Interview: Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen
08-18-15 | 05:41 PM
#61
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Several models produced in the late 1970s and early 1980s were offered with the Oldsmobile-sourced 5.7-liter V-8 diesel that suffered quality problems.
08-18-15 | 05:53 PM
#62
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Sorry folks. This is MY very opinionated PERSONAL view. I just won't buy a GM car, who left many, especially their pensioners in the dust in the bankruptcy a couple years ago Too many people and their folks that I personally know got affected MUCH by this). They have been a "short-view" company, anyway, although they been trying to make their offerings look "international" by hiring Herr de Nysschen. I don't care how greats their offerings are, I still believe they cut corner here and there (look at those tacky plastic in the hidden places). I now that I surely draw the opposite comments about my view. Just remember it is MY PERSONAL view and that an opinion is like an @$$ hole: everyone has one. Of course, it is a free country and you are free to like the offerings, even buying one or two. Your money, not mine.
And yes I owned some GM cars before, including Geo Metro Convertible (if that counts) 2 GMC Typhoons (the first one was stolen, damit), a C4 Vette, and a gen 4 Camaro.
Peace out.
And yes I owned some GM cars before, including Geo Metro Convertible (if that counts) 2 GMC Typhoons (the first one was stolen, damit), a C4 Vette, and a gen 4 Camaro.
Peace out.
08-18-15 | 07:49 PM
#63
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From: TX
GM at one time (1960s) did some of the best products in the industry, but went seriously downhill in the 1970s. They stayed that way for decades, but finally started to change and get some of their old competence back...especially after the bailout. I've especially noticed it with the Chevy Malibu, the now-discontinued Saturn Aura, the Buick Verano and Regal, the latest Chevrolet Impala, the Chevy SS, and the 2Gen and 3Gen Cadillac CTS.
Not GM's best effort, but at least they were trying. The current products are worlds better.
08-19-15 | 03:34 PM
#64
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
My dad had a '73 Pontiac Grand Am. It had that weird clown nose, but the rest of the car looked good. It had a kick *** interior for the time and was one of the few American cars that had front bucket seats. Yes, the fit/finish were terrible, the wood veneer constantly peeled off and the dealership would glue it back on and the windows didn't seat properly, but it ran forever. (I actually thought of that tacked-on clown nose when I saw the '16 GS350.)
GM's mid-size cars plummeted significant in build-quality and fit-and finish from the excellent 1968-72 generation to the significantly worse 1973 models that followed (just as the GM full-size cars had gone downhill in 1971) Part of it was because GM was forced to spend money on emission-control and added safety-equipment for cars after 1970. We didn't see the as much deterioration in the early 70s at Ford and Chrysler, though, but they also had their share of problems at the time (Chrysler's big deterioration had already come in the late 1960s). And, of course, the embarrassing (and sometimes dangerous) Vega and Pinto affected both GM and Ford in the early 70s. Back to the thread-topic, I'm sure Johan de Nysschen keeps a picture of the ill-fated Cimarron in his office. For decades, Cadillac managers and executives have been required (by company policy) to keep a picture of the Cimarron in their offices as a reminder to never do anything like that again.....though IMO using the unreliable Oldsmobile-sourced 5.7L diesel V8 and the Cadillac-designed variable-displacement V-8-6-4 engines were even worse policies.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-19-15 at 08:21 PM.
08-19-15 | 07:47 PM
#65
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Sad to say, but your dad waited one year too late. GM's mid-size cars plummeted significant in build-quality and fit-and finish from the excellent 1968-72 generation ratio to the significantly worse 1973 models that followed (just as the GM full-size cars had gone downhill in 1971) Part of it was because GM was forced to spend money on emission-control and added safety-equipment for cars after 1970, We didn't see the as much deterioration in the early at Ford and Chrysler, though, but they also had their share of problems at the time (Chrysler's big deterioration had already come in the late 1960s). And, of course, the embarrassing (and sometimes dangerous) Vega and Pinto affected both GM and Ford in the early 70s.
Back to the thread-topic, I'm sure Johan de Nysschen keeps a picture of the ill-fated Cimarron in his office. For decades, Cadillac managers and executives have been required (by company policy) to keep a picture of the Cimarron in their offices as a reminder to never do anything like that again.....though IMO using the unreliable Oldsmobile-sourced 5.7L diesel V8 and the Cadillac-designed variable-displacement V-8-6-4 engines were even worse policies.
GM's mid-size cars plummeted significant in build-quality and fit-and finish from the excellent 1968-72 generation ratio to the significantly worse 1973 models that followed (just as the GM full-size cars had gone downhill in 1971) Part of it was because GM was forced to spend money on emission-control and added safety-equipment for cars after 1970, We didn't see the as much deterioration in the early at Ford and Chrysler, though, but they also had their share of problems at the time (Chrysler's big deterioration had already come in the late 1960s). And, of course, the embarrassing (and sometimes dangerous) Vega and Pinto affected both GM and Ford in the early 70s. Back to the thread-topic, I'm sure Johan de Nysschen keeps a picture of the ill-fated Cimarron in his office. For decades, Cadillac managers and executives have been required (by company policy) to keep a picture of the Cimarron in their offices as a reminder to never do anything like that again.....though IMO using the unreliable Oldsmobile-sourced 5.7L diesel V8 and the Cadillac-designed variable-displacement V-8-6-4 engines were even worse policies.
Although it was a initial sales success, it entered Cadillac into a high-volume marketplace that was unfamiliar territory, causing lower pricing and a denigration of the brand. Sounds like this new president is trying to avoid repeating history. Very interesting article re: Cadillac in the 70s and 80s.http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-hist...illac-seville/
Last edited by dseag2; 08-19-15 at 08:00 PM.
08-19-15 | 08:03 PM
#66
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: TX
Sad to say, but your dad waited one year too late. GM's mid-size cars plummeted significant in build-quality and fit-and finish from the excellent 1968-72 generation ratio to the significantly worse 1973 models that followed (just as the GM full-size cars had gone downhill in 1971) Part of it was because GM was forced to spend money on emission-control and added safety-equipment for cars after 1970.
GM's mid-size cars plummeted significant in build-quality and fit-and finish from the excellent 1968-72 generation ratio to the significantly worse 1973 models that followed (just as the GM full-size cars had gone downhill in 1971) Part of it was because GM was forced to spend money on emission-control and added safety-equipment for cars after 1970.
08-19-15 | 08:23 PM
#67
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,715
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
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