GM's Bob Lutz Claims Buyers Are "Shocked" At How Good GM Products Are" Do You Agree?

GM's Bob Lutz Claims Buyers Are
Let me start by apologizing for not checking in lately. And I do that not because I feel I owe anyone an apology but because I’m truly sorry I don’t get a chance to do as much of this as I’d like to. And while I wish I could blog more frequently, I must admit I find it a little disconcerting that some of you seem to need me to reassure you that I still care.

The tone of some of the comments posted lately — that Bob is bored with blogging, that the GM blog is a failure, that management feels the blog has backfired, that GM is pulling out of the blog business — has been, frankly, bordering on ridiculous.

I’ve met many of the automotive bloggers at events in Detroit, Chicago and New York and I must say I’ve greatly enjoyed our meetings, interactions and discussions. And I’ve come to realize that those bloggers don’t represent the people posting comments like the above to this blog. And that people posting comments like the above, in turn, don’t represent most of the readers and posters on this blog.

In short, I am not bored with blogging, far from it. And I’m not going to let the comments of an extreme subset turn me off to it, either. I will continue to do it, whenever I can, and as long as it seems people want to read it. And by the way, GM thinks its blogs are a success, too, and will forge ahead with all of them and more.

In the two weeks since my last post, I’ve been to Illinois, North Carolina, Arizona and other locales far and near. That’s not in itself an excuse for not checking in — clearly I have the Blackberry and computer access wherever I go. But on the road I typically have limited hours and must use those tools to perform what we’ll refer to as my “day job.”

Back at home, I have a bit more time for that day job, and that includes a review of the Chevy Volt program yesterday. I was very pleased with what I saw, and we will fill you in on exactly where it’s at very soon, with an official post from the Volt team.

I’ve also had more time for driving our products, most recently the Buick Enclave, whose tomblike quiet and den-like comfort I have been greatly enjoying. And I think those visiting Buick showrooms are finding the same terrific attributes that I have.

In fact, I had a recent conversation with a mega-mega dealer who runs franchises of nearly all makes, and he gave a totally unsolicited comment to our senior management team that was music to my ears. He said, “You guys don’t realize it yet because you’re far away from it, and the press doesn’t get it yet, but what we’re seeing in our GM dealerships is something approaching shock about your new products. Customers are shocked with the quality and appeal of GM cars and trucks.”

He said there is a growing, intense awareness of an all-new GM, and an all-new product ethic. He said, “Everything that’s coming out is dynamite. Just stick with it and don’t get discouraged if you don’t have a flood of good sales or good press, just keep at it and you will win.”

This is not anyone on our payroll. He sells cars and trucks from just about everybody, and he’s in a good position to judge. It made my week, I gotta tell you.

At least it did, until he asked me why I’d given up on blogging!

Okay, just kidding — he didn’t ask that. I guess he understands the whole schedule thing.

Speaking of schedules, on a personal note, another thing I did this week was tape an episode of the NPR news quiz show “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me,” which was recorded at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. It was an absolute hoot to do, and it airs this weekend. Consult, as they say in the business, your local listings.



jon21jon21 - 5/22/2007 11:18:45 AM
-2 Boost
No.


silverarrow2silverarrow2 - 5/22/2007 3:53:55 PM
+1 Boost
Lay off the F**king pipe man!!


neutralneutral - 5/22/2007 11:33:11 AM
+2 Boost
I have to admit.....all the things that are coming down the pipeline (or that have come down the pipeline in recent years) are very nice. I will definately buy GM within a few months here. Within a year or two I will guaranteed buy the CTS.


jeffy210jeffy210 - 5/22/2007 11:45:28 AM
+2 Boost
The way GM cars look have never been an issue for me, it has been their reliability. I loved the styling on my Intrigue, but I always hated all the little quirky issues it had especially in the electrical system. Really, until they can prove their reliability again i won't consider GM. I guess I'll just stick with my rock solid '95 Camry. (and you all know i'm not a LoL fan, but I'll take solid reliability over styling)


no1listensanywayno1listensanyway - 5/22/2007 11:47:49 AM
+4 Boost
I just spoke with a manager of GMC/Pontiac dealer who happens to also be my friend about his sales yesterday. They have zero GMC Acadia's on the lot. They can't even find one to test drive out, but people are still putting down deposits anyway. They still cannot stock the Solstice or the G6 covertible. Despite gas prices, most of thier full size trucks are moving off the lot.


r_driver04r_driver04 - 5/22/2007 3:24:15 PM
+1 Boost
Everything moves at 0%!!!!!!! Even GM's products.


no1listensanywayno1listensanyway - 5/22/2007 4:46:08 PM
+3 Boost
Ha ha, yea right you would be amazed on what they can clear on these vehicles even with 2,000 grand off the sticker price.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/22/2007 11:09:49 PM
+1 Boost
$2,000 grand? That's two million! Where do I sign up?!


xfiftyxfifty - 5/22/2007 12:05:23 PM
+3 Boost
I have no doubt that the GM is on the roll.

After driving several crappy ML we decided to bite the bullet and get a suburban. In 2003 we got a fully loaded Z71 and it goes without saying that it has been nothing but perfect.

Not even one day in the shop for the mechanical problems what so ever. Based on our very good experience we recently bought a 2007 Z71 suburban and never been happier.

I, for one, have changed my mind about GM completely. My next car will be a Z06 (in a few months) and personally decided never spend my money on foreign cars.

I spent way too much on Mercedes and crappy under power, over priced Porsche and will never do it again. Plus Design wise GM is on the right track.

If anything these 2 suburbans that we owned made me more patriotic than ever before that I truly believe my household will never spend money on import cars.

Way to go GM


r_driver04r_driver04 - 5/22/2007 3:26:18 PM
+4 Boost
Suburban's probably the most reliable vehicle they make. Congrats on your new one. Did you get the flexfuel version or the one that came with a gallon of KY that you use everytime you fill it up?


r_driver04r_driver04 - 5/22/2007 3:31:09 PM
0 Boost
This is a two part question: Where was your Suburban made? How many "import" cars are made stateside now?

Lets test your automotive knowledge.....shall we.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 5/22/2007 12:26:07 PM
+5 Boost
rebuilding reputation takes a long time. so even thought GM's products (especially cadillac) have come back, it will take a few years for public opinion to reflect this new reality. go GM.


neutralneutral - 5/22/2007 2:43:39 PM
+4 Boost
You're definately right...but GM (as you state) is doing a good job getting back on track. Go GM!!


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 5/22/2007 12:27:40 PM
+3 Boost
Not shocked -- just glad. I always believed that GM will survive. A couple of 2008 GM vehicles are on my shopping list as possible replacements for my leased Audi about a year from now. In the old days, GM used to rely on style alone. Today GM wisely combines good styling with technical excellence.


Bmw8terBmw8ter - 5/22/2007 1:10:04 PM
+5 Boost
When Pontiac releases the Pontiac G8, I'll be a GM man for life.


Bmw8terBmw8ter - 5/22/2007 1:46:40 PM
+3 Boost
Thankfully the only thing Pontiac is the nameplate.


stevenv1999stevenv1999 - 5/22/2007 1:35:52 PM
+2 Boost
Winning me back to GM will be awhile. It isn't just reliability, but refinement. GM, like Ford has not gone far enough to address this issue. I was looking at used cars for my daughter and lifted the hoods on many domestics and they all had their engines covered in oil. I then compared that with the japanese and europeon makes and they had no leaks. Most of these domestics were not that old (1998 to 2001). I actually now drive a '94 Accord (my other car is a 2006 Dodge Charger) with over 200,000 miles on it and there is not one leak and it never burns any oil. I also get an average 34 mpg. By the way, this is my first japanese car and I am surprised at how good it is and I also understand why so many people left American made vehicles. Keep trying GM and you might win back some consumers in the short term and gain people like me in the long run.


r_driver04r_driver04 - 5/22/2007 3:27:45 PM
+5 Boost
No to GM...but you bought Dodge Charger. Hmmmm...now that's interesting. How do you go from bad to worse....here ya go.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/22/2007 11:13:04 PM
+3 Boost
The only Charger models that merit consideration are the Hemi-powered ones; to buy a V6 Charger over a GM product is... odd. To say the least.


jl3787jl3787 - 5/22/2007 2:25:55 PM
+4 Boost
I respect GM for their effort, and i think tey are really doing a good job improving their products.

I would probably buy a Pontiac G8 if only the interior plastic is quality.

Im driving a old 1995 Camry with 255 000 km and the car is smooth like my mother's 1998 Ford Taurus when H had 80 000 km.

Is that incredible or what!




silverarrow2silverarrow2 - 5/22/2007 4:01:37 PM
+5 Boost
Ya! I'm shocked.

I'm shocked to see how quickly their value keep on going down after just a year.

While they at it maybe they should try shocking Toyota.


bigTYMEbigTYME - 5/22/2007 5:04:36 PM
+2 Boost
GM is definitely on the right track. I have an 07 Yukon and it is in great condition at about 20000 miles. The interior materials are much better than previous generations. I havn't had a single problem yet and I don't think I will for the remainder of the lease. I believe GM is really paying attention to the public now, whereas before they were really only in it to make a big profit. The 2008 CTS will probably be my next car.


LexusLexus - 5/22/2007 5:14:03 PM
+3 Boost
Yeah right! several ago, their were post up that say GM dealer still a have 04/5 models on their lots? The only nice car the GM has right now it the CTS.

It will be really hard for GM to get back on top because there so much competition nowday. First you have the Japanese brands, the German brands, Korean Brands and now China and India are bring their cars over.


no1listensanywayno1listensanyway - 5/22/2007 9:59:10 PM
+3 Boost
Go to a toyota dealer, they will gladly sell you an 06 4 runner or Sequoia.


speedmasterspeedmaster - 5/22/2007 5:21:01 PM
+4 Boost
I have great respect for Lutz (even though I don't own a GM car). After reading his blog, I found an entry by a poster who claims he changed his tune after finding out that his BMW 530i uses a GM transmission. Well, sure enough, I did the research-google, visited the bimmer forum. Sure enough, that claim was true.

I am mightily impressed knowing that BMW uses GM trannies.

GM and Ford don't have the credit they deserve.
I have a work van (Mazda that is powered by Ford). It has better reliability than the Toyota Sienna we have which is twice its price.





LexusLexus - 5/22/2007 7:00:29 PM
0 Boost
Ricemaster, can you clarify it about what say about Toyota main quality guy out of retirement to cleanup GMs mess? thank




Bmw8terBmw8ter - 5/22/2007 10:02:25 PM
+2 Boost
It says...GM went out of it's way to hire Toyota's MAIN .......yadda yadda yadda

Not sure about that "did" that's after "GM".


Need4SpeedNeed4Speed - 5/22/2007 7:04:09 PM
+3 Boost
My sister just bought a fully loaded Chevy Cobalt LT about 14 months ago. She drives it every day to work and keeps it very clean. Other than that there is anything special she does to the car. The reason why I'm impressed is that I drove it this weekend and the car still smells, drives, and looks like it just came out of the showroom. No rattles or squeaks and the car has been driven over 17,800 miles on NYC roads. We talked about the car after I gave it back and she had no complaints, she says that everything works on the car and she has never had any problems...she loves it!


mp2dtwmp2dtw - 5/22/2007 7:46:19 PM
+3 Boost
GM is making some good moves. But they've always made some good moves. Their interiors (my only gripe with my car) are still disappointing--was hoping for better at the auto show last January. Instead of being revolutionary, however, they should be trying to make Saab, Buick, Saturn, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Vauxhall, Holden, Pontiac and Opel the best they can be for what they are. Even if that only means 2-4 car lines for some (or all)divisions. The only departure from conventional wisdom I'd gamble on is a new mid-sized wagon (LaCrosse/Impala?) getting over 30 mpg hwy to see how it flies. Would it cost that much to re-engineer the LaCrosse and Impala for a wagon?


arcyarcy - 5/22/2007 10:47:03 PM
+2 Boost
i was shocked when my chevrolet broke down so many times! well it was covered by the warranty


arcyarcy - 5/22/2007 10:47:23 PM
+2 Boost
i was shocked when my chevrolet broke down so many times! well it was covered by the warranty... wait im supposed to be shock it's already something to be expected


BMW995BMW995 - 5/23/2007 12:28:41 AM
+2 Boost
My son recently bought the Chevy HHR with the optional Ecotec engine w/ 6 sp. manual trans. This is an impressive auto, especially considering the price. The high quality is surprising and the engine is really a high-performance little gem. My impression of GM is markedly changed for the better.


LexusLexus - 5/24/2007 2:45:31 AM
+1 Boost
RICEMASTER, thank for the infor, that was a really smart move from GM.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 5/24/2007 5:15:29 PM
+1 Boost
I don't understand all these prophets of doom who predict that future GM models will break down. I believe that GM is painfully aware that it must build reliable cars to avoid following Chrysler and Ford into oblivion.


wbradd3797wbradd3797 - 5/24/2007 9:39:01 PM
+1 Boost
I'm “shocked” at how low car buyers expectations are if their buying GM.


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