Scott Settlemire Speaks.... on GM....

[70 copo]

I pulled this from another site... This is the "F" Bod guy himself.... Read on You do not even need to click..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif



OK, kids........

Lately, the press (and others) have had a field day bashing GM. Quite frankly, we’ve been accused of everything short of the Lindberg baby kidnapping. (that will be next week)

As you know, I visit a lot of enthusiast sites. Some are friendly; some are downright rude and crude. Some on various sites make statements that people tend to agree with…..but invariably, they don’t have their facts straight.

If you’re not interested in reading the rest of this, that’s quite all right. But I want to set the record straight on a number of issues.


So..sit back, grab a beverage, and here goes:

I'll address each subject with an individual post..........

Fbodfather
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#2 Yesterday, 11:27 AM
Fbodfather
2nd Gear Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Posts: 278



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STATEMENT: “GM QUALITY SUCKS!”

FACTS:

QUALITY and DEPENDABILITY:

Strategic Vision 2004 Quality Study……..GM and Nissan tied for First.

2004 J.D. Power Award ……Vehicle Dependability Study (bought new – still own 3 years)

GM was number 4 in the industry….highest domestic at 264 problems per hundred……Toyota was at 207, Honda at 210, Porsche at 240.
But…GM was better than these ‘select’ companies

BMW – 264
Nissan – 271
Ford – 275
D Chry – 302
VW -- 366
Hyundai – 375

Consumer Reports:

In 2000, only 11% of our vehicles were rated average or above…….in 2004, it’s 65%.


PLANT AWARD WINNERS;

Number one plant in North America: Oshawa 2 – Buick LaCrosse score of 85
Number two plant in North America: Oshawa 1 – Impala/Monte Carlo score of 89
Number three plant in North America: Hamtramck – DeVille/LeSabre score of 90

The score is based on Problems per 100 vehicles……how does this compare?

Honda – Marysville, OH - score of 94
Toyota – Georgetown KY scorer of 99
Lansing Grand River (STS/CTS) score of 99
Bowling Green, KY (Corvette/XLR) score of 100
Fairfax KS (Malibu and Malibu MAXX) score of 101





Moving on……………..

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#3 Yesterday, 11:27 AM
Fbodfather
2nd Gear Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Posts: 278



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STATEMENT: “GM DEALERS SUCK…THEIR SALES DEPARTMENTS SUCK AND SO DO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENTS!”

………..not so fast……………


Satisfaction with Sales Experience:

GM finished 2nd in overall sales satisfaction -- GM is highest ranked multi-divisional manufacturer…and ALL Divisions scored above Industry average. ALL GM Divisions ranked higher than Toyota or Honda.

Satisfaction with Service Experience:

Buick and Cadillac ranked in top 5 and outperformed LEXUS, HONDA, TOYOTA and NISSAN.

All GM Divisions scored above Industry Average and scored above NISSAN, TOYOTA, CHRYSLER AND VW…..they all scored BELOW Industry Average.

SO MUCH FOR GM DEALERSHIPS BEING ‘THE WORST’ AS CLAIMED BY MANY.

Fbodfather
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#4 Yesterday, 11:28 AM
Fbodfather
2nd Gear Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
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STATEMENT: “OH YEAH? WELL MY TOYOTA/HONDA/BMW/MERCEDES IS BUILT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES!”


82% parts in the average GM car or truck are domestic content
At Honda, it’s 49%
At Toyota, it’s 41%
Nissan? 38%
BMW? 11%

(by the way……go look at what the ‘transplants’ pay in taxes….real estate, school, state and federal……you might be surprised……if you’re a teacher and you’re complaining about budgets in you’re driving a Toyota or Honda, SHUT UP!)

GM/Ford/and DCX provide 23.4 jobs per 100 vehicles sold in the United States

The Japanese competitors? 13.3 jobs per 100 vehicles sold in the United States

GM’s capital investment in the United States from 1999 thru 2003 was $20Billion. Toyota’s capital investment from 1980 thru 2003 was $10.7Billion. Nissan’s? 2.8Billion from 1980 thru 2003…Honda? $5.6Billion – ’80 thru ’03.

GM’s contribution to the U.S. Gross National Product (GNP) is 4 times that of Toyota

Every Day, over 1 million North Americans earn their living by helping GM build and sell cars in North America. – Every month, 457,000 retirees and their spouses count on GM for pension checks. More than 1.1 Million people receive health care benefits from GM. A one-point drop in GM market share results in over 18,000 jobs in the United States.

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#5 Yesterday, 11:28 AM
Fbodfather
2nd Gear Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
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STATEMENT: “GM FUEL ECONOMY SUCKS!”

GM has more car and truck segment fuel economy leaders than ANY manufacturer…a list is on www.gm.com (http://www.gm.com)

GM builds 19 car models that get 30mpg or better…..VW builds 14, DCX builds 13, TOYOTA with 12 and Ford with 11.

GM’s West Coast Hybrid Busses save more fuel than ALL Priuses sold in a year.

GM 4WD full size Utilities have the highest fuel economy in the industry

GM V8 pickups have the highest combined fuel economy in the industry

Those of you who have an LS1/LS6/LS2 engine know that incredible performance and fuel economy come out of our small block V8s……..

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#6 Yesterday, 11:29 AM
Fbodfather
2nd Gear Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Posts: 278



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STATEMENT: THE PONTIAC G6 AND BUICK LACROSSE ARE JOKES….THEY DON’T SELL AND THEIR QUALITY SUCKS!” “THE COLORADO AND CANYON SUCK…NO ONE WANTS EM!” “THE COBALT IS NOTHING BUT A WARMED OVER CAVALIER AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT……IT’LL NEVER SELL”

G6 was the highest quality midsize vehicle in the 10th annual Strategic Vision Quality Study

44% of G6 sales are CONQUEST sales as of April

G6 outsold both the Ford 500 and Mercury Montego combined in April

G6 outsold Grand Am in April (versus 2004)

LaCrosse outsold Century and Regal combined by 7.4% versus 2004

Colorado and Canyon are leading their segment.

43% of Colorado/Canyon sales are CONQUEST sales

Cobalt Sedan sales set to outtrack Cavalier sales by 72K units by year end

Cobalt in April: outsold all of Mitsubishi, all of VW, all of Scion, all of Mazda, Mustang, Focus, and 300.

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#7 Yesterday, 11:38 AM
Fbodfather
2nd Gear Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Posts: 278



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If you've made it this far......thank you for reading.

There are many other things I need to get off my chest......but I really don't want to drive you crazier than I already have.

Let me just finish with some thoughts:

>Despite what you are reading in the papers......GM has a bright future. I do not want to downplay the problems in which we find ourselves......but remember that the way to turn this company around is PRODUCT!

>We are in the midst of the largest launch of new products this company.....or the world, for that matter....has ever seen.

>Fuel economy will continue to improve......

>Here's some startling info: we get upset at the price of new vehicles and the price of gasoline: well.....in a recent study of Consumer Items as a percent of increase between 1982 and 2005 (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics) take a look at what has increased and by how much:

>New vehicles 38.8%
>Personal care products 53.1%
>Gasoline 61.6%
>Beer/Ale/Malt Beverages at home 76.3%
>Meats 86.4%
>Food away from home 90.8%
>ALL ITEMS 91.3%
>Fish and Seafood 99.4%
>Airline fares 117.7%
>College and tuition costs 359.6%

so........funny, we complain about gas......but I haven't heard a lot about deodorant or beer! (yes, I realize you don't buy 20 gallons of deodorant a week......) but interesting facts none-the-less.

One last thought:

There IS a V8/RWD/affordable performance coupe coming from Chevy. That's all I'll say about that.

[Belair62]

Thanks for posting that Phil http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[gemleeus]

just my two cents worth,
i was brought up in a "buy gm products family" had many members of my family work for gm, although not myself, i did try to get a job at the doraville plant but was never able to get on. i've bought mostly gm vehicles my whole life although sometimes a ford here and there which i have no regrets i had good luck with them. I never did buy a chrysler product due to the dealership in my area had a horrible customer service reputation and i was always afraid to chance it although i liked several models put out by chrysler. i've posted on this forum things i was told about that went on in the factory, from people working the assembly line, during the low years of union and management striff at gm, i will not go into that again as i'm sure most know what i'm talking about. during that time quality seemed to be job none, it was like (to me) gm was building to try and stay ahead of the competition but their technology at that time just couldn't keep pace. I personally didn't experience but one issue with a vehicle i had bought and it was a car, they just couldn't get it fixed so i just lived with it, all the other purchases i made were trucks which everyone one knows have always been "like a rock". gm is most assuredly the king of trucks. i've been the loyal "buy american" guy, i've always believed in that because this company employed so many of my family and friends.

now today, how ironic, i've been employed by a lexus dealership for several years now. my following statements by no means am i attempting to belittle the american car manufacturers, because i've never been employed by any of them and know nothing of the internal workings of the dealerships, just what i hear from others. at lexus we are constantly schooled on the importance of treating your customer like you would want to be treated if you were in their shoes. if you run into problems that need the attention of a manager and none are around (which company policy states there is to ALWAYS be a manager on the premises at all times during business hours) you make the best decision to satisfy the complaint and nothing will be said. lexus has a goodwill account set a side in order to satisfy customer issues where their car may be out of warranty. toyota and lexus v6 engines had a sludge problem for many years, they claimed it was due to customers not changing the oil at the recommended interval causing this, but have found was a poor crankcase ventilation problem and i've seen customers get new engines in 10 year old cars with over 100,000 miles on them. one more storie i would like to share, I read the car and driver, various other mags i have subs to, and check the reports on new cars coming out all the time, i have been a watchdog for years, i like to keep up with the goings on in the car business. i man came to the parts dept. a few months back and stated he had been at cadillac looking at the new convertible xlr, he told me they had three on the lot but couldn't test drive because none of the tops would function properly, so he was in our dealer looking at the sc430, don't know if he bought one but we both felt a bit sad, after he told me that neither commented about it and i just told him to have a good day.

I realize gm has come a long way in qaulity i read the reports like everone else. all car makers have the quirks in their cars , but good business since should prevail and any corporation should do the right thing by their product and come face to face with it instead of trying to dance around the problem, just fix it and go on, you will retain many more customers down the road in the long run. i bet a lot of folks know about the problems ford has had with the new superduty diesel, i go on the ford truck enthusiasts forum often and have read the stories of these problems in depth and find the same problems as stated above relating to fords dealership networks inability to correct these folks problems and in many cases i've read their ability to just turn their back on the customer that has just spent that kind of money on their product, i read now that many of these problems are going away with the new models but my point is the taste that has been left in many a loyal ford customers mouths that will surely affect their sales DOWN the road if a japanese maker comes out with a comparable heavy diesel pickup.

of the gm vehicles i've bought over the years they were trucks, gm trucks have always been king in my opinion, even in the low years they made good trucks. i was in the market for a new truck last year, i was going to get myself one of those new superdutys, man they look good, but done the research and decided against it, so i was going to go to the chevy store and one day checking my wifes car found oil in the coolant jug, so we had to get a small eco car for her. we bought a new cavalier, she didn't even consider a foreign car, it was her decision, she was raised like myself, proud to be an american and stand behind the american worker (although i did explain to her about nafta) and i agreed with her and we bought the little cav.

my point in this long post is this, Mr. Settlemire and other suit and ties, i bought your product standing on the long tradition of american pride, the best products in the world, made in america means something to me, as it does with most people in this forum. i know things go wrong with cars, but when they do stand tall and do the right thing. i'm still in the market for that truck, and its mighty hard to pass up the incentives to buy at this time, i may have to pull a belt loop and go on over to days chevy and get that truck. i'll have to sneak over there my wife will kill me.

[ANDY M]

Food for thought:
GM buys motors from Honda, They have a long standing partnership with Toyota, they have put Chevy bowties on cars made by Suzuki, Isuzu, Daiwu, which they allowed to be parked in their Union parking lots, even though they were built by non-union labor.
GM owns Saab, a big chunk of Opal, and has lost billions on their partnership with Fiat. Their partnership with China is not going as well as they hoped.
In other words, their problems are global, but felt the most locally. No one problem caused this mess. Scott Settlemire has no choice but to defend his company, but he admits to nothing that he is defending as valid. The best defence is a good offense.
All of the automakers have problems, but perception of the problems is key. If GM wants to compete, it won't be because "buy American" is the key. It will be because they proved that they have the best car for the money.
JMO
Andy

[gemleeus]

i agree with what you say, the "buy american" thing is my own reasons why i chose the gm car, my car was built by a machine that an american attended, i don't believe myself they should hinge sales on that premises because we all know a lot of parts for these cars are made elsewhere and brought here for building. there are many models assembled here and some that are not. the united states buys more cars than anyone, its the american public that should be satisfied first. 25,000 jobs is a lot of people out of work for sure, i certainly hope everything will go alright for these people losing their jobs maybe gm will have some kind of displacement assitance, over the years this is supposed to take place, to keep these folks a float.

[indyjps]

i work for GM, the new products are bringing some momentum to a lagging product line, the new full size truck is coming soon and should help also. To me GM is very reactionary and its something that the corporation needs to get out of to stay competitive. if one could see the multiple layers of beuracracy for decisions to be made it would be clear why things move slowly. lean manufacturing and the UAW dont mix well. innovative quality products will bring GM back to life but getting them to market on time seems to be the hang up. i think the packaging of options turns off a lot of buyers. i go to many dealerships and test drive many cars, mostly out of curiosity on what other makes have to offer. the other dealerships seem to me to treat customers better in general. ive never purchased a foreign vehicle so i cant say how well the competition is as far as service.

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
i think the packaging of options turns off a lot of buyers.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's probably the biggest knock I hear on GM trucks around here...I've had farmers tell me they've gone to a GM dealer with a specific truck in mind, and the salesman tell 'em "no way", so they head to Ford or Dodge...and it's always been something simple like a rubber mat instead of carpet but with power windows...nothing totally off the wall. Most everyone agrees the GM trucks are the most comfortable inside/out, but some folks actually use their trucks for *work*, but Ford & Dodge seem to have that segment tied up...

[SamLBInj]

Ok, As a business owner in a service industry Ill put in my two cents...
1. We have tried all types of service trucks and vans. At this point in time we will not buy anything but Ford Vans and Utility Trucks. In the last 20 years we have had ZERO problems.
2. Since I only buy locally the only Grain Body Dump Truck truck in the area was a GMC C-4500 Diesel. This truck has 11K on it and has spent close to 6 months of the 2 years we have had it parked in the GMC service department with those idiots trying to figure out how injectors work. It is there today and has been for the past 2 weeks with no answer to when we will get it back.
3. For personal cars we had driven only Mercedes and Lexus, Lexus by far is the absolute model of how every business in the world should be run, If you have never owned a new Lexus you are missing out, the service and quality is 2nd to none and make even Mercedes look like a bunch of schleps.
4. Two years ago due to back problems i bought a new Cadillac Escalade EXT pickup, this is by far the best handling overall most incredible family vehicle Ive ever owned. A few minor problems like the clearcoat on the wheels coming off which were replaced without a hitch. If these guys (Caddy/Chevy) learned the Lexus way of doing things people may never buy foreign again.
Just my two cents.. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I LOVE MY TRUCK http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

2004 Chevy-Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab - an excellent 'do-all' vehicle http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I've had good luck with GM vehicles, and Fords too, so I won't be buying anything from Japan.

[396L35]

[ QUOTE ]
I LOVE MY TRUCK http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

2004 Chevy-Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab - an excellent 'do-all' vehicle http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I've had good luck with GM vehicles, and Fords too, so I won't be buying anything from Japan.

[/ QUOTE ] I second that motion!!! I love my wifes 2004 Suburban and my 2003 Ford F250 Powerstroke.. I would have bought a Chevy HD but Ford gave me a better price on their vehicle.. I still like Chevrolet and hope they will bring back the F-Body soon, too many Mustangs on the road and I cant run them all off myself, I need help... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[supersport69]

I love my truck also. I just got a 1500 z71, It is by far the most comfortable truck I have ever owned. And I have owned ford and dodge. And none of the trucks I have owned ever had and major problems that I couldn’t fix myself.

[Stuart Adams]

Pretty basic economics. "If you make something people want you'll sell it." Too many choices and alot of bland choices in one company, trim the fat, make the stuff that sells. Simple. Quality not quantity.

[Tim Penton]

I've got four Chevrolets and I love them all. No problems.

[GOAT72]

[ QUOTE ]
I love my truck also. I just got a 1500 z71, It is by far the most comfortable truck I have ever owned.

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too!
I second that. I have an '03 Z/71 ext. cab and it's comfortable, powerful, reasonable on fuel and MUCH prettier than those snub-nosed Tonka-toy Dodges, or those bumpty-bump, "why did I lose a kidney?" F-250s!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

I've had 2 new Silverado's in the past 12 years and have never had a single problem. (Unless you consider 1 replaced u-joint a "problem.")

GM
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[SamLBInj]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


I've had 2 new Silverado's in the past 12 years and have never had a single problem. (Unless you consider 1 replaced u-joint a "problem.")

GM
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

It could be if you were going 180 down the track http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[indyjps]

you guys with GM trucks, thanks. i make the bedsides for colorado/canyons and full size chevy and gmc. also run the tailgate line.
personally i bought a black 2001 silverado 2wd posi 3.73, 5.3 auto,with rubber mat and crank windows. 3/4 drop, 17" denali wheels, gmc side trim, and escalade chrome door handles. pretty good looking truck once you mix the right parts.

[Hylton]

[ QUOTE ]
Pretty basic economics. "If you make something people want you'll sell it." Too many choices and alot of bland choices in one company, trim the fat, make the stuff that sells. Simple. Quality not quantity.

[/ QUOTE ]

You mean nobody wanted the Aztec? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[SamLBInj]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Pretty basic economics. "If you make something people want you'll sell it." Too many choices and alot of bland choices in one company, trim the fat, make the stuff that sells. Simple. Quality not quantity.

[/ QUOTE ]

You mean nobody wanted the Aztec? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Surprised Ford didnt come out with a CORTEZ to counter the Aztec http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[SamLBInj]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Pretty basic economics. "If you make something people want you'll sell it." Too many choices and alot of bland choices in one company, trim the fat, make the stuff that sells. Simple. Quality not quantity.

[/ QUOTE ]

You mean nobody wanted the Aztec? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Surprise

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I will add, I also really liked my '92 Pontiac Grand Prix SSE. If I need to buy another car, I would buy another GP. That car was excellent, and it had 192k miles on it when I donated it to charity - and the KBB was still $1,300 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

If you couldn't tell, I like American vehicles and will continue to buy them. I believe the imports have forced the big 3 to improve their products to a competitive level. I have small gripes like anyone else, but I have faith that GM will turn itself around.

PS: I flat out told the GMC salesperson who was trying to sell me a Nissan Titan that there was no way on God's green earth I could pull into a major car show with a Japanese tow vehicle http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Hylton]

[ QUOTE ]


I flat out told the GMC salesperson who was trying to sell me a Nissan Titan that there was no way on God's green earth I could pull into a major car show with a Japanese tow vehicle http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

So true!

[SamLBInj]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Pretty basic economics. "If you make something people want you'll sell it." Too many choices and alot of bland choices in one company, trim the fat, make the stuff that sells. Simple. Quality not quantity.

[/ QUOTE ]

You mean nobody wanted the Aztec? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
GM's new Marketing strategy..
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/144033-aztecyscy1.jpg

[DarrenX33]

Hmmm. Not your traditional Yenko color. Is that an astrik? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
Hmmm. Not your traditional Yenko color. Is that an astrik? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[/ QUOTE ] http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Hylton]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Pretty basic economics. "If you make something people want you'll sell it." Too many choices and alot of bland choices in one company, trim the fat, make the stuff that sells. Simple. Quality not quantity.

[/ QUOTE ]

You mean nobody wanted the Aztec? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
GM's new Marketing strategy..
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/144033-aztecyscy1.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]


Sam - please! Don't give GM any ideas!