How to Fix General Motors part II

Now for the next installment on what we think GM should do to get back in the black.

Chevrolet’s Current Lineup

Cars	SUVs and Crossovers	Trucks and Vans
Cobalt	Trailblazer	Colorado
Aveo	Tahoe	Silverado
Malibu	Suburban	Avalanche
Impala	HHR	Express
Corvette	Equinox
	Traverse

So… where to start…. I guess cars are a good place. The Cobalt is a decent small car, and is neither offending nor enchanting. It fills it’s slot nicely.

Every experience I’ve had with the Aveo has left me feeling that it is a tin can of a car that should not be allowed on our roads as a Yugo replacement, let alone as an attempt at a competent sub-compact by a “modern” auto-maker. GM should bring in one of it’s more upscale Opels from Europe. If they want a bargain basement auto, offer it through a dedicated bargain basement brand – like what Saturn used to be.

I have no direct experience with the Malibu, but everything I hear calls it out as a decent mid-size with good features and comfort. It seems to slot right in with the Camrys (Camries?) and Accords of this world. The lack of an optional V6 seems to be bad decision on the General’s part though – granted the General’s website seems to be the only resource stating this, so I’m not sure what the truth of the matter is.

The Impala, though only slightly larger than the Malibu, seems to be Chevy’s full size option. It’s base engine is the tried-and-true OHV 3500 engine, but can be optioned up to the other stalwart of the GM stable the 5.3L OHV V8. Considering the antiquated platform, and name heritage of the Impala, isn’t it time the car got redesigned and given RWD at the same time?

The Corvette… it’s a halo car. ‘Nuff said.

Much of what Redneck said I agree with. I think the Cobalt, Malibu and the Corvette are doing fine as they are.

I’ve never been a fan of the Aveo but I’ve also never been in one like Redneck has so I can’t based my intense dislike of it on much of anything. The Impala is the one that I really think is a big disappointment. It’s dated in my opinion, and worse it’s FWD. The Impala is supposed to be RWD, always has been. It’s marginally bigger externally than the Malibu and totes around some bigger engines, but I’m not sure what it’s for other than almost being a big sedan.

As far as crossovers and “wagons” go, the offerings through Chevy are slim at best. Near and dear to me are wagons, of which Chevy really doesn’t have any of. Instead they have the HHR, which I like as a retro basket to compete with the PT Cruiser, especially as a panel wagon for commercial use – but a wagon it is not.

Crossover wise they have the Equinox and Traverse, which compliment each other nicely, and work for what they are intended to be: wagons for people who don’t want to admit they need a wagon, but can’t justify a SUV.

In the truck arena Chevy continues to bring out heavy hitters in the truck market, keeping up with Ford in the work-a-day half ton trucks. Though not as consumer oriented as the most recent Dodge Rams, these trucks hold their own in the light duty commercial and consumer world. Realistically, though many will not agree with me, all of the body-on-frame trucks and SUV’s should go to GMC with only a unibody Colorado and El Camino – which doesn’t currently exist but should – being part of the Chevrolet lineup. This would end a lot of the overlap between the brands and give GMC something back to have as it’s own. More on the structure of this when GMC’s turn comes up.

The only thing that might survive that shift would be the Avalanche, but realistically that body-on frame beast should be moved also, and a Ridgeline type “pickup” being given to Chevy if they want something to fill that niche.

Included in the shift to GMC would be the full size vans, so those don’t even bother mentioning here.

I agree with Rednecks overall restructuring of these remaining categories of Chevy’s lineup. I don’t think Chevy should be competing with GMC on heavier duty trucks, vans or SUVs.

GMC’s Current Lineup

SUV’s	Trucks and Vans
Envoy	Canyon
Yukon	Sierra
Acadia	Savanna

Now for something I pretend to know about: trucks and SUV’s. Going off of what I said earlier GMC should only have body-on-frame vehicles, and should be the only GM subsidiary to have them – this is excepting Hummer of course.

This means everything stays but the Acadia, and the Avalanche moves in. DONE! Well, at least for the restructuring of the current lineup. They would probably do good coming up with something to compete directly with the new Ram 1500 considering its more consumer oriented leanings in the coil sprung rear and and toughbox bed storage.

Probably not surprisingly, I have little to say about GMC’s lineup. I think moving all body-on-frame vehicles to GMC (aside from Hummer) makes sense. GMC should be all business.