The press was all over GM during the rough times the past couple of months and now that GM has given analysts and certain members of the press a preview of 18 new models coming in the next 30 months. It's weird to hear journalists "gush" over GM's designs, but the new Malibu and CTS are getting a great reaction, as well as the next Escalade. There was mixed reviews for the new line of sport wagons, some loving the new Buick and others not too impressed. Interiors have also received a huge boost from GM. Reviews can be read from Edmunds, Chicago Tribune, Toronto Sun and The Wall Street Journal.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joel A @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Enough talk. Bring in the pics!
And not concepts, please. We already noted the "tremendous" (sarcasm intended) similarity between the Lacrosse concept and the end result.
Sid Ghosh @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
All right! Go GM! And with Toyota also now committing themselves to better design, we car fans are gonna have a lot of fun!!!
starlightmica @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
GM hired Anne Asensio away from Renault a few years ago to improve their interior designs, looks like it's finally paying off.
A couple of years ago, soon after she was hired, she rounded up a bunch of GM executives to show them what needed to be done by having them examine the VW Golf and Jetta. That was probably a big shock to the long-entrenched execs, having their luxury cars' interior put to shame by one belonging to a car selling in the teens.
Meek @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
Of course journalists are gushing over GM's designs. If Honda had released these, they'd be saying they were quirky and will never work. (Sorry about that, I'm just used to Sid Ghosh saying the opposite of that whenever a vehicle other than GM got a positive review.)
iQuack @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
I'd like to see GM skip the concept teasers because all that remains when the real thing is introduced is the name.
GM should just create an exciting, high volume car (probably a sedan) and stop the dumb foreplay already.
Sid Ghosh @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
"GM should just create an exciting, high volume car (probably a sedan) and stop the dumb foreplay already."
I agree.
Motorin' @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
After reading some of these articles, I'm dying to see the new Cadillacs and Saturns, especially the new CTS. Considering how much they've focussed on the new full size trucks, I'd like to see those too.
For the usually cynical (when it comes to GM) general press giving so many of these designs some shining reviews, I'm eagerly anticipating a peek at them.
mehool @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
wow those headlights on the blog's preview pic are wicked!
Adam @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
Well at least my favorite is winning. Ford sucks and uh Fords are blowing up. So here is the future. GM+ Ford- Toyota- and any other-
GM rules and does to many already!
BF @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
Can wait to sit my fanny in a new 2007 Suburban, with the Bob Lutz improved interior.
Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
What, no inane comment from Paul yet?
md @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
Sorry Joel, I don't think you will get any pictures. I'm pretty sure all the journalists that attended were forbidden to release any sort of details on the cars other than make and basic vehicle type.
The Washington Post's article also tied in what they believed to be GM's biggest problem right now, a lack of "car guys" in design and engineering departments. Interesting.
laserwizard @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
There is absolutely nothing in front of us now to conclude that GM is anything other than a stuffy, outdated, carelessly managed company who couldn't pen a great automotive design if someone gave it a billion dollars (Corvettes don't count). Nothing about the refacing of the Malibu suggests GM has a clue and nothing from Buick, Pontiac, or Saturn (especially with the watered down nature of the showcars we are now seeing) suggests that GM has a clue. Bad taste permeates Cadillac designs and no longer are these distinctive or fresh. In fact, the bad taste Arts and Scientology look now looks dated.
GM wants good press. It should start finding good designers and allowing them to do more than to design circular tail lights on everything.
Motorin' @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
I don't disagree that a lot of GM's North American "mainstream" lineup is really "blah," but I got a pretty good laugh out of "There is absolutely nothing in front of us now to conclude that GM...couldn't pen a great automotive design if someone gave it a billion dollars (Corvettes don't count)." The ol' anything that disproves my absolute rule is not allowed style of debate.
Cadillac's latest designs are definitely distinctive, like them or not. You're not going to mistake a CTS/STS/Escalade for anything else. Maybe you could mistake a QX45 for an Escalade if a contact slipped out on a hazy day, but I digress. Potentially polarizing design won big and Cadillac made an impressive turnaround. A similar route is being followed by the Magnum/300C.
Since most designs with "style" are polarizing and divisive, companies turn all the knobs way down on the mainstream (too far down in a lot of cases). "It should start finding good designers and allowing them to do more than to design circular tail lights on everything." For the mainstream products, there's no problem selling vanilla...vanilla sells in spades, everyone does it (Toyota, Honda, Ford). Toyota is all vanilla...not one ounce of "fun" in that company, but they sell plenty (they're the only Formula 1 engine manufacturer without a sports car). GM just has to build vanilla that is as good as the rest, but toss on some sprinkles to get some attention their way again. The bulk of the sales go to a bulk of the people, who are A to Bs.
While typing that up, I though up a few non-Corvette vehicles with lots of style : Solstice/Sky, Hummers, the Saab 9-3 (GM family, GM platform), then quite a few Opels/Vauxhalls that aren't sold in North America (though a few will be coming soon in new guises, like the Saturn Aura).
Rocky Robinson @ Dec 18th 2005 10:32PM
RE: "Nothing about the refacing of the Malibu suggests GM has a clue and nothing from Buick, Pontiac, or Saturn (especially with the watered down nature of the showcars we are now seeing) suggests that GM has a clue"
To what "watered down" vehicle's are you referring? The SKY was unveiled as a production car -- not a concept -- and the spy pics of the AURA look just like the show car.
Even on a blog like this, you level of cynicism is amazing.