My Plan for Auto Brands

You're going to see a lot of ranting here about the auto industry? Why, because I care! The automobile industry made this country great. Detroit in the 1940s was one of the greatest cities in the world. Now look what happened!

So here goes...

There are many indistinct, and just plain negative brands out there. The first thing the auto companies need to do is kill them. Quick! Everything depends on it!

Who do you think the worst offender is? You'll be hearing about this company a lot: General Motors. Let me give them credit. They killed Oldsmobile. That was a good one to start with. And guess what: the world didn't end! Buick should have a big target on it. A friend of mine developed a great new slogan: "Take the ick out of Buick." And they rejected it! Chrysler, uh Daimler Chrysler bit the bullet too and killed Plymouth. Good job!

Here is the official list of Brands That Should Be Killed and what they mean to buyers:

General Motors

• Buick (buyers are quickly getting too old to drive)
• Saturn (so boring, drivers fall asleep at the wheel)
• Pontiac (supposed to be sporty, but really junk)

Why would you release the G6 - which is a clear improvement and still sell the Grand Am and Grand Prix?

Ford

• Mercury (same as Ford, but just a bit more expensive)

and to show I'm not just picking on US companies:

Hyundai

• Kia (what, are they crazy? Why do they need two brands here).

Robert Lutz just said they won't kill Saturn because it has a great demographic. That makes me laugh!

Until next time.