To say the govt is in charge is misleading!

Private firms are hired by the govt to reorganize GM.

I think the govt has the right approach. Instead of handing out $$$ to a GM run by an incompetent team, the signs appear to be that a more clinical approach is favored by the govt in reshaping GM.

 

It pisses me off that they pushed for the elimination of Pontiac..

However, GM's reluctance to shed Pontiac might bode well for a revivial down the road. (Don't lecture me, I'm not stupid)

However, I'm not sure how much the government even mattered anyway (in the Pontiac decision) since I've heard for a long time that Pontiac's fate had been sealed. (Even before the sh*t hit the fan)

 

I am curious as to why the govenment consultants didnt suggest shutting down the money pit known as Volt, instead of Pontiac.

 

The decision on shutting down Pontiac was done late last year.
The decision to do it sooner was probably prompted by the goverment.

 

government consultants specifically questioned the validity of the Volt program. i completely agree with the tact the task force is taking. those here afraid of there input are using past experience from a different lifetime, a different government, probably to influence thier thinking. from what was written here, GM is under the gun and feeling the pressure, however the decisions being made are still of GM's own volition. and the task force is still not telling GM only specific kinds of cars can be made. the task force is made up of financial whizzes, one or two auto industry people, according to the article. not a bad thing when you consider GM's finances are so far in the red. this is a consulting group, and they are doing thier job, consulting GM on how to better structure finances. the article makes no mention of direct input on product programs or of any influence as to what types of cars should be made, other than the task force specifically questioning the validity of the volt program, specifically wondering why GM spend the resources on it. that's a question GM needed to ask itself long ago.

the volt's a wonderful car, nice to look at, and will be fun when it gets here. but at volumes of 40k units, prices above $30k, it'll hardly have the publicity affect GM hopes for. it'll have little impact and once again GM will be left wondering how and why do they get to the top. it's by making a meaningful and substantial impact, one that every person runs into daily. the volt will mean almost nothing at those volumes and with that pricing. it's a damn shame GM can't get themselves to ask the right questions before they start something.

on the buick question, the article quotes three new buick sedans, two of which are already sold in china. one is referencing regal, already out or about to be. the other i don't know? not lacrosse, not out yet, unless they are making a typo, but more than likely this is a nod to another sedan already out in china, either about to be replaced, or one that's out already over there and soon coming here. park ave?

 

Volt is GM's exercise in technological and perceptiable advancements and leadership.
Cruze is what will really deliver the punch, if its rumored 1.4T motor can give us a solid 40mpg or greater return.

Volt is GM's Prius. Loses money, sells is smallish volumes, and is just a driving billboard for the company.

 

just saw the f22 today at the nawlins air show. 2nd time. just wow.

 

Can you imagine if GM canceled the Volt, the economy recovers by 2011, and gas goes up to $5-$6 a gallon. It is possible, there has been a lack of investment in oil production this past year that is going to come back to bite us if demand surges back up quickly. The back lash by the public would be insane. "Who killed the electric car II" would be a summer 2012 box office hit.

 

Sweet! I bet retired folks will love all the trunk space!

 

Sorry wrong... yet so funny.

I want a new LaCrosse.

 

I would find it really surprising, in light of GM's new-found emphasis on brand identity, that they would give Buick an economy car. But then again with this many people trying to exert control over GM, who knows.

A perfect third car for Buick would be to take over the G8. The sheetmetal for making it a Buick already exists, and it would fit in nicely with their identity of premium but-not-quite-luxury cars.

On another topic, note the article said Toyota had only two brands so why can't GM have just two ... um, what about Scion?

 

My thoughts exactly, but it'll never happen...

Cadillac will kill that idea immediately (just like they worked so hard to kill the G8 sportwagon) A Buick Zeta that some would contend is a better car than the Sigma CTS will NEVER be allowed in the new Cadillac/Buick/GMC showrooms.

God forbid ANY GM division, this side of Chevrolet, ever step on Cadillac's toes. They'd probably try to hinder Chevrolet as well if the division wasn't so strong.

 

Actually, the article is reassuring. It's a good thing that the government really held GM's feet to the fire and forced them to justify the plan for Buick, GMC, and so on.

The main problem with GM has been not having the resources to keep their huge stable of cars updated in a timely fashion. Even back in the 1970s. And the only way to fix that is having a sales strategy that's inline with the number of models they can actually afford.

This perception will fade now that GM is no longer in the business of making 5 versions of the same car.