GM, Chrysler reportedly hold merger discussions (could eliminate Chrysler afterwards)
10-23-08, 02:16 PM
#47
Lexus Fanatic
Several reasons. One, it was the only large, RWD competition for the Ford Crown Vic in the taxi and police markets....when GM left this market, Ford effectively had a monopoly on it. Two, the more plush and softer-riding versions, like the Buick Roadmaster and Fleetwood, were popular with senior citizens and even non-seniors who simply liked a soft, serene ride....almost no car today rides like they did, though the Town Car comes close. Three, they have literally tons of metal surrounding you, so many senior-citizens and safety-minded people bought them for crash protection. In fact, many defensive-driving courses encourage people to get large, heavy cars for crash safety. Four, they could tow large boats, trailers, etc..... like big full-frame SUV's, but without the annoying, truck-derived ride/handling characteristics and lousy brakes. Fifth, their relatively simple drivetrain, suspension, and chassis design, combined with plenty of room to work on things, made them simple and relatively easy to service......mechanics and technicians liked them. For instance, you didn't have to take the whole front end apart to do work on the front suspension, or take the whole rear end apart to do work on the rear axle. And, last, police especially liked the Impala/Caprice because, like the Ford Crown Vic, it was not only back-seat roomy for police dogs, prisoners, equipment, etc...but could also take just as much, if not more, physical punishment from high-speed pursuits and had better handling than the Crown Vic. The Crown Vic, in some versions, also had a more exposed gas tank that was more dangerous and likely to go up if some bozo ran into it while parked on the side of the road....police often have to leave their cruisers there when making routine stops.
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-23-08 at 02:29 PM.
10-23-08, 05:48 PM
#49
Moderator
In some ways, GM is not big ENOUGH. Years ago, they dropped vehicles that they should have kept, like the big, full-frame RWD V8 cars (Caprice, Impala, Roadmaster, Fleetwood), F-Body Camaros/Firebirds, and, more recently, all of their minivans. The imminent return of the new Camaro shows that GM has acknowledged at least one of those mistakes. If Chrysler merges with GM, that alone would give GM the factory capacity to bring more of those needed models back.
Last edited by Trexus; 10-23-08 at 09:18 PM.
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