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Hi Jim,
Am I the only one who is getting sick and tired of the media calling GM’s trucks and SUVs “gas guzzling”? Or…maybe I am just as frustrated at GM for sitting back and allowing it to be repeated over and over--while the sales of the best trucks and SUVs in the world have declined as a result of this “gas guzzling” perception.
I was just talking to a previous customer who shares my frustration. He mentioned talking to a guy whose wife owns a Honda Pilot and is not happy with the mileage. I did some research and found out that the 2008 Pilot 4x4 with the 3.5 V-6 and 5-speed automatic transmission gets a combined 17 mpg. The 5.3 Suburban/YukonXL with a 4-speed automatic gets 16 combined. When you do the math, at even $4.00 per gallon, it only costs a little over $18 per month more to drive the Suburban. (The Ridgeline has the same 17 mpg combined rating)
Would the public consider a Honda Pilot a gas guzzler? I think not. Given the choice…would a parent sacrifice the comfort and safety of their family for $18 per month? I think not. I realize that the Pilot isn’t a direct competitor to the Suburban, but given the downsizing climate so prevalent today due to fuel prices, GM has to consider all buying trends and counteract them with education, not bashing. Even a mediocre marketing company could accomplish this task. I guess the question is…where does GM’s current marketing strategy rank?
Does the public really understand the differences of fuel ratings of competitive models? While they may understand the ratings, I guarantee you that they don’t realize what the true cost differences are. If you took a survey on a busy street and asked people to estimate the monthly difference between the two, I bet they would think it would be over a hundred dollars more per month. If you then pointed out the small difference, I guarantee they would be surprised. In my opinion, GM is making a big mistake assuming that the public and media know this data.
Ok…I’ve ranted enough.
Source: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
Glenn
Am I the only one who is getting sick and tired of the media calling GM’s trucks and SUVs “gas guzzling”? Or…maybe I am just as frustrated at GM for sitting back and allowing it to be repeated over and over--while the sales of the best trucks and SUVs in the world have declined as a result of this “gas guzzling” perception.
I was just talking to a previous customer who shares my frustration. He mentioned talking to a guy whose wife owns a Honda Pilot and is not happy with the mileage. I did some research and found out that the 2008 Pilot 4x4 with the 3.5 V-6 and 5-speed automatic transmission gets a combined 17 mpg. The 5.3 Suburban/YukonXL with a 4-speed automatic gets 16 combined. When you do the math, at even $4.00 per gallon, it only costs a little over $18 per month more to drive the Suburban. (The Ridgeline has the same 17 mpg combined rating)
Would the public consider a Honda Pilot a gas guzzler? I think not. Given the choice…would a parent sacrifice the comfort and safety of their family for $18 per month? I think not. I realize that the Pilot isn’t a direct competitor to the Suburban, but given the downsizing climate so prevalent today due to fuel prices, GM has to consider all buying trends and counteract them with education, not bashing. Even a mediocre marketing company could accomplish this task. I guess the question is…where does GM’s current marketing strategy rank?
Does the public really understand the differences of fuel ratings of competitive models? While they may understand the ratings, I guarantee you that they don’t realize what the true cost differences are. If you took a survey on a busy street and asked people to estimate the monthly difference between the two, I bet they would think it would be over a hundred dollars more per month. If you then pointed out the small difference, I guarantee they would be surprised. In my opinion, GM is making a big mistake assuming that the public and media know this data.
Ok…I’ve ranted enough.
Source: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
Glenn
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