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Originally Posted by FT BSTRD
Yeah, but those cloned platforms were all for nearly the same type of car (sedans, coupes, etc.).
I'm pretty sure that there won't be a single frame for all purposes. Then we'd be back to the UJM days. Want a cruiser, here are a set of buckhorns. Want a club racer, here are a set of clip ons. Want a standard, that's how they came from the factory.
There are virtually no shared parts between Buell and HD. Those that are shared are mainly fasteners and washers. I was missing a T27 body panel bolt. I called the local HD shop and they said that they didn't have a single bolt that would fit. I said "nothing?".
"Nope".
Buell is working to source parts domestically. The frame for the XBs was produced in Italy. The 1125R frames are sourced in the US now. The XB engines were produced in Milwaukee. The Rotax engines will be sourced in Austria. Eventually, engine production will go the way of Aprilia and be brought in house. The wheels are still produced by Enkei in China.
I agree completely that the play is for territory in Europe, but there will be benefits here as well. I'd have to imagine that there would be some price savings for MV's coming here. If there may be a reduction on import duties as well as benefits in exchange rates. I suspect that MV will remain largely unchanged.
Now if they could just get the "potato, potato, potato" out of the harleys and get the cacophony of F4 auditory sex into their Harleys. That would be a feat!
Saab. Opel. Volvo.
Look at the quality of these vehicles prior to being taken over. Granted none of them have become Honda or Toyota, but they are much better than they were prior to purchase.
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OOPS!! I belong to a long line of "GM" people and I can argue this one forever! But I won't. Suffice it to say that I would like to see some data on these "quality" improvements my friend.
Oh and I've owned two Opels. Both Mantas,a '77 and a '81, both OUTSTANDING cars that were a ball to drive! As far as I know,Opel was an overseas brand name for GM products. They may have been an acquisition many,many years ago like Buick or Pontiac but GM didn't just buy Opel,not in my lifetime anyway. Most of the "Opels" they sell overseas now are just re-badged U.S. models. I don't consider a Malibu Maxx an improvement over the Opel Manta Gt I drove on the Autobahn when I was overseas.
Saab got better after GM bought them? I don't think so. Saabs were renowned for their longevity and lack of maintenance and were considered on par with BMW and Mercedes in the 70s and 80s in Europe. They also had a similar price tag... In fact,Saab was originally an airplane manufacturer and used some of the same motors in their cars back in the day. When I was in Germany during the early 80s,half the Sgts on post were buying Saabs because you were allowed to ship 1 vehicle for free back to the States and you could sell a Saab for double or triple what you paid because they were in demand and hard to get.
I'll give you Volvo because I'm not familiar with that brand personally but I will say that I thought VW owned them along with Porche...
Btw I appreciate your enthusiasm and patriotism! I daresay that if GM bought BMW you would say that their quality was vastly improved due to their association with GM!