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#1
Jun 20, 2009, 05:20 AM
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Revamping GM’s line-up part II
This is an update on something I had written several month’s ago. Since then GM has filed bankruptcy and has decided which brands to shed and which to keep. Three of these came as no surprise and two did surprise me just a bit. Based on GM’s new brand alignment I would recommend the following for each division. Chevrolet: This is the entry division; and the line-up would be as follows: “B” Car: $11,500-$14,000 this would be a small 3 and 5 door body hatch back that would replace the less than stellar Aveo. Use a 1.3L turbo as the standard engine. Offer a lot of low-cost, customizable features, similar to Scion. Aim for 35mpg or better. This car will need to be produced in S. Korea or China, to be a viable low cost product. “Dedicated Hybrid” $15000-$17,000 Using the B-Car platform but with a more aerodynamic Hatchback 5 door body use a 1.3L with electric assistance, to achieve 45 mpg or better. Bill this as the cheapest 45mpg car sold. Cruze: $16,500-22,500.00 This is scheduled to replace the Cobalt (Thank the Lord) I would have a 4 door Notch, 5 Door Hatch (Mini-Wagon) and Coupe bodies. Base engine should be a 1.5L Turbo tuned to 140Hp, 145Lbs of torque with a 5 speed manual or automatic. Aim for 35mpg for this model. As this compact is a critical component to GM’s future success, banish all cheap plastics from the interior. The upper model (LT) would feature a 2.4L engine tuned to 160Hp and well equipped (Sunroof, Leather, power everything etc) The next up would be a high performance “SS” model with a 265Hp turbo 4, tight suspension, 18 inch wheels, and a short through 6 six speed manual. The top end model should be a full (42mpg) hybrid Malibu: $22,000-$28,500 So far so good. The steering feel needs further refinement. Widen the body by 2 inches, to address the two major complaints that people have with this car. Eliminate the 4 speed automatic, and go with 6 speed automatics only on both 4 and 6 cylinder models. Add a top of the line “SS” with a lowered profile, “blackout trim”, 20 inch wheels, tighter suspension, ground effects and a 280Hp V-6. Also bring in a 2 door coupe version to replace the clumsy Monte Carlo. Impala: $26,500-$32,000 Ditch the current outdated front wheel drive car, the Malibu has this segment covered. Cannibalize the hardware in tact from the now extinct rear wheel drive Pontiac G8. Re-body the G8 as the “new” Impala. The base car will have GM’s DI 300Hp V6, the up-level SS will sport the 425Hp V8 from the Camaro. Camaro: $23,000-35,000 in addition to the coming convertible, add a series of competition packages and add-ons. Keep the current engines. Volt: Work on getting the price of this ERE (extended range electric) down as quickly as possible. If this car can be sold at $25,000 of less it will make a big impact on GM’s Green rep “Equinox replacement” $18,500-$27,000-a 5 to 7 seat crossover based on the Cruze chassis. The base engine would be a 170Hp 2.4L 4 cylinder with the up-level engine being a 270Hp V6 Transverse: $25,000-find a way to get some weight off this vehicle. Update the suspension and add quicker steering. Redo the third row of seats for better access. Colorado: $15000-$25,000 needs a complete redesign to be more competitive with Tacoma, Frontier and Dakota. Increase the body size slightly in all dimensions. Base engine should be a 4.0L V-6 with an up level V-8 option. Silverado: $25,000 and up create a more modern looking body. Tahoe-Drop this as a separate model Suburban: $35,000-and up, this would be the remaining “truck-based” SUV and would come in shorter and longer body lengths each with 3 rows of seats. Make a diesel version available. Corvette: $85,000-150,000.00 Remove the “Chevrolet” designations from this car and sell as a standalone model. Move to an advanced mid-engine configuration and give it a truly exotic shape. The “base” engine would be 625Hp V-8 and the upper level would be a supercharged version packing north of 750Hp Extensive use of carbon fiber will keep the weight down. Make this the ultimate performance bargain. Set up a separate showroom at select Cadillac/Buick dealerships. GMC: Focus this division on commercial and small business customers. Remove the Arcadia from the line up (Duplicates the Chevy Transverse) Market Heavy duty pickups, SUVs and Work Vans Buick: This line should for traditional American luxury and I envision 3 models: Lacrosse: $28,000-$35,000 built on the same platform as the Malibu. All models will be equipped with a V6 at around 275 HP and standard 6 speed Automatic Transmission. The model trims will be L, Grand Sport (somewhat firmer suspension and more aggressive transmission and Ultra model. All would be made stem to stern with very high quality materials and lots of standard features. Liquid filled engine mounts will be standard to silence this car. Park Avenue: $35,000-$42,000 Replacing the lackluster Lucerne and built on the rear drive Zeta platform this will feature a standard DI V6 tuned to 300 HP, the up-level Ultra would have a 425 HP V8. The suspension tuning would be softer than the “New Impala” This car would be engineered for those who previously enjoyed the likes of the Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town car. Acres of wood and leather would abound in this model and it would be smoothest riding of all GM cars. Enclave: Find away to reduce weight and fuel consumption. Explore a diesel option for higher gas mileage Cadillac: this will serve as the business executive’s ride. With Buick focused on traditional “American Style” luxury Cadillac can focus on taking on BMW, Mercedes, Lexus etc. This would be the line-up. SRX: $35,000-$42,000 this crossover serves as an entry level model, with a standard 300Hp DI engine and standard all wheel drive. Well damped sporty suspension would round out the package. CTS: $37,000-$47,000 Enlarge the body by a few inches, the base model should have a 340Hp DI V6. Also there should be a torquey high gas mileage diesel. The top model would feature a 430Hp V8 and loads of luxury features, offer in Rear and ALL wheel drive. “Ultra-Lux” $50,000-$65,000 this rear wheel drive car would be a true 7-series, S-class, and LS460 killer replacing the lacking DTS. Make it big and distinctively Cadillac. The standard engine would be a 450Hp V8, aim to make this the quietest car on the market, lost of insulation, standard features and great engineering here. Escalade: $50,000-70,000 Get rid of the truck platform and base it on the “Ultra-Lux instead. No one uses these things as a truck anyway. Future Models: GM needs an effective modular diesel engine. GM should turn its focus to making effective and affordable electric cars and ultimately Hydrogen Fuel cells. These are my ideas for GM’s model line-up what do you guys think? |
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#2
Jun 21, 2009, 07:32 AM
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You have some very good ideas there. GM needs to trim all duplicate vehicles from their lineup. Also putting the Vette as a separate standalone make is a very good idea.
I totally agree that the cheap plastic interior stuff needs to go. Some of these new cars look like they used a Yugo for interior detail ideas. |
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#3
Jun 22, 2009, 07:08 AM
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Thank you for the encouraging comments!!
TJ |
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This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
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