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GM is beginning to put out some good products and is making some good decisions the problem is they have made some seriously bad decisions in the past. Not having a viable vehicle in all segments is pretty bad for a company GM’s size. Ignoring interior design and cheaping out on materials is unacceptable. Seriously the Aveo, like that competes with any of the other sub-compacts, same goes for the cobalt/g5 (its getting better) but it doesn’t compete with even the 5 year old Mazda 3 let alone the Civic. The cobalt and the focus are selling much better but that is due to good highway mileage and the economy. Many still want to but from an American manufacturer regardless if they could get a better vehicle from a transplant.
The main problem facing GM now is they have too many brands and can’t afford kill any of them (See oldsmobile). They have too many dealers from back when they had over 50% of the NA market, now they have what 25% and the same number of dealers? That is just not supportable. Honestly what purpose do GMC, Pontiac, Buick, and Saab serve? Or even Saturn? Saturn sells cars that directly compete with Chevy and Pontiac. GMC sells rebadged Chevies. GM only really needs Chevy and Cadillac but they won’t be able to do that unless they file Chapter 11, which unfortunately is a possibility.
I see either the government changing the franchise laws or tax payers paying to buy out dealers and killing brands or GM eventually going belly up. I doubt the government would allow that to happen so expect a bailout.
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