My School Paper on GM

[AirGoya]

This is a quick persuasive paper i wrote in a few days in a class called Senior Rhetoric. It was our first paper so our teacher graded us on mainly the structure of the paper. I got 95% on it!! He also added a comment that said, "You should work for GM". (happy tears)
So be gentle.

America’s General

In a poll taken at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, 59% of people polled said foreign automakers are preferred over American. This is a problem of epic proportions when every country’s domestic automaker outsells every foreign company except the United States. Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors, also known as “The Big Three”, were the top selling car companies in the U.S. during the 50’s and 60’s. GM is one of the largest car brands in the world, and today they are struggling to hold on due to lack of sales. Americans should buy General Motors products because they would be helping their own country and economy, they would be using a quality and dependable car, and there is a wide selection to choose from.

A car is the most expensive, complex, and mass produced product in the world. When you purchase an automobile from General Motors you are not only buying just a car, but one assembled mostly by Americans and made primarily with parts designed and built by Americans. Considering what a large part the auto industry plays in our economy, when you buy a GM product you are supporting your country and its economy. When you buy a foreign car, you are not helping our economy at all. For example, purchasing a GM car like the Chevy Impala, which is one of the top selling cars in America, would be putting 22,000 dollars back into the flow of our economy. A healthy economy depends on a strong base of manufacturing and the services that support it. Therefore, buying a GM car, especially now, is very important to the country we all love.

Another reason why you should buy a General Motors car is because of their quality and dependability. J.D. Power and Associates, a consumer product reviewer, released their new ratings for dependability and rated Buick tied at number one and Cadillac at number two which both are GM brands. Ironically, Buick is one of GM’s lowest selling car brands. Furthermore, the GM plant that produces the Buick Lacrosse and Pontiac Grand Prix received a silver medal behind a Ford plant for ratings in plant quality. This means that your vehicle was assembled in a facility with state of the art manufacturing capabilities, quality control, and energy efficiency. If you’re still not convinced of GM’s superior quality, they guarantee power train dependability for 100,000 miles or 5 years.

With 88 different cars to choose from, it’s hard not to find one to fall in love with. Amazingly, one of every four General Motors rolls off the assembly line achieves thirty miles to the gallon or better. GM has everything you’re looking for, from the Ferrari beating and legendary Corvette, all the way to the curvaceous luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave. In addition, to all the existing choices, GM promises new exciting products coming in 2008. In the coming years you can look forward to a stunning re-designed Cadillac CTS, the Pontiac G8 performance Sedan, and a car I can’t wait to have in my own garage, the Chevrolet Camaro.

Americans should purchase GM automobiles because they would be helping the country and flow of the economy, they’re receiving a reliable car, and because the selection of vehicles will meet most everyone’s needs. Buying a new car will be one of the most expensive purchase decisions you will ever make. Your choice not only affects you, but your nation, your community and even your neighbor.

Everyone like the word curvaceous?

[Pencil.Fight]

That's a great paper! I just have one question: is it ok if I buy a car made in Canada? It was designed in the USA, I swear!

But seriously, how much of an effect does the fact that the Camaro is being produced in Canada have on our economy?

[AirGoya]

well the way i see it, the only non american people that aren't being profited from the camaro are the factory workers ya know? So its not that big of a deal. It is a really good factory though
I know there are a few exceptions to my paper with where parts are made.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Pencil.Fight

But seriously, how much of an effect does the fact that the Camaro is being produced in Canada have on our economy?

A bigger effect than you may think. This car is the performance leg of a new wave of GM vehicles that are designed to better GM's image.

That, combined with the return of the most recognized nameplate in the industry...this is a big deal.

Oh, and really great essay! Very "thoughtful" as my english professor would say...

[AirGoya]

well thanks guys.
our next paper has to be a compare and contrast paper so i was ofcourse gonna do superchargers vs. turbochargers. I seem to do much better on assignments when they are car related meaning im interested. Any points that you guys can think of i can include?

[TAG UR IT]

Pretty good!

[DGthe3]

The real costs of making something (ie before people take their 'cut') are roughly
50% design
20% materials
15% labour
15% overhead (paying the electric bill and so on)

And so, a car that is designed by americans with the parts made by americans but assembled by canadians will return about 70% of the cost of the car into your economy.

[Pencil.Fight]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

The real costs of making something (ie before people take their 'cut') are roughly
50% design
20% materials
15% labour
15% overhead (paying the electric bill and so on)

And so, a car that is designed by americans with the parts made by americans but assembled by canadians will return about 70% of the cost of the car into your economy.

Thank you, that's what I was looking for.

Personally, I don't have anything against Canada. If I were to live anywhere other than the USA, it'd be Canada in a heartbeat. I just wanted to make sure we weren't saying "Support the US economy" when half the money was going to a different country.

[Mindz]

Really nice. I would give it the same rating at 95. Few minor things but overall very informative and well written. Thanks for posting it.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Super vs. Turbo point...hmmm. I could have fun with this...Turbos need about a 30 sec cooldown, before you shut off the car...Supers don't need any special startup, or shutdown.

Supers are generally cheaper to install - no playing with exaust manifolds, or headers. They also -traditionally, I know things have changed - offer instant power gains. Turbos usu. have to spool up.
Others can add more - oh, and check out the super v Turbo thread...I think it's that one...

[Mindz]

I would outline it like so.

Intro (describe the effect of forced induction)

Supers (more traditional, easy to install, several kinds but belt driven)

Turbos (less loss of power, bigger boost, runs off exhaust)

Why some applications are better s/c'ed while some are better Turbo'ed.

Conclusion (Both work and both are viable options)

Those are the points I'd include. Hope it helped.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Yeah...if your going for some type of thesis statement...that is, deifning an opinion...it'd be more difficult to say one is better than the other...

Your easiest route would be what Mindz said above - except I'd add one thing -instead of just saying that there is a place and time for each; say that Forced induction is a postitive addition to your vehicle...or something like that

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Yeah...if your going for some type of thesis statement...that is, deifning an opinion...it'd be more difficult to say one is better than the other...

Your easiest route would be what Mindz said above - except I'd add one thing -instead of just saying that there is a place and time for each; say that Forced induction is a postitive addition to your vehicle...or something like that

Agreed, I remember that I always got marks docked on comparitive papers because I didn't write anything conclusive at the end. End it with something like 'If you want to achieve this, go with ___ because of A and B;but if the other thing is what you want, ____ is better because of 1 and 2'

Avoid mushy statements like 'its all good and everything is equally good'. Be decisive!

[Mr. Wyndham]

ugh...I just got done with my own paper...on. *twinkle-toes voice* "peace and poverty"..... That's why I mentioned the dicisiveness...

I'm not against peace or anything, but it was Soooooo boring to write. I'm glad you can write about something your interested in, AirGoya...that definitly makes it easier.

Remember - Your telling somebody something...not suggesting it.