GM Management is Nuts

[spidernut]

I saw this in the news this morning and couldn't believe it....GM management has gone loco! 35 miles per hour and only 35 miles per charge? Let's follow the logic - take a two wheeled vehicle that was generally a marketing flop and make it a two-passenger death trap with no protection from the elements. Time for more managers to be fired!

http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-sci ... 2009-04-07

[Tappy]

better buy a smart then ....

[Kevin1]

Since it rides on two wheels, it would most likely be registered as a motorcycle if it qualifies for use on public roads. As for the "death trap" thinking, it seems that it would be on par with riding a motorcycle as well. Or maybe more like a scooter. Interesting idea for in-town transportation.

[So Cal Mark]

I read that article and decided it's a ploy to show congress how innovative they're becoming. The problem is that for the last 25 years their innovations have ruined the company

[mdrburchette]

It looks like a completely useless and dangerous vehicle to me. I don't know exactly what it's supposed to accomplish.

[pope]

Wow Mark.
Are you studying Rosetta Stone Japanese? It sounds like you have fallen in love with them.

First off, that is a Segway. I am sure it was in development for a couple of YEARS! For the chump change that GM put in to fund some of the electronics, they were privy to the software programming on gyro stablization which somewhere down the line I think they might have a need for. This project gives them a little GREEN recognition, because America has become GREEN stupid and GM wants to act like they are searching for the answer also. All PR. But I can guarantee you they really dont care about this vehicle. They are trying to get you to look at the right hand while they are trying to fix the left hand.

Remember how the government forced the auto companies to develop Hydrogen powered cars and trucks! These companies spent billions on the technology and after all that, everyone found out it is not practical on a large scale. So good-bye Hydrogen and the companies are out the money. Now on to the next buzz work in energy. Yet the Japanese government funds their energy research.

[So Cal Mark]

"Wow Mark.
Are you studying Rosetta Stone Japanese? "

"I'm think I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese"

Not sure how you interpreted my post about GM to include anything Japanese Since 1980 GM has consistently turned out crap. Even when they have a decent vehicle, the parts used are such poor quality they fail in short order. When they made the shift from separate divisions to corporate cars it all went downhill quickly.

Perhaps I'm just seeing it from the broken car point of view, but after years of replacing in-tank fuel pumps and failed intake gaskets on every GM car I service it's difficult to be enthusiastic about anything they get involved in.

Now, let's discuss your contradictions; you complain about the US gov't getting involved with corporations, then complain the Japanese carmakers have an advantage because their govt is involved. Which way do you want it?

[pope]

Not sure how you interpreted my post about GM to include anything Japanese

Now, let's discuss your contradictions; you complain about the US gov't getting involved with corporations, then complain the Japanese carmakers have an advantage because their govt is involved. Which way do you want it?

Actually the problem was with the Dex-Cool antifreeze in the engines which ate the gaskets. The class action lawsuit was just settled last year. That was a big problem for them. Agreed.

The contradiction is that you cant see the contradiction!
US government has always been involved, but wont pay
Japan government is involved, but also pays

Either government in or get out. Its that simple

There are only two large automotive producing countries in America. The big three and Japan. If you constantly dog the big three...the only one left is the one you never admonish?

[Kevin1]

It looks like a completely useless and dangerous vehicle to me. I don't know exactly what it's supposed to accomplish.

Think in terms of small personal transportation - scooter, bicycle, golf cart, wheelchair, metermaid, parking attendant, campus police, . . . maybe even garden tractor or lawn mower. Who knows, but there's plenty of possible applications if you apply a little imagination.
The engineering behind this is nothing short of amazing, lending it some serious geek-cred. It may even have automotive applications. Think about replacing sway bars with dynamic stabilization - flat cornering, no nose dive under braking, instant adjustability from the cockpit. There's actually alot to like here for the technically inclined tinkerer.
Wasn't it innovative engineering and development that brings us the very things everyone here likes to play with? Our little unit-body, twin overhead cammed, 5-speeds and disc brakes were pretty innovative. Plenty of people didn't see the inherent value of these innovations at the time, and now they are more or less universally accepted as normal.
More here:
http://www.segway.com/puma/

[Tappy]

i think the I Real from Toyota looks cooler do :

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/p_mobil ... index.html


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tir27qgT ... re=related

[baltobernie]

I read that article and decided it's a ploy to show congress how innovative they're becoming. The problem is that for the last 25 years their innovations have ruined the company

I agree with you that their materials and workmanship leave a lot to be desired. I agree with other posters that the corporation has maneuvered themselves into an untenable position with legacy benefits burdens. But they still have some competent engineering, IMHO.

A recent Top Gear episode worshiped a Honda fuel-cell-equipped Accord. "The savior of automobiles!", they raved. GM has had working fuel cell vehicles for at least 5 years. They furnished fuel cell trucks to FedEx in Japan in 2003. I drove an Opel in 2006 that was a little rough around the edges, but definitely a runner. And last year I drove one of their SUV's that was spectacular:
http://www.chevrolet.com/fuelcell/?evar ... EFFICIENCY
This Equinox was smooth, powerful, torquey, and virtually noiseless. Inside and out, a "production" vehicle in every sense of the word.

If GM had the stones, they shoulda built a couple thousand of them, and shipped 'em to their dealers. "You want energy independence, zero emissions, etc.? Here you go ... we can build it." But no, they kept cranking out Suburbans, then flew to DC on the company jet to beg for my money. That's why they should be bankrupt, because their management is gutless and timid, not because they lack the ability to innovate.

[racydave]

The American consumer is fickle. Manafacturers produces large turds cause thats what was selling. Dex-cool was bad, but its not the cause of all the intake gaskets I have been replacing since the 80's. GM has its problems, but they have the best electronics, and a good fuel system. Maybe Im biased since Im GM trained. I also doubt Ill ever buy another new vehicle.

[mdrburchette]

I'm definitely not a fan of this one person buggy they've come up with, but I have to agree with Dave about GM not being all that bad as far as reliability. Everyone likes to dump on GM but the Japanese cars have their fair share of problems. Toyota has been experiencing quality control issues for years now with their transmissions and I especially like the recall on their trucks that can rust in two. Nissan is known for the problems with their engines .
The way I see it is GM is suffering partly because of their lax upper management and partly because of a strong union milking them dry. Their shortsightedness is not helping either. But, they have many vehicles that get better gas mileage than most of the foreign manufacturers and have for several years.
One thing I heard last night from a GM mechanic friend of mine that has me really concerned is GM is trying to lower costs by shaving time from their warranty labor. The time to rebuild a truck 6 speed auto tranny was knocked down from around 12 hours to 6 hours. I believe this will be the last nail in GMs coffin if they go screwing with the technicians' warranty labor time.

[mbouse]

. Manafacturers produces large turds cause thats what was selling.

agreed. Fiat will have a long road ahead of them if they believe the puddle jumpers they enjoy european success with, will fly here. in this country we enjoy cheap gas, which influences our don't-give-a crap attitude when it comes to fuel efficiency. WHEN we are forced to live with $4-6/gallon gasoline, we will as a nation crave the fuel sippers that Fiat is known for; but not until then.

SUV's are here to stay as long as the generations of folks with large disposable income insist on keeping their campers, boats, ski-doos, snowmobiles, etcetera. after all, we need a 52 week/year gas guzzler to haul all this stuff 3-4 weekends a year. ford and whoever is left will gladly feed this need.

[sptcoupe]

Nothing like building on failure - which GM has been trying to do for a long time.