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What if you were in charge of GM?

874 messages,  Last post on Oct 28, 2009 at 10:20 AM

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What is this discussion about? Automotive News, Classic Cars, Concept Cars, Future Vehicle


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#138 of 874
Re: Wouldn't want to be in charge... [Mr_Shiftright] by gagrice
Dec 03, 2008 (9:17 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 03, 2008 8:20 pm)

That 19.2% was just November. For the YTD they are only down 2.1%. They may be the best. Of course they only sold 205k cars YTD. I wonder if it will change their plans for a new plant in TN.
 
I think the country is flush with vehicles. Buying new right now is not that smart unless you get one heck of a deal and you have cash to spend. Borrowing is fine if you get a 2% or less loan. I would not sign for anymore than that.
#139 of 874
Re: Wouldn't want to be in charge... [Mr_Shiftright] by imidazol97
Dec 04, 2008 (8:37 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 03, 2008 6:58 am)

>mess is going to fall on Obama's plate, doesn't it?
 
I believe he was the one with all the answers to the ECONOMY during the election. So now it's going to be his.
#140 of 874
Re: Wouldn't want to be in charge... [gagrice] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Dec 04, 2008 (8:37 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Dec 03, 2008 9:17 pm)

VW seems to have made up in styling and performance what it lacks in reliability. Apparently being troublesome is not as much a deterrent to purchase as merely being made in Detroit. Go figure.
 
The Big Three obviously have an image problem. Even when they have a decent product, they can't win.
 
How does a new CEO turn around public perception? Wow, seems like an enormous task.
 
And this public image might not be just about the products, but the management as well.
 
(excerpt from CNNMoney.com)
 
" "A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll of nearly 1,100 Americans conducted earlier this week found 61% oppose a bailout, while only 36% support it. Even in the Midwest, home to most of the automakers' remaining plants, 53% of those polled opposed federal help.
 
That was a stunning reversal of polls taken before the CEOs last trip to Capitol Hill. A poll Nov. 11 and 12 conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates found 55% supported federal assistance for automakers at that time, and only 30% who believed they should not get federal help."
#142 of 874
Re: Wouldn't want to be in charge... [Mr_Shiftright] by fintail
Dec 04, 2008 (12:50 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 04, 2008 8:37 am)

The fun part is how little polls matter and how worthless a vote is in the scheme of things.
 
How many supported bailing out the greedy scheming manipulative banks? And yet here we are, with untold trillions that will eventually be spent. And the people have absolutely no recourse, when it comes down to it.
 
I'd like to see a big overpaid suit 2.5 address the image problem, and not simply dismiss it as some grand liberal elitist media conspiracy.
#143 of 874
Re: Wouldn't want to be in charge... [Mr_Shiftright] by circlew
Dec 04, 2008 (6:29 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 04, 2008 8:37 am)

The Big Three obviously have an image problem. Even when they have a decent product, they can't win.
 
That is the biggest understatement tonight!
 
A few DECENT PRODUCTS. They also have devastating timing. Haven't they always? The economic downturn was the final straw to a system doomed for years.
 
Like I said,the buck stops with the C.E.O. Your job is well compensated to allow immediate severance upon failure. When it continues for years, something is really wrong with your industry, let alone your particular company.
 
I assume that's why these guys are bullet proof because of the massive web of confusion.
 
Regards,
OW
#144 of 874
Re: Wouldn't want to be in charge... [circlew] by gagrice
Dec 04, 2008 (9:25 pm)
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Replying to: circlew (Dec 04, 2008 6:29 pm)

I assume that's why these guys are bullet proof because of the massive web of confusion.
 
That is a MOST astute statement.
 
These big corporate boards are so intertwined that it is impossible to penetrate inside unless you are born in or groomed in. Fintail has mentioned this more than once. The corporate web in America is tied to the Congress and we are just the masses waiting to see what happens next. While I would not want Wagoner's job. I think he is way past his chance to make GM a viable company. I believe he has systematically sold off the cream of GM and was probably compensated in ways we will never know. Right now it is a worthless shell and the stock price is about right. If all the parts get sold off it will be lucky to pay the creditors. That leaves a big problem for the tax payers. How much do the retirees get from those that were not part of the debacle? The Enron employees got ZERO.... Life has tough lessons.
#145 of 874
Re: Wouldn't want to be in charge... [gagrice] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Dec 05, 2008 (9:15 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Dec 04, 2008 9:25 pm)

This will certainly teach the younger generation not to be awed by the Halls of Power. Large walnut tables and $3,000 suits don't make a person a leader.
 
I used to think, when I was in college, that large corporations were like a large line of railroad cars. The engineer, the leader, was in the massive diesel engine, hand confindently on the throttle; behind him, in the first passenger car, his Board, passing and receiving messages to and fro the long line of cars, which were filled with other employees, precious goods, etc.
 
Then, as I got a bit older, I thought well maybe it's not *quite* so orderly. Maybe there is an occasional struggle for the throttle in that big front diesel locomotive, and the "best man wins" and takes confident control every now and then.
 
Now, as I gaze on the goings on in Detroit and Washington, apparently (if I am wrong, someone open mine eyes) I see that the only thing in the massive diesel locomotive is a thin piece of twine rope tied around the throttle, wide open and consuming fuel, with no one in the compartment, while a party was going on in the cars behind.
#146 of 874
Re: Wouldn't want to be in charge... [Mr_Shiftright] by circlew
Dec 05, 2008 (10:57 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 05, 2008 9:15 am)

That is a perfect analogy on how American Businesses and some households have operated of late.
 
Fundamentals and morality goes away as greed filters in to the locomotive and then everyone parties while Rome burns!
 
egards,
OW
#147 of 874
Re: Wouldn't want to be in charge... [circlew] by kernick
Dec 05, 2008 (11:15 am)
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Replying to: circlew (Dec 05, 2008 10:57 am)

I think Thomas Jefferson was correct - when he said we'll need a revolution every so many years. I forgot what he said - 10 years?
 
What we have is 2 parties both paid for by the same corporations and lobbied by the same lobbyists. The government gives concessions, breaks, loans, bailouts, eminent domain to these corporations and businesses, who in turn give privately and to the campaigns of the politicians. What they're leaving behind is $11+ trillion in debt just on the federal level, and a system that is going to use up our Social Security funds.
 
And we'll be lucky to avoid a Depression in the next few years, not just this recession. I think many people think this is about as bad as it can get? and that a turn around is just around the corner? I don't see that happening as more people are losing jobs, people are still in debt on credit cards, people have little home equity, and the government is running out of ways to help (almost broke, and not much further to lower interest rates).

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