The Case for GM
Today on FastLane, we kick off a series of videos entitled, “The Case for GM,” in which General Motors leaders discuss the challenges we’re facing, what we’re doing to address them — and also why we still feel good about our future. This series will work better as a dialogue, so we’d love to hear your responses — and we’ll respond to questions that are offered in the spirit of sincere dialogue. Some of the responses will come from our execs; many will come from GM team members (and yes, we do think of ourselves as a team.) Check back on Monday, when GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner weighs in with his thoughts and stay tuned for more commentary by other GM leaders in the weeks to come. Thanks, and please let us know what you think. - Christopher Barger, Director, Global Communications Technology
- Posted in The Case for GM
Eric
This is a great way to let us GM fans in on what’s going on at the company. I’d like to hear more about the brand strategy at GM and whether or not the company can win with the number of brands it has under its belt. Many critics believe that GM needs to somehow eliminate some brands to free up resources. Also, discuss the quality strides that GM has made and how the company will get the message out along with how this relates to recalls (there was one today and few in previous weeks, although the issues were very minor).
bluebaby
The only way your going to make a case for GM is to start slamming your competition yes I mean toyota, it seems that you won’t say anything negative about them, from the way they hide all the recalls including lexus to the sterotyping of GM, I’m a huge supporter of GM its a part of my family but thats not the only reson I support them its because the product is simply the best out there, a couple of decades ago not so but here now GM is KING and should really start here in so cal with all the kool-aid drinkers here. you have to bombard the airwaves and everything else here like there is no end because all you see here on campus’ and in parking garages, and malls are toyota and hondas, it has to start at the dealers with upgrading the showrooms from the 70’s thats were people see first and weall know first impressions last forever, please get the ball rolling before it rolls you over and not GM because the media loves toyota and obama.
thanks
bluebaby
Isaac Herrera
I think this is a GIGANTIC step in the right direction. The first thing (which you are doing here) is to use all of the free internet tools to stayed better connected to the pulse of the American citizens and let them know that you are people just making day to day decisions. Your decision to do this already shows me that GM is serious about being #1 again.
Fred
Oh there’s plenty of fodder all right. And there seems to be more and more every day. I would like to hear you talk about the issue of the G3. That car makes absolutely no sense too me or to anyone else. Pontiac is my favorite GM brand and it’s so so painful to see these joke cars like the G6 and Torrent and soon to be G3 rolling around.
It’s not even the fact that the brand is being overrun by FWDs (which is really annoying btw), but they’re not even good FWDs! At least cars like the Mazda 3 are fun to drive. What do cars like the Torrent and G6 have going for them? They’re expensive, they don’t perform well, they don’t look nice, and they sure as heck aren’t fun to drive.
Like I said before GM has been doing a lot of things really well lately, but it drives me crazy when you start cranking out mediocre cars. And by the way… I hope you guys at least secretly recognize how terrible the Pontiac line up is. If you don’t, you really don’t understand sports cars and you should probably just get out of that business all together.
Christopher Popa
Hi Mr. Barger. I look forward to hearing from the various GM officials about “The Case for GM.” But, as a customer, I’d prefer GM to make the topics brand-specific, like “The Case for — ” [ ex: Buick; Pontiac ]. Tell us something to excite us as consumers about the future of each of your iconic brands - not just Chevrolet, Saturn, and Opel. We know you won’t reveal future product plans per se (although you could beat others to the punch, coming from GM itself). Keep our interest in Buick and Pontiac going, strongly. And why won’t GM give the Invicta name to the new Buick Epsilon II; it would consolidate the various names (LaCrosse, Allure) and, since this vehicle appears to be a giant leap over the present W-body LaCrosse, it merits a fresh start.
Josh Oliver
GM needs some people with some charisma, or at least people that are comfortable with being on camera before they try this.
Hendersons segment at the GM 100 birthday celebration was a disaster to watch and he came off unprepared. and as a dear in the headlights.
I’m not video pro…but come on, give me some movement and show me some confidence!
But on topic: I agree with everything Fred said. Right Said Fred.
The G3…a Pontiac G3? You’re kidding, right?
Christopher Barger
Hi everyone - thanks for your comments. I have a couple of minutes here Sunday afternoon while waiting at the Philadelphia airport for a flight to Chicago (gee, shocker… a flight to Chicago is delayed!), so I wanted to get back to you.
Eric - one of the future “episodes” we have planned does discuss our brand strategy. There’s a few other issues we had in the pipeline ahead of it (right now we’ve got somewhere around 20 planned so far, we’ll add if/as new ones occur to us or come up in conversations out here), but we will be addressing it during this series. Thanks for your question and for raising an issue that we know we need to address on FastLane.
BlueBaby - I guess I just don’t believe in making one’s self look good just by ripping on the alternative. (If I wanted to do that, maybe I’d be a politician!) Y’know, like if the best we can say for ourselves is “the other guys have bigger problems than we do,” then we’re not really being convincing. Thankfully, we have plenty of positive things to point out and a very strong case to make on our own. Anyway - thanks for believing in us and for wanting to see us do well.
Issac - thanks for the encouragement! I’m excited about the potential of this series and the conversations that can come from it.
Fred - I think we talked about the G3 in the post right below this one, but we will be talking about the brands more specifically a little further into the series. A couple of my other colleagues might also have something to say here, so I’ll defer to people who know more about the G3 and Pontiac than I do. But - if nothing else, please know that your comment has been read, that people here at GM have heard your complaint, and that we hope you’ll stay in the conversation and keep sharing your thoughts.
Christopher - “Mister” Barger? Wow, I feel very… well, either old or like my dad’s in the room.
Seriously, thanks for the respect but please call me Christopher. Anyway, to your point: I appreciate your interest in getting into the specific brands in greater detail. Like I mentioned to the others on this thread, we do have plans to discuss our brands in greater detail later in this series; I’ll be sure to give you a heads up as they get closer, and if there’s that much interest maybe we’ll “bump them up” in the episode order… we’ll just play it by ear a little and see how the reaction is and what people are talking about in the comments. But - thank you for your interest in the iconic brands and the idea of breaking this series down even a little deeper. Not a bad thought…
Okay, thanks you guys. Hope you had a good weekend and that you’ll be back to check Rick’s opening video on Monday. …………………………CB
Scott Ackerman
Christopher,
I think this is a very interesting approach for GM. After going to school at GM, and owning GM cars my entire life, I have never felt/thought that GM actually listened to the buyers and owners. Maybe for a short period in the early 80’s. I like Mr. Lutz, and I like the direction Mr. Lutz is going with GM, but I am a little hesitant with build quality. I purchased a 2006 Impala SS, which yes Fred it is more than fun to drive, and every A/C vent on the _NEW_ GM interior rattles. Not good! The old GM interiors never did this. Faithful I am, so I buy my wife a 2007 Tahoe. It has a harmonic rattle under acceleration, and leaks engine oil from between the engine and transmission. The good news is that the A/C vents don’t rattle!
So, now for a buyer/consumer problem, and this is not just a GM problem. The dealers can’t service what they sell. If I take my car to the local dealer, they will break more than they fix. So, I have paper wedged in my A/C vents on one car, and a drip pan on the floor under the other. Makes for a great conversation piece. Not the type of conversation GM needs now or ever. How far do I go for GM? I just talked my brother into buying a 2008 Impala for his wife last week, and my dad into buying a new G8 three months ago. My dad was going to trade is 2002 DTS in on a Lexus. He had just spent $2800 on the DTS replacing the water cooled alternator after his third GM/Delco battery went out. He really wasn’t to inclined to buy GM again, but I pulled him in one more time. So far, the G8 has been good, with the exception of the middle console passenger side plastic panel falling off again and again until I think they glued it on. The only bad thing so far about the G8, is that the interior only comes in black. Yes Fred, even though it only has a V6, it is fun to drive.
Why is it that GM can’t make a battery that doesn’t leak around the terminals? Even the new/old top post batteries in both of my current GM cars have been replaced. I _honestly_ do not know a single person that owns a GM car, that has not had the GM battery leak. This has been going on since the mid 90’s, and still is not fixed. From now on, even though the car is under warranty, I buy a $30 Wal-Mart battery for a replacement. They don’t leak! Why can’t GM do this? I’m sure you can find out how much GM spends per year replacing batteries, battery trays, battery cables, inner fenders, and alternators under warranty. I think it would be cheaper to spend an extra dollar on fixing the source of the problem. Just like you asking for input, it would be a monumental success for GM if you could even get the battery problem fixed. There’s nothing like coming out to a car that is less than one year old, and the battery is dead.
Thanks for your time.
Stephen
Hi Christopher,
I’m glad to see GM getting back into the game in a very real way. I’m also glad to hear that people at GM are listening to their customers and actively engaging them in a conversation to improve the cars and trucks that GM produces. But I’m wondering what GM is doing to improve the relationship with its customers. I’ve owned American cars from GM and Ford, and to tell you the truth I always liked the car, but hated the experience. I never felt valued as a person–or more importantly treated like GM cared that I took the time and money to own one of their vehicles.
I would love to engage GM in that conversation. So that GM realizes the entire relationship with the customer is important–from the moment we see a concept car, watch a commercial, enter a showroom, test drive a car, buy a car, bring the car in for service, and finally trade the car for a new one and everything in between…. every aspect of that relationship has to be managed and right now I don’t think GM is doing that as well as they could.
I certainly have lots of specifics and ideas, but this isn’t the place to dive into the good or the bad specifically. I’m just looking forward to hearing more and perhaps being won back over to a GM vehicle. But if you ever want to talk specifics, feel free to drop me a line.
Thanks.
-Stephen
Dominic Gerace
Perfect! “The Case for GM” is exactly where this common subject should be explained: The EV1. Who killed it? Why? Is the book correct? Did it have to do with “big oil”? Regardless of whatever sensible business-case decisions were made, the public perception of the demise of the EV1 does not put GM in a favorable light. Is their a record to set straight with this one? Maybe on the factsandfiction website?
Michael Browne
Rick W: As a 36.2 yr hourly employee GM has provided me with a wonderfull living.Having said that with shaking hands a a lump in my throat I just signed up for the Canadian buy out package.
In spite of everything I read I believe that GM is moving in the right direction don’t let us down sir.
Michael H Browne
Oshawa metal Center
Jay M
Chevy seems well positioned as the brand to take on Honda & Toyota. But I must comment on poor Saab. They keep generating wonderful, innovative concepts that never make it to production.
It seems that Saab engineers & designers know where they want the brand to go, they just lack the resources to make the vehicles a reality.
It seems that fuel-effcient cars that can carry a load and still pamper their drivers with luxurious amenities would be a powerful draw in today’s automotive landscape.
Bring back that hatch!
Euroclydon
“It seems that Saab engineers & designers know where they want the brand to go, they just lack the resources to make the vehicles a reality.”
Why hasn’t GM been able to figure out the Volt would fit best in their Saab demographic?
At a price point of the mid to high $40k it’s a mistake badging it as a Chevrolet. Not many of their Chevy demographic are going to be able to afford that much, and many of their Saab/Cadillac demographic will be reluctant to buy a car with a Chevy badge.
In reality, those who will be attracted to and can afford the Volt will be well-to-do, environmentally-conscious elites. That sounds most like GM’s Saab demographic. The Caddie-crowd will be able to afford it, but not many of them are environmentally-correct, tree-hugging, granola eaters who care much about saving the fuel it takes to drive the first 40 miles each day.
Kevin
I’d like to see GM try to steal some of the overlooked markets… such as small AWD vehicles…
The reason I mention this is because I drive a Subaru yet I’m not entirely rigid in my loyalty to brands. I am, however, loyal to my needs, which include getting around in inclement weather, similar to what’s found in New York. I’m interested in GM vehicles, but most winters I just see them flounder.
Cheap AWD cars please.
Frank C.
Bob Lutz’ comments re: global warming and women buyers and the Volt are NOT a good start. What a PR disaster.
GM’s reputation is in worse shape than automotive enthusiasts imagine….yet people like me are dying to get behind the company’s products again. Lutz just patronized me, and gave me less hope.
Can we see an indication somehow that GM really understands the problem? It’s not just coming up with a competitor to the Prius. It’s about reorienting the corporations approach to all of its operations.
Dennis
I’m not bashing GM but I truly do not understand all the talk. Repeatedly (and admittedly) I have attempted to goad GM to respond to how a letter of mine was answered by a form letter that addressed not one of the issues I had raised in my correspondence… and now they want input from the general car-buying public? It is truly laughable to me at this point. GM did not give a damn until the wheels started falling off the wagon and truthfully I have to question whether they truly care now. What a shame. At one time I was proud to have a GM vehicle in my driveway, and I have had many (GM vehicles) but now I cannot even bring myself to seriously consider one. I am truly sorry that this is how I feel but General Motors has done NOTHING for its customers for far too long to bring its former customer base back. There are just too many other options out there for consumers, options that GM themselves opened my eyes to by their attitude of contempt for people like me who might represent just one sale, albeit one every two years. Good luck with this forum… may it return GM to its former glory. We can only hope you have truly learned from your recent past. The customer does not like to be ignored… it really is not conducive to future sales.
bluebaby
Thanks for the reply and by the way I just purchased an 08 CTS and 08 GMC Sierra, love em both, but the CTS is a true top of the line car, keep up the great work!
bluebaby
SteveG
GM will never get props until they start treating every single segment as being of utmost importance.
I see the Malibu and Traverse and think to myself-nice job, that means GM is on its way to being competitive with the Japanese.
Then, I see the Volt and I see an exciting design full of smart details and a beautiful interior.
I see the CTS and think the same thing.
And then……………………..The Cruze. I have hammered you guys repeatedly on this car but I cannot contain how dissapointed I am with this effort. It does not have an organic design, it doesn’t flow. It looks Korean, not American. Why didn’t you have your NA designers do the designing? Because you don’t take compact cars seriously. It’s all too obvious, from cheapening out with the exterior design to using, once again, a torsion beam rear suspension! Why did you even bother with Delta II if its going to have the same outdated inferior suspension design!? The Mazda 3, Civic, Elantra, upcoming Focus, etc will all have superior driving characteristics.
You aimed for a double, not a home run.
To make matters worse you are changing the name again! The Cobalt has finally earned some street cred and you just abandon it for the worst name in the auto business. You mean to tell me noone in your company heard the name Chevy Cruze and dissaproved of the change?
Cruze is an awful name, I cannot say it enough.
As for Buick, you keep the name LaCrosse. I don’t get it. That car has no fans whatsoever but you decide to keep it in favor of Regal or Invicta. How about Electra? You change a perfectly good name, Cobalt, yet keep an atrocious name, LaCrosse. Bizarre.
Then, Saturn. Why don’t you just change the brand name to Opel? Then you may be able to get people to take the cars seriously. You also need to get smart about the cars they sell. The Astra is underpowered-why not put the 2.2 Ecotec in it? That would solve the problem and maybe you’d actually sell a few. You also need the Sedan version, hatchbacks dont sell well here. Are you purposely setting up Saturn to fail? Why don’t you just shut it down then and stop wasting time and money.
I can’t help but think that if saturn didn’t exist then the Cruze (ugh) would be the Chevy Astra. I still prefer Cobalt but its an improvement over Cruze.
As for the Cobalt you let it rot on the vine for 4 years. At least improve the seats and put in a telescoping steering wheel. Take it from Honda-the Civic was the best selling car in the country and they STILL managed to find some improvements to make. I’d like to see you do the same thing for once. Never sit still!
You guys really need to get your act together. Ford seems to know what its doing now, you seem to be flailing this way and that.
Can the Aveo compete with the upcoming Fiesta? Please, it won’t even be close.
You have us vote on the Beat/Trax/Groove, then don’t design it for NA.
All this and you wonder why we have lost faith in GM?
It’s not rocket science, people.
Masospaghetti
The case for GM is grim when vehicles like the G3 still manage to make it out of the gate, and when the most important Chevy of the coming decade is named the Cruze.
Wingo Wango
“You have us vote on the Beat/Trax/Groove, then don’t design it for NA.”
Why wasn’t the “new” Pontiac G3 one of the Triplets you had us vote on instead of a made over Aveo?
Scott Ackerman
Christopher,
I at least expected the respect of a response to my comment. You said in your video that this wasn’t going to be one way? I, along with others, have posted comments, with no acknowledgement or reply.
Sadly, it looks like it’s still the same old GM with a clever marketing ploy.
Tim
Eurocyldon,
I still don’t see your arguement on the Chevy brand being a poor match for the Volt. First of all, you say it’s too expensive for Chevy, and that Cadillac buyers will be reluctant to purchase a Chevy. Chevy sells plenty of $50,000 Tahoes and Suburbans. They sell plenty of $45,000 Corvettes, they sell every $70,000 Z06 they make and will sell every $100,000 ZR-1 they will make. The price doesn’t matter if it’s a specialty car (performance for the Vette, or E-REV for the Volt) people will buy it regardless of the badge being a Chevy or Caddy.
Secondly, just because the Volt will start at around $40,000, obviously we all hope that the price will come down as economies of scale start working, and like any new technology, prices will fall eventually. So, should GM start it as a Caddy, then as the price (hopefully) comes down, move it to Buick, and then Pontiac, and finally to Chevy if it gets cheap enough? Maybe GM is planning for the future, and I think badging it a Chevy means, they plan and hope that the Volt (and it’s derivatives) will become mainstream vehicles, not just low volume models that Cadillac sells.
Euroclydon
Tim,
Because the Volt is a commuter car, and not targeted at a special demographic with special needs (or desires) such as Tahoe, Suburban, Z06, or ZR-1. (GM doesn’t sell Tahoes and Suburbans to the Caddie-crowd, they get to buy Escalades. Also, the Corvette is in a class of its own. Have you ever heard anyone call it a “Chevy Corvette? No, it’s just “Corvette.”)
A blue-collar Chevy-guy is not about to pay $40k++ for a car that is good for little more than driving to work and back.
If it was my decision, I would call it the “General Motors Volt” and allow all GM dealers sell it. In my opinion, GM should separate Volt from the Chevrolet name.
Dennis
Bravo Steve G… GM just doesn’t get it. Can’t they see what has happened over at Ford? There is no model continuity there. GM has equity in its past model designations, do they truly believe “Cruze” or “Flex” represent good choices? GM, you are SO doomed.
To Scott Ackerman- YOU ARE SO RIGHT! This is all more B.S. from GM. They got their government bailout, why do they need to bother with us, the oh so troublesome customer?
You know GM, there are those of us that truly wanted to believe…
And the Volt alone just ain’t gonna do it, no way, no how.
Tim
Euroclydon,
My piont is, people still spend $40,000+ on a vehicle with a bowtie. Fine, maybe they Caddy crowd buys Escalades, but there are still plenty of people that spend more than $40,000 on a Chevy.
I do agree that more people call the Corvette just a Corvette without the Chevy in front. But, why do you think people will do that, and not call the Volt, just the “Volt”, and not a “Chevy Volt”.
Although I do see some good in selling the Volt through all sales channels, I think what would happen is, like everyone one here complains about “badge engieering” and having competeing models. In the blog about the Pontiac G3 someone said that the G3 and the Aveo are competing (I agree) and that a Pontiac dealership will fight the Chevy dealership down the street for the sale of the car. I think that same thing would happen with the Volt. The Chevy dealer will have to fight with the Pontiac dealer, which will have to fight with the Cadillac dealer for the sale of an identical car. While competition is good for the consumer, the profits of the dealships and GM will suffer. Which is definately not what they need right now.
Gerard
I see no problem with GM attaching the “Chevrolet” badge on the Volt anymore than I do with the Prius still bearing a “Toyota” logo. One can take the Volt as a Chevrolet for a new generation of personal transportation; possibly laying the foundation for the technology that will drive all Chevrolets twenty years from now.
It isn’t that far-fetched. Toyota has promised to have Hybrid Synergy Drive under the hood of all its North American passenger vehicles. The General has shown that a hybrid-powered full-size V-8 pickup is no less “masculine” than a traditional model. Honda’s CR-Z will combine light weight, high fuel-efficiency, and sportiness in a dual-powered setup. Hybrid powertrains are spreading faster than bad reality TV on cable.
Just to remark a bit more on the badge debate…
With regards to the Chevy Corvette, the ‘Vette is sort of an exception to the rule in badging. A lot of those buyers are men in mid-life crises who want an item of instant status… I’m inviting myself to attacks from a legion of ‘Vette lovers, but I feel it is an accurate assessment. The Corvette is the best sports car in America, and one of the best in the world. I’d like one, but I still won’t refute the point I made.
I do believe GM recently cut down on Corvette production as well.
Euroclydon
“But, why do you think people will do that, and not call the Volt, just the “Volt”, and not a “Chevy Volt”.”
GM would make it much easier for people to call the Volt a “Volt,” if they didn’t badge it as a Chevy, and just marketed it as, “The Volt, from General Motors.”
“The Chevy dealer will have to fight with the Pontiac dealer, which will have to fight with the Cadillac dealer for the sale of an identical car. While competition is good for the consumer, the profits of the dealerships and GM will suffer.”
GM should distribute the Volt to all GM dealers to be sold at a fixed price. That would force the dealers to compete by having to provide better service and customer relations. That kind of competition would benefit customers and GM, plus reward the dealers who really care. (Doesn’t that sound like a win for everyone?)
Along with selling the General Motors Volt through all GM dealers at a set price, GM should also allow customers to order the Volt through the Internet, and then go to the local GM dealer that provides the best service when their car needs repairs or preventive maintenance.
Christopher Barger
Scott, I apologize for my delayed response. I’ve actually been out of the office for the past two weeks — I got married and was away at my wedding and honeymoon. I’m sorry that you didn’t get a reply fast enough. Today’s my first day back in the office, and I am trying to get caught up.
(I did write, before I left, quick intros to the videos that we were posting while I was away…. but I haven’t really been on in the past two weeks other than that. Other GM colleagues have been responding to comments and questions, so it’s not like the whole site went unattended while I was out!)
Regarding your comments, I’m afraid that I’m not a technician and don’t personally have the knowledge to specifically answer your questions… though I would take issue with the way you phrased it though, because I’m quite certain that we make batteries that don’t leak around the terminals. (I’m also quite sure that individual customer issues are not addressed on the blog, but should be dealt with by customer service privately with the individual involved.)
But you’re right — we asked for your questions (even if they’re worded a bit more like accusations). So if you’ll give me a little bit, now that I am back in the office, to connect with the right people to address your comments, I’ll see if I can get you an answer, or at the very least someone who is better suited to talk with you about the issues you’re raising.
I’m sorry that you weren’t pleased with the delay. Let me see who I can talk to on your behalf
Christopher
Stephen Russell
What will GM do if the Chrysler merger does Take place?
I Urge GM do the following IF GM buys Chrysler:
o Combine Production Plants
o Streamline vendor servicves
o Combine dealerships
o Combine R&D & Design Labs
o Sell excess acerage etc.
(even office space in GM Hqs).
oCUT Financing costs for New cars
o Merge the Vette & Viper into 1 New Sports Car or Sports Coupe
o Merge Hummer with Jeep Line?
o Rebrand Makes?
o Revive Dodge as DODGE GM?
o Rename Corp: CHRYSLER GM?
o Revive the Chevy Geo brand?
o Research more Cane sugar Biofuels.
o Produce Flexfuel engines
o Combine technologies.
o Merge Chrysler Le Baron with Cadillac line.
o Merge Buick & Cadillac lines?
o Revive 1970 Plynouth Superbird with new Aero Body shape & V8.
o Produce monorails, RR passenger cars, buses, RVs.
o Use 1 plant for IDEA SEED BED for whole Corp use.
& More.
Your call.
BUT CUT:
Exec perks
Combine benefits
Combine Healthcare Plans
Automate more Plants
Make some plants Multiuse mode.
CUT GM Hqs office excess.
Expand GM Design Center for CA & AZ.
Laramie Jordan
“I’ve actually been out of the office for the past two weeks — I got married and was away at my wedding and honeymoon.”
Is that a sign of your confidence in the future of GM? Most people don’t get married (or at least they shouldn’t) unless they have some degree of confidence in their financial future.
Mitch
Mr. Barger,
It should be evident by now that whatever GM promises and delivers will not be well received by an ever larger portion of consumers. The US operations have lost tremendous money for some time and look to do so for longer still. Overseas markets have been a different story with GM doing well for the company and its investors. So why continue to operate in the US? Hopefully GM’s business model isn’t affected by warm feelings of loyalty or tradition. I am a fan of the home team but I am also an investor and GM is not indebted to the UAW or the communities in which it operates. Leave now with a plan to return someday long in the future. Move headquarters offshore and agree to no responsibility of legacy costs prior to departure. Good businesses after reasonable efforts for turnaround cut their losses and move ahead. Don’t let one market bring the entire company to ruin.
Scott Ackerman
Christopher,
Congratulations on your marriage. I wish you and your bride the best of luck.
I did not mean my comments as accusations. My comments are the cold hard truth. I am trying to help GM, not harm. Maybe GM batteries only leak in Southwest Florida, but they leak. It’s a problem, not an accusation, and it is costing GM a lot of money and repeat customers.
I see that Mr. Lutz has posted in another blog about GM build quality. Earlier in my post I told you that I talked my dad into buying a G8, and my brother into buying an Impala. Well, the G8 has been to the dealer twice for fuel building up in a vapor canister line, and my brothers new Impala had to go to the dealer for an alignment. The dealer says they get knocked out of alignment when the car is unloaded from the car carrier. It sure concerns my brother that he has to take the car in to the dealer within days of buying it.
I am truly just trying to help GM. My comments are real life, not board room discussions, which I thought was what you were looking for.
Scott
Jonathan Lamb
With gas prices once again receding, will the marketing and general direction of GM change at all?
Gerard
There’s nothing hear that hasn’t already been said, however, as a fan of GM products, I just want to cast my vote that CRUZE is a terrible name.
Hopefully GM will update and continue to make the Cobalt as well.
And the Astra doesn’t sell in the US because no one knows about it. How about a TV commercial comparing it to the Rabbit or Focus?
But IDK about GM quality… my 1981 Oldsmobile has a vibration at 55mph…..
Auto
GM Bailout Request:
GM should really cut executive salaries by 20%, and reduce Brands to Chevvy and Cadillac…then bailout money makes sense..and get diversity in executive rankings..
Ron
BAILOUT
I agree…they should cut all executive (Director and above) salaries by 20-25%. And need to put right people in the right jobs (qualified)…NO MORE OLD BOYS (WHITE) CLUB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 11 is the best option to clean it up and come back strong..
charles sylvester
As a 29 yr salary employee, i had the chance to travel the world with GM and learn alot about the inner workings of the company. I was caught up in the selling of Guide Lamp Div. and was let go after 29 yrs of service when my plant was shut down by purchsing in Detroit after they drove us into financial ruin by the tactics employed by the directors they chose to run the plant. We never said no to any change even if it cost us millions of dollar. A perfect case for financial ruin for any company. Everyone could see the train coming only we were tied to the tracks. GM is facing the ultimate problem of not being able to make a profit on small cars but facing a public that will continue to demand them if the arabs raise the price of oil again, which they will. GM really needs a miracle and face the fact that the country has to get away from oil or this problem will continue again and again. The problem with the managers of GM is that they know that they will be gone before the changes take place and still think short term. The business model will not support the electric or hydrogen powered cars and trucks. too bad.