I am also suprised that GM was not already surpassed in domestic vehicle sales. Besides trucks and V8 cars, I cant think of a single other segment were they offer anything markedly more appealing than the competitors, domestic or import. Silverado/GMC truck sold slightly more than Ford, but the only other in the top 25 is the equinox, which I am honestly shocked outsold the Escape. Maybe I underestimate how much US consumers prioritize general size in any segment.
My area of interest in cars does not really include domestics, although I do not dislike them, but I personally really like and respect all of Chevys V8 stuff and the LS/LT motors are great. Besides that, I think they have mismanaged and dropped the ball everywhere else. Fords "global vehicles" approach seems far superior than Chevys method of outsourcing not only manufacturing but design and engineering to cheap foreign subsidiaries and partnerships. The fundamental concept behind the Volt (ICE generator with EV) was IMO a good idea but executed in the worst way possible (why put it in a weird big but small car and with a relatively big gas motor?). Their compact cars/CUV's are chinese/korean crap from the ground up. Their styling looks cheap and bland.
Every auto maker has dropped in long term reliability in the Eco era, in fact im almost certain that EVERY oem has had at least one heavy oil burner 4cyl engine in the past 15 years. Toyota is included in this, but gun to my head if I had to choose one brand that has the most consistent reliability across all segments, its them. While they had problems with oil consumption like everyone else (along with some piston slap), their 4cyl motors generally keep going and going. Their V6's are also solid, and V8's break 500k miles without a sweat.
With non truck vehicles Chevys lineup doesnt offer much. For the features and relative lack of general powertrain engineering/durability you get with non V8 gm, consumers who trade in cars for new every 2-4 years are better off going with Hyundai Kia, who have similar drawbacks mechanically but offer much better styling and value. Domestically, head to head I cant think of a single GM product thats more appealing than what Ford offers.
My area of interest in cars does not really include domestics, although I do not dislike them, but I personally really like and respect all of Chevys V8 stuff and the LS/LT motors are great. Besides that, I think they have mismanaged and dropped the ball everywhere else. Fords "global vehicles" approach seems far superior than Chevys method of outsourcing not only manufacturing but design and engineering to cheap foreign subsidiaries and partnerships. The fundamental concept behind the Volt (ICE generator with EV) was IMO a good idea but executed in the worst way possible (why put it in a weird big but small car and with a relatively big gas motor?). Their compact cars/CUV's are chinese/korean crap from the ground up. Their styling looks cheap and bland.
Every auto maker has dropped in long term reliability in the Eco era, in fact im almost certain that EVERY oem has had at least one heavy oil burner 4cyl engine in the past 15 years. Toyota is included in this, but gun to my head if I had to choose one brand that has the most consistent reliability across all segments, its them. While they had problems with oil consumption like everyone else (along with some piston slap), their 4cyl motors generally keep going and going. Their V6's are also solid, and V8's break 500k miles without a sweat.
With non truck vehicles Chevys lineup doesnt offer much. For the features and relative lack of general powertrain engineering/durability you get with non V8 gm, consumers who trade in cars for new every 2-4 years are better off going with Hyundai Kia, who have similar drawbacks mechanically but offer much better styling and value. Domestically, head to head I cant think of a single GM product thats more appealing than what Ford offers.
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