Ed Welburn talks about GM interiors

Vintalage · 03-01-2005, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Better Interiors?

By Ed Welburn
GM Vice President of Design

I have been reading through some of the comments here in the Design forum and have taken particular interest in the interior discussion threads.

I have to admit that most of the postings are right on with respect to past execution elements relating to our vehicle interiors. While I won't bore you with the details around why things like gray interiors are necessary, I will tell you that GM's leadership understands the competitive landscape and has made a commitment to intensely focus on this area. We are on an all-out mission to raise the bar on interiors.

We are now turning the corner with some of our new products, such as the Buick LaCrosse, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac STS, Hummer H3, Saturn SKY, Saturn AURA, and Chevrolet Cobalt SS to name a few (see more images). These products are some of the first to demonstrate gains in fit and finishes, thanks in large part to our new product development organization. Progress will continue as additional launches and mid-cycle enhancements are executed.

We think that interior designs currently being released by GM Design are absolutely on the right course. Additionally, all North American assembly plants have implemented ongoing training programs for higher standards of fit and finish. Most importantly, Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing and our suppliers are working as strong partners on a continuing journey to improve our interiors.

I hope you all share my passion and enthusiasm as we continue our mission, and I look forward to your comments.

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives...or_1.html#more

bigbenSC · 03-01-2005, 05:25 PM

I've got no major problems with the designs of GM's latest interiors, my major gripe is where the shave the pennies. Put a leather wrap on the sterring wheel of my $26,000 G6 for Christ's sake! Get rid of the tilt wheels with 4 or 5 notches and make them totally variable (G6 got this right, CTS didn't). Do not put the cruise control on the turn signal, that was a bad idea in the 80's and continues to be today. Offer automatic control of power windows somewhere other than on the driver's down switch, if Toyota can put auto up and down on both windows of a $15,000 Scion you can too. Other than those things, I think that GM is in a better position than Ford and Chrysler with interiors. Powertrain is another story....

Braves299 · 03-01-2005, 06:01 PM

Eh its something thats never really bothered me. I've noticed the interiors of the F bodys and J bodys were horrible, so that would **** me off if i had one of those cars. But i like the interior and design of my grand am. As long as there arent any rattles (which there arent) it doesnt bother me. ^i do like the interior of G6's alot too Ben, very stylish.

99GApunk · 03-01-2005, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbengt67

I've got no major problems with the designs of GM's latest interiors, my major gripe is where the shave the pennies. Put a leather wrap on the sterring wheel of my $26,000 G6 for Christ's sake! Get rid of the tilt wheels with 4 or 5 notches and make them totally variable (G6 got this right, CTS didn't). Do not put the cruise control on the turn signal, that was a bad idea in the 80's and continues to be today. Offer automatic control of power windows somewhere other than on the driver's down switch, if Toyota can put auto up and down on both windows of a $15,000 Scion you can too. Other than those things, I think that GM is in a better position than Ford and Chrysler with interiors. Powertrain is another story....

id much rather have my cruise control on the turn signal

onesexyga · 03-01-2005, 06:51 PM

I actually like most of Pontiac stuff. Chevy seemed to be the real problem. I guess im not fashionable, but i like plain gray. I dont care for fake wood and two tone. Is it just me?

GrahamKracka · 03-01-2005, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braves299

Eh its something thats never really bothered me. I've noticed the interiors of the F bodys and J bodys were horrible, so that would **** me off if i had one of those cars. But i like the interior and design of my grand am. As long as there arent any rattles (which there arent) it doesnt bother me. ^i do like the interior of G6's alot too Ben, very stylish.

how the hell does your car not rattle?....mines had some sort of rattle ever since i bought it
i call

Braves299 · 03-01-2005, 07:16 PM

haha seriously man... it seems pretty solid to me.

edit: my brother has a 95 blazer.. talk about RATTLES.

Vintalage · 03-01-2005, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrahamKracka

how the hell does your car not rattle?....mines had some sort of rattle ever since i bought it
i call

Mine too. Freakin annoying. I'm also sick of the interior. Didn't think I would say that when I was purchasing it, but after owning it for a while I find it terrible. I have outgrown the design. It does not appeal to me any longer. The appearance doesn't seem to last. Maybe it has something to do with the cheap materials used.

As for the colors, GM needs to offer more interior colors than the common gray or champagne. For instance, if I wanted to purchase a Black Escalade or Yukon Denali, I can't get that black truck with a black interior. I don't want a black vehicle with a champange interior! That is rediculous. Black on black is what I want and I can't get it that way. Or pontiac's sea of black. Why not offer a few other colors other than black? And why not give the interiors some accents? Nothing to make the interior stand out. The G6, Vibe and GTO are a few exceptions though the G6 barely offers much to give the interior some substance.

Vintalage · 03-01-2005, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onesexyga

I actually like most of Pontiac stuff. Chevy seemed to be the real problem. I guess im not fashionable, but i like plain gray. I dont care for fake wood and two tone. Is it just me?

It's just you. What about real wood?

Braves299 · 03-01-2005, 08:10 PM

Didnt the alero come in like a two tone dash, and door panels? cuz i liked that alot.

Vintalage · 03-01-2005, 08:31 PM

Sort of, yeah.

onesexyga · 03-01-2005, 08:32 PM

Allright, its just me. Fair enought. As far as real wood. Still dont like it. Dont get me wrong, im an architecture major. I love wood when its used right, in homes. Just doesnt fit in a modern car in my opinion. They again, no one agrees with me.

Braves299 · 03-01-2005, 08:34 PM

Wood looks good I think when It's not overdone. I prefer burshed aluminum accents the best. Or i remember vint posted some car on here that had blackwood... that was NICE!

ViperGTSR · 03-01-2005, 08:53 PM

he mentioned the STS. i dont know if u guys have seen the new STS but i was shoppin at the Auto Show for my stepdad and this was on the list, i got in it and was immediatly repulsed, the interior was so...gross and grey and plasticy, i hope thats not called an improvement. I think our GA's interior was far nicer than this cadi's

cavingman · 03-01-2005, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braves299

haha seriously man... it seems pretty solid to me.

edit: my brother has a 95 blazer.. talk about RATTLES.

heh you got nothin, i had a *85* blazer

Mike3800 · 03-02-2005, 02:09 PM

My old 2001 Grand Am rattled more than my Cavalier. I expected minor rattles from a $10K used car, the Grand Am started to rattle within the first 10,000 miles.

On another note, my 98 Grand Prix had NO rattles and I had it from 40K miles to 116K miles.

From my point of view, interior style may be improved, however, quality might just be a different story. Be intereesting to see if this guy is blowimg smoke or if something really is happening.

Braves299 · 03-02-2005, 05:19 PM

^how many rattles does your avatar van make? haha

onesexyga · 03-02-2005, 05:27 PM

I dont know what you guys are talking about. My 2000 has no rattles. I get a slight rattle up front when some serious bass hits on my system, but thats it.

Mike3800 · 03-02-2005, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braves299

^how many rattles does your avatar van make? haha

I spent my LIFE SAVINGS on that. I traded it straght up for a hog. *rings bell*

Braves299 · 03-02-2005, 05:34 PM

^i bet that baby gets 33 miles to a gallon.

03-01-2005, 06:01 PM	#3
Braves299 WVU owns you AKA: David Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Derwood, Maryland Age: 36 Posts: 2,170 Vehicle: '99 GA SE 3.4, '06 Ram	Eh its something thats never really bothered me. I've noticed the interiors of the F bodys and J bodys were horrible, so that would **** me off if i had one of those cars. But i like the interior and design of my grand am. As long as there arent any rattles (which there arent) it doesnt bother me. ^i do like the interior of G6's alot too Ben, very stylish. __________________ Carl Lee Combs July 8, 1944 - February 20, 2002 "Gone for now, never forgotten"

03-01-2005, 07:16 PM	#7
Braves299 WVU owns you AKA: David Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Derwood, Maryland Age: 36 Posts: 2,170 Vehicle: '99 GA SE 3.4, '06 Ram	haha seriously man... it seems pretty solid to me. edit: my brother has a 95 blazer.. talk about RATTLES. __________________ Carl Lee Combs July 8, 1944 - February 20, 2002 "Gone for now, never forgotten"

03-01-2005, 08:10 PM	#10
Braves299 WVU owns you AKA: David Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Derwood, Maryland Age: 36 Posts: 2,170 Vehicle: '99 GA SE 3.4, '06 Ram	Didnt the alero come in like a two tone dash, and door panels? cuz i liked that alot. __________________ Carl Lee Combs July 8, 1944 - February 20, 2002 "Gone for now, never forgotten"

03-01-2005, 08:31 PM	#11
Vintalage Hey paisanos! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Maryland Age: 38 Posts: 5,490 Vehicle: 2002 Grand Am GT1	Sort of, yeah. __________________ 2002 Grand Am GT1 Sedan - Black 7000K HID PICS [SOLD to Jscarano]

03-01-2005, 08:34 PM	#13
Braves299 WVU owns you AKA: David Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Derwood, Maryland Age: 36 Posts: 2,170 Vehicle: '99 GA SE 3.4, '06 Ram	Wood looks good I think when It's not overdone. I prefer burshed aluminum accents the best. Or i remember vint posted some car on here that had blackwood... that was NICE! __________________ Carl Lee Combs July 8, 1944 - February 20, 2002 "Gone for now, never forgotten"

03-01-2005, 05:25 PM	#2
bigbenSC SC and Loving It! AKA: Ben Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Age: 36 Posts: 1,772 Vehicle: 2005 SRT-6, 2001 GA GT	I've got no major problems with the designs of GM's latest interiors, my major gripe is where the shave the pennies. Put a leather wrap on the sterring wheel of my $26,000 G6 for Christ's sake! Get rid of the tilt wheels with 4 or 5 notches and make them totally variable (G6 got this right, CTS didn't). Do not put the cruise control on the turn signal, that was a bad idea in the 80's and continues to be today. Offer automatic control of power windows somewhere other than on the driver's down switch, if Toyota can put auto up and down on both windows of a $15,000 Scion you can too. Other than those things, I think that GM is in a better position than Ford and Chrysler with interiors. Powertrain is another story....

03-01-2005, 06:51 PM	#5
onesexyga onesexyfiero AKA: Kevin Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vermont/New Hampshire Age: 35 Posts: 1,534 Vehicle: 00 GAGT, 88 Fiero GT	I actually like most of Pontiac stuff. Chevy seemed to be the real problem. I guess im not fashionable, but i like plain gray. I dont care for fake wood and two tone. Is it just me?

03-01-2005, 08:32 PM	#12
onesexyga onesexyfiero AKA: Kevin Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vermont/New Hampshire Age: 35 Posts: 1,534 Vehicle: 00 GAGT, 88 Fiero GT	Allright, its just me. Fair enought. As far as real wood. Still dont like it. Dont get me wrong, im an architecture major. I love wood when its used right, in homes. Just doesnt fit in a modern car in my opinion. They again, no one agrees with me.

03-01-2005, 08:53 PM	#14
ViperGTSR i <3 my lanyard AKA: Alex Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: High Desert, SoCal Age: 35 Posts: 2,260 Vehicle: Turbo Biodiesel \| R1	he mentioned the STS. i dont know if u guys have seen the new STS but i was shoppin at the Auto Show for my stepdad and this was on the list, i got in it and was immediatly repulsed, the interior was so...gross and grey and plasticy, i hope thats not called an improvement. I think our GA's interior was far nicer than this cadi's __________________ House mods are the new car mods

03-02-2005, 02:09 PM	#16
Mike3800 GAGT - Junkie AKA: Michael Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northglenn, CO USA Age: 49 Posts: 3,394 Vehicle: 2015 Chrysler 200S AWD	My old 2001 Grand Am rattled more than my Cavalier. I expected minor rattles from a $10K used car, the Grand Am started to rattle within the first 10,000 miles. On another note, my 98 Grand Prix had NO rattles and I had it from 40K miles to 116K miles. From my point of view, interior style may be improved, however, quality might just be a different story. Be intereesting to see if this guy is blowimg smoke or if something really is happening. __________________ -Mike

03-02-2005, 05:19 PM	#17
Braves299 WVU owns you AKA: David Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Derwood, Maryland Age: 36 Posts: 2,170 Vehicle: '99 GA SE 3.4, '06 Ram	^how many rattles does your avatar van make? haha __________________ Carl Lee Combs July 8, 1944 - February 20, 2002 "Gone for now, never forgotten"

03-02-2005, 05:27 PM	#18
onesexyga onesexyfiero AKA: Kevin Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vermont/New Hampshire Age: 35 Posts: 1,534 Vehicle: 00 GAGT, 88 Fiero GT	I dont know what you guys are talking about. My 2000 has no rattles. I get a slight rattle up front when some serious bass hits on my system, but thats it.

03-02-2005, 05:34 PM	#20
Braves299 WVU owns you AKA: David Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Derwood, Maryland Age: 36 Posts: 2,170 Vehicle: '99 GA SE 3.4, '06 Ram	^i bet that baby gets 33 miles to a gallon. __________________ Carl Lee Combs July 8, 1944 - February 20, 2002 "Gone for now, never forgotten"

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