When someone at General Motors wants to get the company’s act together, they can give me a call. Recently the company announced the death of the Oldsmobile as well as production halts at 11 plants in the US and Canada while some of their huge inventory is reduced.
Why are GM-built cars sitting on the lots? One answer: they are ugly and boring. I loved the following letter in the 1 January issue of Autoweek from Pete Lewis in Moraga CA:
”Chevrolet is to be commended for the name choice Avalanche for it’s upcoming SUV. An avalanche is an uncontrollable mass that destroys anything in its path, often killing innocent victims.” (Not linked because autoweek.com hasn’t updated their letters section online since August.)
GM should use the Oldsmobile nameplate to start a new division (perhaps at a couple of those idle plants) to design some modernized versions of some of their classic designs. Other American manufacturers are doing the same thing with a great deal of success: Chrysler’s PT Cruiser, Ford’s 2002 Thunderbird. One look through the current lineup of Chevys, Pontiacs, Buicks, etc., reveals nothing all that distinguishable from the bevy of Honda/Toyota/Mazda clones currently on the road.
Do I expect GM to take my advice? No. As Marlin reminded me, don’t expect too much from a company that ignored it’s own advisors and proceeded to give a car (Chevy Nova) a name that basically means It’s Not Going in Spanish.
I would like the name of the President of GM.
I want to send a letter to him with backup material regarding my 96 full size blazer. I have had to replace my raditor (4) times. This is unsatisfactory. I want a name please.
My husband and I have been GM people all of our lives. My husband is 56 and I am 50.