Webchat: Fritz Henderson To Answer Your Questions About the New GM
General Motors President and CEO Fritz Henderson will host a webchat right here on Fastlane today, July 10, from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. EDT to answer questions about what the future holds for the New GM.
Immediately following the Webchat, Henderson will respond to more questions via Twitter from 4:30 – 5:00 p.m., from the @gmblogs account. Please add #Fritz to your question.
Looking forward to hearing from you. - Christopher Barger, Director Social Media
- Posted in Business, Fritz Henderson
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 2:41 pm Dewey Cornell said:
“Looking forward to hearing from you.”
Mr. Barger,
I know the boss’s time is extremely valuable, and that he must have 1,001 different things on his plate, but how can you open up only a 30-minute window for questions and then say, “Looking forward to hearing from you?” He’ll be able to answer perhaps ten questions at the most. There’s no way you really want to hear from all of us.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 2:56 pm Stan said:
I hope he will answer these questions:
What is the estimated highway mileage of the Volt after the batteries are fully depleted and the motor is running to charge the batteries?
Does GM plan to have a compettive (or superior) hybrid drive system for smaller cars to compete with the Prius? … Or will they just use start/stop and other simple methods until the E-Flex system becomes affordable enough to put in smaller cars.
Under the new GM – how much faster will you be able to get cars to the market. It seems like I have been seeing finished Cruze test cars for three years now. When the Cruze comes out it will be old news and dated.
Since small cars are not that profitable why not have a family of world cars sold in every country to even out the profits? I am thinking IQ size, to Fiesta/Polo, to Focus/Golf scenerio. This would give the US buyers who happen to love cars of that size a chance to buy a world class car. Then designs would not have to change very often if designed will just like VW does – evolution. You can make money on the higher end specialty cars.
Might we see a small fuel efficient sproty coupe like honda is planning in the CRX Hybrid? Hyundai has sights on this as well with a future Tiberon.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 3:07 pm Edwin said:
Congratulations,
One of the most exciting parts of the NEW GM is the great mangement and staff at General Motors. We think you are fantastic. It was very very very exciting to hear the Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman emeritus will be staying to help the NEW GM.
Thank you very much,
When can we buy the new stock on the IPO, let’s do it now.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 3:19 pm Ron said:
Mr. Henderson
You say you are committed to customer service. I am tired of GM dealers not providing services like loaner cars when a warranty repair is needed or taking all day or more to fix a small problem. Likewise, dealers try to add “market adjustments” to popular cars saying they are independent businessmen and the list price is only “suggested”. You really need to re-think how dealers give excellent service to their customers like BMW (all routine service included during waranty period) or Infiniti/Lexus. I know I am being driven away from GM for some of these reasons. How are you proposing to fix these problems? or are you even going to try?
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 3:22 pm David Mack said:
Mr Henderson,
I think all American’s truly hope that the new, stream-lined GM comes back a roaring success. To get right to my question, do you think that GM can get away from incentive based selling, and instead of pulling non-buyers into the market with huge rebates and 0% finance, that GM could take a unique approach and possibly price the cars lower to begin with, and keep transaction points closer to the MSRP. Whether GM realizes it or not, they created the incentive monster, now, can you kill it. I have never understood how a $22000 Impala could have a $3000 rebate and $2000 worth of mark up. In my mind, it seems like the car was overpriced to begin with. I realize that the issue is much more complex than my simple analysis. I am not suggesting Saturn all over again, but there has to be a better way. Build it well, PRICE IT FAIR, and it will sell.
Thank you for reading this email.
Best of luck.
David Mack
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 3:36 pm Christopher Barger, Director, Social Media said:
Dewey – I’m sorry you feel that way. The broadcast media outlets have only been given 10 minutes each, all day long. We got 30 minutes of Fritz’s time on a day when he’s in demand from literally dozens of media outlets. While it’s not as long as perhaps some would like, I think it speaks well that consumers on Twitter get 30 minutes with Fritz while networks like ABC, CNBC and Fox Business got 10 minutes. I hope you’ll be open-minded enough to follow along and give the chat a chance before dismissing it.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 3:37 pm chiefpontiac said:
If we choose to purchase a Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, etc in the next few I presume that will now be from “Old GM” and that “New GM” will neither offer warranty or supposrt after the sale? Along these same lines, what will be the new standard warranty from New GM (probably an enormously cost-savings a lot less than 5/100,000) and if you can tell us, from Old GM? A modern car without warranty is insane and virtually unsellable. Might as well crush them all.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 3:44 pm Edwin said:
Youth Market:
GM should make the Camaro high profile in the Top Ten markets. This is where GM can really sell the Camaros. The new Camaro is a great alternative to Euro sport. The Camaro could become a best seller in markets like high end markets like Washington, DC, NYC, and LA. GM should advertise it in the top ten.
Converting the Solstice and Sky ASAP to a Buick roadster and a Chevy Stinger would also help the youth market sales.
A sport version of the Malibu like a Malibu SS and a 2011 LaCrosse Super would energize the youth markets.
Sharpen up the Cobalt design for the youth market with a narrower headlight.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 3:49 pm SierraGS said:
One question for Fritz.
Is there any chance of GM offering the Pontiac G8 for the 2010 model year?
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 3:55 pm Kevin Rohde said:
If you have appointed a new “Energy Champion”, please provide the name. There are many companies like ours that have significant cost reduction and energy saving processes and systems that have not been pursued in the past due to the existing protocol and practices. It sounds like a ‘new day” . Look forward to significant improvements!
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 3:59 pm William Hill said:
Mr. Henderson,
What is going to happen regarding GM salaried pensions and salaried health care for those of us already retired and under the age of 65?
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 4:03 pm J. F. Sheehan said:
Mr. Henderson:
What will it hurt to allow the 1400 dealers that got the ax to be able to order cars say through Jan 10? The DSM’s will not allow a consensus amout that will hurt them or GM and for sure they will not get the hottest products in any great numbers. Keep in mind many of these dealership customers have GM’s because of the dealership. It stands to reason that some of those customers may want to purchase one last car or truck from thier dealership.
These poor dealerships are still paying for training and for tools for cars that they currently will never get. Sound Fair or transparent?
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 4:16 pm Judi Batchelor said:
I only buy Toyota because as a women I can’t afford to get stranded on the highway, and make many trips to the repair shop. American cars do not last and make people pay lots of dollars in repairs while you own the vehicle. I need higher gas mileage than what American cars provide. I want 50 mpg, and reliability at a reasonable price. I am too busy trying to make a living to spend my time in the garage getting my car tweaked/fixed so it will run.
to this comment On October 21, 2009 at 5:58 pm kenZ300 said:
GM — Listen to your customers…….
Do not ignore customer complaints……
When you are selling the highest rated vehicles and increasing market share each year then you can relax. Right now you have been loosing market share for 30 years. Obviously you did not listen to your customers.
Hyundai went from a joke to increasing market share. They have turned their brand around.
Can GM ? ? ? ? ? ?
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 4:20 pm Phillip Gong said:
As a new GM, how will our operations be changed? I am looking for the feedbacks in more detailed questions bellow:
1. What will the vehicle development process differ compare to the old GM?
2. What will the vehicle design process differ compare to the old GM?
3. What will the vehicle engineering process differ compare to the old GM?
4. What our product planning differ compare to the old GM?
5. What our manufacturing differ compare to the old GM?
6. What will the supplier relations differ compare to the old GM?
7. What will the dealer relations differ compare to the old GM?
8. What will the New GM’s competitive advantages be compare with the key competitors?
9. What will the company be focusing on in next 12 month and next 5 years? What are we expecting to see as the result?
10. We have new GM now. As the CEO, what do you see the single most important thing that every employee must focus on?
11. Do you know the reasons that we have tried to excel our product qualities compare to Toyota’s for more than 20 years and we are still mostly playing a catching roll today?
I am looking for the feedback in key changes in each areas. If you see the original GM way is still good to keep in some of the areas, please note it as well. If you see the changes are needed and plan is being developed, how long do you see the plan will be developed and when do you see the changes can be implemented? If you can comment the expected results with associated changes, it will be helpful. Any expanded explanation will help me to understand as well.
Thank you for taking the time and explain your visions.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 4:49 pm Dewey Cornell said:
16:16 [Comment From Alfred ] ~~ Mr. Henderson: what changes can we expect to see when we walk into a New GM dealer? What guarantees can you give us that customers won’t be mistreated and abused as before?
16:17 Fritz Henderson: I think our dealers do a fine job taking care of customers, and if you personally had a bad experience, you can let me know and I would ask that you look at another fine gm dealer. most research that we see indicate that gm dealers are by and large a real competitive advantage.
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Mr Henderson,
Does that mean you are setting up a hotline to GM HQ that we can use to report on shady dealers using underhanded tactics?
to this comment On October 21, 2009 at 6:01 pm kenZ300 said:
Sounds like GM needs to set up a “secret shopper program” Send in a factory rep to your dealers once each year and see how they are treated when they “buy” a vehicle. Do they get a fair value driven price or do they get up sold and a higher interest rate than they qualify for? Do they get a fair price for the trade in vehicle?
If you truly believe that GM dealers are an asset then you have not bought a car in a long time.
to this comment On October 22, 2009 at 10:58 am Dewey Cornell said:
A “secret shopper program” — that’s a good idea Ken.
Haven’t heard anymore from Fritz have we, about how we might contact him directly after a bad dealer experience as he promised in his 10 July webchat.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 4:55 pm Nate said:
One thing that bugs me is the attitude that there’s nothing wrong with the current GM dealers.
Additionally my questions regarding GM taking blog input and applying it in future products was not answered.
Neither was my questions about things customers want (even if a Niche group) like Diesels in cars and small Luxury cars.
I didn’t see my question on fixing small interior design oversights either. Things like lack of padding on armrests, gauges that are obscured by the steering wheel. Or poorly designed cup holder.
I’m not to impressed with some comments made. It seems like GM hasn’t changed much. I hope thats not true though. But something as small as the dealer comment and his lack of concern or interest in diesel vehicles because they can’t justify tooling… that is ridiculous.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 5:13 pm Tom Wilkinson, GM Communications said:
William Hill,
The basic pension plans for salaried and hourly workers (sometimes called qualified pension plans) were assumed by the new GM and will be unchanged.
The new GM also assumed all other benefits for current and retired GM salaried employees. However, there have been some recent changes in these programs. Those changes have been communicated to employees and retirees. Information can also be found on the GM benefits site.
Tom Wilkinson
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 5:22 pm Steve said:
Mr. Henderson
I have a few questions
1. With the cancellation of the “SS” trim on the 2010 Impala, and the cancellation of the 2010 Pontiac G8, is there any possibility of seeing a 2010 Impala SS based off the Pontiac G8 GT?
2. When the next gen Impala comes out, will it be based on the Zeta or Epsilon II architecture, do to the fact that making a Epsilon II Impala would make it a lot more heavier than a Zeta Impala, and be less efficient?
As you can see, I am a bit “Impala crazy”, that’s why i was happy when Bob Lutz said he was staying, he would have brought a great product like a RWD Impala out that way more Impala’s would be in America’s driveway’s then in America’s rental car lot’s.
Please Mr. Henderson, if you want a successful car, let Bob Lutz make America a Zeta based RWD Impala, and build it alongside the Camaro in Oshawa.
FYI, a Epsilon II Impala would require a longer wheelbase than the Epsilon II 2010 Lacrosse, which weighs 4,000 pounds, the current Zeta based G8 weighs 4,000, and when the next version of the Zeta architecture comes out, it will be significantly lighter.
Listen to Bob Lutz, listen to America, Thank You.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 5:25 pm Wulf said:
Who is it that approves new model design and sets production into motion ?
I think Ford turned a corner with the Mustang – providing performance and some old style proven design and looks.
Why is it that we don’t see a reengineered 1955 Belair, or ‘55 pick up ? I think GM would be kicking much rear end if it relied on some of the PROVEN older basic styles for design and re-tooled the mechanics with current technology.
Ask around – Who would like to drive a 1955 Chevy Belair or second series ‘55 pick up truck- built with todays technology ??
I know I would.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 5:27 pm Wulf said:
Who is it that approves new model design and sets production into motion ?
I think Ford turned a corner with the Mustang – providing performance and some old style proven design and looks.
Why is it that we don’t see a reengineered 1955 Belair, or ‘55 pick up ? I think GM would be kicking much rear end if it relied on some of the PROVEN older basic styles for design and re-tooled the mechanics with current technology.
Ask around – Who would like to drive a 1955 Chevy Belair or second series ‘55 pick up truck- built with todays technology ??
I know I would.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 6:35 pm Raj said:
The decision to sell cars through Ebay is bold. That is the right direction for GM
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 7:44 pm Robert Kazeks said:
As a suppoter of American made quality products I was sadly disappointed in the 2002 Rendezvous. At about 54,000 miles the head gasket failed which required $1,500.00 to repair. My Warranty ran out shortly before. My policy is to never purchase an extended warranty. This wasn’t need in the past with American made products and Shouldn’t be today. After all as we progress we should be improving not moving backward or taken advantage of our willingness to buy American. Companys that sell over priced products and that don’t last long will fail in the long run. In addition, how they are treated during their hardship with that product will further taint the repuatation of that company. Your customer service amounted to immediate disappointment with the initial response which was, “You should have bought the extended warranty.” As I tried to explain to the customer service rep. that buying a car used or new for a substatial amount of money and having it fail at 0 to 100,000 miles is not acceptable nor is the company worthy of receving continued business. Eventually I reached the executive office and managed to get half of the repair cost. I was not entirely satisfied and simply made the decision to never purchase a GM product again. However, if GM were to come to me and apologize and offer to reimburse me for the amount I had to cover and I see that quality has truely improved along with the price of their products I would purchase another GM product.
to this comment On October 7, 2009 at 4:42 pm Brenda Heimberg said:
I wanted to add to my comments above because I meant to put in my two cents about the “certified GM dealers”. I, too, have had some bad expereinces with them… not fixing the problem the first time in, over charging for what they do, being condescending and rude, not standing behind the work they’ve done, etc. etc. Most recently, I took my car to one of said dealers due to another wheel sensor being bad (as I mentioned in my first post), explained the problem, explxained that I needed to know which one it was and would like them to call with a quote letting me know how much it would cost to fix. An hour later, our receptionist came to my office and told me they had dropped off my car. I went outside (they were supposed to call me and talk about the issue) and found a note and a bill on the seat. The note said that they hooked it up to their computer, found nothing current, just old codes (after originally telling me that the codes were only stored for a short time so they would have to get the light to come on to read it. You could get it to come on very easily. Just put it in drive and go about 100 yards!!) Anyway, the note concluded that they “could not find the problem”, and the bill said “that’ll be $100″!! I found out about 2 weeks later that my boyfriend’s borther had just gotten one of these handy little computers to read codes, so we took the car to him to see what we could find out. Turns out that the newest “old code” was reading very clearly that it was the left rear sensor. We had him replace it rather than going back to ANY GM certified mechanic/dealer. Unfortunately, now I have ANOTHER sensor out. This makes number 6 I will have to replace. Why is this car shelling speed sensors like this? Why, for that matter, is the electronics system in this car seemingly so volatile?
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 8:25 pm Justin said:
I hope this new GM finally stands up for its customers instead of letting local dealers bully and sell damaged, defective, and horrible cars. As of now GM cares nothing about its customer base, if it did we would see cars like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, the Fit, and the new Fiesta. Cars of that quality is really what its all about. Cars like the Cobalt is what made the Gremlin and AMC pacer fall off the face of the earth bringing the automotive company behind it with it. I just hope I don’t have to continue to haggle to get service done on my car like I have been, get treated with some sort of respect by these dealers and the company, and that someone does something about my car before it actually kills me. I’ve never seen a car with the problems mine faces and without having a Chevrolet dealer locally to take my Cobalt to I’m at a loss when it shuts down or the airbag finally instead of just popping out will fully deploy itself at my passenger or at myself. With Chevrolet and GM not taking a stand with me to get this sorted out before the bankruptcy I hope they stand behind me and the millions of other owners when things of this sort happen. Apparantly it happens more than I thought after looking through Cobalt forums and message boards talking about shut downs, bad electronics, and hassles by the dealers to fix the issues and citing Warranty does not cover these types of repairs so they can make a quick buck. I’ve paid for a majority of my car work when it should have been covered. GM did nothing then. It will be surprising to see how this works out when I shut down or have the airbag fixed for the 25th and 5th time respectively.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 9:16 pm GarysZ24 said:
I found Judy’s comment on buying Toyota’s only and wanting a 50mpg vehicle interesting for these reasons:
1. Toyota only makes the Prius that gets anywhere near 50mpg.
2. I deliver parts for a living and while my 2004 has 83k miles on it w/o any part of the engine being touched, a Toyota Prius had to have a belt changed at 55K miles!!???
GM, I have owned numerous Chevrolet vehicles (as well as a Pontiac & a Cadillac), and I feel you’ve been given a bad rap by Consumer Reports and others of their ilk!!! The company I work for has a fleet of Chevy S-10 trucks that at my location are all well over 200k miles (with no signs of being tired)!!! To me that’s quality & dependability. Moreover, I’m a drag racer of a Z24 Cavalier, and I still have the original drive axle on the car even though I’ve put 70k street miles on it, plus well over 500 quarter mile (full throttle) blasts, with the friction of water on concrete burnouts, and the stress of the hard launches to boot. However, my axles still in tact which is more than I can say for Honda’s and Toyota’s that (most of which) have never been on a drag strip in their lives!!!
My only request for you is to make your American sold vehicles more American, and they will be as good (if not better), than my great 5yr old Chevy Colorado & my even greater 13yr old Cavalier Z24!
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 9:18 pm Bob Lutz said:
To SierraGS and everyone else curious about the future of the G8:
I share your love for the G8. Seems too good to waste. We are looking at a few options. Stay tuned.
Bob Lutz
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 9:45 pm Joe D., Cleveland OH said:
Bob Lutz! That’s why we love you man! Never say no to a good idea!!!!
I am so glad to see you are staying with the new company. It’s obvious your passion for making GM right is so strong you couldn’t stay retired very long!
Just the words from your mouth that there is a chance that you will keep the G8 in some form for the new GM is a breath of fresh air – that is one car that has SOOOOO much potential as a Chevy Impala. 3.0 V6 as the base engine and fuel economy leader, 3.6 for the performance, and LS3 for limited edition Impala SS.
6 speed transmissions accross the board, and manuals available on the 3.6 and SS.
This will also be an excellent vehicle for GM to make a true police interceptor again, since there hasn’t been one since the last 1996 Caprice 9C1 package rolled off the line.
You know you want to do it Bob…… your heart is racing after you read this, isn’t it?
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 10:44 pm Andrew said:
Those of you who have had many bad dealership experiences (like myself), do what I did and find a competent independent shop. I took my Bravada to a local Buick/GMC dealership for a no start condition and almost a month later I left there $800 lighter with a truck that couldn’t go faster than 40mph, and a key broken off in the ignition and stripped battery terminals. I finally found out what was wrong – the dealership didn’t bother to set the base timing and the computer couldn’t compensate. My fathers Buick was taken to the same dealership for a noise in the rear – they told him the differential was bad and it would be “about $1000 just for parts” (this was after only a test drive). He took it to and indie shop and they quickly found a bad bearing in the diff (using only a lift and 2×4 for diagnosis). $700 later dad had a new axle, bearings and a rear brake job. It seems that GM just doesn’t want my business.
to this comment On July 10, 2009 at 11:17 pm mark said:
Great, Bobs’ reading. So tell us the truth Bob, Why would you destroy a division that up until this finantial crisis sells 400,000 units per year and keep a division that sells 100,000 and even in the last two months after annoncing it’s demise still outsells that division by 2 to 1. Then to rub it in to all the loyal owners of that division by selling Saturn, Saab, and still trying to sell Hummer but lets the loyal customers of Pontiac, which outsells Buick, Saturn, Hummer and Saab combined, hanging out to dry. If GM wants to sell Buicks in China be our guest but Americans prefer Pontiac over Buick..You of all people with the passion for automobiles has to recognise that Pontiac in the 1960’s put GM on the performance car map. Corvettes a great car with a long history of performance But the Pontiac GTO made the performance car affordable rather than aspirational. I just bought a 09 G8 and it’s a fantastic automobile. Since I can’t afford a CTS and lothe Buicks (yes I’ve seen the pictures of the new ones comming) and Chevrolet….Except for Corvette, forget it. Spark..give me a break, that thing is a bigger joke than the Aveo. Impala , Malibu, Cruise, boring might as well buy a Camry or an Accord, Volt may be interesting but all signs are pointing to unaffordability. and Camaro’s too small inside (our other choice of car besides the G8). So unless GM reserects Pontiac, the G8 will be the last of the 14 new and 28 total Pontiacs and 35 total GM vehicles I’ve owned over the years from 1975 to present . Hello VW.. DON”T MAKE ME DO IT BOB!
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 8:07 am Bill Crowell said:
Messers Henderson and Lutz, if you want me to ever buy a GM car again, you are going to have to:
1. Knock off your “launch and leave” policy. It just got totally ridiculous how you would introduce a lousy car, claim it was the best thing since sliced bread, and then, when the public found out how lousy it was, abandon it and introduce another car that you would claim was even more wonderful, and then do the same thing with that car. Meanwhile, your customers were left with an orphan car for which it was hard to get parts. Design a really good car and manufacture it with few changes for at least 10 years. Make running improvements which can be incorporated into the older cars and, if necessary, maintain a liberal policy of installing these upgraded parts in the older cars. Let your customers know that you really stand behind your products, and are not just trying to sell them another new car.
2. Let the company be run by the engineers, not the bean counters. Make the very best, highest-quality car you can. Don’t cut any corners, and don’t compromise on the design. Let the engineers design the very best car they can; then cost it out and add a reasonable profit margin. Follow the maxim expressed by John Dodge: “Good enough is not acceptable.” BTW, I have a 1922 Dodge Bros. touring car that is all original and runs excellently. If they could make such a high-quality car in 1922, why can’t you make one today? Presently my main driver is a 1987 Mercedes 420SEL, a beautiful, high-quality car, which I see little or no reason to replace (except that parts are getting a little hard to obtain). For example, it has an all-alloy cylinder block with chrome vanadium steel cylinder liners and forged pistons, rods and crankshaft. An engine like that will last virtually forever, if properly maintained. (Unfortunately, control of Mercedes was captured by the bean-counters a few years after my car was manufactured, so I would never buy a current model Mercedes.)
3. Fix your dealers. As other posters have said, they are really terrible. When Mr. Henderson says he thinks they are “great” (above), I really wonder about him. I repeat: they are terrible. They are disrespectful to customers; try to run all kinds of games on them; won’t cover warranty repairs and charge an arm and a leg for simple repairs.
4. Make it possible for your customers to do their own repairs if they so desire, so they can avoid being taken advantage of by dealers and mechanics. For example, Mercedes makes its service manuals available for my 420SEL on CD-ROM for only $25, and they tell you how to fix EVERYTHING, including how to overhaul the transmission, engine and differential, step-by-step. They also give you a troubleshooting procedure for all the electronics and the fuel injection system, using only a volt-ohmmeter with a duty-cycle range and a test light. Chrysler made such service manuals available to its customers for years, too. GM needs to do this, badly.
to this comment On November 3, 2009 at 3:45 pm kenZ300 said:
What a comment………. is anyone listening ?????
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 8:34 am Gereon (from Germany) said:
“I share your love for the G8. Seems too good to waste. We are looking at a few options.”
Dear Mr. Lutz,
first of all, the announcement that you are going to stay with the New GM made the exciting news from yesterday even better. I am glad to read, that obviously anybody listens now, as far as the afterlife of the G8 is concerned. I think there’s been a lot of posts recently, reflecting the wishes to continue that model under another brand, preferably Chevrolet. At one of my comments I have been citing you: “Give the people what they want”. You will remember…
What the New GM also needs right now, is positive headlines. And I am quite confident, Chevy-enthusiasts would appreciate to seeing this anytime soon on American roads: http://www.chevroletarabia.com/content_data/LAAM/ME/en/GBPME/001/G1/1L/1L_imagegallery.html?cntryCd=SA
Thanks for your attention.
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 9:12 am Bill Crowell said:
May I please add one more comment. I believe that your problem has been that you were designing cars that would appeal to dumb people who have little or no knowledge about cars. While I admit that many Americans are pretty dumbed-down, there is a problem with this strategy: smart people who know about cars won’t buy a car designed for dumb people, but dumb people WILL buy a car designed for smart people.
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 9:31 am Don said:
I have an Acadia and the dash has a fair amount of shiny chrome that reflects a lot of sun light in my eyes. A better solution would be a matte finish.
Also, I would buy an Escalade, but the 3rd row seats are impossible to get in and out. They need to fold down into the floor, either manually or powered.
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 11:07 am Edwin said:
As noted, we see GM doing a lot of things right. Most importantly the latest cars are great overall, especially the Camaro, CTS, Malibu, Acadia, Enclave, 2010 LaCrosse.
GM can now improve on core brand focus and intensity.
MARKET SHARE (top ten):
Suggestions to improve market share in the major metros like Washington, DC include better Mall displays of GM products. An array of at least three GM car models which convey the image of luxury sport should be on display. Style magazines such as Washingtonian and ads and and reviews in the WP or county papers would help to target GM. ROP ads in the WP get readership attention in DC area. GM should especially market the Camaro, CTS, Corvette, Malibu, and 2010 LaCrosse, Acadia, and Enclave in the Washington Market. These vehicles have high appeal among the Euro sport crowd which can afford to buy more than one of them at once if they choose. Radio interviews of GM execs like Bob Lutz and Mark LaNeve would be a big boost in the top ten markets for sales. Buzz and excitement are important. High profile displays at appropriate times are also important. National ads which connect lifestyle with product are important. High profile image for the products are important such those created by Movies and celebrities. The star power of the Detroit auto show NAIAS creates a high impact on enthusiasm and perception.
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Most of us know what is meant when we hear complaints about car dealership attitudes. Its not new to hear of a car dealer’s wrongful approach or general negative attitude toward the customers who simply want to know more or find the right car for the right price.
However, there are car dealers with friendly ownership and good community relations who have good customer service and treat the customers well. The characteristic of a good dealership also conveys its loyalty and appreciation to GM. Loyalty is very important because many customers already have that GM loyalty or just want to learn more about GM. A good dealer staff welcomes the customers and makes them feel welcome to come back. One local BPG dealer has done an exceptional job of building a new facility which was sorely needed, and having a friendly staff, and plenty of service, and nice waiting area. We hear they are having sales increases too. We service our cars there and notice that the staff treats everyone well. They’ve been a source of increased jobs for the local residents and thats noticable. They sell many new cars in the area. This GM dealers has its own quick change oil facility right on location. These sorts of dealers should be thanked and rewarded more. Appreciated.
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 11:36 am Alex D. said:
Hopefully that really was Bob Lutz that posted that! I guess GM really is listening to what the fans of their products want! I definitely think it is a product with a bright future that must be saved. That is a major victory. I do not want to be picky but the Solsitce hardtop is pretty beautiful and fairly new as well. it would be nice to see this continue as a limited edition offered through Chevrolet dealerships, even though pontiac is closing.
Those are really the only two products I see worth saving in the Pontiac Line. I would hope that GM revisit chevrolets duplication in the large scale SUV market and seeks to trim their portfolio amid further slumping demand and high gasoline prices. I would most likely trim back the offering of trucks and SUV’s as there is much duplication and less need for similar products under different brands.
the renewed focus on product is begining to show and pay dividends. keep up the good work.
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 12:12 pm joe rodriguez said:
it was about four years ago that i posted last at this site. at the time, i was encouraging GM to move faster, getting rid of its many weak cars and divisions. i received a lot of criticism from GM fans, especially from my incendiary but prophetic comment to GM, “change or die.”
well, I rather be happy than right, but things haven’t turned out that way. but i can say now that I am a big fan of the new GM and the cars from Cadillac and Chevy (the CTS is awesome and the new Malibu is one of the best looking cars out there). I understand the decision about Saturn but sad to see it go (a brand with good cars now and so much unrealized potential) and am curious about what Roger is going to do with the brand — I have a feeling it is going to be something breakthrough. I am worried that selling off Opel means that GM no longer will access to its most excellent cars and engineering resources. I am sure Fritz will work something out with them.
when i was a kid, my family was staunchly GM. unfortunately, we bought our last GM car, a Buick, in the 1970s and never looked back. About 30 years later (and 15 honda co. cars, 2 toyotas, 1 bmw, 1 mazda later), GM now has our attention again and we expect great things from the new company. Fritz is right: your inbred culture has held the company back. Now is the time to reinvent that culture, developing an innovative, intentional culture and show the world that you can lead, rather than merely follow. I will be watching and rooting for you.
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 2:45 pm Matthew Williams said:
I and my team recently dropped out of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE competition. We for the most part are new to the endeavor of making a better car. We have designs for the world’s first negative emissions vehicle. We are hopeful that even with the painful changes GM and Chrysler are undergoing that new opportunities for workers and consumers will emerge. We are very committed to our designs and remain optimistic about the future, but I did want to extend my best wishes to the families of GM and Chrysler that are being hit hardest in all this.
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 4:59 pm Michael said:
To preface my statement my wife and I have a 2002 Z06, 2007 Impala, and a 2008 CTS with direct injection. I have to say one thing. If GM keeps sending jobs out of this country,either directly or indirectly, I see no reason to continue buying from you.
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 5:28 pm Nev. E. Ragmcar said:
Ha, what a bunch of crock from a management team that still continues to throw smoke bombs out to the consumers. No matter how good your quality or reliability may be, you need to build the cars and trucks that consumers want…. the VOLT? what a joke…. you guys think we consumers are stupid enough to fork over $40k for that?… and while the quality issues and reliablity problems will come up with the volt… the consumer is stuck going to GM dealerships (stealerships) for service??? HA… I’m never buying a GM product… I know my extended family is staying away from GM and Chrylser (FIAT) dealerships…. and my offspring will defintely buy japanese….
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 6:12 pm philip sisk said:
Hi Fritz,
I think the chevy looks nice except for the front and especially the chevy logo. Please change the logo to look classy like the innovative car you are trying to sell. The logo and the front is the turn off. Why go back to the past? When you look at the chevy vega it doesn’t have an ugly logo of chevy on the front.
Please make the logo innovative and stylish or just lose it and tweak the front and you’ve got a winner car……..If you want me to design call me and let me know………
finally, why don’t you also buy Tesla motors they make stylish awesome cars something that would draw the worlds attention in to GM.
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 6:30 pm Marc J. said:
Only one comment after reading everyone’s, Pontiac G8. New car, only real car in the entire division. Should become part of Chevy or a base Caddy. If something so good, gets great reviews from many car magazines, etc…. They need to find a home for this vehicle. Forget about everything else Pontiac has, it is a copy of another GM vehicle or cross from a partner. Please, Please keep the G8!
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 8:41 pm Are said:
Mr. Lutz,
We, the GM enthusiast community, are counting on you to lead the way for a new and improved General Motors. A G8-based Impala SS is certainly a step in the right direction. Good luck!
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 8:52 pm Are said:
Furthermore, look to Australian-based Holden brand (and particularly HSV) a bolder and more enticing array of model offerings. These vehicles could easily be implemented into GM’s line-up aimed at North-American through captive import and rebadging strategies.
to this comment On July 11, 2009 at 10:59 pm Chad F. said:
After hearing Bob Lutz on NPR yesterday, I am not convinced that the “new GM” has any more of an understanding of what the American customer wants than they did 6 months ago. Bob, a word of advice: the American consumer didn’t migrate largely to imports because of poor PR and it didn’t happen just in the last few years (contrary to what you see in the Michigan bubble). The ‘perception gap’ you’ve been beating to death for years isn’t the reason that many won’t consider your vehicles, so stop trying to sell that BS.
GM made historically bad cars for nearly the past 30 years. That’s your history, so own it. Realize that you’re competition is now the Korean automakers, not the top tier Japanese or European brands. Offer 100,000 mile warranties and free service because nobody really trusts your vehicles to make it that far. MANDATE that your dealers treat YOUR customers well and with respect or stop sending them the best product. Americans HATE going into a car dealership. This is a lesson you should have learned with Saturn, but apparently Fritz is under the impression that everything is peachy… news-flash: it’s not and they aren’t.
Nostalgia doesn’t sell anymore. There are entire generations of Americans who don’t know a time when GM made the best cars in the world, or even comparable ones for that matter. It may take you 20 years to do it, but you’re going to have to prove that you deserve such recognition over again. It may determine whether the New GM is the automotive equivalent of New Coke.
to this comment On July 12, 2009 at 11:47 am Carl said:
If you want to sell more cars, it’s simple. Give a warranty of 100K bumper to bumper. The car buying public will not resist and your cars will fly out of the showrooms.
to this comment On July 12, 2009 at 11:50 am Jay S said:
If you guys can leave Daewoo alone and give it back to the Korean government, I would appreciate it. You are leaching Korean engineering for GM shareholders profit. All of the profit that would be gained by Daewoo would have gone back to Korea. It’s rightful place. the Cruze is the perfect example of how GM will make billions of dollars around the world of mainly Korean engineering. It makes me wonder, how good your American engineers are when, clearly, you need Opel and Daewoo to design your small to mid-size cars.
I am not buying that Daewoo being controlled by GM is for Daewoo’s best interest. Or for that matter Korea. Who do you think you are fooling? Korean people aren’t that stupid. Alot of people know that you GM took over Daewoo’s billion dollars worth of assets, for a cool 500 million dollars. Then you leverage Daewoo engineers and Korean parts manufacturers to sell Daewoo cars around the world. Without Daewoo, your company GM would be in a whole lot of Horse doo-doo. And I know that your GM executives and Daewoo employees know that.
Which makes me wonder exactly, did you coordinate the takeover of Daewoo in 2001? I know fully well that Kim Woo Choong must have purposely mismanaged the company so that he would bankrupt his own company to the ground. The founder of Daewoo was no dummy and what Kim did in the 90’s spell nothing short of pure idiocracy in terms of Daewoo corporate management. Which makes me wonder why did Kim Woo choong run his company into the ground?
Regarding the nature of the new GM, Daewoo doesn’t need you and neither does the Korean people. Many people would appreciate it if Nick Reilly and Michael Grimaldi get tickets to fly back to your headquarters back to Michigan. My suggestion to you GM would be, if you want to engineer fine cars, that use your own American engineers. If you sell cars profitably using your own talent, than the more power to you. But don’t play this charade and pretend that your cars aren’t the product of Daewoo engineering, profit from the Product, and then beg to the KDB that Daewoo needs GM ownership guidence.
Benjamin Williams.
to this comment On July 12, 2009 at 1:26 pm Claud Pipkin said:
Mr. Henderson and Mr. Lutz
1) One thing that needs to be accomplished is to reduce the development time of new products from the curent 3 year time……….And still turnout a great quality product that sells well.
2) Beef up your customer survey group and listen to the customer..
3) Survey your overseas product lines for several small “green” economic models to introduce here in the USA & Canada……What do you think Toyota does???
4) Get you a new head of styling………..
5) other problems are regarding unfair trade practices of Japan and China……
Regards;
Claud Pipkin
to this comment On July 12, 2009 at 7:59 pm sheth said:
ChadF:
With all due respect you dont have a clue what you are talking about and the vitriol you are spewing here shows why American automakers have little chance of convincing ignorant consumers to try their products. This idea that GM has made nothing but garbage for 30 years running is tired, illogical and false. I suggest you get a grip on reality. Up until last month GM was STILL the #1 selling manufacturer in the US and #2 in the world. You don’t have that position by making nothing but undesirable vehicles for 30 straight years. We all can agree that GM has been hit or miss with many of its products over the years but there have been many good ones and numerous acceptable vehicles that were no worse than what the Japanese have had to offer. Contrary to what you stated, Bob Lutz is 100% correct about the perception gap. Too many US consumers will give Asian automakers a free pass on mediocre vehicles while refusing to even consider a highly lauded American branded vehicle. Based on the tone of your comments you strike me as one of those individuals. I am not one to be brainwashed so I bristle at the notion that the Japanese have been turning out nothing but stellar, successful products for the last 30 years. For the majority of the time the Japanese have been selling in the US they have been turning out mediocre, uninspired vehicles that offered decent reliability. I wont even give them the benefit of the doubt on fuel economy because in most cases they were barely superior (if at all) to American offerings in that category. The first Accord V6 got 17/23 with a 2.6L V6 with a measly 170hp- not impressive in my book and no better than the V6 powered American cars of the day.
“Offer 100,000 mile warranties and free service because nobody really trusts your vehicles to make it that far.”
Such a statement might have some credibility if GM weren’t still selling more vehicles in the US than Toyota and Ford. It’s hard to accept such an absurd statement when you look at the sales charts. Everyone wants to beat GM down for lost marketshare, but it seems no one wants to discuss their ranking in the US market. Why is that Chad? GM needs MORE people to consider its products but its totally absurd to claim that no one has faith in the quality of GM’s vehicles. If you go to edmunds.com and look at the consumer reviews of various GM products you generally find those products rank highly relative to the competition from Toyota and Honda. Why not see what REAL owners have to say instead of relying on your ill conceived perceptions?
“Nostalgia doesn’t sell anymore. There are entire generations of Americans who don’t know a time when GM made the best cars in the world, or even comparable ones for that matter.”
Is that why the Camaro is selling well right now and GM is having trouble keeping up with demand? This time last year the pundits and American car haters were saying the Camaro was the wrong car at the wrong time. They said gas prices were leading Americans towards small, dull, slow cars and GM was again missing the boat by launching a “gas guzzling” sports coupe. Are you sure GM would be smart to listen to you?
Nev E Ramgar:
If you had any sense or knew anything about the Volt you would know it will be eligible for a $7500 tax credit so it wont cost $40k. You would also know Toyota is working on a plug in Prius that wont be on sale until 2012 (2 years after Volt) that is projected to have about half of the VOLT’s electric range and cost even more than $40k. The media is praising Tesla for cranking out a few hundred overpriced electric roadsters and yet folks are ridiculing GM for trying to produce a plug in sedan that will cost less than half of a Tesla roadster. It defies logic.
to this comment On July 13, 2009 at 8:56 am Nate said:
Geron (from Germany), Marc J, & Are,
I was hoping to see a Buick version of the G8.
Edwin,
GM hasn’t gotten everything totally right yet. They still have many small things to fix.
Carl,
‘If you want to sell more cars, it’s simple. Give a warranty of 100K bumper to bumper. The car buying public will not resist and your cars will fly out of the showrooms.”
Great idea… lets hope GM listens.
to this comment On July 13, 2009 at 11:30 am Brooke said:
I have an idea – not sure if it merits consideration or not. I’m not an auto industry follower, but my grandfather and great grandfather were both dealers for Oldsmobile and Ford respectively so I do have respect for the history of the American auto industry.
In a time when the dealer network is hurting, does it make sense for the industry to re-think the dealer model completely in the US in order to streamline operations and sales channels? Certainly there would be significant cost to buy out dealers, but it might be a better model in the long term.
For instance, what if there were one centralized location in every geography where really cool test driving facilities were set up (maybe it’s a different location for trucks vs sports cars, etc.) so that all vehicles in that category could be compared head to head. The facility could show all American made cars, or could even have non-american made brands in there for compartive shopping.
Then, the actual negotiation and transaction could take place online instead of shopping dealer to dealer to see who will drop their drawers the lowest. Ultimately, it seems like it would make more sense to the consumer of tomorrow to shop like that.
It’s just an idea from a totally outside of the industry perspective – but I’d be curious to hear what people who follow GM and the industry think.
to this comment On July 13, 2009 at 12:23 pm Felix said:
Mr. Henderson
I am happy to see GM emergr from bankruptcy. You have a few great cars on the
market now with others coming. The problem is the one you have coming shoul have
been on the market already. You can not follow in the steps of the old GM and make
small improvements at a snails pace. You have to make major improvements at breakneck speed.
You also need to imform Mr. Spina that the quality gap is not history,not
until you consistently rank number one on every vehicle you make. In other words in
the quality ranking world no matter who is doing the ranking your vehicles should be number one thru however many vehicles you make you the world. A more apporate statenent would have been maby the quality gap will never be history but we will continue to do our best to make it so. A statement like tha is something I could believe in. The other on is too much like the old GM, over promising and under delivering.
Whie you ar working on improving your vehicles you need to also work on improving your marketing skills. You could have the best vehicles in the world but if they are not marketed right it don;t mean a thing. A prime example is the Malibu. It is consistently ranked high among comparson tests against its competors but lags way behind in sales. Part of this may be do to GM’s soiled reputation, which means you have to work extra hard and do something extra special to move the Iron.
Last but not least I do hope you will work at putting Cadillac back in it proper place in the market place. THE STANDARDS OF THE WORLD. In order to do that you have to give them the proper vehicle with second to none style performance quality and service.
to this comment On July 13, 2009 at 1:45 pm MaL Schubert said:
Tell me why the LTZ Chevrolet Impala has only the 3.9 engine when it gets only 25 mpg whereas the other Impala’s with the 3.5 engine get close to 30 on the highway. I drive to Florida twice a year, same route etc. Also, the 3.8 engines in my previous vehicles (Gran Prix, and Bonneville) got 30 mpg also. So– therefore I will not buy an Impala with a 3.9 engine. I say, put the 3.5 in the LTZ and make a lot of customers happier.
to this comment On July 13, 2009 at 3:31 pm Jukka Hyva said:
To: New GM
I’ve owned many GM build vehicles over the years. However, I don’t want a car or truck that’s designed by a committee of Congress, the White House appointed “Car Czar” and the environmental (i.e. “greenies”) to supposedly “solve” a “global warming” problem that’s the biggest canard of all time.
Any taxpayer subsidized product is a non sequitur. If you can’t design and produce quality vehicles at prices that don’t need subsidies to sell (i.e. “the volt” and taxpayer bailout), then why should taxpayers bail you out? Get off the corporate welfare roll!
You’ve gone along with and gotten in bed Pres. B.O. in the White House who has forced your former secured investors to take far less than what was due to them by law and given it over to the leadership of the UAW and federal gov’t. This is corporate and gov’t criminal activity (a.k.a. “the Chicago way”).
Why would you think anyone would trust you to invest their hard earned money with the “new GM”, since we can’t trust you to live up to previous legal agreements with investors? Why would I trust you to build me a $30K+ truck, since you’re aligning yourselves with people in the White House and Congress who have shown us already that they don’t tell the truth and they can’t be trusted to do what they say they will?
I’m sorry, but you’ve started to build this new company on a faulty foundation from the start. I know a number of people personally who think like I do and won’t be buying GM as long as this current group of GM management is in place and you’re in bed with the gov’t and UAW to take away whatever you want from taxpayers. It’s a sad day in America to see what you’ve done to this once proud and strong company.
jh
to this comment On July 14, 2009 at 1:03 am Dave Niven said:
Last time I checked GM wasn’t building a Republican car to sell to just republicans. It was poor management that got them into this mess. I presume the writer would rather just buy from Japan and south Korea. Basically the type of person who would rather commit suicide before giving up his gun.
I would rather buy a GM car under this regime than the old one ! We just hope they improve the quality.
In my youth GM was by far the best auto company. I think they peaked about in 1968 however.
We give some German cars too much credit but in general I am very happy with my Vibe. GM was stupid to give up on the Vibe … perhaps the writer is on to something after all.
to this comment On July 13, 2009 at 4:01 pm Sheth jones said:
Mal:
Impala LTZ is rated at 17/27 vs 18/29 for the base model. The Lacrosse with the 3800 was not more efficient than the Impala LTZ in spite of having less hp.
to this comment On July 13, 2009 at 4:18 pm Jeff said:
I saw Mr. Henderson recently give an interview in which he asked (and I’m paraphrasing here) to “give GM another chance.” I won’t say that statement bothered me, but I was a little taken aback. It’s one thing for McDonalds to say “give us another chance” when you’re talking about a $5 value meal. But a car is one of the largest purchases most of us make in our lives, and if we’re financing it (as most do), we are either stuck with the product for at least a couple of years, or suffer a major financial setback if we sell or turn it in due to GM’s historically low resale values.
My question is, if GM would like consumers to “give GM another chance”, is GM willing to offer us, say, a 30-day or 1,000 mile satisfaction guarantee? If you don’t like the car, bring it back for a full refund of the purchase price. I mean, if the cars are as great as all the GM execs say they are, it’s no financial risk to GM or it’s dealers. I think that would be a very fair thing to do, as well as be a great marketing campaign. Anyway, think about it, Mr. Henderson. This tip is free…the next one will cost you. LOL
to this comment On July 14, 2009 at 11:00 am Tony said:
They wanted another chance – Customer Service is nowhere to be found on their website, I have tried in vain yet again (this is the 2nd time the first was 8 years ago) If I were to treat customers in my line of sales as GM does me, I surely would be in the poorhouse by now, as GM is now. I have received numerous phone numbers to call from various people, yet no one wants to take my information and “call me back” they would rather pass the buck. I paid off my GM vehicle over a year ago, and still have NOT received my title, and am trying to get new plates for it before they expire at the end of August. Being that it’s July one would think I have plenty of time, but It took me over a year the last time I paid off a vehicle with GM to get my title. Perhaps after this when GM asks me for yet another chance – if It took 3 chances with some of the customers I have I wouldn’t be in business. I am truly going to look elsewhere very soon as I will be in need of another vehicle, do you really think the 3rd time around I will go to GM? So far I don’t think so
to this comment On July 14, 2009 at 9:12 pm petra butler said:
Completely agree with you. In watching the press conference with Fritz Henderson, he does mention customers, always ’second’…no first. In the press conference he always mentions ‘product’ first. If a company is adamant about putting customers first, that’s what they mention first…not second. Clear indication that customers will be ’second’…or ‘third’…or -20 grand.
to this comment On July 13, 2009 at 10:29 pm SierraGS said:
Thank you Mr. Lutz for your response to my question about the G8, I am glad you have decided to return and can’t wait to see what you have in store for us.
If you happened to have checked the GMi site lately you will see that you made alot of GM fans very happy.
to this comment On July 13, 2009 at 11:18 pm SteveG said:
I agree with that Post about dropping Daewoo but for a different reason.
Everything GMDAT produces is crap. Aveo-crap, Barina-crap, Reno-crap, Forenza-crap.
Cruze-mediocrity defined. Insipid Korean design.
Let GT NA design ALL of your vehicles.
The Cruze has a awkward design. And a dumb name.
to this comment On July 15, 2009 at 11:27 pm Joe D., Cleveland OH said:
Fritz,
Today, according to Autoblog, when pressed for your definitive answer about the G8 and Bob Lutz’s comments, your response apparently was, and I quote, “Bob can say what he wants, but he works for me”.
Two things jump out at me here:
1. You and Bob are not seeing eye to eye on the G8, and you air your dirty laundry to the public. Bad move. Does not help your image.
2. Bob is much more in tune to what people want than you are. He is a car guy, you are not.
Plain and simple: let the car guys make the decisions or resign. Bob Lutz is not a stalworth from the “old” GM, and you have been with the company for 30 years.
Now people are going to see that you really aren’t that much different from the ignorant bums that ran the company into the ground in the first place, because you obviously still carry the “old” GM mindset, at least when it comes to the G8.
Fritz, I’m saying this from a future GM customer perspective: let the car guys (and gals) in the company make the decisions. You will be better off.
to this comment On July 16, 2009 at 3:00 pm philip sisk said:
my question hasn’t been answered……?
Why doesn’t GM just buy Tesla they make cool electric cars that go fast and are more stylish then the chevy volt? It would just add to GM cleaner product line
to this comment On July 16, 2009 at 3:01 pm philip sisk said:
Can you change the chevy logo in the front of the car. It is so ugly looking along with the front why are you deciding to keep the old logo with this new car? Isn’t this car suppose to be different?
to this comment On July 16, 2009 at 4:24 pm ronald j levy said:
I have owned GM cars for a number of years,including 5 pontiacs(2 GTO’s) and I am on Corvette number 7 (a 2008 coupe). Now that the Government and the UAW own the company and the treatment that bondholders and dealers recieved this is to inform you that I will not be a customer in the future.
to this comment On July 20, 2009 at 1:45 pm David said:
There is something easy but essential that you have to do about Buick. The cars are excellent. But the names are ridiculous. No one is embarassed to say, for instance, that they own a G37, a 535, or an LX400.
But only someone in an old folks home would admit that they own something called a Lucerne, or an Enclave. And I’m sure the name “Terrazo” is still haunting the brand. Acura, Lexus, Mercedes, Infiniti, BMW, and even Cadillac no longer have names. They use letters numbers, or some combination thereof. Cadillac overcame its brand name, but Deville, Seville, and Eldorado, and the like had to go. A great car no longer has to be a luxurious vacation town in Southern Spain, or a lake surrounded by swiss cheese-producing cows.
For gosh sakes, stop giving these cars names and start giving them numbers! There’s nothing smart, cool, or sporty about the name Enclave or a Lucerne. How about a B-440? That might be cool.
to this comment On July 20, 2009 at 4:40 pm Smokey Blackburn said:
You make a strong point David, it’s too bad no one at Buick or GM HQ is likely to listen.
BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Jaguar and true quality brands don’t need a phony, faux-luxury name such as Lucerne, Enclave, Lacrosse, etc. It’s enough just to say, Mercedes C280, BMW 535XI, or Jaguar E-type 3.8. Those type numbers alone tell you the model and also give engine information.
to this comment On July 20, 2009 at 5:20 pm James Carroll said:
I would like to share my idea on how to increase sales of GM products. Setup a new car show room inside every Wal-Mart store. Your sales would skyrocket. I am a GM van owner.
to this comment On October 21, 2009 at 5:50 pm kenZ300 said:
GM could learn some lessons from Walmart.
Walmart’s market share has increased over the last 20 years.
GM’s market share has declined over the last 20 years.
You never feel cheated when you leave a Walmart. You get Value for your money.
Quality and Value sell.
to this comment On July 27, 2009 at 1:58 pm AMW said:
It was just announced on the local news, WJR, that the Car Czar wants to sell the gov’t share of GM & Chrysler asap. Will they sell their (our) share to China?
to this comment On August 28, 2009 at 12:30 pm Norman Roberts said:
When will I receive the shrares you promised to trade for my now worthless 100K GM bond.
to this comment On September 7, 2009 at 10:29 am James Faldyn said:
I would like to know why you don’t make a truck for the small business owners like me. Like a truck, 1/2 ton crew cab 1500, with a long bed 8′, with a 5.3 engine. That truck I can use in my personal business also. I don’t want a 3/4 or 1 ton.
to this comment On October 7, 2009 at 4:43 pm Teery B said:
My comment is about old practices being shown again, I work for an Auto Parts supplyer. And one of ower customers is your Cami plant in Ontario, Canada where the Equinox and the ugly (my opinion) Terain is being built. My surprise was to hear that the plant is going to three shifts, to me your just shooting yourself in the foot again. Three shifts to do what, flood the market with the Equinox and the Terain then two years down the road go back and lay off the third shift. Because the demand isn’t there and people aren’t falling for the insentives you try to pond off to keep up demand. Insted of running on two shifts and keeping demand there and maybe running a few extra hours a day or weekedns to help cover the demand. This is just my opinion but if the vehicle is going to sell and demand is there wouldn’t it be better to hold demand then to flood the market and decline demand sooner….
to this comment On October 19, 2009 at 7:53 pm KenZ300 said:
Fuel Economy Leaders: 2010 Model Year
Where are the GM vehicles?
Where are the GM vehicles??
Where are the GM vehicles???
2010 Fuel Economy
Information Now Available
Fuel Economy Leaders
Lowest Models Overall
Highest Models within Class
Lowest Models within Class
Rank Manufacturer/Model MPG
city/highway
1 Toyota Prius (hybrid) 51/48
2 Ford Fusion Hybrid FWD
Mercury Milan Hybrid FWD 41/36
3 Honda Civic Hybrid 40/45
4 Honda Insight (hybrid) 40/43
5 Lexus HS250h (hybrid) 35/34
6 Nissan Altima Hybrid 35/33
7 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD
Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD 34/31
8 Smart fortwo Cabriolet (automatic)
Smart fortwo Coupe (automatic) 33/41
9 Toyota Camry Hybrid 33/34
10 Lexus RX450h (hybrid, 2WD) 32/28
to this comment On October 19, 2009 at 8:07 pm KenZ300 said:
Sounds like GM dealers are part of the reason for GM’s decline.
If GM dealers are NOT honest, trust worthy, and reliable then GM is going to have problems getting back market share.
Being up sold, or having items tacked on to the price, leaving the dealer and feeling cheated is NOT the kind of customer experience that GM should have for it’s customers.
GM needs to start a secret shopper program where a factory rep comes in and “buys” a vehicle.
The dealer then gets rated on how they treated the “customer”.
GM needs to respect it’s customers.
The reason people go to Walmart is for the Value of the products. They do not walk out and worry about weather they have been cheated or if they got a fair price. WalMart customers know they are getting a good product at a value driven price. GM needs to learn something from WalMart.
Walmart continues to grow each year. GM continues to decline for the last 30 years.
Hyundai / Kia’s market share is growing. GM’s market share is declining. What can we learn from
their success? Hyundia went from a joke a few years ago to a quality value driven vehicle.
Maybe there is something to that treating your customers well thing. Do you think?
If the dealer rep was not treated fairly then there should be some consequences for the dealer.
Quality and Value……. Quality and Value…… Quality and Value……..
to this comment On November 9, 2009 at 1:29 pm Shauna Kocsis said:
Just curious if any thought has ever been given to adding a power sliding door on a crossover vehicle. I currently drive a Venture and one of my favorite features of the minivan is the power sliding door. I would consider changing over to a crossover if this was an optional feature.