23rd Dec 2011, 10:57
10:42 what miracle? The Ford F Series has been the #1 seller of both cars and trucks for decades in America. Relatively few Tundras are sold compared to domestic full sizes.
23rd Dec 2011, 13:30
I guess you've forgotten about the 2008 gas price hike huh? Yeah, GM SUV's and large pickups were dying on dealer lots, and then they had to fly to Washington for bailout money, because they had put all of their eggs in one basket, which they are still doing with their basically unchanged full size pickup and large SUV lines.
Very little has changed. Yes, there are new vehicles coming out, but the Cobalt and Aveo were the "new vehicles" from GM recently, and look how well they compare to the competition. They still put most of their efforts into their gas guzzlers, due to their high profit margins. If gas goes over $4 per gallon, they will be in trouble again... mark my words.
23rd Dec 2011, 13:37
I am not arguing that the F-150 is an awesome truck, but never forget the sales figures are skewed heavily by fleet sales and work vehicle use. They aren't an apples to apples comparison for consumer vehicle sales. For this reason, the F-150 and Silverado are the number one and two selling vehicles year after year.
23rd Dec 2011, 17:40
GM is building some of the most fuel-efficient cars in the U.S., and their technology is WAYYYYYY ahead of Honda and Toyota (see articles in virtually ANY car magazine comparing Civic and Corolla to Cruze, for example). They now lead in both U.S. and world sales, and the Chevy Cruze Eco, which is a regular gas-engined car, beats most hybrids in fuel mileage.
As for SUV's, yes, people will buy them no matter the cost of gas because they are far, far safer than cars. We own a GM SUV that has over 100,000 miles with not one repair. It has also been in an accident that totalled the Honda that hit it. It suffered no damage at all.
24th Dec 2011, 12:32
A few years ago when gas shot up, I bought 2 large SUVs. Actually one was a used, high top, low mileage conversion van with a 37 gallon tank. I got a great buy vs paying for an inflated 4 cyl compact. I work only 10 minutes away vs the hour commute logic some have, with the better mpg, but spend more on gas than I do. I eat my lunch in my high top, watching the flat screen TV and DVD. Better than the quick ride to the fast food for lunch like my co workers do, and they still face long commutes to and from work. I remember when gas dropped, people were also cancelling orders on Smart cars here. Not everyone wants to be jammed up in them, just to be cheap.
24th Dec 2011, 13:09
I don't know what dealer lots you were looking at; like I said, these SUV's are the best sellers outside of the Ford Expedition. Yes, they are unchanged just like the 4-runner for many years; I guess you've never heard of the saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it" huh?
24th Dec 2011, 15:30
What is your point here? Now you are talking in riddles. The Cobalt and Aveo? In case you don't know, both of these cars are dead, due to poor sales, and are being replaced as the Cobalt already has been. Therefore GM is doing more than little to compete. If sales were poor on full-size SUVs, they wouldn't continue to produce them now would they? I don't care if gas reaches $6 per gallon, there are millions of them on the road that were built after the 2008 model year; obviously there is still a demand for them, otherwise Toyota wouldn't try to compete by building Tundras and Sequoias.
24th Dec 2011, 15:53
It was occurring all over the country. SUV and large truck sales tanked miserably. Why do you think GM failed? My, how we have short term memory when it comes to the auto industry. There were waiting lists for Priuses and Smart cars because people finally put saving gas above their need for big gas guzzling vehicles. Unfortunately it was only due to their wallets being strained, as when gas prices fell, SUVs started selling again. History will be repeated though when gas prices climb again. GM will be no better off the next time around.
25th Dec 2011, 11:47
What short term memory? It looks like nobody has forgotten about Toyota's ongoing recalls.
25th Dec 2011, 15:23
"GM will be no better off next time around"
Really? Are you that good that you can predict the future? Take a look at GM's new line up, just about every passenger car is 4-cyl equipped, Hummer is gone, full-size Caddy's and Buicks are discontinued (a shame in my opinion), and there are many crossovers that are fuel efficient to choose from.
Sure, there are still large trucks still in the line up, because they still sell, and many still prefer body on frame. Well there you have it, almost a total different picture since the gas crises of 08. Please, you only comment like this because you don't like GM, and your wish is not going to come true. GM is most likely going to stay in business after their wake up call.
This thread is about a Tundra, can we now stay on topic.
25th Dec 2011, 19:57
That IS my point.... The Cobalt and Aveo are more dead cars from GM that started out as big winners, like the Spark and Cruze are now. If that is a riddle to you, then you need to go back and look at the miserable record for GM and their so called economic cars.
Also, in 2008 gas hit $4 per gallon and sales of SUV's and large trucks ground to a halt. Where were you? Did you miss this fact? Do you remember the private jets with GM execs flying to Washington?? GM got into trouble BECAUSE they had too much of their line tied up in these types of vehicles. They have always been the cash cows of the company, as their profit margins are the highest... when they sell. GM STILL continues to invest most of their time and energy in the continued production of these same large vehicles. If gas hits $4 per gallon again, GM will be begging the government for money once again, as little has changed within the company since the last meltdown.
So why is this such a riddle to you? GM is repeating its own history. It is only a matter of time until they crash and burn again. I guess when you get free handouts from your government, there is no incentive to actually try to improve yourself.
23rd Dec 2011, 09:02
10:42 If you walk out your door to buy a 2012 vehicle, when you are replacing a 1996 for example, do you not compare? I know we do. People are not narrow minded or have limited choices. There are many manufacturers. I am never going to blindly buy the same model over and over since I had issues.
If I were shopping for a Toyota Tundra, I would compare it to specifically a Ford F150 or a Chevrolet Silverado. Saying people will buy what they want is true. They compare 3 or more makes and pick what they like best. It may not be what you chose for them. Isn't a car survey a comparison? I doubt someone on here reads one brand only and leaves the site. If a decade passes or even a few years, I want to physically get behind the wheel.