What's Missing From the GM-Chrysler Coverage. Allegedly.

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

DaveAdmin over at Allpar Weblogs is just as unhappy with the coverage of the potential GM – Chrysler debacle merger as your faithful TTAC correspondents. But for different reasons. Apparently, it’s OK for the mainstream press and armchair analysts to suggest that this is a done deal, but they don’t “get it” when it comes to what might come next. In the main, DaveAdmin reckons they’re all guilty of the sin of omission. “No article I have seen suggests that maybe, because the Dodge trucks are clearly superior (especially in Class 3-5), that GM might shift over to Dodge’s designs. Only one mentioned the Dodge trucks in any way other than ‘to be canned’ at all, and that was to point out the bad timing of their launch. Ford’s big, trucklike Flex, Toyota’s Tundra (with one factory already being converted to other uses), and Ford’s upcoming F-series were apparently examples of good timing. No article I’ve seen mentions the Hemi except disparagingly, as in ‘dummies make V8s when people don’t want them any more.’ (Four years ago.) Never mind that trucks still need V8s and the Hemi is best in class, especially in variable cam form. No article I’ve seen mentions the Phoenix engines or the dual-clutch transmission technology. The latter, to be fair, appears to be dead at the moment, as Chrysler chose to cancel their launch by picking a fight with Getrag and abruptly canceling all talks.” Yeah, to be fair. It gets better…

“No article I’ve seen mentions the possibility that maybe GM would keep the Dodge and Jeep brands alive, and drop Pontiac and/or Buick. I really don’t think the Chinese will care if Buick disappears from the United States, honestly. Nor do Americans still seem to think of Pontiac as the sporty brand, despite the G8, which could live on as the Dodge Charger. Or not.” Hey! That’s our line! Anyway, bravo to DaveAdmin for setting us straight on who’s really calling the tune here. “Cerberus owns Chrysler and it may soon control a large enough chunk of GM to call the shots, even as its spokesmen profess helplessness – or, as they prefer to do, remain silent, and allow pundits to cover the wrong game.” [thanks to .hmmessage P {margin:0px;padding:0px;} body.hmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Stingray for the link]

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • BlueBrat BlueBrat on Oct 21, 2008

    I rented a Dodge truck before to do some hauling of crap, and I'll never do that again. Sorry, but they are just awful vehicles.

  • BigOldChryslers BigOldChryslers on Oct 21, 2008

    I usually avoid the "Dodge trucks are inferior to GM trucks" discussions because I haven't followed reliability ratings for the latest generation of either truck, but I have a '94 Ram 2500 with a Cummins and I'm very happy with it. It's also been very reliable in my opinion. I bought it used in 2001. I don't expect I'll be looking to replace it for another 6 years or more. On the same day I bought my truck, I also test-drove a 1996 Chevy p/u with the 6.5L turbodiesel and was unimpressed. The interior didn't strike me as being any better than the Dodge. The 6.5L diesel doesn't have a good reliability record, and the 1st gen Duramax that replaced it doesn't either. I have rented a newer (2006?) GM pickup for a week once. (My truck was in for bodywork due to a minor accident.) It would be an apples-and-oranges comparison because the rental was gas-powered, 4x4, 1/2 ton, but I was happy to be driving my own truck again at the end of the week. If the new smaller Cummins slated for the 2010 Dodge 1500 is as reliable as the larger Cummins engines are, that will be on my list when it comes time to replace my current truck.

  • Kwik_Shift Hyunkia'sis doing what they do best...subverting expectations of quality.
  • MaintenanceCosts People who don't use the parking brake when they walk away from the car deserve to have the car roll into a river.
  • 3-On-The-Tree I’m sure they are good vehicles but you can’t base that on who is buying them. Land Rovers, Bentley’ are bought by Robin Leaches’s “The Rich and Famous” but they have terrible reliability.
  • SCE to AUX The fix sounds like a bandaid. Kia's not going to address the defective shaft assemblies because it's hard and expensive - not cool.
  • Analoggrotto I am sick and tired of every little Hyundai Kia Genesis flaw being blown out of proportion. Why doesn't TTAC talk about the Tundra iForce Max problems, Toyota V35A engine problems or the Lexus 500H Hybrid problems? Here's why: education. Most of America is illiterate, as are the people who bash Hyundai Kia Genesis. Surveys conducted by credible sources have observed a high concentration of Hyundai Kia Genesis models at elite ivy league universities, you know those places where students earn degrees which earn more than $100K per year? Get with the program TTAC.
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