MECCA II - The Official GM Thank You!

[sunnygator]

Originally Posted by Markkk I know how cool it would have been to go back in time and tour the GM plant in Pontiac Michigan that assembled my 1968 Pontiac Le Mans.

Hey a '68 Le Mans was my first car........man I wish I still had her!!!!!!!

But I still love my Sol more, it's what a summer drive is meant to be. Thanks for all you do to make it that way!!!!

sunnygator

[Critterman]

Stan,
It is even more than that, we corner the engineers (they don't seem to mind) and pick their brains about the car, why this and what if I do this will it inprove or hurt it (and in keeping with the GM policies and trade secrets, we learn a lot.

I think in our little way we actually influence production changes, the first that comes to mind is the "it cannot be done, the car isn't wired for it, or programmed for it, door lock switch One of our Texas owner (Tweety) research this every time we talked to engineers was told it couldn't be done. He talked to the BCM engineers "can't be done". But he figured it out, added a switch and wireing to the correct connectors and bingo, electric door locks are a production item.

we all love this car some don't chage a thing, others change and challange everything. In 3 years this car has come from WOW I want one to a way of life.

Thank you for building it for me, and next year come look at my new rear facia

[JustMike]

Well I was about ready to post my final thanks and then I got a special surprise ... So I'll give it another couple of days while you all enjoy this





So here is the text for those who have trouble reading it from the picture ...

Build it and they will come
The Mecca II Tour
That famous line from the hit movie "A Field of Dreams" says it all
about the recent Mecca II Tour. Despite the dismal weather, 282 Solstice
and SKY enthusiasts journeyed from across the country to attend the
Mecca II Tour on May, 9th with the goal to see where their "pride and
joy" was built. They drove from 22 states including the District of
Columbia and Canada. The enthusiasts who traveled the farthest -
1,743 miles were John and Carol W hite, who are proud Solstice owners from
Fort Collins Colorado. But the honor of who drove the farthest goes to Kim and
Jim Neely of Gulf Port, MS. They drove their Solstice 1,285 miles to
attend the tour. Now those are enthusiasts!

Our guests were treated to a fun filled day of activities. Plant Manager Bob Dolan,
Chairman Dennis Hammond, and President Dave Myers started off the event with a
special video clip made specifically for Saturn. It features rock band Bon Jovi and their
hit single "Lost Highway" along with a slick silver SKY. Dolan thanked everyone for
coming and said "that video clip was just for you". He thanked Solstice owner Mike
Malik for helping to coordinate the event among the owner's enthusiasts and invited
him to the podium to speak to the group. To add to the excitement, plant Vehicle
Implementation Team members unveiled the 2009 Solstice coupe which sent the crowd
into thunderous applause.

Malik was brief by thanking GM, UAW, Pontiac and Saturn for hosting this event for
the 2nd year and stated "We're really, really glad to be here. Last year I said you're
building our pride and joy, but the folks in the Solstice and SKY community didn't
think you understood and then came along Nittany (owns VIN #218 Solstice). With
Nittany, you really proved to us that you DO get it" by going that extra mile and
taking care of a customer. In honor of what you have done and for taking
special care of owners, Malik and North American Solstice SKY Owners Association
Council Chair Kathy Gee, presented the plant a plaque which recognizes
Wilmington Assembly as Lifetime Members.

The visitors were then broken into groups for plant tours and various
workshops. They had an opportunity to experience what it takes to be a
Wilmington team member by participating in a Simulated Work Environment
(SWE) workshop building wooden vehicles. The visitors came away with a
new appreciation for the workers on the line. The owners could sign up to
have a specialized team member finesse body panels, convertible tops and
more outside in the Tender Loving Care Tent. Also, Vehicle Engineers were on hand throughout the day to answer any questions.

Various new events were offered this year. One such event was A Car Clinic for The Ladies. Quality Team Members were on hand to show the ladies how to use the tire inflator, change wiper blades, check fluids, etc. Another new event for the ladies this year was the Women's Lounge. Chair massages and mini facials by a professional massage therapist and esthetician were available in the lounge free of charge. Many of our male
visitors took advantage of this relaxing opportunity. One of the many highlights throughout the day was a surprise activity given to four guests.

Again, members from our Quality team took these lucky guests on a ride through our water test booth and our test track. They were amazed at how much water hits the vehicle during the test and how hard the vehicles are driven on the track.

Just as last year, raffle items were available for purchase by our visitors. They had chances to win a Personal Audio Links (PAL) with IPod, a Bob Lutz signed die-cast Solstice or SKY, or a V.I.P. Race Day Package for NOPI Drift and Drag Racing event. A total of $1,075 was raised and all proceeds were given to UAW Local 435 Veterans Committee.

Employees interested in seeing additional comments from our visitors can visit http://www.solsticeforum.com for Solstice comments or Saturn Sky Forum for SKY. Also, pictures and video will be playing on the plant's TV system.

A special thank you to all team members who helped organize and assist with this event. Once again, you rose to the challenge and ensured this event was a huge success!

[bigblau]

Stan, you are a First Class guy, and the privilege is ours to have someone as dedicated as you working on our cars.

I had the distinct pleasure to have eaten lunch at the same table with Stan, and can vouch that he is truly a car guy. Again, thanks for taking the time to talk with me about my Z0K. Keep up the great work!

Originally Posted by Markkk As a plant tour guide it was a privilege to show all of you around the plant! I had about seven guys from I believe the Hudson Valley NY Saturn Sky club for the second shift tour. I want to thank all of you owners and guests for coming out to see how we build them. I worked 32 years here on the assembly line and retired in 2003 only to return at the beginning of Solstice production in July 2005 as a liaison for the entire front and rear fascias on Solstice, Sky, Opels and Daewoo’s. When I worked here we had tours come through but it was usually local schools on a field trip, not some owner who had driven their 1975 Chevy Impala from Colorado just to see the inside of the plant that made his car. As a car nut, and a Pontiac one at that, I know how cool it would have been to go back in time and tour the GM plant in Pontiac Michigan that assembled my 1968 Pontiac Le Mans. Alas, all I can do is look at a few Pontiac car books with a very limited selection of pictures from various plants building 1968 Pontiac’s. But wow, you guys got more then I could ever dream about! Here we have GM inviting you to the plant for a tour, see pre-production Solstice coupes, correction, make that sit in pre-production Solstice coupe’s as they take your pictures and hand you a color copy to take home, give you some really nice gifts, free food, meet the engineers who designed your car and hear their story first hand on how your favorite ride came to be and tease you about future products. You are so lucky. On the tour I tried to present interesting things about the car and the assembly process. However, looking at your facial expressions we did not need to say much as you watched our dedicated team members assemble them. It was obvious you were happy just watching, no words were needed. Over the years, the plant has made many different cars. Chevy Impalas, Chevettes, Malibu’s, Buick Wildcats, Skylarks, Pontiac version of the Chevy Corsica, the Tempest for export to Canada, the Pontiac T-1000 but nobody ever wrote a book about the plant making those cars. But along comes Bob Lutz and his dream car, the Pontiac Solstice, and before you know it the sports car world is turned upside down. Gary Witzenburg is invited into the plant, taking pictures for the most detailed book to date on Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky’s, “The Pontiac Solstice Book”, published by Michael Lamm of Lamm-Morada Publishing Co. Inc. He has a whole chapter filled with beautiful large pictures of Pontiac Solstices being made here at the Wilmington assembly plant. So now, you have two Mecca Tours and the Solstice book under your belt. It doesn’t get any better then this. Or does it? If they do decide to have a Mecca Tour III next year I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Thank you for buying our great GM cars. We may build the excitement……….. However, YOU have the best job, driving it! Thanks again. Stan the fascia man. Lemansguy1968

[LilRedGXP]

Well I was about ready to post my final thanks and then I got a special surprise ... So I'll give it another couple of days while you all enjoy this

For the record, I want to say that sadly I was not able to attend this years Mecca II event. Having said that I also would like to express my gratitude to GM, the UAW and everyone that had a hand in putting this whole event together. Why am I thanking GM et al when I didn`t even attend the event you might be asking yourself. It`s rather simple really. GM and the UAW members realize that they are not just making a `car` but rather as I like to put it: `they are building and selling a dream` and the Mecca tour is perpetuating the dream.

Want proof: for years my wife thought of a car as merely a means of transportation - to get from A to B. Not anymore, since purchasing our new Solstice GXP she has been very controlling of her car. I can only get behind the wheel of the driver`s seat by begging or stealing it. The odd time she is generous and just hands me the keys. Make no mistake, the Solstice is a lifestyle changer. I had never previously joined any car clubs or had the desire to show off my car at car meets but all that`s changed. Now I rarely miss an opportunity to join in a fun cruise or car meet. The kappa twins have brought strangers together that would not have otherwise met.

So for everyone involved in bringing our car to life and supporting us owners, thank you from the bottom of my heart. My wife would thank you too but I can`t seem to get her out of the driver`s seat at the moment.

Howie aka LilRedGXP

[sunnygator]

Originally Posted by LilRedGXP Make no mistake, the Solstice is a lifestyle changer. I had never previously joined any car clubs or had the desire to show off my car at car meets but all that`s changed.

Couldn't have said it better. And I hope that others, seeing how much fun we have with our Solstices and Skys, will go out and buy some. That in turn, will give a little back to guys that built 'em for us......and so on, and so on.....

[1sgt]

OK when do we start working on number 3

[MomsSol]

Originally Posted by 1sgt OK when do we start working on number 3

That's up the THEM ... but, I think THEY had as much fun as we did!

We'll see .... we'll see ... and maybe new and exciting things too!

[Cheers]

Originally Posted by 1sgt OK when do we start working on number 3

I'm in.