Will GM EVER make a comeback?

Question

GM used to be the leader in car sales in the US. Last year, sales were terrible. They're hoping this year will be better. From the auto show in Detroit, it looks like foreign car makers...especially Toyota will soon pull ahead. To me, it doesn't seem like they care enough about their cars, while foreign companies are far more advanced.

Answer 1

They are making better products these days, but GM still has an identity crisis, they are still too top-heavy as far as upper management goes and they have no clear vision for the company.

They are improving, but it's like 2 steps forward, one step back.

Meanwhile Toyota is leaping forward 3 steps at a time. Toyota's market capitalization (the value of the company in stock) is so high that you could sell all the GM stock AND all the Ford stock and you STILL could barely buy half of Toyota's stock. That should tell you something.

Toyota has unparalleled reliability, they understand how to design products for worldwide markets. They build small cars in the U.S. profitably.

Meanwhile GM is saddled paying the guy who installs the carpeting in a Malibu $60,000 a year and paying his dad a $40,000 a year pension.

Comeback is unlikely in our lifetimes. If they can manage to survive without a huge and expensive government bailout, that will be the real miracle.

Answer 2

I don't know foreign companies are doing really well right now, and the American car companies aren't really working for the consumer right now, most Americans want cars that get better mileage not more power, because of the price of gas. Maybe they will eventually figure that out.
However, Toyota is selling the best right now, and I heard that GM owns 20% of Toyota, so maybe they will share some info. The do work together a bit too because I own a Pontiac Vibe and it is really a Toyota Matrix. It's 80% Toyota, if you need proof look at the 2 cars interiors. The only thing different between the 2 are the grills and tail lights, and roof rack. But I heard there won't be any more vibes after this year because GM can sell them for less than Toyota so Toyota isn't going to make them for GM anymore.

Answer 3

GM is seen as the old tired race horse that is so rugged from its slips and falls that it can't keep up with the winners of today. It has some prized possessions in its saddle. The Cadillac and Lincoln luxury groups and what appears to be an edge on Fuel cells technology. It can boast beating Honda's FCX to the limited leasing pilot program on its fuel cells Equinox that is accepting applications from the public for 2007.

But the company terribly needs an overhauling. Including naming and branding. I mean, 'General Motors' ? What is that ? That is sooo not 21st century.

I say slice it up. The smaller pieces will be more agile and creative. The good parts will have a better chance of survival while the bad ones will get weeded out quicker and won't drag on the mother company. Bill Gates once said that the key to failure is fail quickly and move on to something else. That's GM's problem. The draaaaaaaaag failure.

I hope they figure it out.

Answer 4

Yes and no. Life is a rollercoaster. Things go up and down. One day GM will be back on top. Then one day GM will fall down again and maybe Honda will be on top. Then Honda might fall behind and some car company that isnt even around right now might be on top.
GMs problem to me is the fact that all their cars look the same.
BORING. There trucks are great but not everyone wants a truck. As far as cars....they need to do alot of homework.

Answer 5

yes. they are already starting. their vehicles are better quality today than ever before. to CAE or whoever made that comment about japanese cars being better, hear this: Next time you're in the market for a new car, just go check out a GM dealership and see what all they have to offer. i think you would be impressed with how well-built the newer GM products are. Yes, they will make a comeback, I along with countless others are supporting it. They DO need to eliminate the union somehow, or at least loosen the noose they have on the company.

Answer 6

Gm has the expertise, the technology, and the design ability.
The union holds them back. And they have to cut corners all the time so that they can compete price-wise in the marketplace.
The new Camaro may appeal to a broad enough segment of the market but it still won't be enough. Have a good Day!! @8=)

Answer 7

Not the way they are going. Replacing a fuel pump in their trucks cost over $1000.00 dollars now a days. They have never built a reliable four cylinder engine and are now getting Asian auto makers to build their engines and brand them as their own... if GM doesn't wake up they will loose out to the Japaneses makers.

Answer 8

i own a repair shop,and there slowly improving,,but not fast enough to keep up with Toyota and Nissan,,those two company's are gaining ground real fast,,because there good cars,,and very reliable,all bull aside,,if im going to spend money on a car,,i want it to last ,,and not fall apart,,gm is going to have to learn this from Toyota,,if they,d team up with Toyota,,now together they could build a better car for gm,,but as of now,their loosing ground real fast,,good luck hope this help,s.

Answer 9

I think GM will make a come back, but it is up to us to support this. I would never buy anything else but a North American built Vehicle.(GM, Chrysler or Ford). They import far more foreign vehicles than they allow us to export out. They need to level up the playing field. The government needs to step in and regulate this more. Sorry, but any vehicle that I buy, will be to support the industry in Canada or the US. I will not support foreign made. We have to look after our own people first.

Answer 10

Let's hope not.

I love Japanese cars!!

I'd like to see a NEW American car that runs as good as my 1991 Toyota Corolla does NOW after 15 years with the same amount of maintence! lol American cars get terrible gas mileage, are huge and wasteful, and are unreliable.

Plus they helped kill the electric car!