Follow-up From Fritz
Last week as we finished our chat session here on FastLane, I promised to follow up on some of the questions we didn’t get to during the chat. There’s been a lot happening this week, so it took a little longer than I’d wanted — but here’s a few answers to start with. We’ll get to some more as much as time allows. Thanks for your patience! — Fritz
GM Culture:
I’d like to dig a little deeper into the question of culture. Of all the things that people believe will hold us back, our “culture” is mentioned most.
GM must work through the chapter 11 process to become leaner, more competitive and profitable once again. That means painful cuts in manufacturing facilities, employees, dealers, brands and models. These are tough but necessary steps that we have to take. They’re also just the start of what we ultimately have to do.
For the past several years, our senior managers have been spending an enormous amount of time working to solve structural problems that have been decades in the making. As difficult and unwanted as chapter 11 is, the good news is that it will allow us to significantly strengthen our balance sheet, giving us the freedom to focus on our customers, on new products and technology, and on new ways of doing business.
We can’t just be a smaller GM; we need to be a different GM, too. When Bob Lutz returned to the company to overhaul our Global Product Development organization, he began asking, “Says Who?” That turned our Product Development team upside-down, and suddenly, Design was once again a huge driver in decision making. Take the Chevy Malibu as an example. The differences in design and materials between the interiors of the previous two generations of Malibus were iterative and incremental. This was the old GM at work. Look inside a 2009 Malibu and you’ll see it is an entirely different effort. Going forward, we need to instill that kind of thinking in everything we do.
I’m stressing four things at GM: most importantly, products and customers need to be the focus of our working lives; two, we need to take individual accountability for results; three, speed is non-negotiable; and four – maybe the toughest area to change at GM – we have to encourage greater risk-taking.
Risk aversion stems in part from 75 years of being the biggest automaker in the world. By playing “not to lose,” we sometimes lost our way. We’re changing that right now. In fact, I feel so strongly that our culture needs attention that I have formed a team to further define, quickly, the behaviors that underlie these four priorities. I’ll let you know how that work evolves, and how and when we might be able to use your input.
Small Car/Cruze:
Chat participants asked several questions about our small-car strategy. If you haven’t heard, next year we’ll roll out an all-new compact that will surprise most customers with its terrific fuel efficiency (approaching 40 mpg highway), appealing interior design and spacious five-passenger cabin. This new car, our Chevrolet Cruze, will feature a small but very powerful 1.4 liter direct-injection turbo-charged gasoline engine in an attractive and affordable package. Now, we recognize that small-car buyers have long held Asian imports to be best-in-class in this segment, and we know that simply fielding a competitive car won’t cut it. That’s why we’re out to beat the competition. In fact, with fewer makes and models, every new GM car needs to be an absolute standout in its class. Early reaction to the exterior and interior design of the Cruze at the Paris Motor Show was very good. Take a look for yourself, and let us know what you think.
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“Early reaction to the exterior and interior design of the Cruze at the Paris Motor Show was very good.”
Mr. Henderson,
Did you get any feedback on what many feel is a not very good name?
The Cruze looks decent… Now where is the Buick version of it? Where are the Interior pictures on that web page?
Is it going to have class leading options like Bluetooth, Nav, 40 gig (make that 80 or 100 gig) playback? What about high class leather interior options? What about a diesel for 45+ MPG (think VW TDI)?
6 Speed?
It looks like it could be an interesting car if GM offers a high end and low end version of it. Will there be an SS version that would be comparable in concept to a Mazda 3 vs a Mazda 3 Speed?
Keep up the good work…
“This new car, our Chevrolet Cruze, will feature a small but very powerful 1.4 liter direct-injection turbo-charged gasoline engine…”
Dear Mr. Henderson,
as you know, the Cruze already is on sale since middle of May over here in Europe. Is it possible to give a statement, whether the before mentioned Di, turbo-charged 1.4 liter-engine will be offered anytime soon here as well? The currently available, conventionally aspirated 1.8-engine delivers the same power like this new 1.4, but, I guess, probably won’t match its fuel-efficiency and torque. The turbo-charged 1.4 might be decisive for the success of the Cruze over here, considering, that we are paying about 8 $/Gallon…
Start today prove you’re not afraid, call it VEGA.
The smaller Spark concept based car could be the CHEVETTE.
If Vauxhall is no longer a division they could still resell it as the Vauxhall Chevette.
Allso pull out of Nascar or at least pull back so you can finance an assalt on WRW in in an AWD verson of the Cruze………er um Vega GTX.
Jason Zebersky
Fritz,
GM needs to dismiss executives that only care about their specific area, and turn a blind eye to the impact on the company success. Bo was a prime example of this lop-sided thinking that only cared about his bottom line at the expense of anything else that got in his way. You can’t run a company this way – it just does not work. Trust me – the imports have a much better trusting relationship with their supply base and the results speak for themselves. You’ve said it yourself – you can’t cost cut your way to profitability, yet that is where your organization continues to focus.
It’s all about the lowest cost is driving GM into the ground. Now that the UST is involved, there is an even GREATER push to buy for cheap at the expense of product saleability.
GM needs to be smarter with innovative products, designs and technologies. People will pay more for quality, just ask BMW or Mercedes. Where does value enter the picture at GM? Why must every sourcing decision be focused on lowest cost?
Mr Henderson, The Cruze appears to be a great car, but the new Astra also appears to be better and yet we won’t be getting that or the Insignia. The new Camaro is great, but the only one my local dealership has is “sale priced” 5K over the MSRP sticker. This is not the new GM I was hoping for.
“…where is the Buick version of it?”
“It looks like it could be an interesting car if GM offers a high end and low end version of it. Will there be an SS version that would be comparable in concept to a Mazda 3 vs a Mazda 3 Speed?”
If the “New GM” is going to be following the same disastrous policies of “badge-engineering” that have eroded its market share every year for the past 40+ years, you may as well save the taxpayers several tens of billions of dollars and just liquidate now instead of dragging it out.
I think this is a great opportunity for GM to emerge stronger and more profitable than ever, but the old habits have to go.
Mr, Fritz, This is a good start, but not good enough.
First – U have an excellent Engineering and Design Org. Do not reduce them to bare bones. They may already have morale/enthusiasm issues with these cuts. You need to empower them further.
Second – As you do reorganization in New GM and plan to get rid of 5000 white collar employess, Here is a simple suggestion. See if you/HR agrees: Have 10-12 to 1 ratio between employee to manager all the way up to top level. You will have no more than 5 to 6 levels between you and lowest worker bee. That also means U will have 10 to 12 Executives reporting to you – nothing wrong in it. Just do it ! Decision making will be fast and there will be some risk taking. Again do not fire your Engineers, Hybrid Engineers or Designers. You need them. New GM needs New blood in upper mgmt. U can’t use all Old GM execs. Get some dynamic execs from BMW, M-Benz, and Nissan.
Third – Reduce your IT, Purchasing and Marketing org. It seems you have too much FAT there.
Fourth – There is nothing wrong in preaching “Buy American”. If you can’t say it in media interviews – send LUTZ ! I am sick and tired of Flag Waving – Red Blooded – Hypocritical Americans buying foreign cars. Your message should be “Given a Choice Americans Shoud Buy American Goods”.
Note that US gov’t can’t preach ‘buy American” due to international trade aggrements, but Americans can change it simply by buying American goods, just like what Japanese do. They simply buy Japanese – irrespective of free market. Americans need to wake up to this.
Now about your products – Chevy Eqnx looks great, Cruze looks OK, Buick Lacross (new) Looks great and so is new CTS wagon and SRX. Your engineering and design team has done the work, now MARKET them effectively. Your marketing Sucks to be honest. Also simplify the option packages. Increase Hybrid content in all vehicle.
I certainly hope you are reading or LUTZ is reading or your HR folks are reading this, so someone can make some quick decisions and get you going Fast.
Remember, New GM will be smaller and small enough where if you fail again you will be too small to be bailed out by the gov’t.
Fritz Comments: ” Risk aversion stems in part from 75 years of being the biggest automaker in the world. By playing “not to lose,” we sometimes lost our way. We’re changing that right now. In fact, I feel so strongly that our culture needs attention that I have formed a team to further define, quickly…”
Again you dont need to form the team or committee…….Just reduce the layer of management. With 20000 to 24000 white collar employess in US, Canada and MX, you cant have more than 5 to 6 level of management. Currently you have over 9 layers of management if I understood your org. correctly from the reports I have seen. Have 10-12 to 1 ratio between employee to manager all the way up to top level. You will have no more than 5 to 6 levels between you and lowest worker bee. That also means U will have 10 to 12 Executives reporting to you – nothing wrong in it. Just do it ! Decision making will be fast and there will be some risk taking. Its all positive.
You need to start thinking like a small company. No committees, no team forming to evaluate what to do, no pre-meetings prior to meetings. Look what Mullaly is doing at Ford. Think Smart !
Mr Fritz, Also note that risk taking does not mean producing products like Aztak. That was a risk taking, but media hated that anugular design and gave it a bad rap. And product failed. Similarly, Toyota, Honda and Nissan are making angular-squarish-ugly economy box like Scions and Fit and such. It is risk taking, but media loves whatever Toyota-Honda-Nissan does. So they always get positive reviews, or not-so-negative reviews.
So be careful with Risk taking !
Also whats going on with Onstar? Its a nice feature – make it free. Hope your development cost is all paid for by now. Keep is simple and give it free. Otherwise charge $1000 for 5 yrs of basic service, and provide customer discounted GMAC auto insurance. Hows that for an idea???
BTW, if you prefer I send u my thoughts, ideas, recommendations not publicly, i can email you them directly. Just let me know. My intention is to see GM excel and be successful for next 100 yrs.
bring back the G8!!! please for the love of GOD. Market the vehicle properly and produce it along the Camaro in Ontario Canada.
I agree with Nate, a Buick Skyhawk version of the Cruze would be the way to go in providing a premium small car with all of the features he mentioned. Buick can be used like Honda uses Acura, providing premium versions of mainstream cars that would be at a price point higher than their mainstream brand can justify. The 2.0 Turbo should also be retained for performance versions.
I sure hope the Cruze (dumb name aside) has at least 150 hp here in the USA. One of the reasons the Astra failed for Saturn was that it was underpowered, regardless of fuel efficiency. Americans like power, even in small cars. I’d gladly sacrifice 140hp/40mpg for 170 hp/30mpg.
I hope GM will risk making exciting new Buicks with nice RWD powertrains and styling that will make young people want them again. If GM seriously wants Buick to have cars comparable to Lexus, then target the nice models, not the ES or RX… I’m not a big fan of the current Lexus models (because of their exterior styling which I don’t like much) but I’d still buy an IS or a GS before any of the current Buick models…
When you say, “We can’t just be a smaller GM; we need to be a different GM, too” I’ve been wondering, what kind of product that will entail?
Will the new GM’s focus be on profitability, and lean towards new models that can be produced and sold at a profit? Or, will the new GM’s focus be on the future of the automobile?
For example, should GM be focusing on Camaros and trucks – vehicles that can be sold at a profit, or should GM be focusing on the Volt – vehicles that will change the game, but are not going to be profitable in the short term? Remember, GM is broke.
This is a question I, as a GM lover, struggle with. I believe that any car is improved with a small block, but I also believe that the day of the internal combustion engined, gasoline powered car, needs to draw to a close.
Ray
Nate:
Preliminary specs on the Cruze have been released and the car is already on sale in other markets. Look up the Holden Cruze if you want to see some of the features and interior details. The car will not have a diesel in the US. Again, you can research the specs and see what engines will be offered here. The top engine will be the 1.4L turbo that is supposed to get close to 40mpg on the highway. Many of your questions can be answered if you check out the press releases on GM’s products. Leather will be an option on this car.
Buick does not need a version of this car.
H Feldstein:
What “quality” are people paying a premium for when buying BMW and Mercedes products? People will pay a premium for badges that have a certain level of cache. I wouldn’t say they are always paying more for quality because Mercedes’ quality reputation has much to be desired and yet they charge hefty premiums for their vehicles.
Today is Monday, June 15, 2009. Recently there have been reports that GM’s attention with its advertising would switch to Buick. So where is any mention here? There should be a lead story asking everyone to “Take a Look at Me Now.”
“When Bob Lutz returned to the company to overhaul our Global Product Development organization, he began asking, “Says Who?” That turned our Product Development team upside-down, and suddenly, Design was once again a huge driver in decision making.”
Mr. Henderson,
You also need a “Bob Lutz” who can take charge of your dealer network and start asking, “Say’s who?” and who can turn the mental attitude of your dealers upside-down.
It’s not enough to just eliminate those dealers with outdated physical facilities or those who have low sales numbers. You also need to eliminate those dealers whose practices create an unfavorable image for GM, even if they have an up-to-date physical plant and are in good locations next to urban population centers.
You need someone in charge of your dealer network who can hold dealers to a high standard with respect to performing scheduled maintenance and warranty work, and who has the power to pull franchise licenses for those who engage in practices that put GM in an unfavorable light.
No matter how good the product, if your dealer network doesn’t create a favorable impression, you won’t survive.
I recently saw a video of the Cruz which focused a lot on the interior. I was not horribly impressed with the interior. I felt that a lot of the buttons, handles, and other plastic components looked somewhat generic and clumsy. I fully understand that this is an entry level car along the lines of a Yaris or Focus. But the interior needs just a bit more refinement in my opinion.
Moving on, I was thinking about car commercials this weekend and wanted to suggest a different format. These days every car manufacturer produces the same ad: A bit of the car followed by a lot of details about a certain sale. These sales to me are like the ends of movie TV ads where such and such movie is claimed as: ” The best movie of the year”, or ” We give it 4 stars” or whatnot. In other words I nor many others care or remember the sales/review because they all sound the same and use the same cliche language
. I think ads that focus entirely on the car with little to no sales pitches would do more to showcase your products. If people want a car, they’ll buy it. The more they become familiar with a product, the more likely they are to gain confidence to buy.
Sheth, Why shouldn’t Buick get a Delta II based car? It doesn’t have to look anything like the Cruze. GM stylists and engineers have gotten really good at making entirely different vehicles from the same platform. I happen to think that there is room for a premium compact car at GM. Chevy, especially with the demise of Pontiac is likely to go more to the sporting side, which leaves room for Buick to do the luxury side.
do you guys think gm should rename themselves after they emerge from bankruptcy? i found an interesting article written by a naming expert in which he argues that gm should call themselves “electra.” worth a read: http://onthebutton.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/gm_renaming/
Will ther be any more versions of the Camaro available other than what are offered now?
“The Cruze appears to be a great car, but the new Astra also appears to be better…”
Rick, I am not sure, whether the Cruze and new Astra should be compared, whereas sharing the same platform though. The Cruze presumably is significantly larger than the next-generation Astra. The length of the Cruze compares to the former Opel Vectra. The trunk-space of the Cruze is quite impressive, as I could see at the official introduction over here in Germany on May 15. Selling the next generation Astra (hatchback) in the US might just make sense under the Chevrolet-Brand, considering the relatively modest sales of the Saturn Astra, which, by the way, have missed my expectations. The Insignia may work well as all new Buick Regal, as already offered in China. According to autoweek.com, this at least seems to be under consideration for America as well: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090309/CARNEWS/903099995
“in which he argues that gm should call themselves “electra.””
Perhaps they should call their electric car division “Electra.” Bundle the Chevy Volt, Cadillac Converj (For those who think Cruze is bad, Converj is a really bad name), and the Buick Electra into that division.
I’d encourage both a new name and a new logo for the entire company. They can’t keep calling it the “new GM” for very long, and the old logo is stale and carries too much baggage.
Chris:
From a marketing standpoint I think Buick should start with midsize cars. There is talk of the Regal being sold here to offer something smaller and cheaper than the Lacrosse. I agree with that idea, but not with the idea of a Buick off the Delta platform. For one, the Cruze doesn’t have IRS and I don’t think a Buick should be sold with a beam axle suspension. Let the Cruze get a heavy marketing push and hope that vehicle can compete with Corolla and Civic in sales.
“Will there be any more versions of the Camaro available other than what are offered now?”
I’d love to see a Camaro hatchback, or a sport pickup truck as the old Chevy El Camino. I’d call the hatchback version the Camaro Nomad to play off the Nomad wagon of the 1950’s, a station wagon by the way that was based on the Corvette, and not a Chevy sedan.
So yes, let’s hope for:
~ The Camaro “Nomad” — a sport hatchback or sport van version of the Camaro sedan.
~ The Camaro “El Camino” — a sport truck version of the Camaro
“From a marketing standpoint I think Buick should start with midsize cars.”
Sheth jones,
How about that? We agree. Buick has no business messing around with a compact. GM would have to “tart up” the Cruze too much to make it appeal to the Buick demographic.
Sheth, I can see your point, however the rear suspension on the delta cars isn’t the classic trailing beam axle. In fact, the Cobalt SS and HHR SS don’t seem hampered by it and they put up some rather impressive times at the Nurburgring. The rear suspension on the delta cars is actually quite typical for the class, though GM seems to have made it work better than the other manufacturers that use a similar design. Buick seems to have a winner in mid size with the new LaCrosse And I’m sure plans are in place for a new big Buick whatever it’s name may be. So why not plan ahead with a smaller Buick? That way Buick has their bases covered with three cars and the Enclave.
Gasoline powered Cruz?
NEVER.
I am a retired Army officer, and for the last two years I have used ONLY American made E85. I read that Cruz was going to be flexfuel- GM is woefully short on small engine flexfuel cars- You have tons of V8’s, one V6, and this year, in the HHR, a 2.4 liter flexfuel- but I don’t like HHR’s design.
But I have been waiting to buy a flexfuel less-than-2.0 liter car for ages.
Is, or is not, the Cruz going to be E85?
And if so, when can I put a deposit in on it- because the local dealer knows nothing, and won’t take my Cruz money, even thou I tried to order one in advance.
E85 is the future- you need SMALL CAR ENGINES capable of E85, and they’ll sell.
Thanks
BUY AMERICAN.
“We love baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and chevrolet…”
Those were great commercials…
I’ve noticed a lot of criticism about gm’s advertising and rightfully so. they’ve had some awful commericals (although not all were bad) but has anyone seen the new buick commercials they just started running (the one where they’re doing a modeling shoot but instead of taking pics of ladies they’re taking pics of buicks)? I think gm’s gotten the message from critics that they need to come out with more commericals that appeal to the east and west coasts (because the midwest is already loyal to them) and now they just need a little more time to more of those types of commercials out there.
I’d kind of disagree with the comment that E-85 is the future. The future likely means all-electric cars. There are so many electric car start ups out here in Northern California that this must surely tell you something: In 10 years we’ll all be driving partially or all-electric vehicles. Ethanol was a good idea but it failed in practicality.
“E85 is the future”
Jim_E85,
You have to specify what type of alcohol goes into that E85 you admire so much. If it’s corn ethanol, it’s a losing proposition. The energy return on energy invested (EROEI) for corn ethanol is barely above unity, and because of the loss of fuel economy when burning corn-ethanol E85, it takes more total energy to move a car when burning E85 than when burning gasoline.
Let me ask you: If E85 is such a great fuel, why don’t corn farmers use ag equipment that burn E85? Why do they prefer ag equipment that burns diesel fuel?
Chris:
I do believe GM could execute a nice small Buick but I’m not sure people would buy such a car. if Buick is going after an image similar to Lexus I don’t know that a compact is the right move. Chevy is associated with small cars so the Cruze should have no problem getting traction but I could see a Buick version having some issues. We will see what happens.
I believe that Buick can, and should, make a premium small car. That would certainly appeal to me! It all comes down to the execution of it – if they just put Buick badges on the Cruze, that’s no good. If they really capture the essence of a Buick and package it into a small vehicle and ensure that it’s class-leading, that’s wonderful! The market, as a whole, seems to be moving toward smaller vehicles, so GM and Buick have to move with it. Buicks don’t have to be big anymore; they just have to be refined, tasteful, flowing, etc.
“Now, we recognize that small-car buyers have long held Asian imports to be best-in-class in this segment…”
Here’s the challenge you face: You walk up to the rental car desk at Denver International after flying in from Chicago. The clerk tells you, “Your reservation is all set. We have a ___________ for you. Enjoy your stay in Denver.”
Would you feel best about a trouble-free stay in Denver if she said:
a. Toyota Corolla
b. Ford Focus
c. Honda Civic
- or -
d. Chevrolet Cruze
My guess is that most people would now answer “a” or “c.” How do you educate people so they will say “d” instead?
Are you going to put quality built and well-maintained Cruzes into the rental fleets so that people will see the quality you have to offer and learn to say, “Hooray, I’m getting a Cruze?”
Turab
bring back the G8!!! please for the love of GOD. Market the vehicle properly and produce it along the Camaro in Ontario Canada.
x2
With GM now trimmed down to 3 brands (since GMC is, has always been, and forever will be just rebranded Chevy trucks) I see no reason whatsoever for rebadging or “platform sharing” between brands. Currently you have:
* Gamma – subcompact FWD
* Delta – compact FWD
* Epsilon – midsize FWD
* Kappa – compact RWD
* Alpha – smaller midsize RWD
* Sigma – midsize RWD
* Theta – crossover SUV AWD
* Lambda – crossover FWD/AWD
* Zeta – midsize/fullsize RWD
* Y – sports cars RWD ?
* GMT – trucks RWD
* E-Flex – BEV/fuel cell-based
…unless you’ve cancelled some of those.
I suggest you brand the compacts and sub-compacts (Gamma, Delta, Kappa) as Chevys;
midsize (Alpha, Epsilon, Sigma) as Buicks;
fullsize (Zeta) and Voltec vehicles as Cadillacs;
and trucks and “crossovers” (Theta, Lambda, GMT) as GMCs.
I know old habits die hard, and fully expect you’ll introduce badge-engineered Chevy, Buick, and Cadillac versions of each of those “platforms.”
The Soltice and Skye have failed to flourish because they’re too expensive, and dealers jack the prices. You need a Delta or Kappa (or even Gamma) -based “Miata-killer” roadster, and corresponding coupes. I strongly suggest looking to the MGB and MGB-GT as inspiration.
What the hell are you waiting for, why can the rest of the world get this car over a year before your own home market? You have a car that is competitive yet you continue building the Cobalt, which has past its best if used by date. Get everyone on board, retool the plant, and get this car on the road now!
About GM Culture, seems Mr Henderson has read the Elmer W. Johnson memo about strengthening GM’s organizational capability or at least should have his new team read it. Mr. Ed Peper has not read it apparently.
Ed Peper seemingly contradicted you Mr. Henderson. You said GM’s aims to be the best in each segment it competes in while Mr. Ed Peper at 15:38 in his webchat said: “I will tell you our goal is to be consistently in the Top 3 in the segment.”
Is this the old GM playing not to lose or the “new GM.” Albeit analyzing every word would chill future speech so I will concede he was presumably talking about sales volume not product quality because the previous line he says he won’t comment on sale volume.
I will say since GM invested over $1 billion dollars engineering a new rwd architecture which lives in the new Camaro, yet the 4 door Pontiac GT G8 with that architecture on the other hand is seemingly being culled just because it’s a Pontiac in America. It is however the most highly rated GM product when looking collectively at car review websites, i.e. it is very exciting and praised highly by all who review it. Executive Chairman of FORD, Bill Ford on June 15 on CNBC answered a question about selling cars as saying that they had to make new cars people were excited about to get customers. Arguably Pontiac GT G8 is the most exciting product GM as a whole has given all the positive reviews.
The G8 is a Chevy Lumina in the middle east and was voted the best sports car over there.
I know not being a fan of rebadging I would ask what rebadging really means? Isn’t if just cars that compete with each other in the same segment in the same market? Doesn’t GMC get rebadged from Chevy and visa versa and Buick is now rebadging Opel’s Insignia rather than as Saturn and Auras and this all works because they aren’t cannibalizing sales from each other since they aren’t competing in the same market and segment. Opel doesn’t sell in America and Saturn/Buick not in Europe. Likewise Holden doesn’t sell in America so calling the G8 a Pontiac or a Chevy in my definition is not a verboten rebadge if it’s a new Chevy model in 2011 after Pontiac dies.
I know GMC wasn’t culled because of profit. Well the G8 is the only car at GM to buck the downward market and post positive sales. There is a market for large sport sedans, Ford is coming out with the sexy and beautiful Taurus SHO soon, albeit FWD/AWD configuration, not RWD like the G8.
Will GM build cars that people want, that are rated the best product GM has thus which is the most exciting and competes with Ford, bucks the recessionary market with sales growth and can be easy made into a Chevy at the Holden factory? I heard a v6 for 2010 with DI was planned, 6 spd? Talk about getting it right.
Sheth, I think that with Saab now sold, Buick would have more logical target with Acura. I know logic sometimes didn’t go along with some decision making processes at the old GM, but with the exception of the ES and RX, Lexus is competing with Cadillac. Buick, in going after Acura would automatically be competing with the Lexus RX and ES. Acura has the TSX, which Buick could better with a compact of it’s own. The new LaCrosse is already looking better than the TL, and the Enclave is way better than the MDX. If Buick can get a large car* to replace the Lucerne quickly enough and give it the AWD system from the Enclave, it should compete well against not only the RL, but also some of the larger Audis.
*Cadillac would also benefit from this platform.
If the Cruze (moronic name, amazingly stupid) is underpowered you can kiss any sales goodbye. You can have that small turbo as an option but for most Americans you had better make sure the base aspirated engine is at least as powerful as the Cobalt (better name than Cruze).
And those engines had better have a timing chain and not a belt.
SteveG,
Have you noticed that GM never responds to criticism of the Cruze’s name? They may be the “new GM” but that obviously doesn’t extend to admitting the “old GM” screwed up when they named the Cruze, or that they are ready to change it.
I for one would have liked to been a fly on the wall at the committee meeting where they settled on the name Cruze. Somehow I have the feeling that after the meeting was over, though they had reached consensus, no one was really happy.
Steve:
I believe the Cruze is going to have about 140hp standard- thats on par with Corolla, Focus and Civic. I do wish the 2.4L was available as well but that doesn’t seem likely. They need to add an engine with more power down the road.
Why does everyone insist that Cobalt was a better name? Cobalt was an aweful name. Cruze is a correction for that mistake. Though I personally would prefer them to change the name back to Cavalier.
>Buddy Dean del Rio
SteveG,
Have you noticed that GM never responds to criticism of the Cruze’s name? They may be the “new GM” but that obviously doesn’t extend to admitting the “old GM” screwed up when they named the Cruze, or that they are ready to change it.
I for one would have liked to been a fly on the wall at the committee meeting where they settled on the name Cruze. Somehow I have the feeling that after the meeting was over, though they had reached consensus, no one was really happy.Chris R
Why does everyone insist that Cobalt was a better name? Cobalt was an aweful name. Cruze is a correction for that mistake. Though I personally would prefer them to change the name back to Cavalier.Sheth jones
Steve:
I believe the Cruze is going to have about 140hp standard- thats on par with Corolla, Focus and Civic. I do wish the 2.4L was available as well but that doesn’t seem likely. They need to add an engine with more power down the road.<
The Cruze is heavier than those cars. The Astra also had 140hp and was panned for its weak performance. It would be really stupid to come out with an underpowered car to replace the Cobalt which was one of the most powerful in its class. (And the main reason I bought one)
Again, this is GM we’re talking about, so I really shouldn’t be surprised.
What they should do is make a powerful base engine for those more interested in performance than MPG and the 1.4 Turbo option for those more interested in MPG. Best of both worlds.
And where’s the damn Coupe? I guess GM will just hand over those sales to Honda. Pity..
Chris:
Names that dont have much equity are bound to change- I don’t know why more people dont get that. Cobalt is a 5 year old name that doesn’t mean much to most people. IN addition, Cruze is the name of the car worldwide and GM is trying to establish this small car in multiple markets just like the Focus and Civic. Few people will miss the name Cobalt at the end of the day.
when toyota lost money last year they replaced the head man and 40% of management,do you think if GM had done this 10 years ago they would be in the fix they are now ???
What the hell are you waiting for, why can the rest of the world get this car over a year before your own home market? You have a car that is competitive yet you continue building the Cobalt, which has past its best if used by date. Get everyone on board, retool the plant, and get this car on the road now!
with gas at $2.50 a gallon these cars will not sell. GM has to wait till the price gets to $4.00 + and it will come thru opec or more govt taxes
the country saves a lot more gasoline when cars that do not get high MPG are E-85 complient because they use a lot more fuel than a economy car to start with But I have been waiting to buy a flexfuel less-than-2.0 liter car for ages.
Is, or is not, the Cruz going to be E85?
And if so, when can I put a deposit in on it- because the local dealer knows nothing, and won’t take my Cruz money, even thou I tried to order one in advance.
E85 is the future- you need SMALL CAR ENGINES capable of E85, and they’ll sell.
Thanks
“E85 is the future-”
motorman,
Aye laddie, I must disagree, E85 is not the future — at least not until they can make ethyl alcohol economically from something other than corn. Using corn for E85 is a losing deal in at least two major ways:
~ The thermodynamic energy losses of using large quantities of fossil fuels (natural gas and diesel) to plant, cultivate, fertilize, harvest, transport, mill and grind, ferment, and distill corn into ethanol.
~ Using valuable water and food to make fuel, in a world which is quickly running short of both.
I’ve had my eye on the Cruze since it was announced… however, I’m a little taken back by your “approaching 40mpg highway” comment. When initially announced, reports were “as high as 45mpg”…. later they started saying “more than 40mpg highway”… are we really down to “approaching 40mpg” now?? Is the 1.4L Turbo not living up to the initial expectations? Up at the 45mpg you were up at the range where I was saying “I’m not even looking at a prius if I can get 45mpg without the headache of the battery”… drop too much lower than 40 and that equation changes a little… especially if the cruze approaches the prius in price…. I’m not sure how much of the population I represent, but I’m looking for the most long-term cost effective commuting car (for a 30+ miles each way commute) I can get.
A new GM full-size pickup truck, new Suburban, and new Tahoe with styling cues from the 1973-1991 bodystyle of GM trucks in addition to the GMT400, available only as a ¾ ton/2500 HD, and Arthur and his parents choosing the Isuzu 6.6 liter Duramax diesel in addition to the Allison 1000, as well as it being more readily available with a bench in front in addition to cloth, and not being available at all with a rear entertainment system, as well as a Tahoe that’s also redesigned that’s only available as a 2 door in addition to it too also being available solely as a ¾ ton/2500 HD, and Arthur’s parents choosing the Isuzu 6.6 liter Duramax diesel in addition to the Allison 1000, not to mention the sole gas engine being available in both the “redesigned” Suburban and Tahoe being the LY6 heavier dutier version of the 6.0 liter Small Block V8.
And last, the redesigned Suburban would also feature a tailgate similar to the wagons of the 1970’s that vacated into the roof when open at the push of a button.
Hi, is good the new Chevy Cruze 2011 used engine small 1.4l turbocharged 140hp/140ft, curve of torque to expand, efficient and powered.
To consider sales one version SS 1.8L with supercharger, whised the peoples, what produced 200hp/210ft, more cars with versions of engine blocks superchargers.
Equinox Supercharging or Malibu SC with 1.8L 200hp, who versions to access. Please GM Not forget what to much peoples , to fascination the cars with engines superchargers “zr1″,car excellent, high cost. Sales cars of low cost with superchargers,not used turbos. I love you USA The to tradition american=supercharged =Much Torque and big cubic inches displacement, tradition european=turbo and high revolutions per minute is Not .
New engine acces v6 3.6l supercharged direct injection Eaton of 350hp/370ft for Suburban, Gmc Yukon, Escalade. Go GM go produced, please!!! Thanks GM.