Detroit 2009: Post-Bailout Booth Tour - GM
by Alex Nunez on Jan 12th 2009 at 7:00PM 
Click above to start the GM booth tour
Seeing as this is the first post-bailout Detroit Auto Show, we figured it might be interesting to take a look at the display areas for the two automakers that are now taxpayer-subsidized. Would we find extravagant layouts, visible signs of austerity, or pretty much business as usual? First up is General Motors. For now, it's still eight brands. But who knows what that number will be a year from now. Jump into the gallery below for photos and accompanying observations. And note that some of the cars shown here (like the Cruze and Beat concept above) are likely to be relocated when the show opens to the public.
Photos copyright ©2009 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason 7:06PM (1/12/2009)
"Note that some of the cars shown here (like the Cruze and Beat concept above) are likely to be relocated when the show opens to the public."
Probably relocated to somewhere where the public can't see them so the public won't see they have great products outside of the U.S...
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Torrent 7:15PM (1/12/2009)
The Cruze and Beat/Spark are going to be released to America, smarticle.
HotRodzNKustoms 7:23PM (1/12/2009)
They'll probably put them up on a stage so the uneducated public can't ruin their delicate exteriors.
Jason 7:24PM (1/12/2009)
@Torrent, not until late 2010.
Sea Urchin 8:59PM (1/12/2009)
Cruze looks good, but will th overall package compete with 2011 Civic? So far GM has been unable to do it.
Torrent 9:56PM (1/12/2009)
I know that, Jason. The Cruze is slated for April 2010, and the Volt later on the same year.
hexachrome 1:53AM (1/13/2009)
You said it brother! I just don't understand their logic.
why not the LS2LS7? 2:49AM (1/13/2009)
Their logic is the same as VWs or BMWs. Roll out the cars in different areas at different times.
It's a wise way to manage demand. If you announce it everywhere at once, then everyone tries to buy it at the same time and you can't meet demand. Then you tool up to make a lot more cars and then demand drops because the initial bump is over. And there you've spent all that money on tooling and have no use for it now.
Look at the PS3 versus Xbox 360 for example. PS3 had a staggered rollout and was generally available. Xbox 360 had a world rollout and you couldn't get one for months, then they overproduced and ended up with a stuffed channel and had to shut down the lines for months to clear out inventory.
VW brings out their cars 9 months later in the US than in Europe. BMW typically does the same thing.
Bob 7:14PM (1/12/2009)
That's a great photo tour. Thanks.
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Eek 11:27PM (1/12/2009)
Honestly, I like this better than the more extravagant displays of the past. It's much more tasteful and, to me at least, more professional.
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Mazda FTW! 7:40PM (1/12/2009)
Funny how life can be. The year the General has some of the hottest, greatest products they have ever made, they can't spend the $$$ on extravagant showmanship and features.
But you know what? The product this year will speak for itself. GO GENERAL!!!
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ken_aisin 9:32PM (1/12/2009)
I agree. I have never seen a better year. GM really got some good designs going. Too bad the good designs are released at a bad time.
I never like the idea of bailing out banks with 700 billion dollars. What we are seeing now is banks keeping the bail-out money and not lending it to the public. The money should have gone to people who are willing to buy American made products in 2009. For example, the government can give potential car buyers tax breaks and zero interest car loans when they buy low fuel consumption cars manufactured by the big 3.
Dan 8:25PM (1/12/2009)
If I had the cash, I would totally make an offer for Hummer, Saab and Saturn.
Hell, I'd even take Pontiac off their hands. This way I would have a nameplate to compete with each of their remaining brands:
Saab vs Cadillac
Hummer vs GMC
Saturn vs Chevrolet
Pontiac vs Buick
Ah, to dream of what I would do with these car companies!
As for why GM will never get rid of GMC, it's simply the nameplate. GM and GMC are too closely associated and similar for GMC to be made by someone else.
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Rob 9:07PM (1/12/2009)
I'm pretty sure you would do a better job managing them than they did.
Randy915 11:43PM (1/12/2009)
That Cruze in crimson red looks GOOD.
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Patrick 11:47PM (1/12/2009)
The Cruze looks good, but I can't help wonder what it would look like if the slightly odd, thin upper section of the grille was removed. Photochop, anyone?
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Richard S. 1:06AM (1/13/2009)
Then you put a bolt emblem and you have a good looking Opel.
elprogramer 11:08AM (1/13/2009)
Their displays look exactly the same as they do every year. Maybe I'm missing some of the glitz and glamor the journalists are treated to, I heard they cut back on that, but it looks the same for the public.
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