GM closes 5 car factories, because people keep buying SUVs and Trucks instead - Polidicks

[quote]DETROIT (AP) — General Motors will temporarily close five factories next month as it tries to reduce a growing inventory of cars on dealer lots. The factories will close anywhere from one to three weeks due to the ongoing U.S. market shift toward trucks and SUVs, spokeswoman Dayna Hart said Monday. Just over 10,000 workers will be idled. The company's Detroit-Hamtramck factory and Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, each will be shut down for three weeks, while a plant in Lansing, Michigan, will be down for two weeks. Factories in Lordstown, Ohio, and Bowling Green, Kentucky, each will be idled for one week. The factories make most cars in the General Motors lineup including the Chevrolet Cruze, Camaro, Corvette, Malibu, Volt and Impala; the Cadillac CT6, CTS and ATS; and the Buick Lacrosse. At the current sales pace, GM dealers have enough Malibus to last for 84 days and enough Camaros to last for 177 days, according to Ward's Automotive. Normally automakers like to have a 60-day supply on lots. Last month, trucks and SUVs made up almost 62 percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S., a record level. [/quote] I always found this amusing when we're in situations of low gas prices. My mentality would be "shit, low gas prices? might as well get an even more efficient car to capitalize on this shit!" But most people actually just tend to get more inefficient vehicles instead. [sp]though some trucks and SUVs are pretty efficient too. and camaros are included in "cars"[/sp] [url]https://apnews.com/5d15aba71eea4192aab219a83ca71ed5/GM-to-temporarily-close-5-factories-as-car-inventory-builds?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=APBusiness[/url]

I've never really bought SUV nor trucks, but I'm assuming that it's because of maybe I'm guessing its cheaper parts in maybe maintenance compared to more efficient (and arguably luxurious) cars?

What are so many people doing with pickups and SUVs anyway? Families are smaller, so I have no clue why people with 1.2 children need a SUV in a city. And if you live in a city, and drive to work, no clue why you need a pickup that lows on diesel.

[QUOTE=Maksie99;51555312]What are so many people doing with pickups and SUVs anyway? Families are smaller, so I have no clue why people with 1.2 children need a SUV in a city. And if you live in a city, and drive to work, no clue why you need a pickup that lows on diesel.[/QUOTE] You wouldn't buy a Mazda3 or a Corolla to haul your family would you? SUVs nowadays are as efficient as ever anyways, just look at the Highlander Hybrid.

[QUOTE=Maksie99;51555312]What are so many people doing with pickups and SUVs anyway? Families are smaller, so I have no clue why people with 1.2 children need a SUV in a city. And if you live in a city, and drive to work, no clue why you need a pickup that lows on diesel.[/QUOTE] Because it's "safer" because there are more large vehicles on the road. It's a feedback loop, an arms race in the name of family safety.

[QUOTE=GhillieBacca;51555318]You wouldn't buy a Mazda3 or a Corolla to haul your family would you?[/QUOTE] Buy a truck to transport my a Mazda3 with my family in the cab, obviously

Because where I live we get lots of snow, and lots of snow means you need something that clears a few more inches than a camry or other small car

[QUOTE=Ridge;51555320]Because it's "safer" because there are more large vehicles on the road. It's a feedback loop, an arms race in the name of family safety.[/QUOTE] Not only this, but trucks and utility vehicles are exempt from a lot of environmental regulations that cars undergo. That means they're cheaper than they should be, relative to the amount of vehicle you get. Combine that with cheap gas prices in the US and you have a market that's encouraged to adopt huge, gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs.

[QUOTE=GhillieBacca;51555318]You wouldn't buy a Mazda3 or a Corolla to haul your family would you?[/QUOTE] Sure, everyone here does it :v: Those are some of the most common cars I see being driven around daily, especially by families

I'm surprised that people are even buying GM vehicles period. They are quite honestly nothing but garbage. The local Chevy dealership near me had an ad posted "Do you have a recalled 2014 Chevy? Trade it in for a new 2015 Chevy!" They themselves know that they are shit.

literally the only time that an SUV has ever gone offroad in america is when the soccer mom driving it drives up onto the sidewalk when she's picking up her kids from practice undeniably among the worst vehicles ever created, and with the life expectancy of a fly with polio

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;51555367]literally the only time that an SUV has ever gone offroad in america is when the soccer mom driving it drives up onto the sidewalk when she's picking up her kids from practice undeniably among the worst vehicles ever created, and with the life expectancy of a fly with polio[/QUOTE] Spoken like a true bus rider. My '99 Montero Sport has been running strong for 8 years already. What's that bullshit about them having the life expectancy of a fly with polio, do you think every SUV is a shit-tier Land Rover?

We drove my dad's 2016 Yukon 13,000 feet into the mountains in Colorado. It took the off-road trails just fine but boy was it terrifying.

[QUOTE=GhillieBacca;51555318]You wouldn't buy a Mazda3 or a Corolla to haul your family would you? SUVs nowadays are as efficient as ever anyways, just look at the Highlander Hybrid.[/QUOTE] It would be more efficient if it weren't so big.

I've been driving for 7 years and I've probably never driven a car for more than 2 hours total. And that was entirely during drivers ed. Both vehicles I've driven on the regular were hand-me-downs, the first a Ford Expedition, the second a Chevy Silverado. Whenever I sit in a friends car it feels alien to me. Having to climb [I]down[/I] into vehicles just feels awkward. Help me I'm too far gone.

[QUOTE=GhillieBacca;51555318]You wouldn't buy a Mazda3 or a Corolla to haul your family would you? SUVs nowadays are as efficient as ever anyways, just look at the Highlander Hybrid.[/QUOTE]Do you know how much plastic is in Toyotas and Mazadas these days? They're designed to break down.

[QUOTE=RoboChimp;51555561]Do you know how much plastic is in Toyotas and Mazadas these days? They're design to brake down.[/QUOTE] I'm not accounting for crash safety, both of those examples are obviously pretty safe. I'm talking about storage space + comfiness, something you won't find in a small sedan if you had a family to take to a restaurant.

[QUOTE=GhillieBacca;51555565]I'm not accounting for crash safety, both of those examples are obviously pretty safe. I'm talking about storage space + comfiness, something you won't find in a small sedan if you had a family to take to a restaurant.[/QUOTE]Sorry, I thought you mean they should buy a Toyota or Mazda. I know from experience Mazdas aren't built to last and recently they've been using plastic engine manifolds. But you can get small cars with leather seats, like the Honda civic. I personally like the room in larger family cars like the Accord. I can deal with parking large cars, but I can't handle being cramped in a tiny car.

Gonna be funny when gas prices go up and everyone starts complaining that driving is too expensive.

[QUOTE=RoboChimp;51555582]Sorry, I thought you mean they should buy a Toyota or Mazda. I know from experience Mazdas aren't built to last and recently they've been using plastic engine manifolds. But you can get small cars with leather seats, like the Honda civic. I personally like the room in larger family cars like the Accord. I can deal with parking large cars, but I can't handle being cramped in a tiny car.[/QUOTE] This post is a load of shit. Don't listen to it. Many modern vehicles use plastic as it can be lighter and more durable than its metal counter parts. Besides all that, Mazdas are literally one of the most reliable and reputable brands on the market.

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;51555596]Gonna be funny when gas prices go up and everyone starts complaining that driving is too expensive.[/QUOTE] Traditionally people will start complaining about gas prices and egg for government to do something about it. US has now Trump who can just drill more, so prices are more likely to stay at levels able to sustain mass appeal of big trucks.

I learned to drive in a 2003 F150 FX4 XLT, had the 5.4L Triton V8. It got about 8 miles to the gallon... I thoroughly enjoy driving bigger vehicles, they're comfortable and you do feel more secure. But after 2 years of owning an Audi in Michigan winters, I don't understand the necessity for a truck unless you need to tow. Most trucks are 5 seats total, same with most crossovers and SUVs. All sedans are 5 seats minimum nowadays, I just can't rationalize why someone would need a bigger vehicle.

[QUOTE=grr164;51555640]I learned to drive in a 2003 F150 FX4 XLT, had the 5.4L Triton V8. It got about 8 miles to the gallon... I thoroughly enjoy driving bigger vehicles, they're comfortable and you do feel more secure. But after 2 years of owning an Audi in Michigan winters, I don't understand the necessity for a truck unless you need to tow. Most trucks are 5 seats total, same with most crossovers and SUVs. All sedans are 5 seats minimum nowadays, I just can't rationalize why someone would need a bigger vehicle.[/QUOTE] It's a psychological/feeling thing. Trucks are not as prevalent here but SUVs are on the rise and most of the time I see moms getting groceries with them.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;51555367]literally the only time that an SUV has ever gone offroad in america is when the soccer mom driving it drives up onto the sidewalk when she's picking up her kids from practice undeniably among the worst vehicles ever created, and with the life expectancy of a fly with polio[/QUOTE] Now now, once in their life, the soccer mom (or soccer dad) will loose it, and take the family glamping to get [I]back in touch with nature[/I] . The SUV is rationalized to bring 3/4 of the house along for 2 days, along with every electronic the kids [I]neeeeeeed[/I] (because how else did parents cope 10 years ago when touch screens were not rampant?).

[QUOTE=Maksie99;51555660]Now now, once in their life, the soccer mom (or soccer dad) will loose it, and take the family glamping to get [I]back in touch with nature[/I] . The SUV is rationalized to bring 3/4 of the house along for 2 days, along with every electronic the kids [I]neeeeeeed[/I] (because how else did parents cope 10 years ago when touch screens were not rampant?).[/QUOTE] I never quite understoond why people don't just rent if they need the capabilities less than once every month. Much more economical and by the money saved they could go full RV.

[QUOTE=Vlevs;51555710]I never quite understoond why people don't just rent if they need the capabilities less than once every month. Much more economical and by the money saved they could go full RV.[/QUOTE] Heh, once a month? The people I see glamping do it once a year, and will inevitably talk about their hobby of "camping" (aka going to a plush cottage).

SUVs are fucking top notch when they like my Mitsubishi Outlander 2nd Gen 2007 - 6,5-7,5 l/100km efficiency and being comfortably big as fuck. That car is best thing I've driven.

Just as a reference point, people are so fascinated with SUV's today, the Jaguar F-pace outsold the XJ, XF, XE, and F type [I]combined[/I] every month it's been available. The SUV is the new land yacht. But with the associations of the outdoorsy nuclear family instead of boss hog and cheap cigars.

[QUOTE=Trilby Harlow;51555736]Just as a reference point, people are so fascinated with SUV's today, the Jaguar F-pace outsold the XJ, XF, XE, and F type [I]combined[/I] every month it's been available. The SUV is the new land yacht. But with the associations of the outdoorsy nuclear family instead of boss hog and cheap cigars.[/QUOTE] Land yachts so big, I sometimes see them too wide to park in one parking spot, or they're so wide, people can't figure out how lanes work.

[QUOTE=RoboChimp;51555561]Do you know how much plastic is in Toyotas and Mazadas these days? They're designed to break down.[/QUOTE] Laws and regulations needs to be implemented globally to stop this enormous wasting of resources and creation of waste that "designed to break down in x time" continuously cause.