Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome (Not "Bean Counters")
| Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome [message #346032] |
Sun, 04 August 2019 10:46  |
bryant374
Messages: 563
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Many of us have viewed the video entitled, "Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome"
It's a very interesting video, but unfortunately reaches an erroneous conclusion. I am posting this comment because I believe the conclusion stated in this video needs to be corrected for historical purposes. The following can be found on the GMCMI website under the video section.
Respectfully,
Bill
Stated in this video is a conclusion that states, "short sighted bean counters decision" caused the GMC Motorhome to be discontinued. Financial accounting, bean counters, report on financial accounting facts. Based on these facts and possibly other judgements, management may make the decision to take action. In the case of the GMC Motorhome, it was GM management that decided to discontinue production.
The official reason given by GMC for that action was correct but incomplete. Not mentioned was a serious concern for the future, the design of a larger, heavier motorhome which is where the market was headed. It is important to remember the 1973 GMC motorhome had a 10,500 GVW, by 1978 it was 12,500. An increase of nearly 20% with few design changes to compensate for the increased loading. The original design used many passenger vehicle parts that were likely near reliable design limits. Many of these parts had been discontinued or were to be discontinued soon due to the auto industry down sizing.
What was GMC to do? A major redesign would have been required if the GMC motorhome were to continue. The cost of a major redesign would likely have been many millions of dollars. From a Corporation point of view I believe the appropriate decision was made. From a GMCer point of view, how sad!
A minor point, but one used in the video that causes confusion is the rear wheel design, stated as "side by side" a dual wheel description, the GMC is "tandem" two wheels "one behind the other".
Bill Bryant
PO 1976~PB (owned 34 years)
1914 Ford (owned 70 years)
1965 Corvette (owned 39 years)
GMC Motorhome History
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome [message #346034 is a reply to message #346032] |
Sun, 04 August 2019 11:05  |
Dolph Santorine
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
Karma: -41
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Senior Member |
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Bill:
Thank you for setting this straight.
There were so many factors, and trying to simplify the reasoning is erroneous.
Bashing those “Bean Counters” (you know, the guys responsible for the investors money) is so popular today.
Complex machines, complex organizations, while trying to guess what the regulators are going to do to you in the changing world of four decades ago.
You insight is appreciated.
Dolph
DE AD0LF
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
Howell EFI & EBL, Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission
“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"
> On Aug 4, 2019, at 11:46 AM, Bill Bryant via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Many of us have viewed the video entitled, "Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome"
>
> It's a very interesting video, but unfortunately reaches an erroneous conclusion. I am posting this comment because I believe the conclusion stated in
> this video needs to be corrected for historical purposes. The following can be found on the GMCMI website under the video section.
> Respectfully,
> Bill
>
>
> Stated in this video is a conclusion that states, "short sighted bean counters decision" caused the GMC Motorhome to be discontinued. Financial
> accounting, bean counters, report on financial accounting facts. Based on these facts and possibly other judgements, management may make the decision
> to take action. In the case of the GMC Motorhome, it was GM management that decided to discontinue production.
>
> The official reason given by GMC for that action was correct but incomplete. Not mentioned was a serious concern for the future, the design of a
> larger, heavier motorhome which is where the market was headed. It is important to remember the 1973 GMC motorhome had a 10,500 GVW, by 1978 it was
> 12,500. An increase of nearly 20% with few design changes to compensate for the increased loading. The original design used many passenger vehicle
> parts that were likely near reliable design limits. Many of these parts had been discontinued or were to be discontinued soon due to the auto
> industry down sizing.
>
> What was GMC to do? A major redesign would have been required if the GMC motorhome were to continue. The cost of a major redesign would likely have
> been many millions of dollars. From a Corporation point of view I believe the appropriate decision was made. From a GMCer point of view, how sad!
>
> A minor point, but one used in the video that causes confusion is the rear wheel design, stated as "side by side" a dual wheel description, the GMC is
> "tandem" two wheels "one behind the other".
>
>
> --
> Bill Bryant
> PO 1976~PB (owned 34 years)
> 1914 Ford
> 1965 Corvette
> GMC MH History, GMC Showroom films,
> "Workprint" Early GMC development 11-70 to 3-71
> on USB flash drive.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome [message #346037 is a reply to message #346032] |
Sun, 04 August 2019 10:56 |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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Thanks Bill B.:
You are so very helpful and knowledgeable!
And it is appreciated!
Mike/The Corvair a holic
Sent from my iPhone
> On Aug 4, 2019, at 10:46 AM, Bill Bryant via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Many of us have viewed the video entitled, "Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome"
>
> It's a very interesting video, but unfortunately reaches an erroneous conclusion. I am posting this comment because I believe the conclusion stated in
> this video needs to be corrected for historical purposes. The following can be found on the GMCMI website under the video section.
> Respectfully,
> Bill
>
>
> Stated in this video is a conclusion that states, "short sighted bean counters decision" caused the GMC Motorhome to be discontinued. Financial
> accounting, bean counters, report on financial accounting facts. Based on these facts and possibly other judgements, management may make the decision
> to take action. In the case of the GMC Motorhome, it was GM management that decided to discontinue production.
>
> The official reason given by GMC for that action was correct but incomplete. Not mentioned was a serious concern for the future, the design of a
> larger, heavier motorhome which is where the market was headed. It is important to remember the 1973 GMC motorhome had a 10,500 GVW, by 1978 it was
> 12,500. An increase of nearly 20% with few design changes to compensate for the increased loading. The original design used many passenger vehicle
> parts that were likely near reliable design limits. Many of these parts had been discontinued or were to be discontinued soon due to the auto
> industry down sizing.
>
> What was GMC to do? A major redesign would have been required if the GMC motorhome were to continue. The cost of a major redesign would likely have
> been many millions of dollars. From a Corporation point of view I believe the appropriate decision was made. From a GMCer point of view, how sad!
>
> A minor point, but one used in the video that causes confusion is the rear wheel design, stated as "side by side" a dual wheel description, the GMC is
> "tandem" two wheels "one behind the other".
>
>
> --
> Bill Bryant
> PO 1976~PB (owned 34 years)
> 1914 Ford
> 1965 Corvette
> GMC MH History, GMC Showroom films,
> "Workprint" Early GMC development 11-70 to 3-71
> on USB flash drive.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome [message #346038 is a reply to message #346037] |
Sun, 04 August 2019 14:11 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Some of us feel that after 78, the 425 Trans was no longer giong to be used
in the Eldorado and Toronado so cost for the trans and final drive was
going to go up considerably as volume dictates cost per item.
They also had lower gear ratio on the drawings in that division.
On Sun, Aug 4, 2019 at 11:59 AM Mike Kelley via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Thanks Bill B.:
> You are so very helpful and knowledgeable!
> And it is appreciated!
> Mike/The Corvair a holic
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Aug 4, 2019, at 10:46 AM, Bill Bryant via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Many of us have viewed the video entitled, "Why GMC Cancelled the
> 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome"
>>
>> It's a very interesting video, but unfortunately reaches an erroneous
> conclusion. I am posting this comment because I believe the conclusion
> stated in
>> this video needs to be corrected for historical purposes. The following
> can be found on the GMCMI website under the video section.
>> Respectfully,
>> Bill
>>
>>
>> Stated in this video is a conclusion that states, "short sighted bean
> counters decision" caused the GMC Motorhome to be discontinued. Financial
>> accounting, bean counters, report on financial accounting facts. Based
> on these facts and possibly other judgements, management may make the
> decision
>> to take action. In the case of the GMC Motorhome, it was GM management
> that decided to discontinue production.
>>
>> The official reason given by GMC for that action was correct but
> incomplete. Not mentioned was a serious concern for the future, the design
> of a
>> larger, heavier motorhome which is where the market was headed. It is
> important to remember the 1973 GMC motorhome had a 10,500 GVW, by 1978 it
> was
>> 12,500. An increase of nearly 20% with few design changes to compensate
> for the increased loading. The original design used many passenger vehicle
>> parts that were likely near reliable design limits. Many of these parts
> had been discontinued or were to be discontinued soon due to the auto
>> industry down sizing.
>>
>> What was GMC to do? A major redesign would have been required if the
> GMC motorhome were to continue. The cost of a major redesign would likely
> have
>> been many millions of dollars. From a Corporation point of view I
> believe the appropriate decision was made. From a GMCer point of view, how
> sad!
>>
>> A minor point, but one used in the video that causes confusion is the
> rear wheel design, stated as "side by side" a dual wheel description, the
> GMC is
>> "tandem" two wheels "one behind the other".
>>
>>
>> --
>> Bill Bryant
>> PO 1976~PB (owned 34 years)
>> 1914 Ford
>> 1965 Corvette
>> GMC MH History, GMC Showroom films,
>> "Workprint" Early GMC development 11-70 to 3-71
>> on USB flash drive.
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome [message #346046 is a reply to message #346044] |
Sun, 04 August 2019 15:57 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Why did Chevrolet decide to stop putting style into their vehicles, and
build Camry look-a-likes that they call Impala's. Nobody can say for sure.
Let's see, how did that work out for Oldsmobile, and Pontiac, and
Saturn?
Oh, that's right. They are only memories now.
Government bailouts? I sure don't know.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon.
On Sun, Aug 4, 2019, 1:15 PM tonka6cuda6--- via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Lets not forget the increased fuel economy requirements, the EPA and high
> fuel prices all leading to the demise of many "big" vehicles.
> --
> Rich Mondor,
>
> Brockville, ON
>
> 77 Hughes 2600
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome [message #346055 is a reply to message #346044] |
Sun, 04 August 2019 18:15 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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I think that fuel economy requirements only affected automobiles. The GMC was considered a truck under the regulations.
The EPA and fuel prices were not much of a problem either.
Emery Stora
> On Aug 4, 2019, at 2:14 PM, tonka6cuda6--- via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Lets not forget the increased fuel economy requirements, the EPA and high fuel prices all leading to the demise of many "big" vehicles.
> --
> Rich Mondor,
>
> Brockville, ON
>
> 77 Hughes 2600
>
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