This is not a real headline. It is indeed pure fiction. It is only a sad prediction on my part based on almost daily financial reports discussing the slow demise of GM. How long will it take? well five years ago I was saying it would take 10 years. I stick by that so probably five years from now, unless there is some miraculous revitalization like Lee Iacoca did at Mopar.

The evidence is clear, the killing of the entire Oldsmobile line, the Camaro and Firebird lines, the forced fire sale like cancellation of the Zeta Platform by Bob Lutz. The increase to 40% from 30% by wall street that GM will indeed file for bankruptcy protection. The $1.9 BILLION! dollar quartly loss report. these are not the only case, its getting to be a daily thing.

We are at an important point here. It is the point at which GM can no longer continue to live in the dreamworld where Executives that know nothing of cars or the market can continue to make the creative decisions. GM has consitently killed more sellable concepts than any of the other auto makers. I would say big three, but we are already down to just the big two.

Since around 1987 or 1989 I have watched GM allow the same uncaring wall street style "over corporatization" that has killed or made other companies horrible places to work, do business with, or even buy from, destroy GM.

"Too many guys with shirts that have ties, and not enough guys that have shirts with pockets.." is the phrase I coined to poke fun at this type of situation that businesses get themselves into.

This is what happens when too many lawyers and ivy league grads decide to milk a company for all its worth. The whole, "we must always strive to do better financially this year than last at any cost" usually means that the cost is the reputation for quality and value.

Businesses that concentrate on quality and value, usually make big money anyways.

Not at GM, quality and value is just an over used catch phrase for motivation to cut corners, and trim every cent of quality and value out of a car before it goes out the door (7.5" rears in a muscle car? get real).

You can tell the people are still in a state of denial over at GM. The Malibu and Cobalt will compete with sales of mustangs? heh, get real.

That is as much of a joke as "we created FWD cars to get you around better in the snow..". HA! what a joke. FWD getting around good in the snow is a mere accidental side effect of a process which involves selling you 2 thirds of a car at the 3 thirds price.

It all comes down to money, GM doesn't have any, because they don't have a reason for us to give them any.

 

I reckon i reply befor e this gets banned, but it may not.

Yeah GM is in a slump, but will GM sell out to anyone? Probably not. But I have said GM started falling when they said no to John Z. DeLorean (who started the muscle car age for GM really) about building his stainless steel sports car. I often wonder what would have happened if DeLorean stayed at GM, one thing for sure is probably we would have probably never would have seen an end of GTO in 1974. Nor would GM have FWD bubble style cars with 4 cycl or 6 cycl that can't move or handle worth anything that ever made.

If your theory is correct and GM falls under in about 5 more years this well be the expected release date of the Challenger which will be made to compete with GTO and Mustangs. If GM was smart they would reintroduce a new F-Body line up soon 2006-2007, and sell it for what the Mustangs go for. They can make a good, reliable, stylish, and powerful for a price sticker of 25,000-28,000 easy.

Here is a basic idea.
retro style camaro/firebird
base model engine would be the 5.3 Vortec with 295 hp and 300 ftlbs of torque the higher end would have the new gm V8 427(i think, correct me if I am wrong) another option on these motors for multi displacement and flex fuel.
the transmission options would be a 5 speed manual, 6 speed manual, or 5 speed auto with autostick.
rear ends that range up to 3.73 maybe higher.
the list could go on and on for options.

I figure the base model you would have $25000 price sticker for a V8 5.3 and good set of gears 5 speed manual, then a basic interior with a options.

Max price you might be looking at that of a charger or charger R/T.

but like i always say GM got bit by the jap bug and think young kids now want a 18,000 or cheaper car that gets smoked by most anything that can be had for 5000.

GM should look at fuel efficent cars, but also at the same time step aside and listen to their loyal customers who doesn't want to see them fall under.

For the sake of everyone here I hope you are 100% wrong, yet you can sit back and have to wonder.

 

Closed for reasons obvious to all.