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Originally Posted by supaman
That's what got them into trouble in the first place. their flat-out focus on profit is wha tled them to start using cheap plasticky interiors, water based paints, same sheet metal for 5-6 years straight. GMs problem wasn't selling cars it KEEPING cars around that wouldn't sell.
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First the paint issues were widespread beyond GM but beyond that the problems you are talking about were not caused by focusing on making money. What you describe is focusing on little crappy cost cutting measures that simply traded reduced product quality for reduced cost. It's a practice that can work for a short while until people realize they are buying a cheaper car, after this point it can still seem to work on paper for awhile longer but such cost cutting isn't what one does to make money, it's simply making and selling cheaper vehicles. You are right that people in business (in GM and many, many other companies) have often equated this simple-minded approach to cost cutting tradoffs with true improvements such as technology or reduced labor costs that cut costs without sacrificing product quality. Note that the best manufacturing technology isn't necessarily 'high tech', and similarly with labor it's not about what you pay per hour it's how much productivity you get per dollar spent on the employee and the equipment they use. I may be getting a bit far OT though so enough of that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by btf331
how much is this going to be?
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This is a very interesting question IMO but it's hard to speculate very much until we have more solid info on what the interior will be like. I'll toss out my random guesses anyways though.
If it's basic synergy green with plastic panels and some stitching I would speculate around $400, if they are going a bit more elaborate with the two tone interior and ambient lighting it could shoot up near $600. Much higher than that and this special edition 1LT w/Boston Audio + C&C starts to compete with the 2LT's. GM could go lower if they're really trying to use this to boost 1LT sales or they could go higher to milk the special edition buyers for extra $$, figuring they will gain a few higher profit sales while those looking for bargains will still buy the regular 1LT's instead.