dombey

For GM, this isn't a sprint - it's a marathon. They've got a LONG way to go but it seems they finally have some significant strategies taking form.

I wouldn't worry too much about Toyota. 12% increases are big in this industry, but most of it is on account of the big 3 falling on their faces. As long as GM can make themselves somewhat exciting, they'll have a chance...because you know Toyota will stay boring.

ebeldesign

Toyota reached 10% of the world car sales target years ahead of schedule and is widely predicted to become the world's #1 carmaker this year. I would say that is something that other car companies ignore at their peril. Boring or not.

kumainu

I wouldn't go as far as saying not to worry about Toyota because all its competitors should. But it looks like GM is rejuvenating a little bit.

Can't wait until the Supra and Lexus supercar come out (and whatever else sporty cars it has plans for in the near future).

rai

I'll believe it when I see it. How much does it cost? If it costs as much as 5 years worth of gas whats the point again?

gomarlins3

Good for them. Hopefully the other two can also turn it around.

rockville

I agree. I especially don't think the car companies should be getting big tax breaks from the state when they move in a new plant. Georgia let GM and Ford shutter two plants but was willing to offset the cost of a new plant for a different make. Why should the people of Georgia help subsidize a car company? Sorry, at the moment I think it was Kia but I honestly don't remember.

Of course it could be worse... we could talk about how much Nashville spent to get the Oilers in town

Spartikus

I doubt Ford and Chrysler will die out anytime soon. GM definitely has some good things going on, so I would expect them to recover well enough in the next few years.

Toyota may be boring, but guess what percentage of buyers actually care if their car is "exciting." What percentage of new cars sold are automatic?

Toyota is also looking to turn things around with the fun factor too. They focused on their base sellers long enough to take the lead, and now that they have money to throw around they are going to offer the enthusiasts some fun. It's smarter than leaning heavily on trucks...

Fanman

Hybrid technology is viable. Actually Toyota does have a plug in version of the Prius, just not in the american market. They deemed that it is not economically viable in the US because of the additional expense. And it's not because the battery would be bigger, or heavier, but because it would have to be a different, much more expensive material (li-ion vs. nickel metal hydride). But several aftermarket companies have already done conversions on some Priuses and gotten it to average over 100 mpg. Rumor has it that the upcoming Prius will have much better gas mileage than the current unit.

And it does not cost 9 years to re-coupe the savings, you get from a hybrid. If you get tax credits, and the savings in gas vs. say a 20 mpg car it's roughly $1000/year.

If it steams you about a tax credit for hybrids, it steams me that their is no gas guzzler tax for SUV's. That was just GM, Ford, & Chrysler's lobbying attempt to maintain SUV sales. Cars have gas guzzler taxes when they reach a certain (low) point in mpg, why not SUV's. Could it be that the Big 3's sweet spot is SUV's and they make the most money per unit on these cars. They uses more gasoline, they damge our roadways more with the weight of the vehicle, they spew more emissions, etc. If you credit a hybrid for putting less of a pollution footprint on the country, then shouldn't you go the other way and smack the people who use excess.

Popeye

rai

[QUOTE=Fanman,Mar 2 2007, 02:13 AM] Hybrid technology is viable.