Quote:
Originally Posted by Snugglebear
I say what I say because the GM sales figures are freely available and provide an insight into what's going on.
[edited by rlhammon]
That's 22 models that beat the trend. This is out of 93 different models that GM lists figures for. Excluding the 32 models that are either new for 2009, or are ending production and no longer available, we have 61 models that are valid for Y/Y comparisons. That means 22/61 models are doing well, which, as above, I'm defining as better than industry trend. This is not good.
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Got what you are saying... however that's same model to same model comparison, which doesn't address the "GM doesn't build cars people want to buy". What it says is certain models sold less this year than last year. How about a comparison, by car, with in class competition shown for last year and this year? In other words, instead of saying the Chevy Cobalt sold less in 2008 vs. 2007, how did it fair as a percent of it's class in 2007 and as a percent of it's class in 2008. Then you can determine which cars people are actually buying in a class. The whole dang market shrank this year compared to last year... so using a year over year comparison while ignoring the competition and it's direction is fruitless to the original comment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snugglebear
Along those lines there was a good article posted at Ars tonight on the Volt. As suspected, the major issue right now is the systems integration software. GM seems to think 50% of the battery charge is the magic cycle point for the IC engine. As discussed here, GM is fighting the plug-in hybrid label. The battery, as Brady mentioned, is done, and apparently, most of it is off the shelf. With the software managing the battery as above, GM is estimating a lifespan of 10 years @ 15,000 miles per year. Gas tank size is about 8-9 gallons. However, the big issue is the lack of interior space. |
Good article.. not much real new information. I'll pass along something I mentioned previously... remember these cars are not the full, correct architecture. The current mules have donated bodies from a similar type vehicle, and I would believe the space issue will be resolved when built on the correct platform. Granted.. it's close, but it's not final.
