Wagoner Drives Volt To Washington

[enzl]

Considering that 5 million units has blown out of America's vehicle sales in the past 8 months, it is little wonder that ANY model could post a sales increase.

The fact that the Malibu sales are up at all, in view of the fact that both the Camry and Accord are 'all new' in the past 18 months, is also amazing. The CTS, from the last sales I saw, is holding its own against the ES, which is impressive in this awful market. We know too well that GM is facing at least a dozen model launches a year from its competitors and as the 'biggest' car company on the planet, it has an obligation to match every one of them - or at least it did in the past.

It was the decision (or lack of decision) to match the Camcord, Civic and Mazda3 of a decade ago (before RW time) that has led to the fiasco we are seeing today. We can only imagine what would have happened if the Cobalt came out in '01 or '02, rather than '05 and 'this' Malibu in '04; instead, resources were directed toward the pickups and SUVs - as we all know. But then without the profits of the pickups in '07, GM may have not lasted this far into '08.

I don't disagree or agree whether RW should go, but I can't see the real benefits to dropping a new captain onto the Titanic in the middle of the Atlantic. On the job training is not a good thing during a crisis of the proportions GM is facing at this time.

I think you're right about the product...I'm not sure that the Titanic analogy is correct regarding new leadership---I believe that a turnaround specialist is needed, perhaps with a 2nd in Command that truly knows the Auto Industry to make sure the cuts made will not result in further damage.

I just don't see RW as having the stomach for the job---and the fact that most development work has stopped on vehicles ready for intro should mean that the key component of the biz (new, desirable product) shouldn't be affected too badly while a new guy gets up to speed....hopefully, there's alot of talent to unearth at GM that new blood might reinvigorate or promote after peeling away the layers of beauracrasy that need to go.

[aldw]

I do wonder if GM would be better off if the engineering people dominated the upper ranks instead of the financial types, much like it is in German manufacturers like Porsche and Audi. Perhaps that could make a huge difference in efficiency...

[GXT]

Assuming it is cold in DC this time of the year, that range information bodes well for the final version's electric-only range. I sincerely hope GM pulls this Volt thing off...

The test drive that yielded the 32 mile extrapolation wasn't in DC and it was a little while ago. But apparently it was still "colder". Not sure how cold it actually was or whether they had the heater on or not. I think the important take-away is that the "up to 40 miles" is most likely best case (city with no AC/heat/stereo).