By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman

The media coverage on the auto industry of late has done much to paint an ugly portrait of General Motors. This happens when a company's financial results are not meeting projections and so I can understand and respect the increased scrutiny.

But I must draw a line between legitimate coverage and manipulating facts to create "news." Which is what happened when remarks I made in answer to a question at an analyst conference in New York last week were taken out of context and twisted just enough to cause panic among a lot of good people.

Many of you probably read something to the effect that "GM is considering shedding a brand." Let me say it now, for the world to hear: No, we have no plans to shed a brand. Period.

I blame myself, because I should know better. It's always dangerous to field a speculative question, especially in an environment in which we’re increasingly under the media microscope.

But, if you are interested, here are the facts. Buick and Pontiac, the two brands most often cited in these press reports, will be around for a long time, refreshed every year with strong new products. Just look at the G6, the Torrent, Lacrosse and Lucerne. Look no further than Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet, and soon, Saturn, to see what our brand commitment is all about.

Remember, a lot of people said Cadillac was dead, and look at it now.

Frankly, I find it inexcusable even in today's "shock-type" journalism environment for the media to run with a story without clarifying the statements actually made.

Mark LaNeve, our sales and marketing vice president for North America, had it exactly right in an e-mail he sent to our dealers last week regarding this matter. "We are not discussing or planning the elimination of any of our brands. On the contrary, we're investing more heavily than ever on new products and marketing programs – GM is investing in all of its brands."

In the same memo, LaNeve also cited our intentions to "reignite Pontiac's muscular design and street credibility" and build Buick as a brand with vehicles that are the "quietest and highest-quality in their segment."

And now you know, with apologies to Paul Harvey, the rest of the story.

Posted by Lutz at March 30, 2005 03:38 PM


http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives...t_is_ever.html

 

Glad he said something.

Also, it's nice to be reminded that the biggest turn around in recent history has come from GM:

 

I certainly like this quote....

I only hope it is not corporate propaganda.

 

Right on Bob! Let Em' Have it! I knew it was more media BS! The media clearly has an agenda. Screw Them

 

Okay, well then let's hear exactly what the context was in which he made those remarks. He had to have used most of those words together in a sentence somehow.

 

I'm with Bob on this, I really hope it is not corporate propaganda. It'd be nice to see Pontiac come out with some actual performers to give it some street cred.

 

As quoted in Autoextremist.

 

lmfao, Lutz is gonna destroy pontiac, if anyone can't see this their blind..

oh wow G6, Solsztice? Pontiac should have gotten the Sky.
GTO and next Camaro Sharing Same Chassis? wtf?

Granted I've always Hated GM, but I've always loved Pontiac. they were the performance division, now as someone else said, the Oprah division..

 

The performance devision hasn't had much to offer in the way of blistering performance for quite some time. Can't blame that on Lutz.

Not only that is still sells as good as anything esle GM has. Not to say that it doesen't need work. But it's far from broken and everything CANNOT BE a WS6 Trans-AM.

 

Talk about putting foot in mouth then now backpeddling..No way GM can survive without either cutting a division entirely, or chopping brands within multiple divisions.

 

Welpers, the way I read the performance numbers, a WS6 T/A vs. 2005 GTO has a very good chance of the GTO winning in a drag or roll.

 

Well, we'll see what happens when those new cars to revitalize Buick and Pontiac actually come out.

 

I know that the GTO is probably heavier, but that would make sense considering it has the LS2 and the WS6 the LS1. I would sure hope the '05 GTO would take a WS6 from a drag or roll.

 

The GTO is Hot some ppl just don't want to except it. They are pissed off over the lack of a current f-body. I sypathize, but ppl get over it. The more v8 RWD cars we get the better. The more ppl buy them the better case there is for the next gen f-body.

 

What’s with all the anti GM media bias these days, In this New York Times article about why the big 2.5 are struggling to keep their market share against foreign brads they spend 90% of the article ripping GM and barely talking about f*rd and even less about Chrysler. They are acting like GM is the devil or something, what gives!

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/27/we...partner=rssnyt