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GM Boss: "We're Developing a Plan Around Four Core Brands"
the core brands they're looking at is Chevy, Caddy, GMC, and Pontiac. It's their call but it's a poor choice. GMC and Chevy trucks are redundant. One or the other has to go. Other than the G8, what does Pontiac has to offer that isn't a clone of something else sold in America?
GM Boss: "We're Developing a Plan Around Four Core Brands"
the core brands they're looking at is Chevy, Caddy, GMC, and Pontiac. It's their call but it's a poor choice. GMC and Chevy trucks are redundant. One or the other has to go. Other than the G8, what does Pontiac has to offer that isn't a clone of something else sold in America?
Your assertions are well founded, however to paraphrase Fritz in the article...."we're taking apart our startegies, and rebuilding them".
Kinda hard to criticise what they havent announced yet. One can only speculate. Maybe GMC will concentrate on the heavy truck side while Chevy retains the light truck marketing. The marketing difference between Caddy and Chevy is fairly obvious. Pontiac, yeah, kinda a mystery to me also.....
I'd add Chevy could take in one of the convertables being sold by Saturn/Pontiac and re-badge as a Chevy. I see quite a few of them here in the south so that may be a nice 'affordable' niche car to keep around.
I like their decision, but only if they ditch Chevy trucks, its pointless to keep them around with GMC on the roster.
Not necessarily, people still like variety. Chev AND GMC combined have traditionally out sold Ford. Unlikely GM wants to give up one of the few things they got going for them as far as marketing numbers is concerned.
With the most recent incarnation of their light trucks, there is actually a difference in the truck lines between the two. And although that difference is only skin deep, it's a start toward, perhaps, some other plans they havent disclosed as of yet......?
They need to get back to a place where the general public understands there is an actual difference between a GMC and a Chevy truck. Something that hasnt been the case since the early 1970's. Then they could justify keeping both, on a basis other than the superficial one I noted above....the up and coming, frugal minded consumer isnt likely to spend premium $$$ simply because of a nameplate on the fender. GM is gonna have to show them the difference. Like they did in the 30's thru 60's. Time to get back to basics.
I'd go the other way around, I probably see 10 Chevrolet pickups for every 1 GMC.
Thats because theyre simply available. Take away Chevy trucks and theyd flock to GMC dealerships, theyre basically the exact same trucks to begin with.
I thought GM was looking at keeping Buick instead of Pontiac? Isn't Pontiac just going to be a niche brand?
That in itself isn't a bad idea. If they ditch the badge and rename it something that doesn't immediately spell poor quality in the minds of consumers, it might make sense. I think the Solstice is a great car and was kicking myself when it came out a year aafter I bought my Z4 I love my car but I wouldn't mind saving some $ for essentially the same market.
Throw in a high performance sports car and viola, you got yourself a sports car-ish niche. Caddy will retain the luxury / performance luxury image and GMC will keep the trucks. Chevy will likely be the commuter car brand (plus as another has pointed out the small truck side).
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Take away Chevy trucks and theyd flock to GMC dealerships, theyre basically the exact same trucks to begin with.
