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I hope Scott chimes in on this, because there is alot about car production I don't understand (obviously), but have some thoughts that may or may not be on target.
It seems to me that foreign automakers are more flexible and adept at making changes to production, product design, and chasis lines more quickly and for less money than GM can. We all know today the automotive market is global, not just North America anymore. GM has far more competitors than just Ford and Chrysler. To keep up with the ebb and flow of the market based on fuel costs and general economy, I keep seeing other companies ability to lower production and utilize flex lines to build more or less of different models on the same line. While GM has scaled back on slow sellers, I don't know if they can do it quick enough. At least as quickly as others. And I'm not specifically pointing out Honda and Toyota. But it just seems that GM still, despite the fact they have modern products, still go about making those products the same way they did in 1960.
How many of GM's assembly lines can produce full size trucks and small cars on the same line? And adjust accordingly almost instantaneously based on market conditions? All the while keeping quality consistent?
It's just something I've observed over the years and would like some input.
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