Shocker: GM exec admits they ignored consumers' demands for efficiency - Page 5 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Christ · 10-30-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadisonMPG

I think me and you have had this same discussion, although now I realize where you were coming from and we can now talk again.

SWEET! Man, I missed talking to you... :P (I jest, of course.)

ai_vin · 10-30-2009, 06:05 AM

"We can decry stupid things like Hummers and Expeditions and Armadas but if nobody wanted them and nobody bought them... nobody would build them."

But how many people would have bought the Hummer if not for that tax loophole that let you write-off the whole price of the vehicle? It's one thing to hail the virtues of the free market but can you do it honestly if the market's been slanted by lobbyists doing backroom deals in Washington?.

JasonG · 10-30-2009, 07:44 AM

Honestly, a bunch would buy it just cause its bid and tough looking.
The mentality of most here in the states is that way ai vin.
I grew up in an area where trucks with big mud tires were necessary. It drives me crazy when I see one that has never seen mud and the tires are highway worn. Yet I see them weekly.
Same goes for a lady I know. 60+ single/widow drives a full size crew cab pick-up. Works in an office, lives in an apt. I asked her once why she bought a truck and she replied, "in case I ever need to pick something big up from a store". Inside of the bed looks like the day it rolled off the line.

jkp1187 · 10-30-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ai_vin

"We can decry stupid things like Hummers and Expeditions and Armadas but if nobody wanted them and nobody bought them... nobody would build them."

But how many people would have bought the Hummer if not for that tax loophole that let you write-off the whole price of the vehicle? It's one thing to hail the virtues of the free market but can you do it honestly if the market's been slanted by lobbyists doing backroom deals in Washington?.

Or, indeed, how many would buy an SUV for daily commuting if manufacturers were required to follow safety regs and fuel economy standards that apply to cars and passed those extra costs on to consumers?

Clev · 10-30-2009, 12:52 PM

"Awwww. This isn't going to be about Jesus, is it?" -Homer Simpson

Christ · 10-30-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clev

"Awwww. This isn't going to be about Jesus, is it?" -Homer Simpson

God!... - Napoleon Dynamite

If I'd had the money to buy a bunch of Hummers up front, so I could have written off the purchase price, I would have bought them. I'd also have re-sold them, probably at a loss (compared to purchase price), for quick sales.

wagonman76 · 10-30-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I should have included the dustbuster 3800 vans too. Claimed fe on those is very good.

Manual steering, m/t, a/c delete, maybe a top chop and a weight loss program on a '80s or early '90s 3800 GM unit, plus a "Bonneville" spoiler or some sort of aeroback... yeah baby!

Yeah, swap the powertrain into something like a small FWD GM car. It'll likely fit with off-the-shelf parts. And set up the trans drive chain for the numerically lowest ratio you can get with combinations of sprockets they made. Some guys did the opposite and made a 3.73 transaxle with stock sprockets.

jamesqf · 11-01-2009, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ai_vin

...but if nobody wanted them and nobody bought them... nobody would build them.

So how come it doesn't work in the other direction? There are lots of people who want small, fuel-efficient, often sporty cars (not to mention small pickup trucks). Detroit's own surveys, as the article says, told them that over and over, yet they didn't build them, but left the market open for the Japanese & Koreans.

Christ · 11-01-2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesqf

So how come it doesn't work in the other direction? There are lots of people who want small, fuel-efficient, often sporty cars (not to mention small pickup trucks). Detroit's own surveys, as the article says, told them that over and over, yet they didn't build them, but left the market open for the Japanese & Koreans.

Just got through watching "Who killed the Electric Car?"... was actually a pretty good doc on exactly this.

Frank Lee · 11-01-2009, 02:03 AM

Hmm. People want little trucks? Full sized trucks aren't even "big enough"! Look at how many solo commuters you see in F250s, Super Doodies, and Duallies??? Howcome Ford is having to close the Ranger plant in MN? Hint: lack of sales. Some whine about it being "dated"... I don't know, I have a '97 and it's a perfectly fine little truck, what is so bad about it that it's not a saleable item???

So what's the main lesson from "Who killed the electric car"?