Buyer regrets Vue hybrid purchase
Disappointing dealershipsI've been commenting on my disappointment with Toyota dealerships recently and their markups on hybrid cars. Of course, not every Toyota dealership engages in markups - the ones whom value customers.
Thus, when a Hybridcarblog reader made a post about their problems with their Saturn Vue hybrid and the lack of a quality response from his dealership, I felt like I had to respond.
Reader, Augie states, "There is a critical unexplained programing glitch in the software controling the many modules that communicate their information to the main computer control unit. When the modules don't communicate to the main computer the system starts to disable certain functions including safety functions and sends error codes and lights flashing on the dashboard." (more)
C'mon Saturn. We realize that technical glitches happen, especially in new technologies, but it is your job, dealerships, to ensure that customers fully understand what is happening and that you are resolving any issue to the customer's satisfaction.
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles, saturn vue hybrid
posted by Dahcredyns at
10:05 AM
7 Comments:
GM can't even get their mild hybrid vehicles working right and we're supposed to believe they'll have no problem with a far more sophisticated technology, such as in the Chevy Volt?
Again, we'll leave it up to everyone else (non Big 3) to get it done. Not unlike Oil rich 3rd world 'esque countries in the Middle East that will all have electric car infrustructures well in place before the U.S. even passes the legistation.
Well, I haven't given up all faith in the Big 3, probably because if you don't have any hope than there isn't any hope.
Still, companies like Tesla, especially in terms of perception, are pushing the envelope. Elon Musk deserves a lot of kudos for his battles along the EV front.
Perhaps companies like Tesla can do for the automarket what a company like Google has done for the Internet. Besides, American's home grown auto sector doesn't always have to be dominated by the Big 3. In fact, I think its time for some new blood.
Dahc,
Why would you think otherwise from Saturn (GM) products? GM products have always been garbage. And nothing that has happened in the last decade or so has proven that otherwise.
Sure, many diehard GM fans you'll encounter over at places like VWVortex are so blind that all they can respond with at people like me are comments like "a--hole" or "euro-snob" or whatever.
The proof is in the pudding...the quality and engineering ability is substandard at best. GM has survived for TWO main reasons:
IN THE US - they sell primitive, simply engineered, low tech products to even simpler and dumber than doornail customers
IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD - other groups of engineers employed all over the world add to the otherwise non-existent technology and capability pool at GM. Nothing more, nothing less.
Let's remember...the new Saturns are Opels...better than most GM products sold here in the US. I don't know where the hybrid system in the Vue is made or designed...but even it the system itself is flawless, the integration into a Saturn by American side GM is pathetically poor and here we have the results.
Regarding Elon Musk and giving him kudos...I guess I could give him kudos for staying in the game BUT rememeber, his pockets are SUPER deep and he's throwing little of his money in the EV direction. And plus, he wants to make a product and then sell the firm...I doubt he'll stick around for anything more than that.
And your point about new blood...I've been saying that since the dawn of my existence on auto blogs. But what needs to happen is that Ford, GM, and Chrysler need to completely implode and disappear....good riddance I say.
noz,
i don't have quite as harsh a view of gm as you, as you know, but i'm in no mood to try to defend gm.
in terms of elon musk, i haven't been a big supporter of tesla, but because they are new blood and they keep pushing along, i've grown to appreciate the way they are affecting the psychology of the automobile in america. so i stand by my kudos statement.
obviously tesla seems determined to go public and make a load of money, but they will need a load of money if tesla is to ever really get off the ground.
hopefully most of that load of money goes into the cars. again, i'm probably being too hopeful.
I love the style and the performance. But seats are made for smaller person. For me it's confortable. But for someone bigger? The problem is that all Saturns have the same seat. It's a great car but what the deal if you can't stay comfortable and enjoy the ride?
No one should be surprised at GM's response. It's the reason I wouldn't even think about a GM hybrid. GM is playing catch up and the results are obvious...coming to market as a "wanna be" and the usual product quality issues with GM are still present. I own Prius...flawless. Sorry GM, my next car is a Toyota or Honda. Maybe GM needs to hire some Japanese engineers.
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