As someone who works for GM
I can tell you that GM is selling cars in Canada (The US-GM biggest market is an entirely different story with lost market share every month) however,
(1.) Very few GM buyers are true "conquest" buyers(meaning they switched from either an Asian or European brand). Most of them are Ford or Chrysler loyalists who are simply switching domestic brands which is worrisome.
(2.) There are still issues with customer service at GM dealerships, which drives potential buyers away.
(3.) There are some supply chain probelms with GM's current "hot cars".
(4.) For every hot car that GM sells, there is still 5 or 6 turkeys that erase profitability.
(5.) GM 's lineup is still SUV heavy in an era where there is considerable consumer backlash against SUV's, trucks and fuel inefficient vehicles.
Good post, gta_driver, coming from a GM employee, your comments seem accurate and relative to the issue, IMO.
Personally, I have owned cars from the "Domestic" makers, from Japan and from Germany (even 1 or 2 from Sweden at one time or another). I am not a buyer based solely on "reliability" although it is one of the top 5 important factors in making a decision. I do think the "Domestics" are doing a much better job these days, but problems do remain, and you have noted several of them.
The public's "perception" is formed over many years of experiences, observations and conversations with other ppl. It takes a long time to erase a negative feeling once that feeling settles over a particular line. Look how long it is taking/has taken Hyundai to overcome it's old image of "cheap" vehicles.
MOST posters on here are objective, and can see all sides of an argument; there are some posters, however, who have a totally biased and unrealistic view of certain makers.
Thanks for your comments, gta, bang on the money.
