GM To Drop Pontiac - Bad Vibes All Around

[Electric Frenzy]

I don't understand the need for different brands. I'll use Ford as an example.

Ford should have the following lineup all at one dealership:

Focus - economy/ entry level transport
Taurus - mid size sedan, hatchback, wagon
crown vic - full size, rwd, everything from police car to luxury cruiser for old farts.
Mustang - performance car in EVERY aspect. replace v6 with ecoboost and 365hp, give v8's blowers and 500+hp. Don't compromise
Edge - sport utility vehicle...common sense right? nope, this one is ACTUALLY sporty. Keep it and work on lowering the cost to start at $23k
F-150 - truck line including the expedition. Keep them as is. Don't fix it if it aint broke.
Windstar - minivan, I hate them but I guess they should exist.

That's all. All other ford, lincoln, mercury vehicles.... If I didn't call your name you didn't make the team. Why spend the money on building 4 different versions of the Mazda 6?? (6, mkx, mkz, fuzion) Just sell 1 model with different trim packages. Want performance? Use the mazdaspeed6 powertrain in the taurus body. It'll bolt right in. Want more Luxury? Buy the "mkx" package with fancy electronics and different colored interior.

That's all people are buying anyway is a slightly more expensive looking cheaper model. Lexus anyone?

Focus on making 1 product with more options and you can do away with 2/3's of all automobile dealerships in the states. Here's what all we should have left:

GM
Ford
Toyota
Honda
Mazda
nissan
Volvo
Saab
VW
Porsche
Lamborghini
Ferrari
BMW
Hyundai
mercedes

That's it, no more:

Lincoln
Mercury
Cadillac
Hummer
Daewoo
Lexus
Infinity
kia
audi

etc... focus on CORE products and earn peoples trust again.

[Frank Lee]

I pretty much agree with that assessment, although I'm no marketing mogul.

I thought GM was nuts when they created Geo and Saturn; I didn't see the need for Infinity, Acura, and the like either.

You did omit smaller trucks though- Ranger, S10, etc.

And you forgot a "sub-Focus", like Escort/Fiesta/Festiva.

I think there is too much needless separation of models i.e. not enough parts commonality. This is especially true in motorsports and is one reason why I think Honda hates their customers. At least, their North American customers. The whole rest of the world still gets to buy Super Cubs (basically unchanged for DECADES) and they are a prime example of doing it right the first time and then not messing with it unless it really needs it. Can't even buy 'em here.

[bikin' Ed]

Pontiac seemed the logical choice to me. I believe that all of its models have clones in either Chev. or Buick.