Do you think GM will stay at Test Track?

[DisneyCane]

This is what I don't think people understand. Most "imports" are huge domestic investments that are mostly made and assembled in the US by US workers earning a US $. Often times more domestic than a domestic because of production in Canada and even Mexico.

Our Honda was 97% American made meaning even the parts used in assembly were from the US.

We also own a Chrysler, so we share the love.

The issue is not really who is paid to assemble it. I'm glad that the foreign companies assemble in the US a lot so at least our economy gets some decent jobs out of it. The issue is that with foreign autos most of the high paying, white collar engineering and management jobs are in another country. It is those jobs that we need in the US. Also, the profits end up in another country where it is used to invest in their economy.

With regards to the quality of Domestic vs. Foreign, I have owned two FORD Mustangs in my life. One was a 1989 that I traded in 1997 and it had 132,000 miles on it when I traded it. The only "major" repair was a cracked pully. The 1997 Mustang currently has 165,000+ miles on it and the only "major" repair was the alternator going bad at around 150,000 miles and my wife drives it every day. I also have a 2005 Chevy Avalanche that has 125,000 miles on it. The only issue was the fuel pump got clogged with some kind of contaminents and needed to be replaced. OTOH, my parents had a Honda Accord that was literallly disintigrating after 10 years. Every plastic part on the interior just started cracking and falling apart.

Heck, Mercedes is one of the worst quality vehicles you can get and it is "German Engineering".

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I have a feeling that GM will not only be a sponsor...but maybe pump some more money into the attraction.

The amount of people that walk through that building...and see the "GM" logo everywhere...and basically a showroom that people MUST walk through.

Think about this...it's a "thrill ride." Thrill rides attract, for the most part, teens. They exit the ride...and walk through a literal showroom seeing all of the "cool cars."

Bingo, it puts their brand in that teen's head. It's one thing to see a car on the road...any teen can do that...but to be able to actually "sit in" and "feel" how those cool cars are...is completely different.

(I've been to car shows that don't allow you to go near a Cadillac XLR...but in Epcot you could actually sit in it)

With GM coming out with the Saab Aero-X, the Corvette ZR-1, and the rebirth of the Camaro...as well as the "triplets" (Beat, Groove, and Trax). They would be dumb not to pump more money into Test Track. (Imagine having Bumblebee from Transformers sitting at the end of the ride...)

EDIT: I think they were going in the right direction with showcasing the different fuel types they had...they just implemented the idea wrong. I'd focus on the Volt and the Volt alone.

 

[freedogshampoo]

Maybe it will become Tesla Test Track.

That'd be awesome :sohappy:

 

[PolyneisanAlex]

If anyone should sponser it should be ford because In alot of TV Shows on ABC they are giving away ford escape hybrid.

Ford Brands
Ford
Linclion
Mecury
Mazda
Volvo
Jaguar (until end of summer)

And disney made attractions for Ford back in the Worlds Fair for there cars.
Its also the first company to make cars so they can also make use for educational
purposes to

THERE has already been a rumor that Ford will sponser Test Track starting late 2009

 

[bdinger]

With regards to the quality of Domestic vs. Foreign, I have owned two FORD Mustangs in my life. One was a 1989 that I traded in 1997 and it had 132,000 miles on it when I traded it. The only "major" repair was a cracked pully. The 1997 Mustang currently has 165,000+ miles on it and the only "major" repair was the alternator going bad at around 150,000 miles and my wife drives it every day.

I'm with you on this one. I drive a 1997 Mercury Sable (Ford) that currently has 150,000 miles on it. I've been the only owner of the car and can only think of two repairs -- replacing an oil pan gasket and replacing the MAF sensor. Everything else has been regular, scheduled maintenance.

I guess my only problem is that I won't have much "status" if I were to drive it past the SoCal kids on my way to Disneyland. :ROFLOL:

 

[Astro_Digital]

Test Track is useless any way.

Fake tests to show people how cars are tested please.
Every time I go through the Non-ABS and ABS demo I want to gag.

GM is in trouble sure. Brought on by themselves by building the wrong product. Seen a GM commercial and the were proud that a pick up gets 20 miles per gallon !!!!

If GM pulls out and they put a new sponsor in the building I will not lose any sleep. It does not mater one bit it the new sponsor is American or foreign either.

 

[Yankeeplex]

the world has gone global...there is not much you can do about it. It would not surprise me if a company from Dubai or Hong Kong comes in and sponsors a pavilion. Apparently the only people with expendable income right now are foreign countries. I just don't see any American companies, in the near future, that would be willing to sponsor anything when the economy is in the toilet.

 

[T-i-doubleguher]

It's funny that you mention that, because heads ALWAYS turn when I am driving my GM Roadster pictured below on the freeway. People won't stop stop looking at or asking me about my car.

Hmm..my only qualm is how that picture is of a saturn :lookaroun

and I think, in regards to honda, they meant, that because they are more efficient, compact, and have a (dare i say) futuristic look, that they are more stylish. Which is what I believe. Plus they are awesome cars.

 

[MousDad]

Hmm..my only qualm is how that picture is of a saturn :lookaroun

:lookaroun

 

[luckyeye13]

And I recently lived in Orlando and I can tell you it's another dump/crime infested wasteland. I've lived in Florida my whole life (mainly Ft Lauderdale) and I loved going to Orlando to visit/go to the parks. But when I moved there last year, I hated it on so many levels. As much as I love Disney, I'm glad to be out of Central Fla. and I can just go back to visit the parks.

I am glad that I am not the only person who feels that way! I had lived in Lake Buena Vista and Celebration (which is one of my favorite towns anywhere!) while down there, but I still had to go through many... ummm... lesser areas to do what I needed to do. My mom always says that she wants to live near WDW, but I remind her that she would be living near, not in WDW, thus meaning that she would be dealing more with the realities than the pixie dust of living in Central Florida.

 

[bhg469]

Go Europe! Are Focuses popular in the US? As they are a very common car over here which could be the reasoning for us getting a better car. And they may be better, but they are more expensive. If the drivers side was on the 'correct' side p) i am sure imports of cars from the US to the UK would be huge.

They are pretty cheap here and there is no all wheel drive option and all the models are very slow. Also we no longer havea a 2 door hatchback model The american car companys don't seem to thing americans like hatch backs.

 

[Eyorefan]

Hmm..my only qualm is how that picture is of a saturn :lookaroun

and I think, in regards to honda, they meant, that because they are more efficient, compact, and have a (dare i say) futuristic look, that they are more stylish. Which is what I believe. Plus they are awesome cars.

Hmm.... you do know that Saturn is owned by GM right....:lookaroun

 

[LongtimeReader]

Hmm..my only qualm is how that picture is of a saturn :lookaroun

Why the qualm? Saturns are GM vehicles.

 

[TP2000]

That must have been tough. So, what does freeway status get you in SoCal these days? You have designated HSO lanes (High Status Occupant)? Toll holidays? Emission exemptions?

If you are in a "cool" car, you get the privelege of merging without having to fight for it. You also don't get ignored by the valet kids at the mall when you try to get your car parked to run an errand. Just try getting anyone to notice you in an Impala at the valet stand at South Coast Plaza; you might as well just park yourself out with the employees.

I don't drive an Aston Martin or a Lambo that brands me with instant ultra-cachet, but when I went to dinner at Napa Rose at Disney's Grand Californian to celebrate picking up my new '08 Honda Accord Coupe with 19 inch wheels and custom tint the valet Cast Member ran over to get my door with a greeting of "Sweet ride! Welcome to the Grand Californian!" :sohappy:

Yeah, it's hilarious. But it's what makes SoCal, SoCal. I've lived in eight other states on both coasts in my adult life and they all have their cultural oddities. But the car heirarchy in SoCal is unlike anything in other states, and you really just have to experience it to get it. And it is hilariously funny. :lol:

All that said, I'd bet two churros that the General Motors logo is no longer on the Test Track building five years from now.

 

[TP2000]

If anyone should sponser it should be ford because In alot of TV Shows on ABC they are giving away ford escape hybrid.

Today, Ford Motor Company announced a quarterly loss of 8.7 Billion dollars. And that includes the money they got from selling Jaguar off to an Indian businessman a few months ago. Volvo is still trying to be sold to someone, but no one is buying. Mercury has no new product coming to dealerships in the next five years and will likely be phased out a la' Oldsmobile and Plymouth.

Ford is in deep, deep financial trouble, and they won't be sponsoring anything anywhere.

 

[MickeyJman06]

maybe Toyota's Test Track.....since they just past GM in sales

that will be cool with Toyota, but i donwant ford in the action

 

[MousDad]

If you are in a "cool" car, you get the privelege of merging without having to fight for it. You also don't get ignored by the valet kids at the mall when you try to get your car parked to run an errand. Just try getting anyone to notice you in an Impala at the valet stand at South Coast Plaza; you might as well just park yourself out with the employees.

Man, these forums are educational. So how does this merging thing work? You just pull out in your 19 inchers and there's a magical bubble around your car? Does this work only on the freeways, or does it work the same way on the thoroughfares through South Central?

 

[WDWFREAK53]

The following are the brands I wouldn't mind seeing.

1. GM
2. Nissan
3. BMW

Don't forget...GM isn't just Chevy.

GM = Chevy, GMC, Saab, Hummer, Saturn, Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac, Holden, Vauxhall, and Opel. (I think Daewoo is in there too...but do they even count?)

 

[redfarmer06]

That and the wonderful Mayor and City Council...ugh... I tried to move there a few years ago, maybe it's time to think about it again.

It's not just Detroit or the Detroit area, either...all of Michigan pretty much sucks...I plan on moving south once I graduate from college and get married (about two years)..

 

[CBOMB]

I certainly wish I were cool, and hip. Man Just once I want the valet service at my local mall to come running up to me with a gleam in their eye. I guess I could buy a Honda with 19 inch wheels. Then I would have to convince my local mall to provide valet service. Those folks in Southern California sure are sophisticated, I am so impressed! It's a very difficult time for a lot of businesses around the world. I have faith in GM to ride out the difficult times. I think when they release the Volt it's going to give them a big boost. GM may or may not continue to sponsor TT after this contract expires. Only time will tell.