Buick

October 20, 2009

Talk Back Tuesday: Why OnStar Actually Increases My Apprehensive Level

"Oh...um...sorry to bother you...disembodied OnStar voice. Hope I didn't interrupt any truly important calls."

That's my first reaction whenever I hear that OnStar "ding" followed by "OnStar Ready" in a GM vehicle. And that's why my apprehension level goes up when I see that OnStar button under the rearview mirror.

See, I like to think of myself as relatively self-sufficient. Sure, I'll ask for help but I have to really need it first. However, on a semi-regular basis, when I'm in an OnStar-equipped car I find myself unintentionally activating the system, which in turn causes tremendous guilt because I feel I'm bothering an OnStar employee who could be helping another driver, maybe even someone with a true emergency.

I'll give you a few examples:

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (19); Karl Brauer October 20, 2009, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Buick, Cadillac, Car Audio and Technology, Chevrolet, GMC, Safety Systems, Talk Back Tuesday
Technorati Tags:: OnStar GM

September 15, 2009

Talk Back Tuesday: Will a 60-Day Guarantee Get You to Buy a GM Product?

General Motors introduced its latest sales incentive/ad campaign yesterday -- a 60-day money-back guarantee with a "May the Best Car Win" attitude.

If you saw the new commercial about this program (in heavy rotation during the NFL season kick-off on Sunday) you saw (and heard) a plain-talking GM Chairman, Ed Whitacre, talking about how "Before I started this job, I admit, I had some doubts." But Mr. Whitacre likes what he found at GM, and he thinks "Car for car, when compared to the competition, we win."

There are two key elements to this latest ad campaign:

1. Are GM's cars really as good or better than the competition?

2. Can GM convince a substantial amount of potential customers its cars are as good or better than the competition?

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (25); Karl Brauer September 15, 2009, 3:00 AM
Categories:: Buick, Cadillac, Car Buying Advice, Chevrolet, GMC, Talk Back Tuesday
Technorati Tags:: GM 60-Day Guarantee May the Best Car Win

March 31, 2009

Talk Back Tuesday: Is the Government Preparing us for a GM Bankruptcy?

It doesn't get much more turbulent in the automobile industry than the last 24 hours, and a little birdie told me there's plenty more coming in the next couple weeks, not to mention the next 24 hours...

But for now let's focus on what we know.

We know Rick Wagoner is gone. It doesn't matter if you agree or disagree with how he ran GM. It doesn't matter if you think his dismissal was prudent change or simple posturing (one guess as to what I think). The bottom line is he's viewed as the man at the wheel when GM steered into the sun, and the president's administration wanted a "fresh" approach.

We know Obama wasn't satisfied with either Chrysler or GM's viability plans and has asked for a "do over" from both. The president seems fired up by the idea of a Chrysler/Fiat merger (more fired up than he should be?), but he was nebulous about GM's next steps. It seems "go futher" and "work harder" on restructuring is the only concrete takeaway.

We know the president left open the concept of bankruptcy as a possible pathway to viability in his speech. After the speech GM's new CEO, Fritz Henderson, reiterated the bankruptcy option and spoke of likely government aid to expedite bankruptcy proceedings.

Finally, we know the government is now guaranteeing the warranties on all domestic automobiles. This is good because it means current and potential new domestic car owners can be comfortable knowing the government has backed up their vehicles (versus leaving them "out to dry" on warranty work).

Add these indisputable facts up and I think we all know something else: A GM bankruptcy is inevitable.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (43); Karl Brauer March 31, 2009, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Automotive News, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Saturn, Talk Back Tuesday
Technorati Tags:: GM Bankruptcy Automobile

December 13, 2007

2008 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists

The first round of 2008 North American Car and Truck of the Year votes are in...

Car Finalists:

1. Cadillac CTS 2. Chevrolet Malibu 3. Honda Accord

Truck Finalists:

1. Buick Enclave 2. Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 3. Mazda CX-9

The final winnners will be announced the morning of January 13th as part of the kickoff for the 2008 North American International Auto Show (also known as the Detroit Auto Show). I just sent my second-round ballot in, so my part in voting for the car and truck winners is over. I won't know the results before that January 13th announcement, though obviously I know who I voted for.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (29); Karl Brauer December 13, 2007, 7:00 AM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda, Vehicle Awards

July 25, 2007

GM and the Buick Enclave: Making SUVs Obsolete?

Well, maybe not obsolete, but these Lambda platform vehicles (Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook) are making all those SUV buyers, who don't really need SUVs, look foolish. Yes, if you really need to tow or you really go off-road regularly a Tahoe/Expedition/Armada/Aspen is better. But ask yourself how often you really do those things, and then ask yourself how often your SUV-owning friends really do those things. Most of you would probably benefit from the Lamda's improved steering feel, refined power delivery, advanced suspension tuning and (marginally) better fuel mileage.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (30); Karl Brauer July 25, 2007, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Buick, GMC, Saturn

January 10, 2006

Detroit Auto Show - Buick Enclave

Buick Enclave concept: I finally got a close look at it, and ironically the only thing I DON'T like are the overly contrived portholes on the hood. The Enclave's basic proportions and body lines are attractive. As the first model off that platform it also has the benefit of not looking like a rebadged anything else. Hopefully the other GM models coming on this platform will be able to make the same claim...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (10); Karl Brauer January 10, 2006, 3:49 PM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Buick