R.I.P. General Motors (1931-2006)

I'll try to remeber that next time


mike hunt

 

Mike,
Why are the two best selling cars in America the Honda Accord and the
Toyota Camry?

I will tell you the main reason that people buy GM and Ford cars--it's
because of the special deals they offer to their customers. I considered
buying a car made by GM when they offered interest free loans. During that
time period, Honda and Toyota did NOT have to offer interest free loans in
order to sell their vehicles.

Which of these three companies is the most likely to be bankrupt within
the next five years?
Honda Inc
Toyota Inc
GM

 

It's possible that Mike does not know hown to bottom post. Perhaps
someone should explain to him how to do it.

 

Can't prove what by you, top poster?

 

Having to currently drive a rental due to my truck being in the body shop
because a couple kids hit it while parked I was surprised to see there are
a lot more than GM or Ford in the rental car lots. They gave me a 2005 Kia
Optima and it is the biggest piece of junk I have ever been in, I don't see
why people bother to buy them.

 

You had to quote almost 140 lines to add that to the bottom? It's
people like you who give fuel to the idiot top-posters. Please trim
your posts appropriately.

 

In response to:

Really? Cars are required by law to have a cargo area? Oh, you mean
trucks are required to have cargo area. I don't have any dispute in
the classification of (most of) these vehicles as trucks. What I
object to is permitting them to be registered and operated as cars.

Well hell, let's let them drive around with no plates at all, because
we don't want to be a burden to business.

If they NEED a truck then let them license it as a truck.

If they NEED a bus then let them license it as a bus.

If they can't afford it, then they NEED to go out of business.

Why should my safety be jeopardized because some guy can't figure out
birth control.

And the result are cars that are far safer and more fuel efficient
than they were even ten years ago. Then we have these land barges
being driven as commuter cars and grocery getters.

What is really needed is an overhaul of the DOT/EPA classifications of
vehicles and their fuel economy standards. They need to create a new
category of "Large Cars" which would carry 6 - 8 passengers and have
more generous fuel economy standards. These could be large sedans,
station wagons or minivans. They would be required to meet safety
standards limiting bumper and roof height as well as additional impact
absorbing bumpers to protect smaller cars. Such vehicles would be
far safer and more fuel efficient than SUVs and versatile enough for
80-90% of SUV owners.

So who couldn't get along without their monster SUVs?

Off roaders (including people who live off-road). Sorry, but Ford and
GM spoiled it for you by promoting these things as cars and now they
have to be regulated. Not your fault but now you have tougher
licensing, inspection and operation standards.

Towing big trailers. Hey, that is tricky and dangerous. You need to
meet higher safety standards. No whining.

The good news? Go get your truck operators license and drive your car
to your local SUV-by-the Day (R) franchise where you can see how it
makes good sense to only rent it when you NEED it. Oh my, a whole new
business created overnight.

ADM and the farming industry want us to use ethanol. Bush just wants
what big business wants.

So we better conserve oil, good idea.

It would be enforced by the police following you and noting that you
are not making a delivery.

I have not proposed giving the government any new or additional power.
The government already classifies these vehicles, applies fuel economy
and safety standards, licenses operators and registers vehicles.
Everything we are discussing is just a change in the details of the
regulations.

When we run out of oil. If we all drive monster SUVs we will be
walking before you know it.

 

So mike, what was the reason your probation was repealed?

 

(Cough) Iraq (Cough)

 

Hey mike, you didn't top post this. Are you one of those trainable
mentally handicapped people?

 

But they don't meet bumper height requirements which are a critical
safety feature.

 

The sad day actually began with the production of
a non-competitive product. Shame on you. Since
when has second best (or worse) been ok, for
America?

It all starts with the manufacturers.

By putting out less functional designs, with
more assembly flaws (failure to supervise
production), you're generating an inferior
product.

Some people will succumb to the maker's attempts
to wrap themselves in the flag, and continue
buying...others will use their noggins, and buy
the best product/value they can find.

 

"Mike" has been advised about his
top posting, at least a dozen times.

In spite of it's inefficiency, he keeps doing it;
even when he sees other posters using more
effective techniques.

It is, what he's used to. And, he's either
unable, or unwilling, to change.

Hmmm...sounds a lot like some auto makers,
no?

 

Consumer Reports doesn't give the credit, "we"
(the subscribers) do. They use an annual
questionnaire to gain feedback on vehicles, and
a bunch of other typical household items. In the
April 2006 issue, the vehicle ratings were based
on just over one million responses.

Based on the reactions to CR, I think some people
confuse them with some of the cheesy imitations,
such as "Consumer Research", etc.

 

,

Mike said he'd give us a full explanation
of Franchise Law---but that he had to check
with his manager first. He walked out ten
minutes ago, we haven't seen him since....

 

The situation we are in is not because of the American citizen, but because
of the US government. The government has run up trillions of dollars in debt
which is held by foreign banks, which in turn dictate policy. Trade policy,
war policy and any other policy that they can manipulate. We basically do
not have a country anymore. We are controlled by the world's largest banks
and their associated governments. Fifty percent of the income tax you pay
to the federal government goes to these banks for interest on the national
debt. Bush is a pawn in this process who cannot find the gumption to say no
to them. It is this situation that will be the downfall of GM and eventually
Ford. No matter what you choose to believe, we are in a global economic
situation, not national.

 

This just goes to prove that some people are in denial. I own a Honda and I
own a Toyota. Both of their service departments are like ghost towns. I may
have to wait 15 minutes because someone else is also getting an oil change
like myself, or an inspection sticker. A friend of mine is the service
manager of a GM dealership and he says they don't even know how to fix half
of their vehicles problems.

 

I agree. Many friends and family owners say they love their domestic pickups
and then in the same breath say the transmission needed replacement, the
steering is messed up, the rear-end rattles all over, the engine is smoking,
etc. etc. etc. I also live in PA somewhat near the Harley-Davidson factory.
Everyone MUST have a Harley-Davidson. Yet the HD owners spend half their
time adjusting and fixing the damn things. We have 2 Honda 100MPG scooters
that run and run and never need adjusting. My 2005 Tacoma is tight as a
drum. I was turned on to Tacoma when I test drove a 5 year old used one that
had been beaten up and thrown away and yet it drove like new and had no
rattles.

 

LOL. I think the Ford Focus set a record for the most recalls for one model.
My neice couldn't wait to trade her Focus in for a Corolla. Are you living
in an upside down world? I think so.

 

U-Haul does not rent to any Explorer owners, old or new, Firestone tires or
not. The company told my wife, who tried to rent one for one of her company
reps who had an Explorer, that Explorers are involved in too many crashes
and have many diverse lawsuits currently against them.