I would like to point out that, in my view, once GM regains the ability to sell cars, everything else will fall into place. And by "sell cars," I mean to design, build, and sell cars competitively, with no rebates. Cars that excite, and that break their reputation(s). Cars like GM built their empire with through the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s.

 

Gee? Why is that? A guy you've never heard of who has nothing to do with GM management or management for any manufacturer, has no experience in dealing with a corporation other than selling cars for one, has defied the top minds in GM brass and in all the business world, all the sudden has a "fool-proof" plan to save the biggest company in the world from utter and immenant death. What is there to be skeptical about?

 

Aren't there plenty of people in GM who moved up the ladder because they were able to move vehicles in their region?

That Philadelphia vs Michigan remark sound drenched more with resentment than skepticism.

 

Guy, I gotta tell ya, selling Buicks in Flint is only slightly easier than giving away $20 bills to strangers.

Just about EVERYBODY in Flint who can afford a Buick pretty much works or worked for GM.

 

Buickman here. For those doubters, I moved to Flint MI from NY in 1982 with $150, found the worst hell hole imaginable in the north end of Flint. Boarded up buildings, high crime, weeded lots, and went to work. They made a movie about the area, Roger and Me. Layoffs were in the tens of thousands. It took two years to lead the store and eight to lead the country. So much for shooting fish in a barrel. My last year I peersonlly delivered 970 retail, no fleet. 126 my last month. Then I walked away from a job makng $350,000. Leading the country six times, I had proven myself.
I started a Real Estate company from scratch, became a broker and kept in contact with my customers thru referring them to dealers I trusted. In 2002 I was recruited to run Williamson Buick, changed the name to Patsy Lou, and raised sales 60% in six months. Back to RE. Last year hired to turn around Suski in Birch Run, increased deliveries 52%. Want to argue with success? Bring it.

 

He has the attitude that GM needs. I love it.

 

If I remember right, Buickman makes people agree to not release any information he gives them. I'm sure he saves everything when people email him as well as to protect his *** from legalities.

 

Cover your *** is the name of the game. Now who needs a copy of the first twenty points? Let's get it on. I could sure use some tough reviews. Let me have it. The Plan will only improve after you boys tear it up. Hey, I'm good, but this is no one man operation. Want a look? email me Buickman@GeneralWatch.com.

 

Buickman - Congratulations. It appears that you have a keen ability to see through the propaganda the GM brass continually release for mass consumption. It is evident that many inside the company have that ability as well, but they have been and continue to be stifled by the financial "wizards" that are running the company into the ground. Please realize that if the CEO recognizes that your suggestions are remotely effective and have some influence on stockholder opinion, you will be viewed as a threat. I would wager that you could then be dismissed as an outsider/malcontent/whacko to limit your potential impact. (Speaking of the CEO... this fellow is markedly inept and has the track record to prove it) If your personal claims of success are accurate, then GM's self proclaimed "car guy" CEO might be able to actually learn something from you. But.... do not hold your breath. The arrogance at that level is boundless. I guess the bottom line is that more individuals like you need to stir up the stock holders both prior to and during the annual meeting. Then clean house over at the Ren Cen. If you plan on attending the meeting, I suggest plotting your strategy with a review of the events prior to and after the storming of the "Bastille"... Let the heads roll.

 

Sure, I'll argue with ya:

By percentage, how many of your sales are non-GMS, non-PEP or non-supplier?

How does this compare with, say... California? Fbodfather can answer that one for us REALLLL quick if he wants to...

Oh, and I HOPE you're not the clown who came up with the idea of having the former Genessee county sherrif - you know, the one who was selling the concealed carry permits for a "little extra" to the folks from OAKLAND COUNTY - pasted all over the billboard on I-75 near Corunna are ya? Yep, the sherrif sure loves buying cars from old Patsy Lou... when he's not busy taking bribes, that is.

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL FIRST-CLASS MARKETING!

Surely the best use of a corrupt law enforcement official in an advertising campaign that I've seen in a long, long time!

Hey... you think that maybe you could get old J. Edgar to dress up in drag for old times' sake and have him do a Suski commercial?

"When I'm not dancing around in my hose and pumps or fighting crime, I head on up to Suski for a manicure and a Lacrosse!"

So, just to bring a little more to the party, please fill me in on your experience in running a multi-billion dollar manufacturing corporation.

{cricket noises}

OK, that one was tough...

I'll make it easy for ya...

How about a piddly little $1,000,000,000 corporation like mine?

Maybe a tiny little $100,000,000/year manufacturing facility?



POST YOUR CRAP LIVE, UP HERE ON THIS MESSAGE BOARD OR GO AWAY.

This is not GMI, this is not Cheers and Gears, and this is not LS1.com (my apologies to the first two as they are fine websites). There are a dozen people on this board at any one time who have forgotten more about engineering, manufacturing or managing a vehicle program than you will ever know.

And, one salesman to another, there's only one reason to hold it back - money. If you truly gave a damn about the company, you'd be offering whatever you have FOR FREE instead of trying to suck a buck out of it.

 

Well said, my man.

 

Well, well ,we have ourselves a doubting Thomas. Have you seen the first twenty steps o' wise one? To answer your query, my customers are all over the country, but if you had read The Plan you might know that. I offered free home delivery before anyone heard of it. How many people do you suppose wanted to come to the north end of Flint. My referrals grew exponetially because of this free service. Ex. one lady called from Atlanta at 7:30 PM. the next morning the unit was in her driveway. I haven't taken an up in many years. Week before last I delivered 29 units without even setting foot at the dealer. Please focus your comments on the merits of The Plan and save the useless rhetoric, it only makes you look bad.

 

You seem to be a bit controversal with some members here, and I don't know you from Adam.

If you send me the points you're talking about to guion02@hotmail.com

I'll give it a look and post my 2 cents.

 

This guy reminds me of that annoying guy from the info-mercials on how to improve your memory.

 

Answer the damned questions.

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR SALES ARE GMS, PEP or SUPPLIER DISCOUNT?

I could give a crap less about moving the iron on a lot in the very town where a lot of the iron on the lot was built, I want to know what qualifies you to implement this "plan" across General Motors. Anybody can b!tch, Sparky, ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTING a solution is what people get paid for.

Methinks anybody claiming to be the "savior" had best pony up to a few doubting Thomases...

See, it's YOUR credentials I'm questioning, and given the fact that you know precisely... well... NOTHING about actually manufacturing a car ("doors on" invented in Orion... that's a good one!!!!), I think that's a pretty reasonable thing to do. If you don't have experience in anything other than selling cars on a lot, which is an honorable profession, btw... sorta... well... depending on the ethics of the guy doing it and all... then I'd like to know what qualifies you to plan the activities for the future of GM.

Which GM assembly plant did you run? Which vehicle did you supervise the design or engineering or validation or manufacturing of? Which division were you in charge of? Where's YOUR track record in running a TEEENY TINY little manufacturing company? What's the solution to the increases in steel prices? How about plastics? Health care? Ever dealt with the UAW in any forum other than trying to sell the very car they built to them? Ever engineer something? Ever comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard? Hey, what's you CAFE strategy?

The last guy who made the claim of "savior" ACTUALLY RAISED A GUY FROM FROM THE DEAD and STILL got crucified.

You've sold Buicks in BUICK CITY to GM EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES, and until I see some water turing into wine, I reserve the right to question the veracity of your credentials and claims... especially since you've never done any of the things I've mentioned above in your life.

BTW, besides Patsy Lou, precisely HOW MANY Buick dealers are there in Flint?

Wait, I'll answer that for our audience so they don't have to wait and find out if you'll answer it or not...

ZERO.

That's right.

NONE.


EDIT: And if you want OUR EXPERTISE used in refining a plan that you plan to, and actually have already attempted to, sell then I think it's entirely reasonable for us to expect a considerable fee for consultation.