in production to see what will logically be on the chopping block. Let's take a look at what could be cut using GM's own bail-out plan as guidelines, plus a few things we already knew.

We know the Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy and Saab 9-7X will definitely be dying between now and 2012. That's 3. GM will almost certainly kill or sell Hummer, so bye bye H2 & H3. That's 5. We know the Solstice and Sky will be discontinued and not replaced. That's 7. There's been no Chevy Cruze Pontiac clone announced, so it's safe to assume that the G5 will die. That's 8. But wait, didn't GM also say Pontiac would become a niche brand? I doubt a niche brand would sell useless clone cars like the G6 and Torrent (not to mention both vehicles would be way past their expiration dates by 2012 any way). So wait, that's 10. 

But what about Saturn? If they kill any of those nameplates or the entire division, that's more to the list. Ditto Saab.

Basically, it doesn't add up to eight cars even if you stick to GM's supposed plan for the future. And realistically, there should be more vehicles cut -- GM is still rife with badge engineering. I've already written that Chevrolet and Cadillac is all that's needed. A penny spent on a Buick Lucerne is a penny wasted on making the Impala better. If they could transform Saturn back into a youth-oriented, quirky company and maintain the unique dealer experience (sort of like Scion), then it could stick around. But that would require new product, which doesn't seem likely.

Eight is not enough. Keep that axe swinging.

-James Riswick

9:18 am | Categories: the rant, car news commentary Permalink | Alert Administrator

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