Cost cutting

[scooter70]

I'm just thinking...  Let's say that you're a GM engineer tasked to remove extra cost from the fullsize truck line.  What would you change or remove that could decrease the cost to build the truck without taking away value from the consumer?  

 

It could be something that's bolted on that could be attached with a clip or you could delete something that's of no use to you like the cassette player in the center console when you have the CD player up top.  (does anyone listen to tapes anymore?)  Any little thing adds up when you're talking about 400,000+ units a year.

 

I know that you've all been working on your truck and noticed things... so let's hear them.

 

-Matt

[melbertbloosfan]

I'll bite..

1. Take the side door/bed moudlings off.

   Don't get me wrong, I like my 4 pcs/side mouldings on my '02, but the more (or less?) I see of the '03's one or two pcs/side the less I like it.  So, I say if you aren't going to do it right, don't do it at all and takem off.  Save maybe $20-$30 per vehicle (what with parts/labor/adhesive/etc).

 

Good post, makes ya think..  They have already cheapend this things up so much, it is hard to come up with something that the generals engineers haven't already thought of.  You can only make the steel so thin.....

 

I know where I work we have a project to replace an aluminum (or sometimes powdered metal) engine accessory part housing with plastic (nylon really).  Lighter, cheaper, but might not last quite as long.  Gotta compete with the Chinese somehow.

[XTOAK]

Well, I live in Alaska and the dumbest thing I've seen the pickup manufacturers start doing is putting a heated rear defroster on the rear window of the cab.  The window is a vertical window with no degree (or very little) of slant thus the frost rarely builds up on it.  Seems to be a total waste of money and seems to have been put in to lure the van driving soccer moms to buy pickups. --my guess.

 

Now, the heated mirrors is a great idea as it helps to melt the snow and ice off it when it builds up in the winter...but the rear window defroster seems to be a joke and an added expense I don't need.  To each their own on the sliding rear window but I don't find a need for it either...especially in an extended cab pickup.

 

Another waste is two or three cigarette lighters.  I don't smoke so I don't need the lighter.  I do have a need to charge the cell phone so one outlet is fine but the cigarette lighter and array of sockets should be an option, not standard.  And the same goes for the ash try.

 

Finally, as a 2003 Silverado owner, Chevy could save a ton on not installing a search and rescue light as a high beam indicator in the dash.  Geez, it's blinding and must have cost a fortune for the bulb -- or they got them on a cheap deal from the Iraqi advanced warning bomber searchlight squadron.

 

[RyanbabZ71]

if  gm hires me ill solve this problem  

[seadoons]

I have an idea that would maybe generate higher sales on silverados, tahoes, suburbans...stop putting FIRESTONE tires on the #### vehicles...if its a Z71 put BFG's or Good Year AT/S, just like Ford does.  2WD suburban/tahoe?  A good set of Michelin LTX M/S would suffice.  Just my .02

[SFPegasus]

Let's see.....

 

Onstar and all the associated electronics?

 

Oh, I forgot.  Onstar is more or less owned by GM.

[woyster_00z71]

I second that the Onstar system is a waste.  Sometime in the near future I may be attempting to determine how hard it would be to pull it out of my '01 Tahoe.

 

I do not agree however with the multiple DC-power plugs.  I can think of times that I have had all three filled, one with a 2-way splitter, for a total of 4 plugs and could have used a fifth.  (2 cell phone chargers, GPS, radar detector, and could have used a 5th for a handheld spotlight).

 

B.J.

[bassdog]

Hmmm, I don't care too much for my power seats, and does the passenger really need one  ???

 

I agree with the tire changes too, Z71's should come with BFG's and ATLEAST 265/75's!!  

[RyanbabZ71]

Hmmm, I don't care too much for my power seats, and does the passenger really need one  

 

That is why I am glad i ordered mine with the manual seats.  They stopped making the manual seats (bucket) after 2000 i believe.  This is one reason why i would hesitate to look at an 03

[bassdog]

6 Way power seats are $1670 according to chevy.com  

 

OnStar is only $695, but I agree with that too  :thumb:

[99silveradoz71]

I could live without the power seat.  Being 6'5, it pretty much gets set all the way back and stays there.

[k1500chevy97]

power seats r a waste

heated leather seats  

hinged ext cab doors (why not just slide the front seat forward)

decals for 4x4 and z71

[SilveradoWV]

Hmmm? Having a completely base truck I cant think of anything that isnt needed. About the only options I have is auto, 4.8L, and Z85, other than that its already been cost cutted. But thats the way I like it, dont need anything else such as trim or power accessories and stuff like that.

[elboberino]

Well one thing I found interesting is that there is a $900 difference between the 40/20/40 bench seats (w/folding console) and the other style (number combo escapes me).  But it costs somewhere around $200 to put in the new console.  Sounds like the consumer is getting screwed on that deal.

[toddoughty]

Onstar

Sliding rear windows on EXT. CAB PUs

Heated Seats? I live in TEXAS

 

Actually, change the whole line as GM. Why do we have different engines for different automobiles? Corvette and Tahoe should have the same engine. Do away with the small V8. Do away with the 6cyl. in the fullsize. Same block across the line of trucks and cars.