Originally Posted By: ekpolk
GMB: (slight pun intended there...
)
It was not my intent at all to
unpleasantly put you on the spot. I'm just curious about your perspective from inside as to the parallels between the Chevy/GMC (and perhaps Cadillac, as in the Escalade).
Over the years, I've been hot and cold and in between about GM and its products, and I guess the same is true as to virtually ALL car makers. I've owned cars from GM, Ford, Chrysler, VW, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan-Inf. While every single one of these makers has played the "clone game", GM, in my perception (and I may be very wrong...) has been the most transparent about it. To GM's credit, they seem to have been moving toward making more meaningful distinctions between "platform siblings" than in the past. The Denali example is a good one. And they completely killed Olds and Pontiac. I remember back in the early 80s, almost the only difference between a Chevy Celeb, a Pontiac 6k, a Buick Century, an Olds Cutlass Supreme, etc. was pretty much the grille and the tail lights. Now I admit, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I think you see the point. And actually, I too prefer the appearance of the GMC trucks compared to the Chevys, but I still wonder -- why? Denalis are surely nice products, but I think if I wanted a truck, it would not be for the n-th degree of sweet smelling leather seats, if you catch my drift. In ten years, will GM still be selling trucks under both the Chevy and GMC brands? (And don't forget -- you have the right to remain silent...
).
All else aside, have a safe and Merry Christmas!
You are fine - I didn't take your post the wrong way at all, it is a very good question in fact. As for GM in the past, like your example, yes GM was the worst at "badge engineering" where cars like the Citation/Phoenix/Sklark and the Celebrity/Ciera/6000/Century were disgustingly similiar. Now, thank goodness, you don't see GM in that situation any longer. Why we do share "platforms" and some common components (such as switchs and some radios) between models - it is much more concealed and "sense making" where the buyer truly gets a unique model. As for GMC being around another 10 years - that is anyone's guess....but I can tell you there will still be GMC's with the upcoming 2014 models.
