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The New Opel Corsa -Fhs1 - GMzip
FHS1...
Well done???? Really....didn't think info from March 29, 2005 and Aug. 21, 2008 was relevant to the current situation... how about some up to date info!!!!!
The New Opel Corsa
FHS1...
Wow!!! The questions you pose, even though interesting, would take more page space than would be reasonable for this forum...we have some posters who already take up way too much room with their lengthy diatribes.
As to development and start up costs, first and second "iterations"....we have some corporate sharp pencil boys out there that could probably write tax savvy profit/loss volumes on that but we have to always remember "figures lie and liers figure".
As to the risks of low customer acceptance.... GM is about to market the Volt that analysts say is priced too high for market success while GM is already forcasting that it will lose money on each one sold. Wonder how the sharp pencil boys will show that one on the books.
As to "Did Chrysler get a similar restriction prohibiting import of "small fuel efficient" vehicles?" I'm not aware of any such Chrysler/UAW agreement but Chryslers bankruptcy rulings are different than GM/UAW and I'm sure Fiat must have had some input regarding their import plans.
Finally....what is a "small fuel efficient car"??? Who knows anymore....depends on the politics of the day. Why are some SUVs classified as Trucks to circumvent CAFE and emmisions requirements? Why is a Smart Car not classified as a street legal golf cart???
The New Opel Corsa
Should have been FHS1....sorry....
The New Opel Corsa
FSH1.....
Comparing what is now, or what has been in the past with what is to be in the future is misleading.....Current Saturn importations are a mute point since they are going away.
As part of the bankruptcy agreement that gave the UAW an 18% ownership in GM in exchange for federal funding of the UAW VEBA, GM ageeed to build all FUTURE small fuel efficient vehicles in the USA at UAW assembly plants and NOT import such vehicles, thereby protecting UAW jobs....That is why the Chevy Cruz will be assembled at the Lake Orion, Michigan facility and not be an import.
The New Opel Corsa
FHS1...
Excellent post but a real iffy situation with many iffy factors.
I agree with your comments about the UAW and their needed contribution to costs including development and start up costs but also production costs.
The UAWs willingness to contribute however was just recently demonstrated with Ford,,,As you stated...a "self imposted death sentence".
CAFE is a poor measure
JOEAMERICAN....
Often overlooked in the emphasis on MPG is the type of fuel required. Many of the high mpg vehicles reguire(not "recommend") premium fuel. This sure changes the cost per mile figure when premium is 20 cents/gal more than regular....and the differential has been higher in the past.
This should be a consideration regarding diesel as well...right now diesel sits midway between regular and premium but in the past has been as much as $1.00/gal more than premium. MPG isn't everything!!!!!
The New Opel Corsa
FHS1....
Should we be concerned about or even interested in the Opel Corsa?????
Per UAW restrictions imposed on GM by their 18% ownership of GM the importation of such a vehicle into the USA would be prohibited. Sorry if I missed something here.
Under the Hood
NORTON...
I, like you, am not sure what "69s" intent is by his question. I agree...he's sure to already knows the answer. Being witness to some of his past confrontational exchanges with some of the other forum participants I'd just as soon ignore him,,,,as well as his two buds Mike and Barney.
Regarding your question to Dennis P. about higher presence in Europe.... I wish that I could quote the source but I remember reading recently that VW has just taken over first spot in Europe and is about to pass Toyota for world dominance. Many people are not aware of VWs many affiliations....Audi, Porsche, the company that is taking over SAAB, some little known luxury and performance marques, etc.
Under the Hood
Norton...
Wonder what's behind "69s" quiz about what car had doors that slid into the front fenders????? Do we dare tell him???? Might also be interesting that the car was among the earliest examples of an all fibreglass body.
HMMMM!!!!!
Toyota's image under scrutiny
OMG....What ever will Consumers Reports do with all of those little "Recommended" checks they like to plaster all over Toyota reviews.
Different Chrysler Zeroes in on Quality
True "Quality" Story....
Early in my career with GM(before I wised up and left).I worked with Nipendenso who supplied the electronic IP for the Pontiac STE. When Nipendenso was questioned as to why they always shipped 4% bad units they answered "That's what your purchasing department specified..4% defect rate and that is what we ship to you...if you want 0% defective parts just specify that and we will be glad to comply".
John Z Delorian, when informed of this, just about fell off his chair laughing. Within a week ALL Pontiac Engineering and Purchasing staff were required to wear a lapel pin in the shape of a Pontiac emblem but emblazened with the letters "ZD" meaning "Zero Defects" but most claimed the ZD really stood for John-ZD-elorian.
I still have my ZD lapel pin....any ex-Pontiac folks out there still have thiers?????
BTW...John Delorian was probobly the sharpest, smartest individual that ever worked for GM.....and anyone who thinks GM didn't have a heavy hand in the demise of his Delorian car venture had better wake up and smell the roses.
Chrysler zeros in on quality
CENTERFIELD...
"Can't wait to see those Mopars on the Consumers Reports "Recommended" list....
Yeah...that's pure fantasy. Keep in mind Consumers Reports motto..."If it ain't Jap' it's junk"
Whoops...sorry about the Jap' thing...probably not PC.
Under the Hood
Norton...
You're sooo right...that weren't no family car(69 should jump right on the double negative).
Nice thing about the high red line was you didn't have to shift gears as often on short sections of small courses like Waterford and it was great for gymkhanas...you could just let it wind out.
Under the Hood
Norton....
The most ubreakable engine we ever owned was 1500cc MG. Have no idea as to the miles it finally attained but while we owned it, it never let us down. To be fair it was far from stock. It was ported, polished, balanced, etc....hand milled head with no gasket, shot peened/balanced rods, 12:1 compression. etc. Spun a conn rod bearing once but didn't score the crank so it was up and back running in about four hours.
Shift point was around 8,500 rpm and it would really move. And the exhaust rap would raise the hair on the back of your neck.
Ford vs the others
NORTON...
Good points...Unfortunatly our society is too heavily populated with "people looking for a freebie". This is the mentality that has swelled our welfare and social programs, reinforceed the entitlement attitudes exhibited by union members, lead to the abuses of Social Security and Medicare programs,etc., etc..That's my opinion but this is getting a little too deep....let's talk cars.
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