  Gmich99 Member Username: Gmich99 Post Number: 198 Registered: 11-2005 |
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20070524/A UTO01/705240375/1148&imw=Y Chevy calls out Camry GM wants to show both cars in showrooms Car buyers perusing their local Chevrolet showroom this fall may come upon a surprising find: a Toyota Camry. General Motors Corp. is mounting an in-your-face challenge to rival Toyota Motor Corp., with plans to encourage consumers to compare the Camry -- America's best-selling car for most of the last decade -- to the remodeled Chevy Malibu. GM is urging dealers to place Camrys in Chevy showrooms across the nation. The automaker also intends to go on the road with both sedans and encourage the public to take a ride in each. The made-over Malibu goes on sale this fall, and GM is counting on the dramatic redesign to boost its share of the crucial midsize sedan segment. "The fact is, when you look at the hard data, we have a product that is not only every bit as competitive, but also beats out the competition," GM sales Chief Mark LaNeve said Wednesday. "We want people to have the experience of both vehicles. And we think that can help us." | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 831 Registered: 04-2006 |
It's a much better design than the current... but a pissing contest? Really, GM? | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 1120 Registered: 08-2006 |
Hopefully they are doing better with that. A friend of mine has an 07 malibu she is very unhappy with. Windshield leaks and engine stalling problems. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 5181 Registered: 11-2004 |
Ballsy move on GM's part. I just hope they can back it all up now. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1694 Registered: 10-2003 |
How do the cars compare in base form, MPG-wise? Fuel economy is really all that matters. Assuming that purchase prices are about even, MPG will drive sales. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 2343 Registered: 07-2004 |
That is not entirely true fury. Reliability i.e. long term reliability is also important. The domestics are doing better in long term reliability. But if consumers have had good experiences with honda and toyota why would they change? | ||
Quinn Member Username: Quinn Post Number: 1331 Registered: 01-2005 |
Oh gee... I guess so, why not. It looks like an camry/accord. Why is Honda left outta this? And...what if they like the Camry better? Can the chevy dealer sell it to them? Guffaw... | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 2215 Registered: 06-2004 |
as many have said previously - those who have had good experience with Toyotas & Hondas don't even look to go into a domestic auto dealership, so if GM wants this to work it has to be done in public places other than their dealerships | ||
Michigan Member Username: Michigan Post Number: 314 Registered: 04-2007 |
I like it. Get right up in their face-" You want some of this? Oh, you want some too?" | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1343 Registered: 12-2005 |
Why don't they save the space in their showroom and just have a piece of foamcore with the the repair bills for a three year old 45,000 mile Camry and Malibu side by side--oh wait, they don't want to go there. That's the bottom line That's what is making the decision for many buyers | ||
Fjw718 Member Username: Fjw718 Post Number: 107 Registered: 11-2005 |
where is the manual transmission? i want to drive the car, not have the car drive me. | ||
Bate Member Username: Bate Post Number: 89 Registered: 02-2005 |
GM and Ford need to promote their recent warranty changes to 5yr 100,000 miles which trump most 3yr 36,000 and 4yr 48,000 programs on Japanese cars. Now if they build crap at least they have to pay and fix it. Nothing sucks more than getting hit for repairs while most buyers are still paying on the vehicle. The warranty should cover the car through the term of the loan. We won't get into resale values though... | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 3198 Registered: 10-2004 |
I find this to be a healthy marketing concept. As long as the test models are representative of their brands--both containing similar options and not being stripped down, etc. In addition, when potential buyers choose a Toyota over GM, the dealers will have better knowledge of why? Marketers of premium products have been doing this for decades. So, it's not something entirely new. It's just a mini-version of an auto show. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 2223 Registered: 06-2004 |
Resale values will correct themselves within a few years if they stick to reducing fleet sales | ||
Gmich99 Member Username: Gmich99 Post Number: 201 Registered: 11-2005 |
http://www.cnn.com/2007/AUTOS/ 05/25/gm_vs_camry/index.html "GM dealers offer Toyota test drives Shoppers will be able to compare the Camry and Accord to the Saturn Aura and, shortly, to the new Chevrolet Malibu as well." | ||
Sticks Member Username: Sticks Post Number: 313 Registered: 08-2005 |
May I offer a reason as to why they would possibly bring a competitors car into their own showroom? Dealer networks. First off, if you get a customer into YOUR showroom, that's good. Out of all the manufacturers and franchises, they considered the one you sell at your location. You've won half the battle right there. If you were to tell the customer to go ahead and visit a Toyota showroom, that could be a death knell for you. Why would you want to direct them to a place that (probably) knows more about your competitors car? By bringing their product into your friendly environment, you're still able to have the customer compare it but without actually giving your competitor (manufacturer-wise) any business. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 108 Registered: 02-2007 |
Its about time.. We should see more brash moves like this from American companies. Put it right in peoples faces. Some pretty sharp folks at GM, this was undoubtedly thought through. They have something up their sleeve with this action. I think retailers should list the effects of not buying American goods at every register. i.e. how many plants closed, how many jobs were out-sourced etc. Since our present government could obviously give two hoots in hell for this country, it's manufacturing base and people in general, companies are going to have to take drastic measures. If they have to do a "here's theirs, now here's ours" marketing so be it. Smart folks. It's a sad state when our nations top CEO's get less face-time with the president than the American Idol contestants. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2244 Registered: 11-2003 |
I have had 2 Chevy Impalas as Company vehicles in the last 5 years. I went over 100K miles on both - I will tell you what, they have been great cars! No repairs to speak of and I like the way they handle and drive. It convinced me to go back to American cars after almost 20 years of Hondas and Toyotas. Better pricing generally and I feel better buying American. If American consumers actually gave domestics a chance, I think they would be surprised. | ||
Softailrider Member Username: Softailrider Post Number: 44 Registered: 02-2007 |
I drove Accords and Camrys for the last 15 years or so . Amazing thing about those cars is they drive as well with 100000 miles on them as they do when they're new . Couple years ago I bought an off- lease Cadillac with 11000 miles on it . I've had more problems with the Cadillac ( all covered by warranty thank god ) in 2 years then 15 years of Japanese makes . Don't listen to the propaganda , Domestic makes are way better then they used to be , but still not as good as the best Japanese vehicles . | ||
Detroiterwannabe Member Username: Detroiterwannabe Post Number: 8 Registered: 01-2007 |
I say why not ! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4399 Registered: 08-2004 |
Of course they'll be using the least flattering color of Camry to compare to a nice color Malibu. Gotta go for the jugular... | ||
Newport1128 Member Username: Newport1128 Post Number: 28 Registered: 05-2007 |
Should be interesting, if indeed GM tries it. I bought U.S. cars from all the Big 3 companies for 20 years, and have been buying Hondas and Toyotas for the last 15. As for the U.S. cars, the dealer service managers got to know me on a first name basis. I've had 2 Hondas and am on my 8th Toyota (my wife and I together). I've never had ANY mechanical problem with any of them, and only very minor problems otherwise. The only time the dealers see me is for oil changes and routine maintenance. Yes, I would love to but another American car, but first they have to show me they can match the Japanese in quality and reliability. How about GM does a 5-year long term study on both the Camry and Malibu? Let several families drive both cars for 5 years, and report the results once a year. Think GM would go for it? | ||
Romanized Member Username: Romanized Post Number: 229 Registered: 02-2005 |
It's an excellent move since the perception is Toyota walks on water and domestics are garbage. If someone thinks the Camry is better, you probably just didn't change their mind. For the ones you do convince its just gravy. | ||
Ray Member Username: Ray Post Number: 893 Registered: 06-2004 |
this is great, but I think its a little unfair that they are bringing in a '93 camry and an '89 accord. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 5242 Registered: 11-2004 |
This is prime example of perception vs. reality happening here. Now I can't testify whether the Malibu is nicer than the Camry or not but the perception is that Toyota does make a better car than GM. To a certain degree, I think GM earned that reputation back in the late 70's by building shoddy gas guzzlers and Toyota gained some of their reputation by building some quality vehicles during that time. These reputations didn't happen overnight then and aren't going to change anytime soon. GM has to be able to hit some homeruns one at a time here. They've bluntly got to EARN that reputation back. If this stunt/ gimmick/ sales idea works for a few people, then great. Make the strides by building a world class car, advertise the hell out of it, let people know and slowly build that perception back up that GM is a viable and solid car manufacturer. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 2234 Registered: 06-2004 |
lol, I have 2 Ford Escorts - 253k & 155k => 100k is nothing anymore with my first one (253k) everyone at work told me I'd need the extended warranty, so I bought it - never used it. My import loving mechanic told me at least 5 years ago that it would crap out soon - nope, not yet. I think some of the problem the domestics have is in the dealer/repair facility networks, especially under-trained or less-than-ethical service techs. The Escalade has gotten good reception and reviews yet one owner I knew from down south traded hers in shortly after purchase. She claimed she had continual problems with it but, listening to the details of her story, it sounded like she had a mechanic either playing 'guess the problem' and swapping out parts OR the guy was just dishonest and playing on the domestics' reputation for poor quality. Of course mechanics are going to like working on imports more. They make more money that way - often with higher labor rates and sometimes by marking up parts more and blaming the cost on the car being foreign. And this isn't true just for independent shops - the foreign dealerships around here often have higher labor rates than the domestic dealerships. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 2352 Registered: 07-2004 |
Good post lilpup......my escort has 135 plus and runs fine. Considering all the threads thru the years about cars and quality on the forum prompts perhaps a callow question; why did the domestics wait so damn long to improve quality? Our workers are just as capable........was it inferior parts? | ||
Civilprotectionunit4346 Member Username: Civilprotectionunit4346 Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2007 |
I own a 95' Lesabre...it's starting to show it's age...The seal around my drivers door is coming loose, and there's a few other little things that are annoying me. My car has 120k on it...it runs good, but the gas mileage is ok. Ive been looking at newer cars, the VW Rabbit, Honda Civic 2dr and Mazda 3...So far the Mazda3 has my eye. I work for Onstar...I like working for the company, it's just that I don't see the quality in the new GM products...Ive seen some good new GM models G6 is one I like...The new Malibu is based on the Saturn Aura platform. I like the new Saturn Astra, it's sold real well over in Europe, and it's caught my attention as a possible new car buy. | ||
Civilprotectionunit4346 Member Username: Civilprotectionunit4346 Post Number: 54 Registered: 06-2007 |
Has anyone seen the new Astra? http://www.caranddriver.com/ca rnews/12137/2008-saturn-astra. html http://www.thetruthaboutcars.c om/?p=3362 Enjoy the links... | ||
Jerome81 Member Username: Jerome81 Post Number: 1512 Registered: 11-2003 |
As a somewhat related item: Saturn is showing the Accord and Camry in their showrooms next to their Aura. | ||
Civilprotectionunit4346 Member Username: Civilprotectionunit4346 Post Number: 62 Registered: 06-2007 |
I saw one of the commercials the other day for that side by side comparison. Strange thing is I noticed all three cars look alike, very strange indeed!!! Watch the commercial again.... | ||
Kslice Member Username: Kslice Post Number: 72 Registered: 04-2007 |
SLaP to the face of Toyota. Now you don't even need to visit the Toyota dealership and put up with their smug sales pitch. DO they have a big bonfire with the Toyota when their done? | ||
Civilprotectionunit4346 Member Username: Civilprotectionunit4346 Post Number: 67 Registered: 06-2007 |
Toyota is still #1 in sales. I wouldn't say slap in the face Toyota..more like to the Big3 for slipping down the ladder. If they focus a bit more on quality and reliability they will be able to move back to where they used to be. You have to remember that the reason why people have bought Toyota/Honda/Nissian & Mazda is because the quality/reliability and another thing I forgot to add was the fuel efficency. What I was saying about the commercial is look how GM has borrowed the look from Honda & Toyota. Well imitation is form of flattery I think. Everyone has borrowed from someone else. It's a vicious cycle. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 2406 Registered: 12-2005 |
Just the proposal alone projects confidence. That's what's needed to get people to even begin to switch. Good move, GM. Now how well will they be able to resist the temptation to tweak the Toyota to influence the results? Getting caught doing that would undermine the whole idea. Be careful. |
