Happy Holidays from FastLane

Merry Christmas, Bob.

Keep up the good fight.

You've put up with all our rants, and hopefully this forum will have had some impact on GM.

Thanks Bob!

Happy Holidays to you too. I love this blog and I read it all the time. The lease is up on my Silverado and I am trying to decide which GM vehicle to get next. Hmmm...maybe a V8 Impala SS, Or an HHR, or one of the new Buicks, or maybe another Silverado. My point is, I have not been this excited about getting a new vehicle in quite a while. Keep up the good work and keep the new and exciting vehicles coming! I know there is alot of work to do, and I think no-haggle pricing would be a good start. If the dealers had set prices, they would compete against each other with customer service.

Bob,
No one is rooting for GM more than most posters on this board. They care enough to comment on GM's products & plans while giving customer-centric suggestions.

Wishing the GM team a happy holiday and a renewed focus & drive for 2006.

Hi there. I've been a loyal GM customer for 30 years (with the exception of one foreign sports car that lasted a year when I was very young!). I'm having a problem now though, in that while I want a new vehicle I am not finding one in the GM lineup that I like!

So, two comments: 1) I really wish you hadn't dropped the Blazer/Jimmy from your lineup. I drove a series of them for over 13 years. You haven't successfully replaced it, certainly not at an affordable price. 2) I'd love to have a hybrid vehicle. You're woefully behind in that department.

I'll keep watching the GM models for a suitable replacement this next year, but I fear I'll be buying from someone else.

Merry Christmas to You and all Your Family and Friends

It has been very refreshing to encounter a modern "captain of industry" who has become tuned into this medium. I'm especially pleased to learn that it has been helpful.

May Good Fortune Continue.
Cheers!
Bill

Hi Bob,

Thanks for working at GM and making it a better place.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Merry Christmas, Bob!

See you on the 9th. Hope ALL my Christmas wishes come true.

Charlie

Thank you Bob, happy holidays to you as well. Just a quick note; I would hope to see the domestic car companies move to get rid of the cumbersome title "North American International Auto Show" and replace it with the simple "Detroit Auto Show". I realize our city isn't quite a utopia, to put it mildly, but it is THE home base for domestic auto manufacturers, and we need to associate with is as such.

Mr. Lutz,

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to you, your family and the GM team. Continue the good things you've started. I'm sure GM will emerge successful in 2006!

Onell

http://forums.autoweek.com/thread.jspa?forumID=31&threadID=24942

Seriously, NOW can we have a Camaro?

If I have the $, I'm going to be hard pressed to keep waiting for GM to make an affordable RWD muscle-car if DCX is going to make the Challenger available sooner rather than later.

Best of luck to you and your team in 2006. I'm anxious to see the offerings at the Show.

PS. I took some of your words to heart this year and as of last week bought my second GM product for the year (and after very many years away) - a 9.3 sport combi. Very impressive and a great value. I'll keep my fingers crossed on reliability issues, but I'm hopeful your words are true.

Merry Christmas Bob and everyone at GM!!!! Good car this past year, and even more this upcoming year! Keep up the good work!

Happy Holidays Bob! You're a Great car designer and are invaluable to the GM Team. Keep it up!

All the Best in 2006!

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanuka to everyone at GM.

You want to make our post-Holidays bright?
Then increase your warranties and get rid of that rotten electric steering!

Bob,

In this season of giving I would love to give GM the magic bullet for their success...

But the fact is there is no magic bullet for GM. But I do have a couple of bullet points that should do the trick because each one of your brands deserves and requires a different perscription. In case you missed some in the previous posts...

Buick needs a high retro roof sedan, flat floors and high beltline a la the Buick 8. Pontiac needs the opposite, a low dash, commanding visibility and the uncar feeling a la the Honda Accord.

Their image will have to diverge to be honed. Buick needs to aim for Bentley to hit Lexus. Pontiac needs to aim for Porsche to hit BMW.

But the three stooges thing will continue to stumble you; there is just no nice way to put it. Conjoined brands swim against the tide and it is the #1 plague infecting Detroit.

Brands have got to build their brand so give yourselves a gift and drop the Holden FJ Efijy in Buick's stocking and give her a worthy suitor so her dealers don't have another lonely Christmas.

May God continue to bless GM with the global vision and drive of Mr. Wagoner, the incomparable product savy of Mr. Lutz and the most award winning lineup of cars in GM's history from the entire GM work force. I hope you're proud of what you have done this year here and worldwide because I am.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!!!

Dear Bob,

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and all the executives who take the time to read these wonderful blogs. They contain a lot of feedback including some constructive and sometimes unconstructive criticism.

Looking forward to seeing some great new cars and trucks that excite people enough to test drive and buy the vehicles thus accelerating the turnaround at GM in 2006!

Hang in there. GM has a great team of executives in place that have the knowledge, experience, capability, and determination to turn GM around.

Keep up that fantastic OPTIMISM! It’s energizing and is just what’s needed to keep the momentum for the turnaround going.

Wish I could attend the auto show but I guess I’ll follow it on the Internet.

Keep the blogs coming. I look forward to reading them.

Ethel

Merry Christmas Bob.

Thank you for the blog.
I don't see many multi-nationals or any other automotive companies with the guts to have a similar forum.

I do not work in the automotive industry, but my home town is Detroit and it's history is in my blood. I am a cheering for the home team.
I am working in China now and have kids in college. I am scared to death of what future opportunities they will have.
I wish you and GM great success.

Merry Christmas Bob, Keep good stuff going. :D

Bob, read your own lips at

CAR OF THE YEAR: Slick retro styling, affordability make Chevrolet's HHR a hit
By MARK PHELAN December 22, 2005 in Detroit Free Press Auto

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051222/BUSINESS01/512220470/1014

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to you, your family and the GM team

Ricardo

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of GM. Good luck in 2006, you will need it. Joe

To those from GM who read this blog, my best wishes for the Holidays and may you totally astound your critics with a watershed '06.

I've heard that some members of the press also peruse this forum. Many of you deserve lumps of coal in your stockings for your biased reporting and delight in GM's difficulties. May '06 be the year that you realize that GM's quality is up, it's products are looking better and it won't make you look less erudite to admit it.

Bob,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and everyone else at GM. I would just like to say that I am a proud owner of a 2000 Chevy Monte Carlo SS. The quality of my car is second to none. My last car was also a chevy. It was a 1991 Beretta with 150,000 HARD miles on it. That thing ran like a champ till the day I got rid of it. Anyone that doubts GM can build one heck of a good car doesnt know what there talking about.
Keep up the good work!!
-Frank

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to provide real input! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and all the GM employees working hard everyday to make the company great again.

Cheers!

Jeff Crew

Merry Christmas, Bob and and all the rest. I'll add agreement to John, with a side request, build BOTH a Camaro and a Firebird. Call them something else, but get back in the game where Mustang is head of the class. The Solstice is a great roadster and teh upcoming GXP will rally blow the doors off the competition, but quite frankly, with only 2 seats and almost no trunk it just is not a viable alternative for someone looking at a Mustang. And without a ragtop the GTO doesn't get all the customers it could. So relax this holiday season and come back recharged and energized to give us some really great Christmas presents in 2006.

Waddaya mean Happy Holidays? How about Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New year. That means more than what you said. That's from a retired Die-Maker Leader of 40 years at the Ontario OH plant!

Bob,

I used to have faith in GM a loong time ago ... am sorry and not for GM's current woes ....... but this is GM's wake up call and they best wake up b4 its to late

My Christmas Wish List:
1 brand new GTO.
A real one btw. Let's Pontiac can deliver it this time and not import a wanna-be from Australia.

Keep up the great work, Bob. Same to your team and those who believe in and listen to you. To all of those who are working to cast off the old ways that didn't work and forge ahead with excellence and progress (with respect, still, to heritage and character), I thank you for giving me a car company I can root for.

Don't accept Buick for what it is...a line of sedate vehicles. Make them bold, beautiful, and powerful.

Don't slow down with Cadillac. Round one of the rebirth has been heartening. Round II has to make Cadillac the standard of the world again. Don't be satisfied until you're there.

Keep working on giving us Chevrolets that Americans want, not just have to drive. Give them an American character, with distinction, and the romance we once saw in the Chevys from the 1950s and 1960s.

Great work so far with Pontiac. Please keep working on giving us purer, sportier cars with real performance advantages over Chevrolet. Make them as pretty as they were in the '60s.

And please, please keep Saab pure.

You guys have had a hard year. Kudos to you for powering through it all. Keep it up and never stop pursuing excellence.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you, your family, and your comrades at GM, Mr. Lutz!

Peace,

R.O. Butler

The best christmas present for the General would be to eliminate Pontiac,Buick and GMC.Keep Chevrolet and Cadillac.To continue the fight as presently configured is like a Sumo vs a welter weight. Lean and mean with aspirational products will bring back GM to profitablility

"I am a proud owner of a 2000 Chevy Monte Carlo SS"

How could ANYONE be the "proud owner" of one of these things? I refused one as a RENTAL because it's one of the ugliest cars ever!

GM makes some nice looking cars. The MC SS is NOT one of them!

I also like the idea of building a Camaro-type vehicle, but calling it something else. That way, you won't have to deal with the Geritol set clammoring for silly retro styling. Nor would the car come out of the box with a "mullet" image.

I am an GM user from China, happy new year.

Dear Mr. Lutz,

I hope that 2006 bring better news for GM than 2005 did. I genuinely wish that there was something that I could personally do to help the company. As I was once told "The greatness kindness we can offer to each other is the truth", so I will try my best to do that. It doesn't help anyone to candycoat our true feelings.

I strongly urge you to to work harder to change the stigma attached to GM. You've done a great job with Pontiac over the past year or so and I am also seeing some good work on SAAB. SAAB has such potential for GM to unlock. Bring new models to the US...Bring us refreshed styling that looks more modern...Tap the genuises at Opel..Introduce Opel to the US market as a direct competitor to Volkswagen. Focus on improving the power of the engines in your SAAb models to better compete with Audi and BMW...Negotiate hard with the union...Do what you have to do to make GM slim and nimble. Be agressive in your advertising...Don't be afraid to mention your competitors by name in your ads...Let the custoemr hear in no uncertain terms how a specific GM car stacks up against the Japanese or Ford competition....I love GM and I love my current SAAB and the SAAB before that and believe it or not, my wife loves her Oldsmobile....That was a great brand...I wish you would bring it back. Oldsmobile holds fantastic brand equity....Do your best and know that we support you and our criticism is how we show how much we care about GM and its future. Best of luck to you in 2006!

Nicholas Davis
Madison, WI

I am a past owner of 55/57 chevs. What would it take to bring them back.All of us car guys have discussed this endlessly. Even a Corvette dealer I talked to said he is dumbfounded you haven't done it yet. Are you?

Bob,

Thanks for this blog. I wish you would have more time to write more frequently, but i understand...

Happy New Year to you and your team at GM. 05 was a though year but 06 will be a great one.

Keep doing!

From Colombia,

Luis Ramirez.
Proudly a Lutz fan.

I currently own six vehicles, five of them GM.I feel this site could be useful to you as you seek to increase/maintain market share. I am a mechanical engineer with 30+ years experience with large equipment built to high levels of precision.
I have selectively chosen specific GM vehicles which I judged to be robust in design, which did not incorporate complexity without sound purpose.
I may never purchase another GM vehicle. Since this site specifically sends comments about current vehicles to customer service, I make none here.
I am as dissapointed with the lack of a real response from c.s. as I am with certain aspects of design that I consider unforgiveable.

I am willing to share my thoughts if someone wishes to contact me. I will add that on a consulting basis, my professional services are competitive, but not inexpensive - - - only to suggest that there is possible benefit here.

If you choose , as I suspect, to ignore this note - - que sera sera. I really may not have patience left to communicate with you anyway.

So Long,

George

BUICK LUCERNE!!! Awesome!!!!!!!
See for yourself before you bury what is soon to be one of best selling sedans in history. Wait until its hits the autoshow's in Detroit and Chicago- it will be the BUZZ!!.The early sales are of course to the PATIENT LOYAL BUICK OWNERS. The conquest sales are growing every day that the vehicle gets exposure. Launching a vehicle in december will prove to be a smart move with availabilty on the ground and the buzz going right into the 2006 auto shows.
Availabilty of a V-8 engine and a standard 48/50000 WARRANTY. From the base CX to loaded V8 CXS Buick can accomodate the tastes of both plain jane BUICK LESABRE owners and PAST RIVIERA AND WILDCAT OWNERS.
Excitement at the dealer level and the instant acceptance of this GREAT NEW SEDAN WILL SPEAK FOR ITSELF WHEN THE SALES NUMBERS HIT THE BOARD.
These comments are facts based on real sales and real experiences with the new lucerne and the people who are BUYING THEM.
Happy New Year BOB LUTZ!!!!! AND TO ALL AT GM FOR A WONDERFUL FUTURE IN 2006.

Hi Bob,

Please consider that when people say "GM isn't making anything that people want to buy", they are, in a way, correct. In the New York City area, I can walk around and count GM's market share here. I would measure it between 7 to 10 percent market share. The leader is obviously Toyota. Honda is next. Nissan would probably be third. I would say that GM has a similar market share to subaru, and that makes the situation seem pretty rough. When I say GM, I am including all of it's brands.

Why are people going the way of the Toyota? Well, it is partially on price, perhaps, although I do think that Chevrolet is offering very solid competitive pricing. If price is competitive, then the reason must be on product, or on perception.

Let's take the product line. The product line looks decent at this point, but so heavily focused on SUVs and trucks. In fact, this is what you are pushing as well. On the Chevy snowboarding competition this weekend, your marketing MBAs were pushing Silverados. Sure you had ads for the Aveo too, but Nissan was likely pitching a better product mix in my opinion.

Additionally, I hate to join the rest of your audience commenting on hybrids, but PLEASE, let's get one out already. The ideal would be to make a blockbuster seller that is a hybrid. I am sure it sounds easy for me to say, but Toyota is winning partially because they are winning the MPG war. And sure, gas is back down on price again, hybrids cost more, perhaps not justifying the cost savings anyhow... but this is a PERCEPTION issue. Toyota has the prius and their perception across the board is benefiting from it.

My other recommendations include pushing buick in the foreign market, and not pushing it locally. Either make Saab the next BMW, or sell it.

Also, can I remind your marketing MBAs to sell the cadillac so that people look at it rather than at a BMW or an Infiniti?

(I'm a GM shareholder, FYI)

I am and will forever remain a "Chevy man", wringing my hands daily about the state of the domesic industry, and existing as somewhat of a lone wolf here in import-crazed San Francisco. My current car is a Mazdaspeed MX-5 (purchased a year before the Solstice intro) so yes, even I am one of the sheep. A Vibe preceeded the Miata -- not a real-enough Pontiac/GM vehicle for me - the Toyota mechanicals not satisfying enough, and before that a '69 Corvair with a decal on the rear window reading "PUT ON A BOWTIE". I truly hope to soon be driving a Genuine Chevrolet again, and the rumored Camaro return has my full attention. I've been through a new Vega GT, Monza, Monte Carlo, 2 Camaros, 5 Cavaliers, an X-11, 3 Fieros, etc. and found all to have more soul than the imports. GM is in my blood, I bask in its glories as if they were my own. So, thanks Bob for your good work. I'm looking forward to that Camaro!

Best Wishes for the Holiday season, Bob!

As a newly-employed designer at GM in Australia, I have found this blog a very exciting read!

It pleases me to see that most of us on this blog are all of one voice in wanting:
- Strong Rear wheel drive product base (Cadillac, Buick Pontiac & Chevy sedans/coupes)
- A Product&Design-focused comeback!.
- 'Real' GM heritage
- Bring back that Chevy Muscle car everyone is talking about!
- A strong crossover line-up
- A market leading Hybrid
- Great Saturns
- An amazing Corvette
- Aim to make Cadillac the greatest brand in the world again

I truly believe GM's future is bright if we can make these things happen!

Thirty three years as a salaried employee, have spent almost $4,000 on a 2002 Cadillac STS in the last four months. What car do you think I should buy next. Lexus!!

Bob,

Merry Christmas to you and everyone at GM--Wishing y’all the best in 2006!!

I hope to see Chevrolet unveil a rear wheel drive, two-door, muscle car (production piece) at the North American International Auto Show! Don’t think I can stand another disappointing year.

I’m certain you’re saying to yourself, what’s the matter with this guy--GM has had one on the market since 2004. Out of the ocean of mimic SUVs, y’all only produce ONE two door RWD car. And, unlike most of the negative comments you’ve received regarding the GTO, I thought it was a brilliant move on your part to get such a platform into a showroom that quick. I poked/prodded and drove one, and even though it was a little dated in appearance I strongly considered purchasing a 6 speed version in black. Unfortunately, I could not get past the outrageous price tag. I can easily afford one, but do not feel there is value (bang-for-buck). Please do not make the same mistake with the next model--Price it in the bottom $20K range.

The 06 V8 Impala got my attention, but only for a moment. This time it was more than just the hefty price tag that turned me away. It was the boring FWD platform and the total absence of any distinctive exterior styling (impressive interior). If it was priced $6K less and came as an AWD, then maybe.

Throughout the year of Blog comments, I’ve noted a recurring complaint--GM produces uninspiring looking vehicles. I disagree; all of Cadillac’s cars are knockouts--As are most of Pontiac’s and Buick’s. The brand I’m most loyal to, however, needs to revamp their entire car line-up.

Chevrolet’s exterior styling is at best neutered; except for the MC which is indescribably ugly and conversely the SSR and Corvette which are exceptional designs. Chevrolet engineers have demonstrated they are more than capable of producing outstanding vehicles; certainly much better than what is currently in the showroom--Seriously, they can’t be proud of the Malibu, Cobalt, or Impala. It’s as though their corporate leadership is intentionally suppressing product design--If it’s not them, then whoever it is needs to go back to American Motors.

Bottomline: Please produce something to fill the void created by the loss of all those great RWD muscle cars--350 cu. in., 6 speed, 108 in. wheelbase. Keep the rental fleet if you must, I promise I won’t notice them when I step on the lot to buy that new Chevelle SS or Z/28.

BTW: Dave -- I Never sported a “mullet”, but over the years have sported many a big and small block Novas, Chevelles, and Camaros. Geritol--Do they still make this stuff? And if so, why would you need it if you owned a factory fresh hot rod Chevrolet capable of brute force acceleration?

I am hoping you will offer a Trans Am in 06. My wife has always had a Trans Am ever since she could drive. We had to get rid of her 1998 Trans Am do to the kids getting older. I promised her that on her 40th birthday I would purchase her a new Trans Am fully loaded. Then 4 years later the production of Trans Am's was stopped. Now she will be turning 40 this year and she would love nothing more than to have a brand new Trans Am. I would love to be able to keep my promise to my wife. Please bring us a Trans Am in 2006 as a special edition!!!!!!!!

Mr Lutz,
I am a huge fan of GM products and no I don't work for GM or any affiliate. Actually I am an auto service tech for a competitor. I could go on and on about my preference for GM, but I have something else to say. In the coming year I hope GM pays special attention to media attacks. I truly believe that there is a plan by a certain "group" to destroy GM. Why, because GM is an American Icon and this same group would like to see America decline as well. This movement has it's roots in the nineteen sixties. I point to these examples. Book: Unsafe At Any Speed (VW had same rear swing arm suspension as early Corvair but not targeted), Movie: Roger & Me (totally unfair and distorted, same producer as disgraceful 9/11 movie), News: Time Magazine Cover mid Eighties, all GM cars look alike "all in black", when other makes did also). NBC fake pickup explosions (what possible just reason could they have for doing that?). Recent LA Times GM bashing. There are many more incidents and they are not coincidental, this is a concerted effort. You can bet these same people just love all the talk about bankruptcy and will do their best to propagate it. I believe these people exist in the automotive journalist segment as well. GM spends millions on advertising and these boneheads are making money tearing GM down. Beware. Happy New Year To All

Thats a Shame GTO, you missed out on a good rental.

Mr. Lutz,

Nice to read your holiday comments. Looking forward to the auto show.

The Lucerne is a household shopping list topic for the holidays, its a beautiful car. But will it receive the press it deserves? And what is GM's plan to build its image outside the GM enthusiast camp?

I share the concerns of those who are calling for GM stick up for itself and boost its image. Some of the media have been dishonest in their coverage of GM, we notice it too. Some of the media go out of their way to promote the foreign competition from Japan, their agenda is obvious. GM needs a stronger more widely disseminated response to reach those who are out of touch. GM just needs to reach out and touch them.

I heard GM's radio commerical on my travels from Florida to Virgina over the holidays of how GM has more vehicles leading fuel economy in their class than the competition. It was refreshing to hear, but why doesn't the media reported it?

I join the many who have noticed the snide comments by faceless editorials online and in the magazines. This kind of anti-Americanism should be confronted.

GM brass should be more vocal and more confrontational with Washington. Washington has it wrong. The US needs fundamental change in trade policy and health care. Write a book and go on CSPAN if thats what it takes.

GM should do more to inform the public and the media about the advantages of its products. My family own both GM OHV engines and GM OHC Northstar engines in our cars and we love them both. They really are the best consumer choices. Besides GM's beatiful styling, reliability of GM powertrains is one of your greatest advantages. Our Cadillac, our Camaro, Firebird, and Aurora perform flawlessly. You would have loved the scene, during our family Christmas gathering in Virginia mostly GM cars lined the street and GM's plans were among the discussions.

One way GM could improve its holiday promotions for next year is to consider a line of FAST TRACK clothing and toys for the Disney Store. Fast Track is the GM ride at EPCOT.

GM needs to declare bankruptcy immediately to force the unions to give up even more of what they've fought for in order for the company as a whole to survive.

After the Red Tag Sales end Jan. 3, you had better be planning on offering longer warranties on ALL your cars.

Chevy Impala should have a longer warranty than a measly 3 years. How are you going to get Honda, Toyota and even Hyundai shoppers into a Chevy showroom without a longer warranty?

TEN YEAR WARRANTY-NOW!

wow

Happy holidays to you too Bob.

Blog proves it, can't make everybody happy but everybody is an expert too.

Bob, if you read this you understand, those that say you aren't a car guy are wrong. You knew what powered my little gray car when you saw it. I'm impressed. Most the engineers couldn't figure it out.

I'm not going to tell you the warts at GM but if you can do one thing, make it fun to do our job. You've made a great start. The rest of the job will be easy when we do our stuff with a smile on our faces.

Any guy that takes in a rogue swan to keep it from a date with destiny is okay in my book.

Congratulations,

Hummer is the #1 fastest growing brand in America. Up nearly 100% this year. It must be those bulging fenders, the high beltline, high thin window profile, commanding seating position that makes you feel like the king of the road, graceful yet over the top styling and a distictive Hummer design. Just beautiful.

Now to improve Hummer. (Just follow me for a minute here.) let's lower the ride hight, lower the seating position, lower the overall profile, share the sheet metal with Chevrolet, take out the fender flairs, lower the floor and roof height to the industry norm, lower the belt line, can the original styling and make it look like a 4Runner; oh yeah and get rid of their independant dealerships while we skimp on new product and make them wait seven years for a redesign.

Well Edward that would be the dumbest thing in the world, who ever would do such a thing?

WELL THEN WHY DID YOU DO IT TO BUICK???

The once #3 automaker doesn't want to be #30 anymore. Until Jay Leno chases a modern day Buick like he chases the old ones its potential is still untapped.

Now compare the first Toyota Camry that came off the boat in the 1070's to the one today. It got bigger, bolder, plumper and expanded like a muffin in an oven.

Compare the Buick LaCrosse to a 1960's Buick 8. Well it got flatter like taking the air out of... it's like a collapsed cake.

Don't worry we can fix this, just go back to the original recipe, or use the Hummer recipe.

Bob (the the other GM folks here),

Since it's past Christmas I will make do with wishing all of you a happy and successful 2006.

What would make me happy in '06? That would be seeing a GM car come along that would make me want to replace my '02 Intrigue. Right now the top-end LaCroisse comes closest, but the geriatric image of Buick works against it -- most of the Buicks I see around here are base-model Centurys driven by fedora-wearing old folks and seem to come standard with a handicap parking tag hanging from the rear-view mirror. That's not a shot at those folks, just a statement of reality. It's a huge obstacle for Buick to overcome.

What about the Saturn Aura, you say? To me, Saturn has an even bigger obstacle to overcome in terms of image. I do not think I will ever consider a Saturn for a variety of reasons, from the old touchy-feely dealership image, to the fact that dealers don't seem part of GM, to the fact that most Saturns have been hideously cheap, mean little cars up to now, to the fact that Saturn had a major role to play in the demise of Oldsmobile, which I will never forgive GM for. So while the Aura may be a good car, it will need to be offered under another brand before I will consider it.

The sad thing is that right now the car I like best out there is a Ford, the Fusion. That is saying soemthing, for I have never been a Ford fan and never bought a Ford product. Mechanically it is comparable to the Malibu, but it's all about style. Bunkie Knudsen said "you can't sell a young man an old man's car" and that is the problem here. It's like the old Silver Streaks. You have the sharp looking Fusion lined up against the frumpy and unattractive Malibu. Guess which one I want? Retool the Malibu sheetmetal to something comparable to the Fusion and give it a decent interior and then maybe I will look at it, but not until then.

I want GM to succeed and I know they can do it, but the vision troubles me. Why so much devotion to the 3.4, 3.5, and 3.9 pushrod V-6s? Those are huge liabilities in my consideration of a GM vehicle. Why are GM interiors so consistently bad? Where is the magic that GM Design used to have?

I wish GM well, and I hope someday that I can justify the purchase of a Corvette or a Cadillac, but until then, the bread-and-butter cars need to be upgraded. I hope GM can do it.

Thanks for the '04 GTO.

I have to admit, when this car was first introduced, I thought it was highly overrated and it looked like a $32,000 Grand Am. I never seriously gave it any kind of consideration.

Then, one day, I decided to do some research on it and go down to my Pontiac dealer and take one for a test drive. I was certainly impressed by both the power of the LS1 as well as the neutral handling of the vehicle itself.

But it was the interior that ultimately sold me. It is by far the best quality interior I've even seen in a GM car. The seats are fantastic and the layout of the dash is just perfect. The contrasting suade on the lower door panels and dash just add a touch of class.

Plus, the price I worked out with my dealership wasn't anywhere near the $32,000 sticker and I ended up getting some great value for the dollar.

Since then, I've driven 20,000 trouble free miles and the car still looks and feels like new.

Now, if you'd just considering importing a couple of the other Holden models as Pontiacs, I might just consider buying a second one sooner rather than later. I want a Crewman so bad I can taste it.

Thanks again for a great car.

Greg

Hey Bob, it was great year keep up the great work. I received my Solstice this past fall and love it.

Good luck with the 2006 car shows!

Mr. Lutz,

Happy New Year.

Someone said Hummer is the fastest growing brand. To be sure GM enthusiasts like our brands, including Oldmobile. Here are some thoughts after reading some others.

A counter proposal I've read from other GM enthusiasts is to put GMC into Hummer. The GMC stamp could remain along with Hummer for a while, under the hood or inside the door panel. I was expecting a surprise light truck product entry from Hummer. That would grab the younger set.

Here is another GM enthusiast proposal. Put Suzuki into Saab. The Saab name is much stronger, Saab just needs product breadth.

Expand Cadillac up and down. Cadillac needs an entry level BLS and a V-12 Sedan and V-12 Sports car.

Give Pontiac a flag ship sedan with style. People with young children need something larger than the Grand Prix. GM needs to be engaged in stylish sedan market, the Chrysler 300 proves it. Look to the Lambrogini Gallardo for a Pontiac sedan headlight geometry.

Don't furlow the Firebird/Camaro too long. These cars have very high credibility with younger set, they respect them. Realize that GM was succeeding with the Camaro/Firebird. It just needed a styling change. GM has taken too many negatives from the media over these cancelations. Pontiac would be a great place for Disney's GM Fast Track Merchandise. Again, GM needs to add Fast Track line of toys at the Disney store.

For Buick, use names like the REO and Aurora embrace the Oldsmobile base. There is room in Buick for these names. Names like the Aurora, the 442, REO, the Grand National, these are all potentials for Buick. Remember all those millions of Cutlass customers from the 1980's, they are GM potentials. The REO is a GM name that would catch on with the younger set, and preserve Ransom E. Olds heritage for GM in the public eye, these names would be embraced inside Buick. Don't run away from your heritage, embrace it.

I keep hearing how Saturns do great in the cone races from the teen age crowd, Saturn beats the other cars hands down. Did you all know that? Saturn needs a racing coupe with a big fin in bright yellow. Don't miss the trends.

Have hot rod tuning car shows at the movie theaters like your foreign competition from Japan does. Use your local car clubs to counter these things.

thanks for the comments and posts in general bob. it's been a tough 2nd half to the year. the hhr seems to be doing well here at my store. it's a good sign that the new product is doing well. i am surprized that more people aren't giving the new impala a look here in the south. being in the south people don't care about the fwd since snow and ice is not a problem. i here rwd, rwd all the time. i just hope the new tahoe, suburban, avalanche and new silverado are huge hits. they've got to be. there's no way around it. 2006 has got to be our year. bottom line, we have to have product that people want. the hhr and equinox have proved that. we can't settle for middle of the road. we need to be in shock and awe mode at gm. we need to make america stand up and take notice. toyota's on a roll that's not going to be to easy to slow down. let's take the attitude of the video of mr smith that was shown to us at the come to market meating. let's grab the bull by the horns. no prisoners!!!! build it and we'll sell it!!!!! thanks again for the commentary. i read it faithfully.

jonathan a mapp
2005 gm certified chevy sales mgr

Hello Mr. Lutz,
I purchased a '06 G6 GTP Coupe with the 6 speed manual, 1 month ago. This vehicle is infinitely better than my previous '99 Grand Am, in both quality and performance. Are there any parts for this car planned from the GM Performance Division?

I think Chevy should have done an SSR "Surf Wagon." The SSR was hampered by it's awkward market positioning: Too heavy to be a real "Sports Car" but too small and expensive to be a practical pickup. Four doors and an enclosed cargo area would re-position it as being the coolest SUV/Wagon/Crossover you could get. All of a sudden, what was a "toy" for dad would be a practical family car that everyone could enjoy, and look cool doing it. Shame they didn't make this one. I know down here in the "O.C." this would be the "gotta have" car!

I want to pre-emptively say that while a neat package in its own right, the HHR is NOT what I'm describing above. What I'm envisioning is a V-8 powered, rear-drive SSR-derived wagon. Scale up the HHR's lines a notch with a little more 'tude. Keep the beefy 295 meats in the rear from the SSR. Even if packaging dictates it's only a 5-seater instead of 7, who cares? It's still better than the SSR's 2. I know if you built it, it would probably be automatic-only for cost/production reasons, but at least give us the new 6-speed. I know it probably wouldn't sell in the hundreds of thousands, but I guarantee it would sell better than the SSR has. Even if the price crept up into the low-mid 40s, I'm sure there would be plenty of takers.

Merry Christmas Bob!
maybe it is too late to say so,so wish you a very happy new year.See you in Auto Show!

I'm the proud owner of a '06 Pontiac g6. I traded in my beloved '97 Tahoe sport for a impressive 4-cylinder g6 model which has all the power I need.

This blog is a great addition to GM feedback, I welcome the changes.

Hello Mr. Lutz,

Happy New Year to you and the rest of the best at GM!

With the new year just around the corner, Id like to know will the Hot Rumored 2007-2008 Corvette SS "Blue Devil" be making an appearance at NAIAS?

Ive been told by some other GM execs that NAIAS may be the debut of the new fire breathing monster?

Yet, I have yet to see any real photo's, engine specs, or even nurbring shots? Well seen a few, but as the big man in charge, can you elaborate at all on this specific vehicle?

Also, what are the plans now for the dreaded polished wheel loss? With all the chome wheel companies out there, you would think you could goto one of them for new wheels, after all, more Corvette customers get rid of their stock wheels and add the chome wheels? Wouldnt it make sense to drop polished, and go chrome?

Hi, I hope to see a reasonable hybrid this year at the detroit show. I come from a GM family, but without a cool hybrid coming, I feel like I want to go look elsewhere. I want to do my GM part, but I also don't want to scar the earth more than necessary. And let me tell you, the aveo doesn't do much for me. Even my GM dad is feeling glum about GM's choices for me. Why not beat Toyota to the punch and start working on a plug in hybird. Make it a saab and you would leave toyota and honda behind in the dust.

Merry Christmas Maximum Bob. Get ready for the wildest New Year of your life.

Happy New Year Bob and everyone!

Dear Bob,thanks for the opportunity to criticize GM.I am a member of the abodysite,we have been discussing current GM products and have a few complaints.While I think you are making the best cars in GM history,some vehicles don't measure up to your competition.If you want a bigger market share,make small cars as good as the japanese do,make trucks work vehicles again that are affordable,and give the divisions identity again with special cars like the GTO , GS and Malibu SS that realy remind us of our first cars.We love our 70's GM products,we aren't impressed by fluff,give us back tough real wheel drive cars that are simple and fun to drive.Please visit our abody site for a better insight into our feelings on what a car should be.

Best wishes for the New Year. Let us hope GM weathers the Delphi storm and proves able to get first year models a little more "together" on the first try.

I hope that the nifty 3.9 V6 GM now only puts into the SS models will find its way into the Mailbu Maxx LTZ, which could result in a unique car that would give the Audi A3 some solid competition.

I've just seen the new television ads for the new Tahoe and suggest you fire your ad agency immediately. As a long term follower of this blog I keep waiting to see signs of life and promotion for the great products - maybe some offensive manuevers against biased critics and competitors.

GM...hmmm. A repeat of the 1970's? Detroit once again screwed themselves and the consumer by listening only to their own self-congratulatory raves. What has GM offered us that other auto makers have not? Instead of innovation and problem solving, they sat around and drew funny faces on Chevy trucks and slapped Cadillac badges on them. Yes, once again GM has suffered from underestimating the needs and intelligence of the American People. Should history repeat itself GM will suffer well into 2020 for this latest blindspot. I'll gladly take the job of CEO and fire everyone who has given approval to the sorry state of the GM lineup. GM...#2...you deserve it and we deserve more.

Bob,

I've been a loyal GM customer for almost 20 years as well as a shareholder.

I'd love to see GM drop the GMC line and replace it with General Motors Customs. GM could have customized vehicles from each brand ordered online and delivered to dealers for pickup with a GM backed warranty. What a boost for the bottom line and for customers who want a truly customized vehicle. A new concept that would leave everyone else playing catch up.

Gotta agree, the new Tahoe ad is lame, not exciting at all.
It doesn't seem like you're introducing an important update here.

On the other hand, the Chevy ad shown New years Eve was entertaining.

Happy New Year Bob... Just recently purchased a 2006 Black Pontiac Torrent AWD, to replace my Chrysler 300m. Great Vehicle that many people have not heard of. My Biggest problem was finding dealer that would take the time to find the car for me. When people see it they love. Youre products are great...It's all about changing many consumers perception of GM products. I am rooting for you to achieve that.

Bob, I hope you had a good Christmas and new years.

Now back to work!

So what is the deal on the Zeta, I have been hearing rumors it is back on?

Mr. Lutz and all the rest of the GM team,

Happy New Year and may 2006 bring real traction to GM's efforts to improve profitability and viability.

And while much of the posting on this blog is from enthusiasts clammorring for the General to offer up more "niche" cars, hopefully the management at GM realizes that the first priority is bread and butter cars that pay the bills.

Rick Wagonner's pet car, the SSR was a stunning failure by all accounts. RIP to the dumbest idea on 4 wheels ever. Lutz's Solstice is a hit I guess, but it won't be profitable or help pay the bills so whats the point in building it?

GM Management needs to give up on the strategy of shoring up the corporate image by offering a mixed bag of golly-gee niche vehicles. The best way to improve GM's image and regain consumer confidence and shareholder value is to demonstrate profitability and sensible portfolio decisions.

So get back to basics and have a great '06.

Happy new year to you too!
well, lets get right into it:
i think the best thing for GM right now is to file for bankruptcy and start over.
-new dealer network management , just like the saturn dealers, no haggle, great service
-close old plants, close divisions such as GMC with no brand identity at all
-consolidate your product portfolio, bring opel cars here as saturns, daewoos as small chevys
-no more overlap, no more corner cutting, no more quality problems
-brand new contract with the unions, no more cover it all health care and retirement packages
-new management, must be younger than 70 to apply, no more desasters such as FIAT
-longer warranties to get peoples trust back
-a real mercedes and beemer competitor => no more cheap interiors and old engines for caddy
-constantly listen to consumers needs, introduce TQM , lean production and fast customer feedback for instant fixes for slow selling cars
...ok, thats it on the top of my head. GM is an american icon, i would hate to see it continue to slowly die. make bold changes and once again be the General every American is proud to support.

I am 3 months into a Saab 9-3 arc...the honeymoon has not ended, as I am keeping the vehicle freakishly clean.
It is a great car. Fit and finish, nice turbo power, 100% enjoyable to drive.

An '06 thought for GM:
Leve fit, quod bene fertur, onus - The burden is made light which is borne well. (Ovid)

Bob:
Happy New Year. I have not even seriously looked at a GM product for 20 years (quality issues and I did not like cereal box styling);HOWEVER, the new designs, cool advertising, and quality improvement are making me look at GM VERY SERIOUSLY for my next purchase. Best wishes to everyone at GM for a successful year!!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I leased a v6 G6 over the holidays. So far, I'm very happy with the car. It's a good value and really fun to drive. My only complaint is the red lighting in the interior- I know it's supposed to be part of the Pontiac DNA, but it's ugly and hard to read- an unneccessary detraction from such a great car.

Bob,

Ive notice that you have been refered to as a "car guy". How is it, you have been at GM for many years now (5 I think) and have had no impact on GM. Furthermore, GM continues to loose billions of dollars a quarter. Why doesnt the board of directors fire you and the rest of the executives at GM and get people that know how to provide results. Maybe some "car guys" that know something about the car business. You might be tempted to quote some insignificant figures about GM quality. The fact is you and the rest of the executive are out matched by the Asian competitors and the sales says it all.

Ah yes, Happy New Year. Now, get ready for the death of Buick.

Asinine.

Did we learn nothing from the death of Olds?

Cut models, NOT BRANDS!

http://businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_03/b3967023.htm
"'What about Buick?'-Business Week.
'The real challenge with Buick is that people automatically exclude it from consideration. That it's an old person's car is a notion that's constantly reinforced by the media. Breaking though that is very tough. It's easier to grow a brand like Saturn.'-Bob Lutz"

Bob,
ignore Kevin's comments..no one said being competitive was easy. The new generation Camaro has potential but may i make a few suggestions. Doff the chevy badge in the front and put the original badging front and back. The closer the car looks to the '68, the more it will sell. The new retro mustang came complete with 68 badging and front grille complete with 2nd set of lights in grille. You have a winner , just need a few more changes to make it really "retro".... good luck. I've just bought your company stock ..cause i think you will turn it around.

Please build the Camaro. I bleed Chevy bowties. I have had Chevies all my life, cars, Suv's, Vette, and trucks. 400 hp, 30 mpg, $25,000-30,000, we Chevy boomers are chomping at the bits for this one! Why pay 50,000 for a '69 when I can have this one. Yes, yes, yes.

The Camaro concept has potential, but I have a few suggestions. The headlights look squished as the grill gets too narrow at the edges. The front sort of looks like a grinning clown. The Viper style roof doesn't really work, and the entire rear end is horrible. The taillights don't go with the car at all. I hate to admit it, but look at the Dodge Challenger concept. Dodge hit it dead on. I've been in love with Chevy all my life, but given the choice between these two concepts I'd take the Dodge. I hope that by the time these vehicles hit production I can say otherwise.

Bob,
I am a long time GM customer with a Chev, Z71 and have been waiting for the next generation of Caprice to come out.
I know you thought you could
do better with the Suburban, Taho etc. But you literally abandoned the Law enforcement
Taxi Cab and people like market. And thats a steady, large and continuely growing
market.
I GOT TO SAY "WHERE'S YOUR HEAD" Bob?
One thing for sure, it sure saved FORD's bacon. Look at there stock. And the Crown Vic
I bought in 05 gets 29 on the highhway, though its still not the car the my last Caprice was. Jim