GM and the RNC

[question everything]

Back in 1992, when Pat Buchanan called for a "culture war" during the the Republican convention, I explain to an acquaintance why I did not vote for any Republican: they had a desirable image of who their voters should be and I did not fit this image.

I was reminded of this concept recently, with GM. During the 90s GM came with monstrous cars: Hummer, Suburban, Yukon, Tahoe. Even their trucks got monstrous. It used to be that a pickup would have a cab for two, or three if a bench seat, and then a bed for hauling stuff.

Then a half seat was added to carry stuff, or, perhaps, for small children. And then a full back seat was added so basically the pickup would be a size of a full size car and a bed of a truck replacing the trunk. And some of these drivers would even try to park at a parking space at a strip mall.

Like the Republican party, GM had a clear vision of who their customers should be and I did not fit that image. At some point I was leasing cars and trucks for employees where I worked and I could see how we moved from sedans - for managers - and simple trucks - for field technicians, to these monstrosities. Our guidelines were to purchase only American made cares and with a cap on price and by 2000, the only non SUV or full size cab pickups would be the Ford Taurus and the Chevy Lumina.

In the early 90s I was thinking that my next car would be a Saturn. GM came with this line to specifically compete with the Japanese cars. And then I've read that this was going to be a tease. To get the would-be Japanese cars purchases to switch to GM and then to switch these drivers to the V8 models. We've never had any car with more than 4 cylinders; I stayed with Toyota. I had an '86 Toyota Camry which was a compact and I really liked it. When I had to get a new one, the new Camry grew to a full size and I was thinking about a Corolla. And then there was a news story about a collision between an SUV and a Corolla. And you can guess which driver was killed. I got the Camry.

I don't know how it has been in the past years; I do remember, during the gas shortage of the late 70s, that many GM and Ford employees were driving Japanese cars, too.

I empathize with current and former employees of GM and Chrysler, also the dealers. They dedicated their lives to them and contributed to the livelihood of many small towns and created the image of middle class based on manufacturing, rather than shuffling papers and manning calling centers. But GM, like the Republican party, chose to bet on the horse that, after a successful career, finally reached the end of the trail.

OK, start flaming.

[liberal N proud]

1. I agree with your GOP target image

But the automobile manufactures offered more than Hummers, Escalades and Suburbans.

I have always driven a family sedan made by one of the big three. Currently own 4 Chryslers cars (one luxury, 2 convertible and a coupe). They all have high mileage but have been very reliable vehicles. When I replace any of them, it will again be one of the big three.

The last new Toyota I drove, I couldn't wait to get it back to the rental agency.

The problem with the big three is they never defended themselves against the quality superiority of the foreign car companies.

[Kalyke]

5. Oh, I so agree with you!

The Big 3 have allowed the PR from the 1980s to stand!

[liberal N proud]

6. But it was purely PR

They do have a product that is just as good as the foreign cars and in some cases better.

If they would have done a better job marketing their quality improvements they would be much stronger position today.

[HopeHoops]

2. The Hummer is an abomination, even unto GOD!

That's in Leviticus SOMEWHERE, isn't it?

Besides, why would anyone drive something that fucking ugly? Oh right - small penis compensation - I forgot.

[liberalitch]

3. my new favorite bumper sticker.....

Osama loves your SUV.

[Kalyke]

4. I could never own a Japanese car.

I'd feel like a traitor:

To my country.
To the unions.


Plus, they are more expensive to buy and repair.

:shrug:

(I own a Ford. It's all I've ever owned).

[lefthandedlefty]

7. Same here

I just see what is so bad about them.People keep telling me how bad they are,I just don`t understand I am 51 and got my first car at 16 it was a 65 Mustang.They have always gotten me from point A to point B.Maybe I am just stupid.

[question everything]

8. Yes, this was how I felt in 1979

during the gas shortage when Japanese cars were the rage and GM "X" cars had a long waiting line, and they ended up being a disaster, if I remember correctly. I was determined to buy America and got a Ford Mustang and when I heard that the husband of a co-worker, who was a Ford mechanic, was driving a Toyota, I felt like a sucker. We moved back to the Midwest in the mid 80s and was still having that Mustang that by now was having a hard time managing the cold weather. Perhaps by then Ford came with an improved model and perhaps this is also a desired customer: someone who replaces a car every four years. We have been keeping our Toyotas and Volvos for an average of 10 years.

Except for major repairs, I have averaged less than $50 a year to maintain my 98 Camry. OK, recently I do not drive it that much and all cars start costing more with the 60,000 miles work, etc. But I just looked at my records and this is the average.