During these unprecedented times, the familiarity of yet another holiday season upon us is particularly welcome. Although there is much work to be done, we’ll all be glad to have a moment or two to reflect on what’s important, and on the tasks that lay ahead.
I hope that you and yours have a terrific and relaxing holiday season. If you do get time to relax, I’d like to suggest a bit of light reading. It’s not your traditional holiday reading list, I’ll admit, but it is some pretty important material.
The sheer volume of words written about the auto industry in the past month or two is enough to fill the Library of Congress. (Yes, I’m employing irony.) Some of the material generated has been ill-informed and off the mark. Some have used the same old and outdated anti-Detroit rhetoric and bias we’ve been seeing for years.
But some of the coverage has been quite the opposite… enlightening, informative, and, so to speak, on the money. Some of these stories say exactly what we’ve been trying to get across to the American people and their elected representatives. Some of them say, well, let’s just refer to what I said in response to one of Lou Dobbs’ comments when I appeared on his CNN program, “I would never dare to say what you just said, but I think you said it all.”
Please take a moment to read some of these very important stories, and pass them along. Happy holidays and Happy 2009. See you next year.
We appreciate the President extending a financial bridge at this most critical time for the U.S. auto industry and our nation’s economy. This action helps to preserve many jobs, and supports the continued operation of GM and the many suppliers, dealers and small businesses across the country that depend on us.
This will allow us to accelerate the completion of our aggressive restructuring plan for long-term, sustainable success. It will lead to a leaner, stronger General Motors, a GM that is:
dedicated to great products, exciting design, and world-class quality
fully committed to leading in energy-saving vehicles and technologies
responsive to the needs of our customers, our stakeholders and the communities we live in and serve.
We know we have much work in front of us to accomplish our plan. It is our intention to continue to be transparent as we execute our plan, and we will provide regular updates on our progress. We again thank the Administration for this important support of our industry at this challenging time, and we look forward to proving what American ingenuity can achieve.
By Jon Lauckner
Vice President Global Program Management
I’ve been reading some of the comments in the news and the blogosphere today about the Chevy Volt program and felt compelled to squash some of the rumors. The development of the Volt remains on-schedule despite the ongoing talks in Washington, D.C. It is one of the highest, if not the highest, priority programs in the company and that hasn’t changed, nor has the commitment of resources to fund it. In fact, with the successful completion of each development activity, we have more confidence than ever the Volt will start production as planned in late 2010.
As an example, shown below is a picture of Rick Wagoner with one of our latest Volt development vehicles in Washington, D.C. These Generation II prototypes have a production-intent propulsion system and battery pack in a Chevrolet Cruze body. In fact, we finished building the last of the 33 vehicles in this hardware stage last week. And, we’re already finalizing the engineering for our final prototypes, which will begin testing in July 2009. So those of us involved in the development of the Volt are focused well beyond the current discussions in Washington, D.C.
It is true that, due to our current liquidity situation among other things, we have temporarily suspended some construction activities at the new engine plant in Flint. This has no impact on our production timing for the Volt or the Chevy Cruze. Moreover, our global manufacturing process is flexible enough to construct this plant within a year, and the planning activities that require less cash upfront are continuing in Flint.
I realize some of you will remain skeptical of the Volt program and its timing, that’s just human nature; but I ask you to reserve judgment until 2010. Until then, know that work on the Volt remains on schedule.
“We’ve been very proud of and grateful for the support and encouragement we’ve received from so many in the business community recently, especially locally here in Michigan. Jim Hiller, CEO of Hiller’s Markets, recently wrote this post on his corporate blog in which he explained why he feels it important to buy from American-based vehicle manufacturers and why he supports his community here in Michigan. We thought Mr. Hiller’s comments were worth sharing.” – Christopher Barger, Director Global Communications Technology
There’s a lot going on right now in Washington, so we wanted to give Fastlane readers a quick update on where things stand.
On Wednesday night, the House of Representatives passed an emergency aid package that would deliver $14 billion to GM and Chrysler, enough to get the companies through the next several months, until detailed restructuring plans could be developed and approved. It was an emergency, compromise measure that we supported to keep GM going until a more long-term deal could be struck.
Unfortunately, last night, the Senate failed at getting the 60 votes necessary to pass the bill, ending for now hope for a legislative solution.
However, we are encouraged by the White House’s willingness to consider other options, including the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), for immediate aid to the domestic auto industry. We are prepared to work closely with the Administration on possible solutions that could prevent further damage to our nation’s economy and also allow us to embark on an aggressive restructuring plan for long term viability.
More to come as things develop. Thank you for your support in this difficult time for our company.
Listening and learning from 500,000 miles of emissions-free driving
By Mary Beth Stanek
Director, GM Fuel Cell Commercialization
Sometime next week, one of 100 Equinox hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles being driven in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., will drive the 500,000th emission-free mile of Chevrolet‘s Project Driveway. This is a huge accomplishment because we learn something about our vehicles, the hydrogen infrastructure and consumer acceptance of fuel cell vehicles with every mile driven.
Since the program began just over a year ago, more than 3,400 individuals have driven the fuel cell Equinox; either in short drives at media programs or special events, or as part of a longer-term loan. And with each drive we’ve learned something – most times it’s a pleasant surprise; other times not so pleasant. But each “surprise” has helped us identify needed refinements to the vehicles performance or resolve potential issues.
Overwhelmingly, the drivers love their experience, but that hasn’t stopped them from giving us candid feedback on everything from the way the vehicle looks, to technical input on brake “feel” and performance, to fueling experiences. To date, their feedback has led to the resolution of several hundred customer issues, and many of those changes have to do simply with how we set-up the driver experience. Read the rest of this entry »
IEEE Spectrum’s Patent Scorecard is based on a survey that measures depth and breadth of patents filed within various industry sectors. It’s a telltale sign of which companies are driving technological innovation. It is also compelling evidence for why Congress should help GM weather the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. In addition to supporting one in 10 American jobs, the U.S. auto industry is a major investor in R&D and a vital part of our country’s science and technology base.
We are applying our patent power to bring clean and efficient vehicle technologies to market as fast as we can. Here are some examples:
For 2009, we have 18 U.S. models that achieve 30 mpg highway – more than any other automaker.
In 2010, we will launch the groundbreaking Chevrolet Volt, which can travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone. We are also planning other vehicles using Volt’s extended-range electric drivetrain.
By 2012, more than half of our vehicles will be flex-fuel capable. GM has already put more than three million flex-fuel vehicles on U.S. roads.
Also by 2012, we will increase by four the number of hybrid models we sell to a total of 15.
We have deployed the world’s largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles through our Project Driveway market tests. These vehicles double energy efficiency while reducing vehicle emissions to just water vapor.
And Popular Science recently awarded GM, Carnegie Mellon, and Tartan Racing for making the “100 Best Innovations of the Year” award.
GM is also the industry leader in telematics with our OnStar technology. And last year, we partnered with Carnegie Mellon University to win the DARPA Urban Challenge, a race for self-driving robotic vehicles.
This is an impressive list of accomplishments, and I’m proud of our contributions to the U.S. technology base. We at GM look forward to continuing to provide a wide range of industry-first innovations, and helping to advance America’s technical know-how, strengthening our national security, and creating high-quality jobs for the “new economy.” Our goal is nothing short of reinventing the automobile.
In his usual shoot-from-the-hip style, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz discussed GM’s liquidity crisis, the need for federal bridge loans and the future of the domestic automotive industry during an exclusive interview with CNBC. - Will Stewart, blog editor.
General Motors has been at the center of the debate over federal bridge loans to domestic automakers. In this video, we explain the importance of the loans both to the industry and to the entire economy, and we describe what we’re doing to reinvent ourselves. - Christopher Barger, Director Global Communications Technology, General Motors
Two weeks ago, in response to the domestic automakers’ request for emergency bridge loans from the federal government, the US Congress asked General Motors, Ford and Chrysler to provide detailed business plans for long-term viability. Today, GM submitted our plan to the American people, and to the Congress. The plan details both the significant efforts we already had underway, and the even more aggressive restructuring we’re undertaking in the face of the current crisis in order to return to long-term profitability.
If you’d like to read it for yourself, please click here.
Meanwhile, here’s a video featuring Ray Young, our Chief Financial Officer, discussing and explaining elements of the plan in some more detail. - Christopher Barger, Director Global Communications Technology, General Motors
