Originally Posted by stovt001
I've heard the dealers all demanded a Lambda, but shouldn't it end somewhere? I totally agree that the Chevy will probably move the most units, but Chevy already has too many vehicles. Bob himself said so. The problem you run into is that you either market one effectively, but in doing so you're forced to throw the rest under the bus (example: Aura and Malibu. Imagine if the Aura had a campaign as strong as the Malibu's) or you just semi-market the whole lot and then watch as your competition matches your sales numbers with a single lesser vehicle (Lambdas vs Edge). I suppose that the problem was created long ago when GM started all these brands and failed adapt to a new market environment, but really, isn't 4 versions of the same vehicle just a little excessive? Or are we to still expect Cadillac, Hummer, and Saab versions? I mean Hummer has a very limited lineup. If everyone must have a ton of model lines, certainly you must be contractually obligated to give Hummer one. Honestly, seeing as how GMC will likely be blessed with the Denali concept and from what I hear a Vue clone, perhaps the Acadia could have been skipped. I get the impression that both Saturn and GMC are positioned slightly upscale from Chevy, so I'd position the Traverse as the supreme economy version, the Outlook as a bit more upscale, and the Enclave as truly upscale. Then give GMC the Vue clone (only two models is acceptable) and the Denali concept (I know, still unconfirmed, but I think a lot of people will be surprised if it didn't happen, as everything looks pretty put together on that end). Pontiac I imagine will still keep the Torrent, Vibe, and G5 for a few more years at least. So everyone has a full lineup, Rebadging is limited to 2, 3 versions of a model maximum, and Chevy has a lineup so full the average dealership only has enough room to keep one unit of each model on hand at a given time. My point is cloning a model once is understandable. Twice can be justified using the "everyone needs a full lineup" thing, especially with a great product like the Lambdas. It just gets really hard to get 4 of them out there and give them the marketing they deserve.
Re: the 3.6DI. Good point, and as far as the high tech, powerful and efficient engine families go, here's what the lineup looks like:
I4:
Ford: 2.0L TC DI 275 hp, 280 lb/ft
GM 2.0L TC DI 260 hp, 260 lb/ft
V6
Ford: 3.5L TC DI 340 hp, 340 lb/ft
GM: 3.6L DI 300 hp, 300 lb/ft (I think?)
Sorry, but Ford wins on both rounds. GM was first and both were great, but Ford has come from behind and leapfrogged. And really, it doesn't matter much whether out V6 makes 300 hp or 340, because if we put it through the front wheels it won't be much fun. Too bad I can't afford a CTS.
Speaking of affordable, a number of people have said "well, look at the autoshows to see what GM is coming out with"
OK, lets look at that:
Hybrid Tahoe, Yukon, Sierra, and Silverado. I don't know the pricing for the trucks, but since the SUVs will be going for $60,000 or so, they mean absolutely nothing to me most GM customers in practical terms. Cool? Heck yes. But really something I can get excited about owning? Nope. Especially since as a 21 year old corporate financial analyst intern living in LA with just a fiancee to drive around I have absolutely no need for a truck.
GMC Denali concept - still unconfirmed, and see above. Likely too expensive, and no need for a truck.
Corvette ZR1 - too expensive
CTS-V - too slow...umm, no, kidding, just too expensive.
Traverse - yet another in a long line of Lambdas, and I have no need for a family car.
Seriously, all of GM's recent concepts are targeted at the Texas tycoons or people with huge families. So as my beloved smaller RWD cars are dropped from consideration in favor of more super expensive cars and clones of mom-mobiles, I'm left with the G8 (far too big) and the still promising Camaro. If something were to go wrong there, GM has nothing else for me, despite its insane amount of brands. Of course, there is always the Mazda RX8, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, upcoming Toyota and Honda RWD performance cars, Hyundai Genesis coupe... Basically I'm left with tons of sporty, smaller, affordable alternatives, all outside of GM.
Finally, one last note: every time word comes out that GM is dropping another proposed product due to CAFE, the phrase that comes up is "The G8 and the Camaro are still safe because they are too far along to cancel." So read between the lines there. It is only by luck of timing that we're even getting the 2 remaining affordable performance cars GM has left. If GM could have canceled them without forfeiting sunk costs, they would have. When I hear things like that, I lose confidence fast.
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