I think GM really could succeed keeping the nameplates, so long as they eliminate redundancy. If each line offered only 3 or 4 good cars, which are specific and don't share anything with any other GM model, I think that would generate more appeal for that specific brand.

 

yes, but GMC could easily be destroyed and it's autos spread among other gm brands, chevy getting the bulk

 

If GM is to keep GMC, then a possible solution would be for all the trucks to go to that line. Basically, eliminate Chevy trucks (since they're the exact same thing just rebadged), and make Chevy strictly cars and GMC strictly trucks.

 

Too many Cleveland-area dealers carry just Pontiac, just Buick, or just GMC.
Think Qua or Pete Baur on the east side.

 

Right, which is why narrowing down each nameplate to 3 cars and then combining the 3 plates into one dealer would make GM a trimmer, healthier company.

Morris Pontiac, GMC, and Cadillac on the west side (he's got Cadillac right now instead of Buick - I don't know if that will change)

 

I get confused. Morris is out in North Ridgeville and Norris is the guy in "tropical Medina" ( ), right?

The Cleveland-area dealers will be dragged kicking-and-screaming, I'm sure.
Then the Plain Dealer will write up reports on this. And I'll be able to read all the bishing on local forums.

If almost all the dealers nationwide were as retrograde as those around here, Pontiac or (probably AND) Buick would be thrown in the brand dumpster. It's a total waste of money in a competitive market to have so many unproductive sales and marketing channels. If they worked, it would be one thing, but they don't.

 

Yeah, Morris is in Ridgeville and Norris is in Medina.

I don't know what they're gonna do..... at some point, Ganley is going to have to downsize You know since he pretty much owns every gaddamned car dealer in Cuyahoga County.

 

Enough out of yous Cleavageland fools!

Sorry, that just came to me.

But let's try and stick to the brands themselves rather than local dealer talk.

 

I know some good bars and clubs downtown where that would certainly apply :naughty:

 

Mike, how the dealers are organized is the crux of the whole thing. If GM simply let any dealer carry any new GM product, then all this talk would be unnecessary. Individual products could sink or swim. You could brand a car a Buick or a Chevrolet, but 'Randy Watson' (my favorite theoretical GM dealer name :chuckles: ) could carry any GM car he liked.

A megadealer [such as Ganley or Spitzer around here] doesn't have to have Pontiac, Buick, and GMC all in the same site. Pete Baur's GMC operations are in Bedford, but his Pontiac operation is somewhere else. But does it matter? It's still the same DEALER, even if it's a different showroom location. GM is still working with the same Pete, regardless if they are shipping him a Grand Prix or an Envoy.

Why does this matter? I'm thinking of several Pontiac-Buick showrooms in the Detroit area. Same showroom. Buick isn't perceived by the public as a 'nicer' car than Pontiac, because you pick one off the same old bland lot and buy it in the same bland showroom. Shopping at a Shelton or Fresard showroom, I can't think of any benefit given to Buick buyers that Pontiac buyers don't get.

That's okay if GM wants Pontiac, Buick, and GMC to signify different types of vehicles but a similar type of experience (i.e. not economy but not luxury), but I don't think they've given up yet on the whole idea of Buick being 'better' than Pontiac, but just in terms of product but also brand image and perception, which means that dealers do matter because all sales and service departments are not equal.

I think the worst offense is having Chevrolet and Cadillac in the same showroom. Yuck!