Buick and/or Pontiac Doomed?
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From: CA
this is another article i saw in the newspaper. if it's true that they just want lutz and cowger to be more focused, this could end up being a good thing.
link to article: free registration required.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/11314089.htm
link to article: free registration required.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/11314089.htm
CEO shakes up General Motors
WAGONER PUTS `NOOSE AROUND HIS OWN NECK'
By Rick Popely and Jim Mateja
Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO - Chief Executive Rick Wagoner shook up the management of General Motors' ailing North American operations on Monday, announcing he will be responsible for its day-to-day duties.
Wagoner, 52, who ran the North American operations from 1994 to 1998, takes over from North American Chairman Bob Lutz and President Gary Cowger.
The pair will retain their titles but focus on global responsibilities: Lutz on product development, Cowger on manufacturing, GM said.
More changes are inevitable, said Peter Morici, a University of Maryland business professor. ``The North American operations need a fundamental shift in strategy that will free up more cash for new product development and lower product development and production costs.''
Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Girsky said in a research note that it ``may be the precursor to more aggressive actions'' and questioned Wagoner's ability to handle the additional responsibility.
``What Rick has done with these moves is put a noose around his own neck,'' said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research, an Ann Arbor, Mich., think tank. ``If it works, he spreads the credit around. If it doesn't work, he accepts the blame.''
But independent analyst Maryann Keller, a longtime GM critic, said Wagoner was forced to step in because Lutz and Cowger haven't performed.
GM's Kowaleski denied that Lutz and Cowger were pushed aside. ``We're trying to put our resources into place where they are needed most to move faster and more efficiently globally.
``Why would (Lutz) be put in charge of all global development, which includes North America, if that was the case? He hasn't relinquished North America, he's working on ways to develop product globally that would help North America,'' Kowaleski said.
Keller said the company's North American problems are rooted in products. ``It's simple. Give the American public a car it really wants to buy. It doesn't matter how efficiently you build your cars if nobody wants to buy them.''
WAGONER PUTS `NOOSE AROUND HIS OWN NECK'
By Rick Popely and Jim Mateja
Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO - Chief Executive Rick Wagoner shook up the management of General Motors' ailing North American operations on Monday, announcing he will be responsible for its day-to-day duties.
Wagoner, 52, who ran the North American operations from 1994 to 1998, takes over from North American Chairman Bob Lutz and President Gary Cowger.
The pair will retain their titles but focus on global responsibilities: Lutz on product development, Cowger on manufacturing, GM said.
More changes are inevitable, said Peter Morici, a University of Maryland business professor. ``The North American operations need a fundamental shift in strategy that will free up more cash for new product development and lower product development and production costs.''
Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Girsky said in a research note that it ``may be the precursor to more aggressive actions'' and questioned Wagoner's ability to handle the additional responsibility.
``What Rick has done with these moves is put a noose around his own neck,'' said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research, an Ann Arbor, Mich., think tank. ``If it works, he spreads the credit around. If it doesn't work, he accepts the blame.''
But independent analyst Maryann Keller, a longtime GM critic, said Wagoner was forced to step in because Lutz and Cowger haven't performed.
GM's Kowaleski denied that Lutz and Cowger were pushed aside. ``We're trying to put our resources into place where they are needed most to move faster and more efficiently globally.
``Why would (Lutz) be put in charge of all global development, which includes North America, if that was the case? He hasn't relinquished North America, he's working on ways to develop product globally that would help North America,'' Kowaleski said.
Keller said the company's North American problems are rooted in products. ``It's simple. Give the American public a car it really wants to buy. It doesn't matter how efficiently you build your cars if nobody wants to buy them.''
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Pittsburgh
Originally Posted by DRfrank
i think they need to build up the saturn name and slowly deteriorate buick... i hear people really like saturn's support and the way the dealerships generally treat their customers... that or revive the grand national and build buicks name back up.
I agree. Personally, I think Saturn has more going for it than Pontiac. I'd like to see:
Chevy - econo, boring, cheap
Saturn - sporty, hip, VWish competitor (mid to near lux)
Cadillac - high end
GMC - trucks
those four, everything else would be phased out.
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From: CA
Originally Posted by rb6teg
I agree. Personally, I think Saturn has more going for it than Pontiac. I'd like to see:
Chevy - econo, boring, cheap
Saturn - sporty, hip, VWish competitor (mid to near lux)
Cadillac - high end
GMC - trucks
those four, everything else would be phased out.
Chevy - econo, boring, cheap
Saturn - sporty, hip, VWish competitor (mid to near lux)
Cadillac - high end
GMC - trucks
those four, everything else would be phased out.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,264
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From: Pittsburgh
Originally Posted by mayonaise
i could see pontiac as a performance division, but they're always going to throw in at least one SUV and one uninspiring family sedan to screw it up.
I just don't like the pontiac name or image. I think it screams cheap the way it is right now. I think saturn's image is looking a lot better recently, especially with the sky and that new car they've got coming out shortly. The Aura, I believe it's called. Those look fantastic! Leaps and bounds above Pontiac. Couple that new image with the good customer service and dealer operations that they're known for and you've got a winner. IMO of course.
Apathy Kills
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: The Left Lane
Call me an old fart, but I'll steadfastly defend the history of the Pontiac brand.
The original GTO... the Starchief...the Tempest. All of these cars had honest to goodness soul.
The Saturn brand seems effeminate and disposable by comparion.
And don't get me started on design.
h:
IMO, the Pontiac G6 sedan is one of the best looking FWD cars GM has ever designed. (If only they'd get off their asses and build a DOHC V-6.h: )
My point is this: Customer Service skills can be imported across brands. History has to be built over decades. I don't see a reason to euthanize Pontiac when the products are improving and their market niche has room to expand.
The original GTO... the Starchief...the Tempest. All of these cars had honest to goodness soul.
The Saturn brand seems effeminate and disposable by comparion.
And don't get me started on design.
h: IMO, the Pontiac G6 sedan is one of the best looking FWD cars GM has ever designed. (If only they'd get off their asses and build a DOHC V-6.
h: )My point is this: Customer Service skills can be imported across brands. History has to be built over decades. I don't see a reason to euthanize Pontiac when the products are improving and their market niche has room to expand.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: CA
Originally Posted by rb6teg
I just don't like the pontiac name or image. I think it screams cheap the way it is right now. I think saturn's image is looking a lot better recently, especially with the sky and that new car they've got coming out shortly. The Aura, I believe it's called. Those look fantastic! Leaps and bounds above Pontiac. Couple that new image with the good customer service and dealer operations that they're known for and you've got a winner. IMO of course.
Originally Posted by TheOtherDave™
My point is this: Customer Service skills can be imported across brands. History has to be built over decades. I don't see a reason to euthanize Pontiac when the products are improving and their market niche has room to expand.