GM takes out the axe

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:32 pm

:facepalm:
gm axes every high performance trim level except important ones

With Saturn, Pontiac, and Saab already cut, it looks like they are thinning the performance car ranks too.

Goodbye 2.0T Ecotec. Well its good to see the camaro SS still alive, but completely killing the Cobalt SS/TC..... There was a good chance that would be my next car.

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:38 pm

I'm really considering buying an Alfa Romeo MiTo as a daily driver when they release them in the US. Should be interesting.

Sucks the Cobalt SS is going away, But honestly with how STUPID American car builders have been in the last decade I really hope these down turn and reconstruction moves will teach them some lessons.

Chibits12 · Post by **Chibits12** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:52 pm

That sucks. I can't believe they axed the Cobalt SS but welcome back to the 80's.

I don't think they'll ever learn their lesson not until they listen to what car buyers really want. They should start fixing their car interiors, they're just plain horrid, my Cobalt felt like a Tonka toy inside.

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:59 pm

exactly.

Interiors, Fit and Finish, overall quality, Styling.

I considered a Cobalt SS/TC, but the car felt really cheap. After coming from an SRT which felt years older than what it was, the last thing I want is another cheap feeling car.

Most American cars built today are so "blah." The current Chrysler lineup is a perfect example of this. I love the Chevy commercials comparing their cars to Honda and Toyota, especially the ones with the Cobalt. The 'Balt looks so Cheap and bland when next to the Civic or Corolla, and I hate Honda and Toyota.

Major changes are needed in the American Car Market. I really wish American car companies would release cars like Ford Europe does. They certainly don't feel/look American.

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:16 pm

I hear ya. It just sucks that the performance cars get killed first. I'm really waiting for the Holden
Astra SRi, but with the 2.0T getting cut here along with pontiac, who knows if it would ever come.

Its a strange state of affairs right now. GM and Chrystler are still in limbo, even if one of them go under, suppliers are going to take a massive hit, and affect the other 2 domestics.

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:43 pm

MoxHair wrote: I really wish American car companies would release cars like Ford Europe does. They certainly don't feel/look American.

I can attest to that one. Even though Emma is mostly Ford stuff the little Ford Europe touches make it a much better car. Now to get an Escort cosworth over here

superdan · Post by **superdan** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:55 am

ok what i dont understand is why would they cut the cheapER more affordable cars and keep the cars they many average americans cant afford?
you would think hypthetically that more cheaper cars sold is going to cut a better profit than less more expensive cars.

i dont know maybe im not understanding what GM is trying to do?

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sun May 10, 2009 8:19 am

MoxHair wrote:The current Chrysler lineup is a perfect example of this.

Blame Daimler for this, not any Americans.

MoxHair wrote:Major changes are needed in the American Car Market. I really wish American car companies would release cars like Ford Europe does. They certainly don't feel/look American.

Ford did this back in the 80's with the original US Taurus so it can be done again. Chrysler also did it in the 90's with the 1GN. Remains to be seen what Fiat will do (especially since their European offerings are as BUTT UGLY as the Pontiac Aztec).

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Sun May 10, 2009 11:14 am

superdan wrote:ok what i dont understand is why would they cut the cheapER more affordable cars and keep the cars they many average americans cant afford?
you would think hypthetically that more cheaper cars sold is going to cut a better profit than less more expensive cars.

i dont know maybe im not understanding what GM is trying to do?

They're cutting out the higher performance cheap cars. The idea is that if people are buying the cheap cars they're not going to want/need the more expensive options, i.e. turbo sc, etc. (no rear power windows sound familiar?)

They figure if you can afford a turbo or sc'd Cobalt, you can just go to the next line of car. The fewer models they run, the less product they have to stock/produce etc.

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sun May 10, 2009 2:39 pm

TheRandom1 wrote:They figure if you can afford a turbo or sc'd Cobalt, you can just go to the next line of car. The fewer models they run, the less product they have to stock/produce etc.

IMO thats what they are doing wrong. Instead of looking at what a group of people would like in a car and catering to them, they're creating price-bracket cars. Generic machines that 'anyone' would want. Is there even one domestic sport compact out there now?

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Sun May 10, 2009 4:01 pm

Midnight_Rider wrote:
MoxHair wrote:The current Chrysler lineup is a perfect example of this.
Blame Daimler for this, not any Americans.

The Product wasn't any better before Daimler took over. GM's lineup is just as Bland.

rOniN · Post by **rOniN** » Sun May 10, 2009 5:06 pm

^^Seems the product was doing alright since Chrysler was worth over 30 billion before Daimler.

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Sun May 10, 2009 6:51 pm

The K-Car and Lee Iaccoca

Chibits12 · Post by **Chibits12** » Sun May 10, 2009 8:15 pm

I thought the 90's Chrysler was doing well. They came out with great cars like the cab-forward LH sedans, the Viper and Prowler, and for a while, the 1st gen Neon. Plus the Ram truck looked pretty badass during that time and the redesigned minivans.

Daimler went with a "merger" but it was actually a takeover. That's when a couple of great guys from Chrysler decided to jump ship, like Bob Lutz going to GM. Then Tom Gale, their head design chief, left right around when the merger occured. The ship was abandoned before it sank.

heyitsstock · Post by **heyitsstock** » Sun May 10, 2009 10:12 pm

they are still making the CTS-V?....

..excellent

Mopar_Korean · Post by **Mopar_Korean** » Mon May 11, 2009 12:41 am

MoxHair wrote:exactly.

Interiors, Fit and Finish, overall quality, Styling.

I considered a Cobalt SS/TC, but the car felt really cheap. After coming from an SRT which felt years older than what it was, the last thing I want is another cheap feeling car.

Most American cars built today are so "blah." The current Chrysler lineup is a perfect example of this. I love the Chevy commercials comparing their cars to Honda and Toyota, especially the ones with the Cobalt. The 'Balt looks so Cheap and bland when next to the Civic or Corolla, and I hate Honda and Toyota.

Major changes are needed in the American Car Market. I really wish American car companies would release cars like Ford Europe does. They certainly don't feel/look American.

I know we have butt heads before on this forum but you took the words right out of my mouth.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Mon May 11, 2009 2:34 am

We have a fleet of '07 and newer Toyota Corollas at my full-time job and, if you like plastic-wood dash treatments, yeah, the foreigners sure have the American cars beat as far as snazzy interiors go.

The Japanese-made Subaru that I drive for work has an interior that isn't any less "bland" than my mother's 300. The new Chevy Malibu has a really nice interior, as good as anything imported and that is saying a lot since I have never cared for GM products.

TeckNeon · Post by **TeckNeon** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:10 pm

I'll give you points for the Malibu. It's prolly the nicest affordable American car out there right now. A $25K Dodge Journey is so not worth $25K when you get inside it. I hate that. I was looking at a Nitro the other day during and oil change. All of the 2002+ Jeep Libertys got a smooth, black leather steering wheel and shifter. Nothing crazy but it makes the car feel just that much nicer. The 2009 Nitro SLT. No leather wheel. WTF? I mean, I am not asking for heated and cooled seats or heated washer fluid or something silly. I just want something that feels like it's worth the money spent. I would rather have a $25K Accord than a $25K Charger by far.

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:24 pm

Mopar_Korean wrote:I know we have butt heads before on this forum but you took the words right out of my mouth.

Butt Head?

Butt head?

Stop!... You're getting me all excited