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It sounds like they're heading in the right direction with this plan, provided that they don't intend to take the full lines of Pontiac and Saturn, and rebrand them as Buick/Caddy/Chevy models. A couple models may be worth rebranding(either Sky or Solstice, G8), but not many.
Actually, many of their models are already rebranded. The G6 and Aura is the same as the Malibu. The G5 is the same as the Cobalt. The Sky/Solstice could easily be a Chevy since they share much in common with the original Corvette. The G8 could easily become a Caddy DTS or STS replacement.
They could reorganize so that Chevrolet would compete with Ford, Dodge, Toyota, and Honda; Buick could compete with Chrysler, Lincoln, Acura, and Lexus; and Caddy could compete with Benz, BMW, Audi. With a more targeted focus and extremely limited rebranding of models they could succeed. The instant they fall back into the rebranding game they fail. Remember the 80s model Caddy Cavalier? Caddy offered a car that was basicly a Cavalier with leather seats at Caddy prices.
Actually, many of their models are already rebranded. The G6 and Aura is the same as the Malibu. The G5 is the same as the Cobalt. The Sky/Solstice could easily be a Chevy since they share much in common with the original Corvette. The G8 could easily become a Caddy DTS or STS replacement.
I know that they're rebranded. I'm saying they need to avoid making mistakes like adding a small car(i.e.:Astra) to a remaining division that doesn't have one(i.e.:Buick). Avoid mistakes like adding a non-premium Q-ship(i.e.:G8), to a division that needs to move upmarket(Cadillac). A G8 would be like a Cimarron redux, the quality isn't going to cut it, irregardless of how satisfying the G8 "may" be to drive.
GM wound up with all those divisions because the corporation was formed by consolidating a bunch of individual auto makers and rather than consolidating they let each entity evolve. In 100 years of existence it has never been the most efficient or profitable course of action.
In most markets worldwide they really only need two divisions, mass market and luxury. In the US it is probably Chevrolet and Cadillac but that will vary across the world (in China the winner is the Buick name). But regardless of nameplate they sure don't need competing product lines.
But until they tackle two large financial challenges, the UAW and the dealer network, they won't have the flexibility and resources to fully restructure.
I am surpirsed if they are thinking of elminating Saturn as this is their flag compact lineup.I agree tho without changes in labor contracts they will get no where fast.
That allows them to remain competitive and have a nice line-up to offer.
you're saying you think saturn should be above chevy?
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