What's Gm's Problem?

[Mike Lief]

I have placed a factory order for a GMC Sierra 2500 HD 4X4 Crew Cab with Duramax Diesel SLE2 3SB with ebony leather (and a variety of other options). This configuration works through the GMC website "build Your Truck" option, as well as GMC's dealer computerized order system.

 

The dealer tells me that the factory is *refusing* to build the truck with leather. The fellow at the dealership seems like a straight shooter, and he's got no explanation for us -- but is still trying to get the factory to accept the order.

 

I am mystified and displeased. This will be our first American purchase in more than 20 years, and GM is seemingly trying to discourage us from switching from the Japanese automakers back to a U.S. make.

 

I've sent GM an e-mail asking them to explain why their website and dealers say we can have it the way we want it, but their factory says "No can do."

 

What do you folks think is going on?

[dewfpo]

I have placed a factory order for a GMC Sierra 2500 HD 4X4 Crew Cab with Duramax Diesel SLE2 3SB with ebony leather (and a variety of other options). This configuration works through the GMC website "build Your Truck" option, as well as GMC's dealer computerized order system.

 

The dealer tells me that the factory is *refusing* to build the truck with leather. The fellow at the dealership seems like a straight shooter, and he's got no explanation for us -- but is still trying to get the factory to accept the order.

 

I am mystified and displeased. This will be our first American purchase in more than 20 years, and GM is seemingly trying to discourage us from switching from the Japanese automakers back to a U.S. make.

 

I've sent GM an e-mail asking them to explain why their website and dealers say we can have it the way we want it, but their factory says "No can do."

 

What do you folks think is going on?

 

I have found that sometimes you can build certain configurations on manufacturers websites that can't be built at the factory. Their assembly line process does not allow some combinations. By that I mean their computer won't allow it. Even certain exterior colors with certain interior colors. Makes no sense since they are the same parts, same truck, and if your willing to pay for it, who cares. For ex. You can't get a tan interior in a gray truck.

 

DEWFPO

[Zembonez]

I hardly see where American or Japanese is even relevant in your complaint. Try to order anything Japanese and see what you get. It isn't possible. You buy it the way they build it.

 

As far as your complaint goes with the GM truck. Some flexibility on your part is probably going to be necessary. There is obviously an issue with some of the option combinations you are wanting. I would have the dealer look into what items are in conflict and try to resolve it... or you can go Japanese and buy it the way they want you to buy it.

 

EDIT: Oh yeah... Welcome to the site, MIKE.

[Mike Lief]

I hardly see where American or Japanese is even relevant in your complaint. Try to order anything Japanese and see what you get. It isn't possible. You buy it the way they build it.

 

As far as your complaint goes with the GM truck. Some flexibility on your part is probably going to be necessary. There is obviously an issue with some of the option combinations you are wanting. I would have the dealer look into what items are in conflict and try to resolve it... or you can go Japanese and buy it the way they want you to buy it.

 

EDIT: Oh yeah... Welcome to the site, MIKE.

 

 

The reason why Japanese vs. American is relevant to me is this: I (and my father) have had *terrible* experiences with American-built cars over the last 25 years, to the extent that no one in the family has bought a domestic car in years.

 

I've been reading the on-line sites for a while, gathering data and lurking, and had reached the point where I felt comfortable with the idea of giving GM another try. One of the things I like about buying American is the ability to customize the order from the factory -- something the Japanese manufacturers are not interested in. So, yes, you're right, my options are limited if I want it *my* way and not *their* way.

 

And thanks for the welcome to the site; it's nice to participate (for a change).

[Bruce03Silverado]

Maybe because GM overproduced and they are trying to reduce the already huge inventory they have out there?

 

 

GM must purge pickup glut

 

Production cuts ahead; incentives likely to increase

 

 

Jamie LaReau

 

Automotive News | December 24, 2007 - 12:01 am EST

 

 

DETROIT — General Motors plans to chop pickup production in January, but it may be too late to avoid a fire sale.

 

As of Dec. 1, inventories of the Chevrolet Silverado (153 days supply) and GMC Sierra (150 days) were bloated despite $5,000 rebates on 2007 models.

 

The market for full-sized pickups has been soft since the housing industry went bust. But inventories of rival brands Ford, Dodge, Toyota and Nissan are closer to the industry norm of 60 days.

 

As of Dec. 1, Chevrolet had 233,800 unsold Silverados, which is not a huge increase over its inventory of 219,600 units a month earlier. So what went wrong? When demand went soft, GM hesitated to trim production of the Silverado. The restyled 2008 model, which arrived in showrooms in November 2006, was still in its first year.

 

Too many pickups

Here are pickup inventories as of Dec. 1.

A 60-day supply is considered ideal.

Inventory in units Days supply

Chevy Silverado 233,800 153

GMC Sierra 82,900 150

Dodge Ram 117,200 120

Ford F series 186,100 100

Nissan Titan 21,100 105

* The Toyota Tundra is not listed because Toyota does not report inventory levels for individual vehicles.

Source: Automotive News Data Center

 

 

Too slow to cut

 

GM "clearly overproduced," says auto analyst John Casesa, a principal of the Casesa Shapiro Group in New York. "The weak market caught them by surprise. If the market was stable, their days supply should only be up by 10 percent, but the market weakened materially in November."

 

Chevrolet probably will have to boost incentives and advertising to unload those vehicles. "They have a lot of cash on the trucks, and now they have to spend a lot of money to advertise it to get the customer to bite," Casesa says. "They just have too many trucks to clear in the first quarter if they don't do it in December."

 

GM is coaxing dealers to order more trucks, and one dealer says he is feeling the heat.

 

Ken Fichtner, owner of Fichtner Chevrolet in Laurel, Mont., says he took an additional 10 Silverados last month, at GM's request.. This month GM asked him to take an additional 20 trucks, and he said no.

 

"I am sitting on a 13-month supply right now," Fichtner says. "They wanted me to go to an 18-month supply but we only sell 10 a month, and I'm in the heart of truck country!"

 

Fichtner blames slow sales on stingy rebates; Casesa notes that Chevy did not offer aggressive incentives on the Silverado until the third quarter. Currently, GM offers $1,000 on the 2008 Silverado and up to $5,000 on the 2007 version.

 

The pickup pack

Here are the top-selling full-sized pickups through November, with the percentage change from 2006.

Ford F series 635,520 –12.4%

Chevrolet Silverado 564,697 –3.3%

Dodge Ram 326,177 –1.5%

GMC Sierra 188,461 –2.5%

Toyota Tundra 177,336 58.30%

Source: Automotive News Data Center

 

 

Slash production

 

GM had little to say last week about its plans to reduce inventories. "Production exceeded demand for a period of time," said company spokes-man Terry Rhadigan.

 

But GM's January production schedule speaks volumes. GM plans a two-week shutdown of its truck plants in Oshawa, Ontario; Pontiac, Mich.; and Fort Wayne, Ind. And when those plants resume production, GM will eliminate a shift at Pontiac and Oshawa.

 

"Ford actually went ahead and closed some plants in December, whereas GM is waiting until January," says Haig Stoddard, an auto production analyst for Global Insight in suburban Detroit. "It's safe to say that GM overproduced."

 

 

 

SOURCE: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...plate=printart

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[hubbycap]

Just order a 3/4 ton Heavy Duty Tundra with the diesel, that'l teach 'em.

[Zembonez]

I understand and agree that it is nice to get it ordered the way you like it. Sometimes the limits are pretty ridiculous. I hope you get it worked out. I believe that you will be quite happy with your GM truck once you get it solved.

 

I, too have owned a number of Japanese vehicles over the years so I am not knocking your Japanese purchases. A lot of their vehicles are quite well made and hold their value well. It isn't hard to understand why they sell.

[Mike Lief]

Well, that was fast.

 

I received a call back from the folks at the dealership (who have been working the phones). According to the dealer, GM has a problem with their computer ordering program; when building a Sierra from scratch, it won't allow leather with the SLE2 3SB package, but if the dealer moves to the "quick order" shortcut, it'll go through.

 

GM confirms that they *will* build it the way we ordered it.

 

So, it looks like my order is back on track; I have an order number with an expected delivery date in six weeks.

 

I should be driving American heavy metal by mid-March.

[Zembonez]

Well, that was fast.

 

I received a call back from the folks at the dealership (who have been working the phones). According to the dealer, GM has a problem with their computer ordering program; when building a Sierra from scratch, it won't allow leather with the SLE2 3SB package, but if the dealer moves to the "quick order" shortcut, it'll go through.

 

GM confirms that they *will* build it the way we ordered it.

 

So, it looks like my order is back on track; I have an order number with an expected delivery date in six weeks.

 

I should be driving American heavy metal by mid-March.

COOL! Welcome back Mike. I hope it proves to be a great vehicle for you.

[hubbycap]

Just order a 3/4 ton Heavy Duty Tundra with the diesel, that'l teach 'em.

 

 

Great Mike! Sorry I had to get so rough back there, but sometimes you have to break out the big guns. Sounds like the dream truck man.

[ws6_guy]

congrats good to hear your getting what you want!

[pottercon]

If you are ordering it I would get it with cloth, then take it and have some good quality leather put in it, so everything is leather instead of 40% leather 60@ vinyl. My dealer can do that upgrade thru a custom shop for 1600.00, last I checked factory leather was about 2000.00. My buddy did this with his truck, and got two toned black and gray seats, way better than the vinyl/leather gm seats

[2000DV4.8]

You pretty much just ordered my dream truck right there...

 

Congrats, and welcome to the site!

[Zembonez]

Just order a 3/4 ton Heavy Duty Tundra with the diesel, that'l teach 'em.

 

 

Great Mike! Sorry I had to get so rough back there, but sometimes you have to break out the big guns. Sounds like the dream truck man.

 

Bottled water over ice tonight Fred.

[hubbycap]

Bottled water over ice tonight Fred.

 

Canadian Wine over ice.