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Old 2nd April 2014, 12:29   #1
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GM - 2 Dollars too much!

Just read this news article here --> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/b...w/33114762.cms

A little more "googling" and found another one --> http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...eaths/7152985/

What is disgusting is that all it would have cost GM is $2 to replace a faulty ignition switch. Imagine the engine just turning off when cruising on a freeway! I have been through that though it was my mistake to get into such a situation --> http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ing-us-12.html

It is sad that GM is again caught taking the short cut to success.

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Old 2nd April 2014, 17:47   #2
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Re: GM - 2 Dollars too much!

This is quite astonishing.
The way GM has operated in this particular case is the exact way a typical Indian firm would behave in India. But a US firm in US? I think they were overconfident that it won't lead to so many casualties.
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Old 2nd April 2014, 18:55   #3
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Re: GM - 2 Dollars too much!

While what GM did was shockingly irresponsible, i think putting the cost at 2 dollars is oversimplification at best.

What is more appalling is the subtle ways in which GM tried to rectify the problem once it realized the problem with the switches. As a result of that, GM is still uncovering what all models were released with faulty switches and what all models got the new and improved switches!

Read this interesting story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/29/bu...tion-flaw.html
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Old 2nd April 2014, 21:10   #4
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Re: GM - 2 Dollars too much!

I am following this news for a month and hearing that it would only cost $2 dollars to replace it was shocking for me, it also made me wonder what GM India would do if this issue is present in the vehicles sold in India. Considering the fact in India, no proper accident investigation is done, GM will not come up on their own to fix the issue.
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Old 2nd April 2014, 21:54   #5
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Re: GM - 2 Dollars too much!

"A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one."
- Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk.

Last edited by Rehaan : 3rd April 2014 at 11:35. Reason: Please always give credit to the source!
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Old 2nd April 2014, 21:54   #6
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Re: GM - 2 Dollars too much!

In the auto industry, 2$ per car is not cheap, when you consider the economics of scale. They just chose to save some money, and did not think that it would cause casualties and one day they would be indicted for it. Toyota had a hard time with recalls some years earlier, and the hit they took was massive, and maybe GM thought it is best to keep quiet and hope for the best.
As for what would have happened if this happened in India, 'nothing' is the answer.
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Old 2nd April 2014, 22:39   #7
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Re: GM - 2 Dollars too much!

Quote:
Originally Posted by carboy View Post
A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one.
Thanks for reminding me of the greatest novel ever written and made into one of the finest movies ever.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137523/quotes
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Old 2nd April 2014, 22:39   #8
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Re: GM - 2 Dollars too much!

Quote:
Originally Posted by carboy View Post
A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one.
Are you
antifoidulus on slashdot?
Never thought so many bhpians visit slashdot.
Comment http://tech-beta.slashdot.org/story/...with-a-gm-flaw exactly matched your comment, hence I was wondering.
This is developing to be a big story in USA
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Old 3rd April 2014, 07:04   #9
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Re: GM - 2 Dollars too much!

Quote:
Originally Posted by tsk1979 View Post
Are you antifoidulus on slashdot?
No :-)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tsk1979 View Post
Comment http://tech-beta.slashdot.org/story/...with-a-gm-flaw exactly matched your comment, hence I was wondering.
This is a cult dialogue from the movie "The fight club" - it's said by Edward Norton.
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