The New GM: Its Future Is Becoming Clearer
08-10-2009 | 02:04 PM
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From: Charleston, WV
The New GM: Its Future Is Becoming Clearer
GM's corporate logo will not change from blue to green. It won't move from its downtown Renaissance Center headquarters to the suburbs. And GM isn't "Government Motors" any more than Citigroup is our central bank. "We expect to take the company public again as soon as practical, starting next year, and to repay our government loans as soon as possible," Chief executive officer Fritz Henderson said after GM emerged from a Section 363, Chapter 11 in 40 days, three days shorter than Chrysler Group's Chapter 11. Section 363 means the "old GM," Motors Liquidation Company, managed by interim CEO Al Koch of AlixPartners, owns Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer, and Saab, 13 assembly plants GM is closing down, and other dead or near-dead assets. New GM, formally General Motors Company, includes core North American brands Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac and subsidiaries outside the U.S., including Opel/Vauxhall, Holden, GM do Brazil, and part of Daewoo.
Here are key models for GM's four core brands we expect to roll out over the next several years:
CHEVROLET
Beat: 2012 sub-B-segment imported hatchback
Viva: 2011 or '12 B-segment Aveo replacement, U.S.-built
Cruze: Replaces Cobalt for 2011
Equinox: All-new for 2010
Orlando: New seven-passenger MPV for 2012 replaces HHR
Malibu: All-new for 2012 or '13
Impala: Likely enlarged Epsilon platform, early teens
Traverse: Next-gen model due about model year 2013
Volt: Late 2010 debut as an '11
C7: Next Corvette due no earlier than 2013
Colorado: New for 2013, if it's still on
Large pickups and SUVS: New Silverado is slated for 2013; Suburban may be the only body-on-frame SUV to survive
BUICK:
Unnamed compact: Approved for the 2012 model year, shares Cruze sheetmetal, with unique front/rear clips, premium interior and perhaps upgraded Opel Astra suspension
Insignia: Just approved for production, unnamed Buick version of the Opel Insignia designed to replace the Saturn Aura. On LaCrosse's Epsilon II platform, with 3.9-inch-shorter wheelbase, 6.7 inches shorter overall
LaCrosse: New 2010 model is Buick's flagship
Flagship model: Super-Epsilon sedan or RWD "Riviera" still possible, but long shots
Voltec MPV: Possible Orlando-based small MPV using Volt's powertrain as a 2013
Enclave: Due for update in model year 2012
GMC: Minimal differentiation from Chevy trucks continues
CADILLAC:
Alpha: Compact RWD range not yet approved, but target is 2011
CTS: Caddy's mainstream model just added wagon, coupe arrives in 2010
Flagship: RWD STS/DTS convergence is no longer codenamed DT7 and appears to have switched from Zeta to Sigma platform. Has been approved for model year 2012
SRX: All-new 2010 model just launched
Escalade/EXT/ESV: All-new for '14, may switch to Lambda platform
Converj: based on Voltec technology, MY13
GM'S OWNERSHIP:
U.S. Treasury: 60.8 percent
UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust: 17.5 percent
Canada and Ontario governments: 11.7 percent
Old GM: 10.0 percent
LEADERSHIP
Big news is Bob Lutz's decision to stay on as vice chairman "responsible for all creative elements of products and customer relationships." Designer Bryan Nesbitt becomes Cadillac's general manager while Chevy North American chief Ed Peper becomes Cadillac general sales manager. Brent Dewar, who has been leading Europe's sales and marketing, is Chevy's new general manager. Buick-GMC chief Susan Docherty remains after losing Pontiac. Alan Taub, executive director for research and development, replaces fuel-cell champion Larry Burns, who retires as vice president for research, development, and strategic planning. And Chris Preuss replaces Steve Harris as GM's chief flack. Edward E. Whitacre Jr., who was in charge of reestablishing the new AT&T, is the new chairman of the board.
WILL THIS WORK?
Old GM "reinvented" itself many times in the last quarter century. What makes this different? Along with being humbled into bankruptcy, GM is undergoing its biggest structural change since William Durant's Chevrolet bought GM in December 1915. Henderson has replaced two boards that made product decisions with just one nine-member executive committee. It will meet more frequently and "focus on business results, products, brands, and customers." Changes have happened quickly: Who would have thought two years ago that GM would cut North American divisions in half? If the market stays at or above 10-million units per year, GM has a fighting chance to hold on to 16-18-percent market share here.
Here are key models for GM's four core brands we expect to roll out over the next several years:
CHEVROLET
Beat: 2012 sub-B-segment imported hatchback
Viva: 2011 or '12 B-segment Aveo replacement, U.S.-built
Cruze: Replaces Cobalt for 2011
Equinox: All-new for 2010
Orlando: New seven-passenger MPV for 2012 replaces HHR
Malibu: All-new for 2012 or '13
Impala: Likely enlarged Epsilon platform, early teens
Traverse: Next-gen model due about model year 2013
Volt: Late 2010 debut as an '11
C7: Next Corvette due no earlier than 2013
Colorado: New for 2013, if it's still on
Large pickups and SUVS: New Silverado is slated for 2013; Suburban may be the only body-on-frame SUV to survive
BUICK:
Unnamed compact: Approved for the 2012 model year, shares Cruze sheetmetal, with unique front/rear clips, premium interior and perhaps upgraded Opel Astra suspension
Insignia: Just approved for production, unnamed Buick version of the Opel Insignia designed to replace the Saturn Aura. On LaCrosse's Epsilon II platform, with 3.9-inch-shorter wheelbase, 6.7 inches shorter overall
LaCrosse: New 2010 model is Buick's flagship
Flagship model: Super-Epsilon sedan or RWD "Riviera" still possible, but long shots
Voltec MPV: Possible Orlando-based small MPV using Volt's powertrain as a 2013
Enclave: Due for update in model year 2012
GMC: Minimal differentiation from Chevy trucks continues
CADILLAC:
Alpha: Compact RWD range not yet approved, but target is 2011
CTS: Caddy's mainstream model just added wagon, coupe arrives in 2010
Flagship: RWD STS/DTS convergence is no longer codenamed DT7 and appears to have switched from Zeta to Sigma platform. Has been approved for model year 2012
SRX: All-new 2010 model just launched
Escalade/EXT/ESV: All-new for '14, may switch to Lambda platform
Converj: based on Voltec technology, MY13
GM'S OWNERSHIP:
U.S. Treasury: 60.8 percent
UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust: 17.5 percent
Canada and Ontario governments: 11.7 percent
Old GM: 10.0 percent
LEADERSHIP
Big news is Bob Lutz's decision to stay on as vice chairman "responsible for all creative elements of products and customer relationships." Designer Bryan Nesbitt becomes Cadillac's general manager while Chevy North American chief Ed Peper becomes Cadillac general sales manager. Brent Dewar, who has been leading Europe's sales and marketing, is Chevy's new general manager. Buick-GMC chief Susan Docherty remains after losing Pontiac. Alan Taub, executive director for research and development, replaces fuel-cell champion Larry Burns, who retires as vice president for research, development, and strategic planning. And Chris Preuss replaces Steve Harris as GM's chief flack. Edward E. Whitacre Jr., who was in charge of reestablishing the new AT&T, is the new chairman of the board.
WILL THIS WORK?
Old GM "reinvented" itself many times in the last quarter century. What makes this different? Along with being humbled into bankruptcy, GM is undergoing its biggest structural change since William Durant's Chevrolet bought GM in December 1915. Henderson has replaced two boards that made product decisions with just one nine-member executive committee. It will meet more frequently and "focus on business results, products, brands, and customers." Changes have happened quickly: Who would have thought two years ago that GM would cut North American divisions in half? If the market stays at or above 10-million units per year, GM has a fighting chance to hold on to 16-18-percent market share here.
08-10-2009 | 02:27 PM
#2
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Posts: 3,463
From: SoCal
They have been given a new lease on life. Despite the bad economy putting the final nails in "old" GM's coffin I think their bankruptcy was almost inevitable. GM has been around for over 100 years and yet there was never a time better to go bankrupt and reorganize under the cloak of a bad economy and a sympathetic government picking up the bill. It's hard to ever say that bankruptcy is a good thing but for this GM and at this time it was the best thing for them. But that's the past.
Lessons learned and hopefully they take this second chance very seriously as they have used a mulligan but no more will be issued. So time to put to bed the poor business decisions that have led to their decline for the last 35 years and start doing what they have always said they have wanted to do as the excuses are now gone.
Lessons learned and hopefully they take this second chance very seriously as they have used a mulligan but no more will be issued. So time to put to bed the poor business decisions that have led to their decline for the last 35 years and start doing what they have always said they have wanted to do as the excuses are now gone.
08-10-2009 | 03:39 PM
#3
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From: Okemos, MI
08-10-2009 | 04:02 PM
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Posts: 162
From: St. Louis, MO
Wait first it was
fritz:we're not rebadging the g8 to a caprice I don't like rebadges
Now it's
Buick! just like our other cars but with a different nose.
Stuff like this makes me want to punch babies.
i just keep reminding myself it's from the same "bankruptcy is not an option" people and I realize they are a bunch of lying hypocritical morons who can't help themselves.
Well thank good we killed pontiac and kept buick I look forward to their uniquely different cars.
fritz:we're not rebadging the g8 to a caprice I don't like rebadges
Now it's
Buick! just like our other cars but with a different nose.
Stuff like this makes me want to punch babies.
i just keep reminding myself it's from the same "bankruptcy is not an option" people and I realize they are a bunch of lying hypocritical morons who can't help themselves.
Well thank good we killed pontiac and kept buick I look forward to their uniquely different cars.
Last edited by Aaron91RS; 08-10-2009 at 04:05 PM.
08-10-2009 | 04:03 PM
#6
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Looks good except if the Corvette and Escalade are going to go that long without replacements then they will need MCE.
Especially the Escalade. 1st gen was 2 model years, 2nd gen was 5 years, 7 years is too long for the 3rd gen in that very competitive segment.
I think it will be the Astra sedan and not Cruze. Also Chevy might get the updated 2012 Commodore/G8.
Especially the Escalade. 1st gen was 2 model years, 2nd gen was 5 years, 7 years is too long for the 3rd gen in that very competitive segment.
I think it will be the Astra sedan and not Cruze. Also Chevy might get the updated 2012 Commodore/G8.
08-10-2009 | 04:05 PM
#7
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Ford is talking about redoing 90% of their lineup....this covers most GM vehicles....but is about 3-4 years out compared to 2 
08-10-2009 | 11:55 PM
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Posts: 1,018
By 2012/13, yes, it will feel as ancient as the S10 platform did was when it finally excused itself in mid-2005. GM needs to "pick up" the pace (pun 1/2 intended) and capture the market that still wants pickups that fit in standard size garages.
08-11-2009 | 12:11 AM
#12
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Posts: 2,030
From: Frankfort, KY U.S.A.
Insignia: Just approved for production, unnamed Buick version of the Opel Insignia designed to replace the Saturn Aura. On LaCrosse's Epsilon II platform, with 3.9-inch-shorter wheelbase, 6.7 inches shorter overall
08-11-2009 | 11:49 AM
#13
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,711
From: The Golden State
Wait first it was
fritz:we're not rebadging the g8 to a caprice I don't like rebadges
Now it's
Buick! just like our other cars but with a different nose.
Stuff like this makes me want to punch babies.
i just keep reminding myself it's from the same "bankruptcy is not an option" people and I realize they are a bunch of lying hypocritical morons who can't help themselves.
Well thank good we killed pontiac and kept buick I look forward to their uniquely different cars.
fritz:we're not rebadging the g8 to a caprice I don't like rebadges
Now it's
Buick! just like our other cars but with a different nose.
Stuff like this makes me want to punch babies.
i just keep reminding myself it's from the same "bankruptcy is not an option" people and I realize they are a bunch of lying hypocritical morons who can't help themselves.
Well thank good we killed pontiac and kept buick I look forward to their uniquely different cars.
The only Buick mentioned that will be like any other model ins the Cruize based Buick subcompact.... and to tell you the truth, personally I doubt that will happen. I suspect it will at the very least have a different interior and different sheetmetal... assuming it does happen.
Ford has cut their product development costs by 60%. That's what's giving them the ability to revise their cars at 2-3 year intervals from now on, add more sheetmetal differences between 2 otherwise same vehicles (ie: MXK & Edge, Taurus and MKS) and pump more quality materials in interiors.
GM is certainly way behind Ford in this aspect, but GM has a knack of learning very, very quickly and improving on something when their backs are aginst the wakk and they have no choice.
With GM changing making decisions daily, and changing their minds almost weekly, I wouldn't dispair over any specific product plans just yet if we're talking a couple of years out.
08-11-2009 | 11:58 AM
#14
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,712
From: Ontario
The thing I find interesting in that article is that Pontiac is part of the Motors Liquidation Company. I would think the purpose of Motors Liquidation is to get maximum value of any assets under its control, so does that mean anyone could bid for the Pontiac name? Sure, they may not get the cars, IP, or factories, but if they got the name they could potentially start slapping it on Chinese cars or something.
08-11-2009 | 01:00 PM
#15
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Posts: 681
The thing I find interesting in that article is that Pontiac is part of the Motors Liquidation Company. I would think the purpose of Motors Liquidation is to get maximum value of any assets under its control, so does that mean anyone could bid for the Pontiac name? Sure, they may not get the cars, IP, or factories, but if they got the name they could potentially start slapping it on Chinese cars or something.