Hard Times for GM: subconscious shoddiness?

Most of us have heard of the hard times that GM, one of the big-three American Auto Industries, has faced in these last several months (or perhaps longer). Their woes not only affect GM stockholders, but also a large majority of other American businesses and the overall health of the economy as well.

With that said, is there an underlying, or even subconscious reason for some of GM's troubles? I'm beginning to think so.

Bear with me while I describe my reasoning.

Every day while driving to work, which is about a 20 minute journey, I consistently see two, three or four GM vehicles with one of their running lights burnt out. The GM vehicle can be anything from a GMC truck, a Chevy Suburban, a Cadillac Escalade, a Hummer H2, as well as on occasion a smaller vehicle like a Cavalier. It seems the larger vehicles are more prone to have the one running light burnt out, but it may be only that the larger vehicles' lights are positioned higher, so I see them more easily.

Likely most people, while driving, don't pay attention to these burnt-out running lights. They are focused on driving, talking on their cell phone, or applying makeup. However, since the GM running lights are pretty bright, and having one of the lights off (burnt out), causes a significant asymmetry in the front of the vehicle, so it's almost like the vehicle is winking right at you.

For some reason my eyes are drawn to this out-of-balance look of the vehicle. Since many people are not drawn to this, but the asymmetry is significant, it likely causes a subconscious reaction. Since millions of cars pass each other every day, this small subconscious reaction (no matter how small) can add up. The asymmetry, driven deep into the brain, causes people to think less about GM vehicles; this added with the fact that many foreign vehicles (that is, Japanese) are much more reliable in the long run, only helps to stifle GM's sales.

I often wonder what causes so many GM vehicles to have this problem. Are they buying low-quality light bulbs from some manufacturer (or do they make the bulbs themselves)? Is the electrical system overdriving the bulbs, causing them to get too hot (they are pretty bright)? Is there a subtle vibration that causes the filament to gradually wear out and break? Is there an indication on the driver's panel when the light does burn out (like my Volvo does)? Is the bulb so awkwardly positioned that it makes it too difficult to change? All of these questions generally lead to a feeling of overall lack of planning or shoddiness in the design.

Lately, I've been trying to watch for other car manufacturers' daytime running lights to see if there are other cars with a similar problem. I haven't found any yet. It could be that GM is the only major manufacturer that has daytime running lights across the board for all their vehicles. In fact, I'm having a hard time recalling which vehicles (other than GM) do have running lights. I know Volvo does (since that's what I drive).

I'm not trying to bully GM (like a Ford vs. GM vs. Dodge tug-of-war), but just point out this flaw.

I would think if the CEO of GM saw three, four, or five GMs with one light burnt out on the road everyday on his drive to work (and paid attention to it), he would feel the same subtle shoddiness in his products, and would work to do something about it. (Does the CEO of GM drive his own car to work, or is he chauffeured?) It's basically like a million subtle billboards on the road saying "look at me, look at me, I'm a burnt out bulb". But, what other problems are lying beneath?

I've contemplated taking my digital camera with me on my way to work so I can post some pictures of the many "winking" GM trucks and cars out there. But it's difficult to quickly get my cheap digital camera positioned, focused and clicked, to catch a vehicle heading my way; especially when I see the car out of the corner of my eye as it passes. Often times I see a GM vehicle following me with one light out; it would be difficult to take a picture through the rear view mirror. :-) Maybe if I'm riding with someone else, I can snap off a few pictures for posting.

The next time you are driving on a two-way road, pay attention to the oncoming traffic and see if you can spot any GM vehicles (or any others) with one running light burnt out. When you find one you'll probably see two or more that same day. Give me a post with what you find!

-Todd