re: GM to cut 30,000 jobs, close 12 plants

[<eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John mentions the Aztec. Interesting as years ago before it was in 
showrooms, a friend of mine who works at Mars Marketing here in Houston 
called me to see if I wanted to do a survey. They survey people on upcoming 
products and marketing. It just so happened the product was the upcoming 
Pontiac Aztec. I had done a number of surveys for them from yogurt, beer, 
cereal, a kid's toy and a big one on Procter Gamble items. Pay is good, 
usually $40-$100 for a hour or less of work, if you call it work.

Anyhows, I was shown a series of commercials. I thuoght the commercials were 
high strung and not believeable. The one I remember most as I saw it three 
times was about a young man and woman who maybe didn't have jobs or 
responsibilities in the world and spent all their time at waterfalls and 
beaches. It showed them even sleeping in the vehicle. My comments were 
brutal, probably the most brutal of the whole group as I was the only 'car 
guy' in the room. However, as the group discussed the vehicle (which we were 
being watched for reactions behind a two way mirror and being recorded, part 
of the gig) I was not the only one who said the car was butt ugly.  Also 
went on to say that I thought the vehicle would not sell, and was destined 
to be a flop, and that the camper option was used on AMC Gremlina and Hornet 
models in the 1970s so nothing new. The concensus was in the room that no 
one would go out of their way to buy one, much less go to a Pontiac 
dealership to check one out. Again, this was a independent survey by a 
company who only would get the info back to Pontiac on our reactions.

I found this and it seemed the early model Aztecs were probematic:
http://www.carreview.com/cat/automobiles/midsize-compact/pontiac/PRD_54383_1531crx.aspx#reviews

Still, I saw John's comment about Aztec and thuoght about that day at Mars.

On, GM problems, people should have saw that coming. Sad to see 30,000 
workers lose their jobs. At the height of AMCs work force in Kenosha, 34,000 
people were working for them for comparison. In a John Mahoney twist, bonus 
if you know the year.

One thing mentioned about some of the plant closings is the affect on the 
local economies. Granted you can say same for military bases too. But one 
town mentioned in a report, Doraville I think it was, said that the land 
where the GM plant sits now will be worth a lot of money to developers who 
want to put in townhomes, condos, centers and the like so life goes on.

It can't be any good news out of it, some of you greybeards remember AMC in 
the news over and over about recalls, leadership changes, strikes, 
shutdowns, not good press!

Sad to see nonetheless, brings back some memories of AMC. Maybe the orphan 
car shows will get more crowded, Plymouth...Olds.....
Eddie Stakes'
Planet Houston AMX
713.464.8825
eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.planethoustonamx.com