Does Oldsmobile still exist ?

[Stefanel1]

I heard rumors saying that GM would make file into bankruptcy this make. Is it real ? will they do that ?

[Hudson]

Oldsmobile is not filing for bankruptcy. GM is closing Oldsmobile. By the end of the 2004 model year, all of the Oldsmobile products will be out of production. The Intrigue is already gone. The Aurora ends production next month. The Alero, Bravada, and Silhouette end production in the summer of 2004.

These aren't rumors...GM announced this.

[Stefanel1]

What a pity for an old make like Oldsmobile, GM didn't respect the soul of a quite important American brand.

[Hudson]

From a historical perspective, it is sad to see Oldsmobile go. It is the oldest remaining US car brand, having started life in 1897. Only a few brands worldwide (Mercedes, Benz, and Peugeot among them) are older.

From a business perspective, GM had too many brands. They have too many products and too many dealers. All of these things were fine when they held over 50% of the US market, but now they're barely holding on to 28.6%. Ford Motor Company operates three domestic brands (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury) while GM currently has eight (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Saturn, Hummer). Having nearly three times as many brands, GM should have some significant edge over the number two company, but Ford holds 21.5%.

[Stefanel1]

that's true, GM has too much brands, but they could have sell Oldsmobile...

[Jimster]

I still think it should have been Buick that went- the cars are almost invisible

[jon@af]

Originally posted by Jimster
I still think it should have been Buick that went- the cars are almost invisible

I myself enjoy the buick ultra and regal, both of which can come supercharged. It's not that they're invisible, it's that the target market is more the older aged/ retired group.

[Hudson]

Buick has outsold Oldsmobile for years and continues to be profitable. Buick sales increased without a truck model while Oldsmobile couldn't be revived with a minivan, SUV, and near-luxury sedan.