Comments on: The writing was (un)clearly on the wall. http://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/27/the-writing-was-unclearly-on-the-wall/ Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joel McLaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/27/the-writing-was-unclearly-on-the-wall/#comment-44016 Joel McLaughlin Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:58:37 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=27430#comment-44016 Saturn had what GM needed....10 years ago. Saturn's idea was great and they sold well, but not well enough back in the 90's. Then, the polymer panels went by the wayside and now Saturn's are like any old GM. Saturn will be missed but not the Saturn of today. I remember when Saturn innovations were in Popular Science.... Saturn had what GM needed….10 years ago. Saturn’s idea was great and they sold well, but not well enough back in the 90′s. Then, the polymer panels went by the wayside and now Saturn’s are like any old GM. Saturn will be missed but not the Saturn of today.

I remember when Saturn innovations were in Popular Science….

]]> By: Drew Guttadorehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/27/the-writing-was-unclearly-on-the-wall/#comment-44009 Drew Guttadore Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:48:03 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=27430#comment-44009 Hmmm.. Hate to say it but Pontiac's glory was a long time ago and the Grand Prix and Bonneville, became well re-badged Chevys with bloated rubber siding.. I was a GM fan for a long time and drove pickups and Blazers well through the 80s but that was really the last time.. My needs as a city dweller have not been met by GM for decades.. A smart well-built small car similar to a small Merc (C series) or BMW (3 series).. Not a car built for the kids as a cheap sideline.. Why should I buy a Cadillac for that?? Size no longer matters and hasn't for a long time.. Hmmm.. Hate to say it but Pontiac’s glory was a long time ago and the Grand Prix and Bonneville, became well re-badged Chevys with bloated rubber siding..

I was a GM fan for a long time and drove pickups and Blazers well through the 80s but that was really the last time.. My needs as a city dweller have not been met by GM for decades.. A smart well-built small car similar to a small Merc (C series) or BMW (3 series).. Not a car built for the kids as a cheap sideline.. Why should I buy a Cadillac for that??

Size no longer matters and hasn’t for a long time..

]]> By: Christopher Gavulahttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/04/27/the-writing-was-unclearly-on-the-wall/#comment-43981 Christopher Gavula Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:22:44 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=27430#comment-43981 As a Detroit native, I've been expecting this for some time - it is in line with the message they've been presenting for a while now. It's still sad, just as it was sad to lose the Oldsmobile nameplate in 2004. I've owned Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs, and Saturns, and, although I understand the needs and expectations of the move, I'm concerned that it's also going to hurt one of GMs strengths - namely the depth and diversity of their product offerings. As a former employee of a GM suppplier, I think this will lower their costs, short term, but it will not improve the situation long term. I am curious, however, what move the Saturn Dealers will make, since they are somewhat more independent than their Pontiac counterparts (they purchase their cars from GM in a different way) and what impact this will have going forward. As a Detroit native, I’ve been expecting this for some time – it is in line with the message they’ve been presenting for a while now. It’s still sad, just as it was sad to lose the Oldsmobile nameplate in 2004.

I’ve owned Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs, and Saturns, and, although I understand the needs and expectations of the move, I’m concerned that it’s also going to hurt one of GMs strengths – namely the depth and diversity of their product offerings.

As a former employee of a GM suppplier, I think this will lower their costs, short term, but it will not improve the situation long term.

I am curious, however, what move the Saturn Dealers will make, since they are somewhat more independent than their Pontiac counterparts (they purchase their cars from GM in a different way) and what impact this will have going forward.

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