Six Cars to Save the Big Three

[MB2010CC]

Just found this on AOL. Thought you all might want to check it out.

Woah!!! wrong URL hold on...here ya go...That last one was the URL to my inbox!!!

http://autos.aol.com/article/general...07140609990001

[FenwickHockey65]

No Cruze?

[The_Blur]

Mentioning the Chevy Volt is correct. That car is going to put GM in the black again just because it will give GM lots of positive publicity.

We all know the Camaro is a winner.

The Ford Mondeo is impotent. I disagree with this choice.

The Fiesta will be a winner for Ford. I agree with this choice.

The S-Max is too under-publicized to make a splash in the American market. The fact that it has been available overseas will only frustrate Americans who wonder why American companies don't sell their best cars at home. I've been frustrated by that trend, too.

The Dodge Demon is cool, but the Solstice and Sky didn't save GM, and they are on their way out because they cost too much. The sport toy segment is overrated. It has too small a market splash to save a company. I think this is just the coolest Dodge the article could list.

FenwickHockey65 is right to ask why the Cruze on the list. That's a car that will make a splash.

[JaysonAych]

The Dodge Demon? I mean, it would be a nice car if it was going to be released as a rear wheel drive roadster, though they've already said it would be FWD. But even then...it's not going to save Chrysler. A production version of the Hornet concept would go much farther toward saving them. They also need to replace the Caliber with something lighter and more efficient. And they need to work more on their dreadful interiors.

I agree with the Fiesta saving Ford NA...that car looks like the home run small car they need to start selling here. The S-Max would also help Ford out here quite a bit. And they could use a car that slots in between the Focus and the Fusion in terms of size.

The Camaro surely generates excitement for GM, but I'm not sure it's a company-saving car. The Volt will go a long way towards helping, but as FenwickHockey65 said, the Cruze is probably more worthy of being on the list. They also need a much more competent car to replace the Aveo, something to slot between the Cruze and the new Malibu, and to better manage and define each division's role in the company.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by JaysonAych

The Dodge Demon? I mean, it would be a nice car if it was going to be released as a rear wheel drive roadster, though they've already said it would be FWD. But even then...it's not going to save Chrysler. A production version of the Hornet concept would go much farther toward saving them. They also need to replace the Caliber with something lighter and more efficient. And they need to work more on their dreadful interiors.

I agree with the Fiesta saving Ford NA...that car looks like the home run small car they need to start selling here. The S-Max would also help Ford out here quite a bit. And they could use a car that slots in between the Focus and the Fusion in terms of size.

The Camaro surely generates excitement for GM, but I'm not sure it's a company-saving car. The Volt will go a long way towards helping, but as FenwickHockey65 said, the Cruze is probably more worthy of being on the list. They also need a much more competent car to replace the Aveo, something to slot between the Cruze and the new Malibu, and to better manage and define each division's role in the company.

the aveo is a pos, I don't think they even need to replace it. It doesn't have much direct competetion and still nobody buys it. And something to go between the Cruze and the Malibu, I just don't think there is enough room. As for defining the brands, I agree 100%. I say drop every eco-trim Pontiac and drop every sporty Saturn. And get rid of every Cadillac SUV: GMC Denali's fill that role nicely. Its not much but its a start.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I think they should have mentioned the Cruze (almost Prius mpg without all the ugly and batteries? )...but I'll agree to that list, mostly.

And what a strange thing; to read a positive (or at least optimistic) article about the Big three. It was my pleasure to read that.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I think they should have mentioned the Cruze (almost Prius mpg without all the ugly and batteries? )...but I'll agree to that list, mostly.

And what a strange thing; to read a positive (or at least optimistic) article about the Big three. It was my pleasure to read that.

I definitely agree with the overall tone. I only agree with the Camaro, Volt, and Fiesta, though. The others won't make a dent, unless GM acquires Chrysler. If that happens, I imagine the Demon could become a sister of the Solstice and Sky.

I know what you're going to say: "The Solstice and Sky are unprofitable. Why would GM make another one?" I'm glad you asked. One answer is that it saves cost to make them all on the same platform. Another option is to use a stretched Alpha platform, as GM has considered. By having 3 cars on the same small platform, a killing can be made with less expense. Lastly, GM could take Chrysler's platform and make RWD an option instead of standard. That would allow RWD to be more expensive but still used. One way to make that happen is to return Pontiac to its performance roots by making it only RWD cars. Dodge can have the FWD version, the Sky can go FWD with the Dodge, and Pontiac can charge more for having the performance version. Saturn doesn't have a tradition of performance, so it doesn't need to use the same platform as the one built on performance. Pontiac can continue attacking BMW and raise the price to match its intended competition. By doing that, Pontiac can make up the difference on the Kappa platform, Saturn can still look cool while costing less by sharing a platform, and Dodge can feel like it isn't going under for once because it is under GM's wing—win-win-win situation.

It's just an idea.

[AZCamaroFan]

As has been said, Demon? a little two seater isn't going to sell enough to make a dent.

[stovt001]

I'll join the chorus and say Cruze should been on the list. The Volt is absolutely necessary for GM's image and therefore belongs on the list, but for true financial success, GM must have solid sales for the compact and midsized bread-and-butter sedans. Honestly, when it comes to "saving" GM I think the Cruze is even more important than the Camaro.

I agree with the Fords, except maybe the S-Max. The Mazda5 and Kia Rio sell fairly well, but not "the company depends on this" well. It will help, but it is not as crucial as the other two.

The Demon? If that is what Chrysler has to save them, they're dead. They need compact and midsized cars, and they need them NOW.

[headpunter]

the demon on that list is a joke. it was a just an extra car to put on the list so dodge didnt feel so left out.

[bouncertime]

Dodge shot themselves in the foot when they got rid of the Neon. I still see tons of Neons on the road, but I rarely see the Caliber.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by bouncertime

Dodge shot themselves in the foot when they got rid of the Neon. I still see tons of Neons on the road, but I rarely see the Caliber.

I don't understand how a wagon platform directly replaces a car platform. The HHR never replaced the Cobalt. If Chrysler brought back the Neon with Caliber design cues, it would be a winner for sure.

[TheCaptain]

Again, No Cruze? And ford S max? What is that? (ok, i obviously seen the pic of the minvan pos thingy) I've never heard anything about it before...
Anyone else notice the three fords wearing the same rim pattern in slightly different sizes?

[pruettfan]

I agree with all of you the the Dodge Demon will not save Chrysler. The fact that that is the best they could come up with to save Chrysler is pretty good evidence of what a mess they have over there. With a few notable exceptions most of their products look the same and look like crap. I am a car guy and I cannot tell the difference between most of their models. Probably because I avoid looking at objects that are repulsive.

I like the new GM models and I think Ford bringing over some of their european stuff is a great idea.