GM "Proud" Commercial

[N80]

Gonna "blame" GE or Phillips for producing bulbs that only last 2000 or 4000 hours? Shrug. Don't see it the same way you do, apparently. These same operators never check their brake light bulbs either, to my aggravation. Don't see this one as being pinned on GM.

Of course its GM's fault. Why should an owner or potential buyer care where GM buys their light bulbs? If GM is going to include a light that is supposed to be on all the time then they better put one's in that will last.

And the rub here is that this is such a prevalent problem that everyone knows what we're talking about and it only effects one line of their vehicles. GM trucks. Don't see it on the Chevys. So this is more than a light bulb burning out after a long while.

Of course its GM's fault and if so many of us have noticed it and wondered about it then it can't be helping GM's cause. And the more I think about this silly little thing the more it fascinates me. I'm just dying to hear a reasonable explanation.

I heard once that is was a union thing requiring the lights to come from two different producers, one okay the other notoriously bad. I suspect there is nothing to this story.

 

[Gizmo2]

Some politican probably owned the compay that had the bad bulbs. As in pay offs.

 

[bp fick]

And the rub here is that this is such a prevalent problem that everyone knows what we're talking about and it only effects one line of their vehicles. GM trucks. Don't see it on the Chevys.

Since those GMC and Chevy trucks are typically built on the very same line, with identical parts, including bulbs, I find this fascinating.

No defender of GM here, so I'm outta here. See ya 'round the forum.

 

[2manyrocks]

Any of you remember when GM had a downsized Chevrolet Nova product and they also had a Cadillac version that looked like the downsized Nova?

I could be mean and say I never notice the lights because I'm too distracted by the peeling paint, but I wouldn't sink that low.

 

[mustangsallysdad]

Since those GMC and Chevy trucks are typically built on the very same line, with identical parts, including bulbs, I find this fascinating.

No defender of GM here, so I'm outta here. See ya 'round the forum.

Listen, it's simple...it is obviously a quality control issue that GM has to be aware of...one would think that they would have learned their lesson about quality control through the NUMMI joint venture with Toyota. The bulbs don't last and they don't care...the burden is left to the consumer to deal with. Then again, GM was under the watch of Jack Wagoner, who rose to the head of GM through the financial wing of Corporate GM...in other words, a bean counter...GM sank into financial straits under HIS watch...yeah, the financial wizard. How did that work out.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Any of you remember when GM had a downsized Chevrolet Nova product and they also had a Cadillac version that looked like the downsized Nova?

I could be mean and say I never notice the lights because I'm too distracted by the peeling paint, but I wouldn't sink that low.

Of course Ford would never use a platform for more than one thing. Like make a Lincoln out of a Crown Vic? Ever see rust and peeling paint on a Ford?

All my vehicles since '88 have been GM and all with DRL and never replaced a headlight bulb yet, even on the '99 Malibu that is still on the road.

 

[mustangsallysdad]

Of course Ford would never use a platform for more than one thing. Like make a Lincoln out of a Crown Vic? Ever see rust and peeling paint on a Ford?

All my vehicles since '88 have been GM and all with DRL and never replaced a headlight bulb yet, even on the '99 Malibu that is still on the road.

Have any of those GM vehicles been a truck or truck based SUV? I haven't read where a '99 Malibu has been mentioned as one of the problematic vehicles.

 

[2manyrocks]

GM got caught building a lot of large SUVs, trucks, etc. when gas prices hit the roof sort of like they got caught in the mid 1970's, only this time they were apparently encumbered with more liabilities and the downturn took them under.

You have to wonder how what the overall cost is for the taxpayers to prop them up and also pay for the cash for clunkers program.

"Too big to fail" sort of falls in the same ballpark as the unsinkable Titanic.

I think there is a point that should be called "too big to manage effectively."

There's also a point when stretching the truth so far breaks it and that's the criticism that the ad deserves.

 

[DieselnHooters]

Bought a Ford Fusion last year, fine car but should have bought Ford stock instead cause now I could afford a lamborghini.

 

[EddieWalker]

Forbes has a really good story that explains how dishonest GM is being in their ad that claims they have paid back the loan. What really sucks is that it's just a scam to get MORE money from the government is such a way as to not make it well known because of all the backlash that's already come out over all the money they have already received.

Still Government Motors - Forbes.com

Don't read this if you anger easily, or want to support GM.

Eddie