The Fallen Flags of GM
January 5th, 2010, 05:17 AM
#42
Past Administrator
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,068
Well, The big three may now have learned a lesson. We will see in the next decade I suppose. To be honest, I have eschewed new cars for the last thirty years, ever since American auto makers got so off track and European cars were way out of my price range (at the time) and I was still influenced by old prejudices against the Japanese cars. Now, I can easily afford a new car (on payments but that is not saying much or bragging) but don't want one because I couldn't work on it and think I can use that money better for other budget items.
January 5th, 2010, 05:18 AM
#43
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 17,652
January 5th, 2010, 05:28 AM
#44
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 14,297
It's not just you. Shops can't, either!
There was a very interesting article over the weekend in the Columbus, Ohio Dispatch about how cars are now so computer-controlled that, without specialized equipment to read the computer info and reprogram them, not even independent shops and garages can service a car every time any more other than an oil change and tire rotation. The article described situations were a shop simply did not have the equipment and had to refer the customer to a dealer.
There was also discussion about the increasing reluctance of auto manufacturers to even release the information needed to service cars to independent shops, even if those shops DID want to spend the money to get the necessary diagnostic equipment. The manufacturers are starting to think of the service information more and more as proprietary knowledge not to be released, much like a patent or a trade secret. Independent shops are pressuring Congress to require the manufacturers to make this information available. It would certainly be a sad day if it ever came to the point that the ONLY place you could get service other than an oil change for your Chevy was at a GM dealer.
There was a very interesting article over the weekend in the Columbus, Ohio Dispatch about how cars are now so computer-controlled that, without specialized equipment to read the computer info and reprogram them, not even independent shops and garages can service a car every time any more other than an oil change and tire rotation. The article described situations were a shop simply did not have the equipment and had to refer the customer to a dealer.
There was also discussion about the increasing reluctance of auto manufacturers to even release the information needed to service cars to independent shops, even if those shops DID want to spend the money to get the necessary diagnostic equipment. The manufacturers are starting to think of the service information more and more as proprietary knowledge not to be released, much like a patent or a trade secret. Independent shops are pressuring Congress to require the manufacturers to make this information available. It would certainly be a sad day if it ever came to the point that the ONLY place you could get service other than an oil change for your Chevy was at a GM dealer.
You are makin me laugh today!!!! I love it!!
January 26th, 2010, 05:07 PM
#46
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 14,297
So Saab doesn't die after all
Spyker inks deal to buy Saab from GM
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Dutch sports car maker Spyker Cars on Tuesday agreed to buy Saab in an eleventh hour deal to keep General Motors Co. from tossing the Swedish manufacturer onto the scrap heap.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/spy...dist=afterbell
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Dutch sports car maker Spyker Cars on Tuesday agreed to buy Saab in an eleventh hour deal to keep General Motors Co. from tossing the Swedish manufacturer onto the scrap heap.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/spy...dist=afterbell
March 17th, 2010, 01:48 PM
#48
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 14,297
Saab North American headquarters opening in Michigan
Spyker may be Dutch owned, but at least some jobs are coming TO Michigan.
http://detnews.com/article/20100317/...ailed-as-boost
http://detnews.com/article/20100317/...ailed-as-boost
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