Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome
| [GMCnet] Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome [message #346050] |
Sun, 04 August 2019 17:33  |
fbhtxak
Messages: 191
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Dolph, Bill (and others who may be interested...)
Your exchange reminds me of the late Lee Iacocca's book "Car Guys vs. Bean
Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business". I found it to be a
captivating read...
Fred
Fred Hudspeth
1978 Royale (TZE 368V101335) - Tyler, TX (owned 26 years)
1982 Airstream Excella (motorhome) - Cooper Landing, Alaska (owned 21 years)
1990 Mercedes Benz 560 SEC (original owner, 29 years)
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2019 12:05:08 -0400
From: Dolph Santorine
To: GMC List
Cc: Bill Bryant
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
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.
>
>
************
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| Re: [GMCnet] Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome [message #346052 is a reply to message #346050] |
Sun, 04 August 2019 17:45  |
Dolph Santorine
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
Karma: -41
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Senior Member |
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It was indeed a great read. I thought it was Bob Lutz?
Add “Call Me Roger” by Albert Lee to that list. It’s an analysis of the 7 years of a bean counter being at the helm of a company started by a Salesman... General Motors.
Dolph Santorine
DE AD0LF
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 ex-Palm Beach TZE167V100820
Howell EFI/EBL , Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission
> On Aug 4, 2019, at 6:33 PM, Fred Hudspeth via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Dolph, Bill (and others who may be interested...)
>
> Your exchange reminds me of the late Lee Iacocca's book "Car Guys vs. Bean
> Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business". I found it to be a
> captivating read...
>
> Fred
>
>
> Fred Hudspeth
> 1978 Royale (TZE 368V101335) - Tyler, TX (owned 26 years)
> 1982 Airstream Excella (motorhome) - Cooper Landing, Alaska (owned 21 years)
> 1990 Mercedes Benz 560 SEC (original owner, 29 years)
>
>
>
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2019 12:05:08 -0400
> From: Dolph Santorine
> To: GMC List
> Cc: Bill Bryant
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Why GMC Cancelled the 1973-1978 GMC Motorhome
> Message-ID:
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> 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 #346079 is a reply to message #346050] |
Mon, 05 August 2019 08:29 |
bryant374
Messages: 563
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Fred/Dolph,
I Like your vehicle ownership line.
Mine would read:
1914 Ford owned 69 years
1965 Corvette owned 37 years
1976 GMC MH owned 34 years
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 #346081 is a reply to message #346079] |
Mon, 05 August 2019 08:51 |
Dolph Santorine
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
Karma: -41
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Hmm…never quite thought of it that way:
69 years with your 1914 Ford is impressive!
1966 Mercury Park Lane Convertible - Owned 20 years
2008 Shelby GT500 - Since New 11 years
1977 GMC Motorhome - Owned 10 years
1991 Mazda Miata (in Spec. Miata form) 10 years
Dolph
DE AD0LF
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
Howell EFI & EBL, Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission
“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"
> On Aug 5, 2019, at 9:29 AM, Bill Bryant via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Fred/Dolph,
>
> I Like your vehicle ownership line.
>
> Mine would read:
> 1914 Ford owned 69 years
> 1965 Corvette owned 37 years
> 1976 GMC MH owned 34 years
> --
> 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
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