{"id":31524,"date":"2019-12-13T13:54:45","date_gmt":"2019-12-13T18:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motor-junkie.com\/?p=31524"},"modified":"2022-08-26T06:25:13","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T10:25:13","slug":"15-things-gm-has-to-fix-right-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/15-things-gm-has-to-fix-right-away\/31524\/","title":{"rendered":"40 Things GM Has To Fix Right Away"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

General Motors is one of the oldest automotive manufacturers in the world. The company has an annual worldwide sales reach of 6.5 million cars and trucks globally. GM has been a fixture of car culture for decades, and there’s a good chance that you have had a GM car in your family. Many automotive enthusiasts have grown up in GM cars, from the Vista Cruiser to the Camaro. But recent decades have been a tough sell for GM as competition from import automotive companies has come stateside. There are undoubtedly things that GM needs to fix in terms of quality and reliability.<\/span><\/p>\n

GM cars have come a long way, but they can still come further. GM and Ford have both announced that the companies will be exiting the passenger car market. This means that the companies will be focusing on crossover SUVs and large trucks. A good portion of the automotive community believes this is a mistake for the large automakers. We’re going to take a look at some things that GM could work on. The company is a historical part of the automotive world, and like most big companies it has its fair share of problems. Read on to find out the things they need to address right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2015
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

40: The UAW<\/h2>\n

There may be some flack for this entry, but it has to be said. The UAW is causing a lot of problems for GM, and always has. Yes, the unions benefit the workers but in the long run, it causes an unnecessary drain on the automakers. The United Autoworkers Union (UAW) has long been associated with corruption dating back to the mafia days. Before there were worker’s rights, the Union was a necessary tool. But the current employment world is more heavily regulated and companies are investing in their employees like never before.<\/p>\n

\"2007
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

GM and Ford could both do a lot better without the UAW in the mix. Sure, employees’ wages would decrease somewhat but the benefit to the company would be immense. GM has a nagging problem and it’s the UAW; fixing this problem would help the company a great deal in the long run.<\/p>\n

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\"Corvette
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

39: Airbag Delays<\/h2>\n

As automotive safety advances, GM has been at the forefront of problems with its SRS system. A software glitch in the system makes GM airbags fail to deploy during a crash. This glitch was widespread and there was a recall, but safety issues like this are notoriously bad for publicity. When you factor in the cost of their vehicles, the consumer is paying for a safe driving experience. The GM software glitch was one of many recalls that has been associated with their airbag systems.<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The problems with safety features that pertain to GM vehicles are nothing new. These issues have been going on for decades and the company continues to take its time rectifying them. But as the automotive industry continues to face stiff competition, the company will need to get on board with the modern safety advances. Airbag safety is something that’s not only important but crucial to a car company’s success.<\/p>\n

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\"Chevrolet
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

38: Paint Quality<\/h2>\n

GM cars and trucks have long been panned for their lack of paint quality, and this still holds true to this day. GM paint quality is among the lowest in the automotive industry and you’ll routinely see GM vehicles that are less than a decade old starting to peel and fade. When you purchase a vehicle, there’s definitely some measure of protection that the owner should take to protect the paint job. But it is also important that the vehicle manufacturer uses quality paints, and GM hasn’t been known for being particular when it comes to choosing paint.<\/p>\n

\"GMC
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lack of paint quality on GM vehicles has caused frustrations for decades. No one wants to spend such a high amount of money on a vehicle only to have the paint deteriorate. As pricing of vehicles continues to rise, the need for a proper paint job is a must. Automakers including GM need to refrain from cutting corners and put more effort into their paint jobs.<\/p>\n

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\"Cavalier
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

37: Lack of Two-Door Models<\/h2>\n

GM along with Ford have both exited the passenger car market for the most part. This is a grave mistake and the automaker needs to reverse this decision quickly. Although passenger cars are not the sales success that they once were there is still a market for these. The Chevrolet Cavalier and Cobalt SS were both decent sellers for the company. GM is following the same trend that Ford and Chrysler FCA are, but giving up on passenger cars all together might not be the smartest move. Like it or not, there were always Chevy coupes on the streets, even if sales weren’t as strong as their Japanese rivals.<\/p>\n

\"Chevrolet
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Part of the lack of sales was because for years GM skimped on the interior and exterior quality. When Toyota was at its pinnacle with the Corolla and the Camry, GM gave us the lowly Cobalt. Still, this final generation of GM coupes were by far the highest quality products to come out of Detroit.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Hummer
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

36: Hummer As an Electric Brand<\/h2>\n

GM has the perfect opportunity to compete with Jeep on a real level. But the company insists on bringing the Hummer brand back as an electric car maker. While this is all well and good, GM is never going to be able to compete with Tesla. Therefore the company needs to stick to what it does right and introduce an affordable Hummer like the H3 to compete with the Wrangler. Electric cars are pricey and Jeeps are already some of the priciest vehicles on the road. Adding an electric powertrain to the Hummer brand is just going to make it a more expensive proposition for customers.<\/p>\n

\"Hummer\"
via: AM General<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If GM is trying to gain market share then only focusing on an electric Hummer isn’t the smart move. GM could do a lot better by focusing on what made the Hummer brand great, and that was off-road capability. The original Hummers are still some of the most effective off-roaders to this day, even more so than Jeeps were. Had GM focused more on this aspect, the new Hummer could be more popular than ever.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Suburban
via GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

35: Cheap Infotainment Centers<\/h2>\n

How often have you gotten into a used Chevrolet or GM vehicle and noticed that the radio dials are faded? This is a problem on all GM vehicles, but especially the most recent models. You’d never expect a sub-10-year-old Tahoe or Suburban to be lacking the wording on the dials. But it happens more often then you might think, and generally, this requires entire infotainment or HVAC button replacement. GM needs to put better quality into their buttons and plastic interior components.<\/p>\n

\"Chevrolet
via Motor Trend<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No one wants to be driving around in an interior that’s full of faded buttons. Most of these vehicles command a premium when it comes to price. With that aspect understood you definitely should get a better quality interior. GM has been sliding on a lack of interior quality for too long and the company needs to fix this.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Chevrolet
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

34: Vortec Motor Defects<\/h2>\n

Vortec V8 engines are some of the most popular engines around, but the 5.3L has been the host of many problems. From a recall due to the cam lobe to common problems related to lifter failure and collapse, these engines are not as reliable as they once were. Type in “Vortec Tick” to Youtube and you’ll see a host of owners who have the same problems. These engines are starting to fail earlier on and part of this could be caused by a rush in production. GM is pushing these onto the market to keep up with demand and quality is starting to lack.<\/p>\n

\"Silverado\"
via Kelley Blue Book<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Being that the company is going to be focusing exclusively on trucks and crossovers, the need for quality is higher than ever. GM has been pushing the Vortec motor since the nineties and there have always been problems with the engine from time to time. The company just needs to take a step back and put much more effort into development.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"2005
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

33: A More Comprehensive Service Experience<\/h2>\n

Remember the GM Goodwrench guy? The company used to place a high emphasis on the dealer service experience. Nowadays, not so much. You’ll get rushed through and the dealerships don’t generally give you an honest opinion. GM has had many recalls in the last couple of years and the dealerships should place a higher focus on these. After all, some of these vehicles cost as much as a new home. GM needs to get back to the authentic dealership service experience.<\/p>\n

\"Chevrolet
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When you have a dealership experience drivers can trust, overall the car buying process is a lot better. If GM were to put their efforts into servicing these vehicles better there would be a much higher level of customer satisfaction. Right now, most customers are taking their business elsewhere and GM is losing out on that revenue.<\/p>\n

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\"2015
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

32: Retail Consumer Satisfaction<\/h2>\n

That brings us to this point, GM has faltered in customer satisfaction in the last decade. You could point to the lack of dealership experience, but it’s also the quality of the vehicles. Many of these vehicles are rushed into production, and production facilities are rushing the vehicles together. A chain that doesn’t have a proper cause and effect, and you’ll miss out on the high-quality vehicles that were coming out of Detroit for decades. The company needs to get back on the ball with quality and start building a put-together vehicle.<\/p>\n

\"Chevrolet
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going to the dealership to get a new car shouldn’t entail having to bring it back 10 times because the paneling keeps falling off. With the amount of money that the company spends to keep the UAW happy the quality of the car parts could be a lot better. GM needs to get its act together when it comes to the fit and finish of the vehicles.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Chevrolet
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

31: Too Many Options<\/h2>\n

Another thing all of the automakers have been doing is making too many options available to the consumer. When you go to buy a car you don’t want to have to choose between 10 or more different trim options just to get a basic set of wheels. GM has been doing this especially and it can confuse the consumer. You won’t know which package to choose and prices will fluctuate from high to low with nothing in between. Dealers are starting to charge for just about every option from the cargo nets to the floor mats. GM should get back to basics.<\/p>\n

\"Suburban
via GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Consumers don’t want to be wading through a mountain of brochures just to figure out which model they want to get. They want to choose the car that fits their budget with the features that they like. GM is overdoing it with all of these trim packages and the current situation has made it more difficult to buy a car than ever before.<\/p>\n

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\"Cadillac
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

30: On Star<\/h2>\n

There was a time when On Star was the hottest new automotive technology around. But that was also before we had smartphones and GPS systems. Nowadays, On Star technology is useless, and GM continues to charge a premium for this. Many cars that came equipped with On Star can’t even connect anymore. This creates a problem for people who buy used GM vehicles and the people who buy new ones. GM wants to charge a premium for the service but you don’t get very much.<\/p>\n

\"Cadillac
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yes, the ability to track your car in the case of theft is nice, but nowadays cars are so hard to steal that car thefts are way down. The company needs to introduce sweeping changes to the On-Star system to get it into a modern design. Most consumers might not even be interested in this features.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Cadillac
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

29: Cadillac<\/h2>\n

The Cadillac brand has become a far cry from what it once was. There was a time when Cadillac was the pinnacle of luxury in America, but that has long since passed. Even with the initial success of the 2000s, the company hasn’t been able to build on that. Its unimaginative sedans are boring and overpriced, and you’ll often see the Cadillac relegated to the rental fleets. The brand does put a lot of effort into the full-size Escalade, but that’s about it. The rest of the cars are just rehashed GMs with a new badge or a different bit of sheet metal.<\/p>\n

\"Cadillac
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The actual heart of Cadillac has become stale and the brand could use a turnaround. There’s no reason why Cadillac shouldn’t be able to compete with Mercedes Benz and BMW. The company just needs to create a compelling car and it could do the trick. Just look at the success Mercedes has been having with the newly revised C-Class.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Copo
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

28: The Camaro<\/h2>\n

Let’s face it, the Camaro was hot news in 2010 when the fifth-generation car was released. Building on the success of the Transformers movie and taking on the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger once again, it took the automotive world by storm a decade ago. But the Camaro has gotten stale. It sells in decent numbers but GM hasn’t introduced anything exciting for the Camaro in a while. Meanwhile, Ford is introducing the new Bullitt and Dodge has the Hellcat and Demon models for the Challenger.<\/p>\n

\"Camaro
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Camaro has been falling into the same rut the car fell into before when the platform was canceled in 2002. GM needs to put a bit more effort into the Camaro brand and keeping consumer interest in it. With the Mustang moving to an electric platform in the future, there’s plenty of market space for the Camaro to carve out a niche with owners.<\/p>\n

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\"Isuzu
via Bring a Trailer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

27: Isuzu<\/h2>\n

Another fallen brand that was part of GM toward the end was Isuzu. Although the company’s portfolio of SUVs had grown soul in the eyes of consumers, the current SUV boom could spell success for the brand. If GM were to reintroduce the Isuzu brand onto the American market with a unique offering such as the Trooper, it could take on Jeep. Isuzu was a company that built nothing but SUV models, and the current marketplace is hot for these cars. With the rise of the Jeep brand, Isuzu would be a viable contender.<\/p>\n

\"Isuzu
via: Isuzu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

GM had supplied Isuzu with rebadged versions of their vehicles and Isuzu helped with the original design for the Colorado. But Isuzu also sells some very compelling off-road vehicles around the world that would be right at home here. Who knows if GM will ever pull it together and bring this iconic SUV maker back to the mainstream.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Firebird
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

26: The Pontiac Trans Am<\/h2>\n

If not bring the Pontiac brand back altogether, GM could at least bring the Firebird back. The Firebird was an iconic part of the muscle car era and with the current fight for muscle car supremacy, the Firebird would be right at home. The appeal and unique nature of the Firebird would create a frenzy with consumers and ignite a fire back into the GM F Body platform. There was a lot to like about the Firebird and the unique design was top notch. At the time there were very few cars as unique as the Firebird.<\/p>\n

\"Firebird\"
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If GM couldn’t find it profitable to revive Pontiac at least the company could bring the Firebird back. The car has a unique aspect to it that made it all it’s own, and the current muscle car market could use something unique like this. Pontiac was an instrumental part of the early automotive market that fell into obscurity because of GM.<\/p>\n

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\"Pontiac
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

25: The Fiero<\/h2>\n

Talk about a car that needs to be revived, the Fiero was the mid-engined sports car that never got a chance. After the engine fire debacle, the company didn’t put too much time into it anymore and the Fiero fell into obscurity. But the market for a mid-engine sports car that was affordable is here and a modern Fiero could sell quite well. Not only would it sell well but it would also generate a lot of interest in GM. Consumers who grew up with the Fiero would instantly remember the car from their youth.<\/p>\n

\"Pontiac
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There were a lot of aspects that made the Fiero a great car, and the first was the basic design. The car was nimble and had some of the best handlings of the period. There’s a market for the Fiero if GM can find it within the company to create a compelling car. While crossovers are popular they won’t be popular forever, and when the bubble bursts GM will need another sales success.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Chevrolet
via GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

24: The Chevy Express<\/h2>\n

The big GM commercial van has been around in its current form since 1996. The van is ready for a rehash and GM hasn’t been putting very much time into the commercial market. The Nissan-based Express van was a joke and consumers didn’t respond well. There is a market for a big V8 van, but the Express is also very aged and could use a redesign. GM hasn’t put any effort into marketing it or updating it into the current generation.<\/p>\n

\"Chevrolet
via GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There was a newly-revised engine for this year but that’s about it. The Express van has gone on without any real updates for quite some time, and if GM wants to turn around its fortunes the company needs to invest in commercial vehicles. The money is in the thousands of small businesses that purchase these vehicles for their fleets.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Chevrolet
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

23: The Blazer<\/h2>\n

Jeep is reintroducing the Grand Wagoneer as a full-size luxury SUV, while Ford is reintroducing the Bronco as a full-size off-road SUV. Meanwhile, GM took the iconic Blazer nameplate and gave us a crossover. The consumer outcry against the Blazer was immense, and GM missed an opportunity to compete with the Bronco head-on. The company needs to bring back the K5 Blazer, and the consumer outpouring of support is the telltale sign. The company missed an opportunity big time and the Blazer was a disappointment.<\/p>\n

\"Chevrolet
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chevrolet has a lineup of nothing but crossovers for the most part, and a solid off-road SUV would sell well. The Jeep Wrangler continues to sell like hotcakes and the design is almost as old as the Challenger. The need for a GM full-size SUV that can go off-road and take the top off is higher than ever before. There’s a consumer appetite for this type of vehicle and the company is missing out big time.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Silverado\"
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

22: Silverado Styling<\/h2>\n

The new Silverado is one of the ugliest trucks on the road, and we’re not sure what GM was thinking. The truck has an elongated look to it that makes it seem like the entire body is drooping around the vehicle. The heavy-duty version of the truck is even worse with a tall front fender and futuristic looking headlamps. GM was trying to go for an edgier design but what they did was alienate the original consumer base. The Silverado needs to go back to a more traditional-looking design to continue to be the top-selling GM truck.<\/p>\n

\"2020
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Sierra looks better than the Silverado for the first time in decades, and that doesn’t bold well for GM at all. The company needs to rework the styling of the truck to conform to a more contemporary design. The new design of the truck was a great try but it is just too radical to justify the price tag that some of the Silverado packages can command.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"GMC
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

21: The GMC Brand<\/h2>\n

Another thing that GM needs to fix is the focus of the GMC brand, which is not being split into GMC and Hummer. The brand has always sold rebadged Chevrolets and that continues to this day, but now there’s a new off-road focus. The problem is that the brand doesn’t have a dedicated off-road vehicle either. Early renderings for the new Jimmy show another disappointing crossover instead of a body on frame SUV. Again, GM is missing the mark here and the GMC brand could be positioned better.<\/p>\n

\"GMC
via: Motorweek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jimmy could be the brand ambassador to the SUV lineup. Instead, GM wants to focus on these crossover vehicles. Yes, the market is hot for these models but there is also a market for off-roading. When you think about iconic off-road vehicles, the Jimmy was almost as iconic as the Bronco was during its time.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Saturn
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

20: Saturn<\/h2>\n

There was such high hope for the Saturn brand when it debuted, and the brand did quite well for a long time. Marketed as a “different car company’ Saturns were quirky little cars that were unique to themselves. GM should bring the Saturn brand back and focus it on the unique cars that made it popular in the first place. Millennials are focused on value and the Saturn vehicles are some of the most value-oriented of the period. Interesting features like the pop-out bumpers would be popular with consumers today.<\/p>\n

\"Saturn
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Toward the end, the Saturn brand became nothing but rehashed GM vehicles, and there’s more it could be. GM needs to refocus the brand and reorganize it back into being a unique aspect of the company. Instead of littering the Chevy portfolio with a bunch of different crossover vehicles that all serve the same purpose.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"2017-buick-lacrosse_100560011_h\"
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

19: Make a Better Buick<\/h2>\n

In addition to the Cadillac lineup, the Buick line of cars has gotten lost in the fray. GM is on a mad dash to create as many crossover vehicles as possible and rush them to the market. Buick has had a sales success with the Encore, but the rest of the lineup has been lackluster at best. The Regal Tour X is a lost wagon that has no identity and the Cascada is a great convertible that was released at the wrong time. Buick could be so much more if the cars were better.<\/p>\n

\"2018
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The company is close, as current sedans are some of the highest quality they’ve ever designed. But now with GM announcing it’s leaving the passenger car market the Buick brand is in question. Sedans that once made Buick an icon of American comfort and styling have become no more, creating a problem for the dealerships and the Buick aficionados.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Camaro
via: Hot Rod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

18: A Better Warranty<\/h2>\n

Today’s consumers are more value-oriented than ever, and the warranty is a major sticking point for most car shoppers. With all of the new technology, repairs can be an expensive part of car ownership and GM knows this. But instead of profiting from the consumer, the company needs to offer a better warranty plan. Competiton from Hyundai and Kia offer a much more comprehensive warranty on their vehicles, and since GM competes in the same segments, creating a better warranty is a must.<\/p>\n

\"nickey_chevrolet_camaro_2ss_rs_stage_ii_5\"
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

GM has never had the best warranties in the business, but with the automotive industry changing the time to start doing that is now. A better and more comprehensive warranty would entice buyers to spend more money on a vehicle. When you know that the repairs are going to be covered in the case of an emergency, providing a feeling of security is a wonderful thing.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"
via: Super Chevy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

17: More Support For Enthusiasts<\/h2>\n

The aftermarket community for GM parts and service is huge, and as the muscle car boom grows, there will be even more business for GM. But the company needs to show more interest in the loyalists than it does. Buying a crate motor or parts from the company can be more difficult then you’d think. GM should put more of an emphasis on the people that are building the legacy of the company. There should be certain deals for people who have purchased engines and big-ticket items from the company before.<\/p>\n

\"\"
via: Mecum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

GM has moved more toward just focusing on new vehicles but there is so much of a marketplace for used cars. Could you imagine if GM was involved in some of the enthusiast meets and groups? The company was gain an even larger following and future consumer loyalty would be even higher. Which would potentially result in new car purchases for the company as well.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Colorado\"
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

16: A V8 Colorado<\/h2>\n

GM needs to put a V8 into the Chevrolet Colorado. The company did it for a few years with the previous generation and the truck gained a solid following. To have V8 power in a lighter package is something that truck owners yearn for. It would also help Colorado to carve a niche out of the Ranger and Tacoma. With Nissan planning a redesign of aged Frontier, Colorado is going to get some new competition. There is also talk of Chrysler reviving the Dakota lineup, a truck that was well-known for utilizing a V8 powerplant in a midsize package.<\/p>\n

\"2016
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There would be an immediate rise in sales if GM were to add a V8 powerplant and market it correctly. The Colorado is already an excellent truck, and the V8 engine could take it a step further. There’s nothing wrong with adding a little extra power to an already exceptional midsize truck platform. The benefits of the V8 in the Colorado would be felt immediately by consumers and GM executives alike.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Buick
Buick Rendezvous via General Motors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

15. Recalls<\/span><\/h2>\n

Domestic automakers have never been immune to quality issues, but it would appear that, in recent years, GM has been at the forefront of quality issues. The automaker has been experiencing recalls left and right. First, the Equinox SUV was recalled a total of 16 times since its introduction in 2005. This is a lot for any vehicle, much less a brand-new crossover SUV. That’s not to say that the Equinox is a bad model by any means, but its quality has gone by the wayside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: General Motors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Automakers are scurrying to get these vehicles out onto the market and the quality is suffering. The Equinox has had all kinds of different issues. GM could do better by the consumers who are scooping these things up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14. Demise Of Pontiac<\/span><\/h2>\n

GM made a mistake in getting rid of the Pontiac division, a brand that most equated with affordable excitement. Instead, GM kept the GMC brand, which essentially sells clones of Chevrolet products. Let’s face the facts, every car in the GMC lineup is a Chevy or a Buick. So why have a clone brand when Pontiac was offering sporty alternatives? The G8 was heavily promoted and it only lasted for a year. With the current wave of muscle cars, there is no doubt that Pontiac could make a splash on the market.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: Auto Week<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

GM needs to bring the Pontiac division back and get rid of some of the fluff in their vehicle lineups. The Pontiac brand is a universally-loved automotive brand that offered something for every buying demographic.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Enclave
Via: Motor Trend<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

13. Focusing Too Much On Buick<\/span><\/h2>\n

In addition to making the mistake of getting rid of the Pontiac brand, GM has also focused too much attention on Buick. The brand has always been in the shadow of Cadillac. If Cadillac is positioned as the luxury marquee of GM, why is the company throwing all this effort into Buick? The Buick Cascada has been a failure and most of the sedans just aren’t catching on the way that the company had hoped for. Buick cars are not necessarily bad, but the brand just doesn’t have any personality. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then you have the possibility that GM will be changing the Buick brand name. There has been a talk for years about GM spinning Buick off into another luxury division that is similar to Cadillac. GM needs to focus on core brands and stop trying to copy competitors. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: Motor-Junkie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12. Bad Rankings With Consumer Reports<\/span><\/h2>\n

GM needs to work on quality now. The overall satisfaction of owners who have GM vehicles is abysmal at best. GM has long had reliability issues. Gremlins such as electrical failures and other issues plague all GM vehicles. Rampant recalls have caused many consumers to question the overall reliability of GM cars. Consumer feedback on its car models is an important part of growing the brand’s reputation. Domestic cars have long been in the shadow of import rivals which offer much better reliability.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If GM is going to be turning over a new leaf, the company will finally need to work on getting its reliability in order. Consumers are spending more on new cars than ever before, so reliability is an important buying feature.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11. GM Build Quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

GM has a much different setup than import automakers. Domestic automakers are governed by a union labor force which means the union controls production. Training in these facilities needs to be brought to a more respectable level. As cars get more advanced and more technology is put into place, there will need to be a whole new level of training. Building a car is not as simple as it was during the boom period at the start of this decade. If GM wants to rival Honda and Toyota, the company will need to invest in more advanced training methods.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"1968
1968 Chevrolet Camaro Rally SS via GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cars are quickly becoming quite advanced. Technology is coming along at a breakneck pace and with GM behind on the curve, things don’t look good. It’s time that the biggest automaker in the world steps up and gets on par with the competition.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: Fiat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10. The Mistake That Was Fiat<\/span><\/h2>\n

Long before it was Fiat Chrysler, GM had its hands on Fiat. The company didn’t do anything productive with the brand and it was sold off. Fiat managed to buy Chrysler and is now part of the big three. This was a bad mistake that GM needs to find a way to rectify. While Ford is off doing its own thing and didn’t need a government bailout, GM and Chrysler did and the two companies will eventually need each other. There is a good deal of technology sharing that is already in place. Which is why you see Allison transmissions in Ram-branded trucks now.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: Fiat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the automotive market is consolidated with technological advances there will come a time when the domestic companies will need to align. This is the best thing for the market and it will ensure that some of our favorite car brands are around to see another day.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: AM General<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9. Bring Back Hummer<\/span><\/h2>\n

When the Hummer brand went away, it was one of the least popular brands around. The economy was in the tank and no one could afford to fill up a gas-guzzling SUV. Now the economy is doing well and gas is somewhat cheap. SUV models have become the norm and Jeep is one of the most popular nameplates on Earth. So why not bring back the Hummer brand? It’s just sitting there defunct, collecting dust instead of generating revenue. The demise of the Hummer and Pontiac brands were both mistakes for GM.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hummer could be poised as a specialty brand just like the Jeep that would cater to a niche market. The Hummer was one of the most capable vehicles on earth. It was better off-road than the Jeep, so naturally, buyers will flock once more.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Bring Back A Silverado Single Cab<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Chevrolet Silverado is one of the most popular trucks on the road. But sometime during the last redesign, GM decided to get rid of the single cab configuration other than for the commercial work truck. And in addition to that, the W\/T trim is only available in a long bed format. There has been strong consumer interest in being able to buy a fully-loaded single cab configuration. GM does offer a single cab trail boss overseas but here in the states not so much. GM has been at the forefront of some bad decisions as of lately. But the worst has been canceling out the single cab Silverado.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Silverado has long been one of the best-selling trucks in the business. Naturally, it can be a bit problematic for many truck lovers who aren’t able to get a new single cab.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. GM Needs To Bring Back The SS<\/span><\/h2>\n

GM has said time and time again that the company is backi<\/span>ng out of the passenger car market. But this is a bad choice when you think about the fact that consumers are still buying passenger cars. The Dodge Charger is selling better than ever, which means that there is still room for a V8-powered rear-wheel-drive sedan. The Chevy SS was based on the Pontiac G8 and the sedan didn’t sell too long. The SS was powerful and fun to drive and it would be prudent for GM to bring it back. There is a strong appetite for horsepower nowadays.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Chevy SS was a complimentary sedan. It was very reminiscent of the Impala SS of the 1990s. The consumer and automotive press feedback of the SS was generally positive and GM had a winner on their hands. The SS would be stellar competition for the Charger which is the last rear-wheel-drive V8-powered sedan.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. GM Exiting The Car Market<\/span><\/h2>\n

GM has never been an exciting car maker, and its passenger cars are often underwhelming. But there is still an appetite for cheap GM cars, and the company is making a mistake by exiting the market. The automaker has never fully conceded market share to Honda or Toyota in terms of the Camry or the Accord. There has always been some sort of GM offering to compete with these two companies, even if it wasn’t the best quality car. The automaker is going to exit the passenger car market to focus on crossovers and this is the same mistake that the company made at the start of the new millennium.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We can’t figure out why the company is going to make such a bad decision but Ford doing it also. GM exiting the car market is going to cause problems for consumers who want to get a domestic sedan.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. The Colorado Debacle<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Chevy Colorado has long been a fixture in the GM lineup. The truck was the replacement for the long-running S10 truck. Colorado was something that brought a welcome addition to the GM lineup. But Colorado had a problem that GM has failed to repair to this day. This issue has cost owners thousands of dollars to try and keep these trucks on the road. The Colorado that was equipped with the five-cylinder engine had a notoriously faulty air intake gasket. This created a leak that causes the truck to have a misfire early on in the life-cycle. GM has ignored this problem for years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Owners of these trucks are stuck trying to repair this problem early on. The fact that Colorado would have such a bad defect and be ignored is a testament to how bad GM has gotten.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Cutting Off Cadillac Sedans<\/span><\/h2>\n

As far back as you can probably remember, the name “Cadillac” has been synonymous with big cushy sedans. But if it’s up to GM, that won’t be for much longer. GM is looking to phase out all of Cadillac’s sedans in favor of crossover vehicles. The brand is still a competitor for other luxury car makers and this could be disastrous for GM. The company could potentially lose a good deal of money because it will alienate traditional Cadillac buyers. The luxury car market is a picky one and alienating your base is never a good thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
2019 Cadillac CT6-V via GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

GM needs to keep the sedans in the Cadillac name. The brand has been a fixture of the luxury car market for decades and focusing only on SUVs will be a mistake in the long run. There are still drivers who seek out a comfortable luxury sedan.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: Bing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. A More Reliable Electric Car<\/span><\/h2>\n

GM has never seemed to have luck with electric car production. The Bolt has had numerous recalls from its battery pack and the Chevy Volt is no longer in production. GM needs to start innovating in the electric car segment if it hopes to ride into the future. The electric car segment has been dominated by other automakers. Tesla is outperforming the domestic automakers in terms of technology and advancement. The same thing goes for Nissan, a company that has had some success with the Leaf. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If GM hopes to make it in the future, the company will need to start innovating when it comes to making a more reliable electric car. The Bolt is a fine little car, but when a brand-new car has reliability issues like this, it brings into question the company.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Streamline Product Lines Again<\/span><\/h2>\n

GM offers too much of everything with all of its vehicle lines. Buick has everything from a crossover station wagon to a convertible. GMC sells clones, and Cadillac doesn’t know where to start. GM needs to streamline the product catalog and bring it into the 21st century. Buick, for instance, should only be offering a few models. Instead, the brand offers the same crossovers that you’d find at GMC, and oftentimes on the same lot. This just confuses customers and causes a crowded effect in the market place. GM thinks that by saturating the market they will be able to build market share.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Silverado
Via: Motor Trend<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is not the case and consumers are becoming wary of GM’s badge engineering tactics. The automaker has been doing this for years and is tiring consumers out big time.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Reliability Issues<\/span><\/h2>\n

An astonishing thing about GM is just how many current model vehicles are unreliable, particularly the Cadillac Escalade. Consumers have reported all kinds of issues with this vehicle from problems with the suspension to the gaskets. The Escalade has a lot of luxury features built-in so it’s easy to see why, but the truck is still basically a Tahoe. The Escalade does stand out from the crowd in terms of bold styling. But when you are paying upwards of 100k for a brand-new SUV, the last thing that you want it to do is fail on you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"via:
via: GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Escalade is an example of what happens when you try to over-engineer a vehicle. GM has dominated the luxury SUV segment for decades but now reliability issues are starting to pop up. GM needs to work harder to streamline its full-size SUV offerings.<\/span><\/p>\n

We’ve laid out the major issues that GM needs to fix in order to reassume its status as one of America’s most revered automakers. Which problems do you believe need to be addressed first?<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

General Motors is one of the oldest automotive manufacturers in the world. The company has…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":47600,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[3145,1328,430,368,3140,344,2441,404,1326,3142,426,1292,697,1114,346,3146,1015,364,3141,3139,1324,1322,562,1238,1138,3143,446,1134,1330,3125,3144,2445],"class_list":["post-31524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cars","tag-3145","tag-bolt","tag-buick","tag-cadillac","tag-cascada","tag-chevrolet","tag-colorado","tag-corvette","tag-cruze","tag-f-body","tag-firebird","tag-g8","tag-general-motors","tag-gm","tag-gmc","tag-hd","tag-isuzu","tag-pontiac","tag-ram-air","tag-regal","tag-reliability","tag-sierra","tag-silverado","tag-ss","tag-trooper","tag-uaw","tag-v8","tag-vehicross","tag-volt","tag-xl","tag-yukon","tag-z71","iab_keys-automobile-markets-of-germany","iab_keys-automobiles","iab_keys-automotive-equipment-manufacture-car-industry","iab_keys-automotive-industry-in-europe","iab_keys-factories-and-manufacturing","iab_keys-ford","iab_keys-general-motors","iab_keys-hybrid-vehicle","iab_keys-manufacture-of-vehicles","iab_keys-motor-vehicles","iab_keys-premium-cars","iab_keys-road-transport","iab_keys-sale-of-motor-vehicles","iab_keys-traffic-and-transport","iab_keys-vehicles"],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":31524},"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31524"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38668,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31524\/revisions\/38668"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47600"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}