AUTO SPIES EXCLUSIVE: The REAL problems at GM and Ford that no one really wants to deal with or talk about

There is a lot of propaganda out there talking about how GM and Ford are coming back and that the worst is over.

We disagree.

But before you can fix a problem you have to know what the real problem is.

So let us net it out for them, since no one else really has.

But first, let us pose these questions...

Is the Chevy Cobalt as good as the new Honda Civic?
Is the Chevy Malibu or Impala as good as the Honda Accord or the new Toyota Camry?
Is the Ford 500 or Fusion as good as the new Toyota Camry?
Is the Pontiac G6 as good as the VW Passat, Jetta or Acura TSX?
Is the Buick Lacrosse as good as the new Toyota Avalon?
Is the Buick Lucerne as good as an Audi A4 or A6?
Is the Pontiac Solstice as good as the Mazda MX5?
Is the Chevrolet Corvette as good as the Porsche 911?
Is the Cadillac XLR as good as the Mercedes-Benz SL?

Do you see where we're going here?

In our opinion, GM and Ford get SMOKED in every single comparison except MAYBE (and let us emphasize, MAYBE) the Solstice vs. MX5.

You could actually have an argument about that comparo.

The sad truth is that GM and Ford lag really far behind the competitors in the MOST important sectors of the business.

You can even tell in the ads from GM and Ford that even THEY know it.

Check out the Buick Lucerne ad where the say its better than the Lexus ES300.

Every time they compare, they always pick the PREVIOUS generation car because they know that they're just catching up now, to the quality of the LAST generation of vehicles from the competition.

Until they have a model in each of these categories that is far and away better, their problems will always exist.

And that's no easy task.

Do you agree with our assessment?

Post your opinions below...

PlanoA4 - 5/31/2006 2:09:29 PM

+1 Boost

A classic case of keeping the competition in focus and just before you get there you stop. You get a product 90% as good. Every one is not quite as good.

Lexus - 5/31/2006 3:14:00 PM

+1 Boost

Hey! what about last month when GM recall about Half a Million Vechicle of their own. The month before that they recall 375,000 vechicle and most of the vechicle GM recall are new model too, SRX is one of them. Remember about two month ago when several owner Cadillac SRX Glass Roof Came Off/Flew OFF during a drive in the Freeway and injury their owner. The point here is that all auto company some kind of problem especially with newer model, but the main thing that they admit it and correct it. Not try to hide like GM or Mitsubitsi back awhile ago.

Lexus

three2four - 5/31/2006 3:51:26 PM

+1 Boost

The Corvette is as good as a porsche 911, it is found to be fatser and better handling in every comparison test.The only thing that the 911 beats the C6 on is interior quality, but what could you expect in a 186 mph car for $44k. And there will never be a car magazine that is not going to have its biase towards the Benz SL, so of course they are going to say the XLR isnt as good.

dblo7 - 5/31/2006 3:55:38 PM

+1 Boost

Maybe thats why Ford and GM stick mostly to Trucks and SUVs. Japan and Europe cannot compare at all. Euro and Japan have nice SUVs, but are not nrealy as flexible or all around great bargain in versatility. The new large GM SUVs are better and more MPG then any foreign competitor. Lets not get started on the trucks.

CarFreak - 5/31/2006 3:57:56 PM

+1 Boost

the comparisons at times are of mainstream vs Luxury as in the G6 vs. Acura. And any one will tell you the Vette stands up to the 911 and if they made the vette $30K more and dumped all sorts of goodies into it I'm sure it would surpass the 911 as the Z06 and a comparison between a buick and an Audi is just ludicrous

three2four - 5/31/2006 4:29:54 PM

+1 Boost

The vette does surpass the 911, i currently own a 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S and a 2006 Corvette and the C6 is better on every aspect except interior quality and design.

chewy - 5/31/2006 11:55:05 PM

+1 Boost

Some good points on both sides. The GM/Ford vehicles are not as good in most choices, but are usaually cheaper, especially with incentives.

three2four - 6/1/2006 3:30:21 PM

+1 Boost

Take into account the price difference, and then the corvette might look a little better. wat do u expect in a porsche 911 fighter for 44K.

EnnNorak - 6/1/2006 10:05:02 PM

+1 Boost

The Buick Lucerne is not as good as an Audi A6 in fit and finish; however, if GM has the foresight to offer this car with a decent all- wheel-drive system, it will have a product of greater value dollar- for-dollar than the much more expensive A6 Quattro. Also, the buick Lucerne can be ordered with a decent version of Cadillac's silky smooth DOHC Northstar V-8 while the current Audi A6 has an inherently out-of-balance 90-degree V6.

Steve - 6/1/2006 11:47:49 PM

+1 Boost

In the early 1960s, Ford built the Falcon, an economy car that looked every bit of what it was. It didn't sell very well. In 1964 they released the Mustang. With sporty styling inside and out, and a reasonable price tag, it sold like hot cakes.

New people know that the Mustang was built on the Falcon platform. Its power was only adequate. It's handling, acceptable. So why was it such a raging success?

Because people without deep pockets aspire for many of the same things that the afluent do, except they don't have the means to acquire them. Few people aspire to own a cheap car that looks every bit. They want something that looks nice, won't break down a whole lot, and doesn't label them as "I couldn't afford a good car."

When GM and Ford learn these simple principles and honor them, they'll take a big step up.

Steve - 6/1/2006 11:47:49 PM

+1 Boost

In the early 1960s, Ford built the Falcon, an economy car that looked every bit of what it was. It didn't sell very well. In 1964 they released the Mustang. With sporty styling inside and out, and a reasonable price tag, it sold like hot cakes.

New people know that the Mustang was built on the Falcon platform. Its power was only adequate. It's handling, acceptable. So why was it such a raging success?

Because people without deep pockets aspire for many of the same things that the afluent do, except they don't have the means to acquire them. Few people aspire to own a cheap car that looks every bit. They want something that looks nice, won't break down a whole lot, and doesn't label them as "I couldn't afford a good car."

When GM and Ford learn these simple principles and honor them, they'll take a big step up.

Steve - 6/1/2006 11:49:11 PM

+1 Boost

Typo: 2nd paragraph, "New people" -> "Few people"

Steve - 6/1/2006 11:49:11 PM

+1 Boost

Typo: 2nd paragraph, "New people" -> "Few people"

jacksodj - 7/8/2006 8:42:32 PM

+1 Boost

The whole "they are cheaper" argument proves the point of this story I think. The people at GM etc are focused on making what they think are "good enough" and cheap. They believe that is the formula for success.

Lets be clear, the only cars that have fueled the GM comeback of the past 10 or so years, was LARGE, V8 Powered REAL WHEEL DRIVE, GAS GUZZLERS. Wether they were Expiditions, Tahoes, F-150s, Silverados, Hummer 300cs etc. Despite getting killed for years by small japanese cars, they never ever figured out how to make a WORLD CLASS small car. They only really returned to profit when people forgot about gas prices and started buying large v8 cars again.

Toyota, Honda, Nissan oviously have it figured out. Audi and VW have got it figured out, BMW has as well (the MINI) and even the Koreans seem to be getting it figured out, the chinese are probably at least a decade away.

You have to make a car that people WANT and have to have. Target not walmart, Apple not microsoft.