BigPontiac

GM replaces top spokesman after run of bad news Tue Jan 31, 2006 04:21 PM ET DETROIT, Jan 31 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday replaced its top spokesman with his predecessor, a seasoned auto executive that analysts said would be charged with repairing the image of the world's largest auto maker after a string of losses and missteps. GM said Steve Harris, who ran the company's global communications operation from 1999 through 2004, would take over on Wednesday from Tom Kowaleski, who said he was resigning, effective March 1, to pursue other opportunities. The announcement comes less than a week after GM posted an $8.6 billion loss for 2005 -- its largest annual loss since 1992. "GM has suffered from image problems for several years now and they just had to do something," said Peter DeLorenzo, publisher of a closely-watched industry Web site, Autoextremist.com. "Tom is an outstanding product guy, but GM is in crisis mode right now, and what they really need is crisis PR leadership, which is something that Steve is very good at," he said. GM has been struggling with high health care costs, loss of market share to foreign rivals and sluggish sales of the sport- utility vehicles that had been its profit generators. GM shares lost 50 percent of their value in 2005. The company's troubles have sparked concern the media attention on GM's financial problems, including the risk of an eventual bankruptcy filing, could keep potential customers from dealer showrooms. Harris, 60, began his career at GM in 1967, and went to American Motors in 1979. He has also worked at the U.S. operations of DaimlerChrysler AG's (DCXGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) Chrysler unit and most recently ran a communications consultancy based in Birmingham after retiring from GM. "Steve has long enjoyed an outstanding reputation in this industry and is one of the top leaders in his profession. I know he will hit the ground running," GM Chief Executive Rick Wagoner said in a statement. Jim Sanfilippo, executive vice president of AMCI, an auto marketing firm in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, called the change a "good move." "You have blue skies and you have gray skies and you deploy talent appropriately to suit the situation," Sanfilippo said. "Harris will offer exceptional counsel as GM navigates its way out of its gray skies. He knows what to do." Kowaleski, 54, said he missed being involved in the product side of the auto industry, where he had spent much of his career. He said he would work with Harris to ensure a smooth transition. Direct URL: http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompa...31173188_newsml

GM's Top Communications Exec to Resign Tuesday January 31, 5:25 pm ET Tom Kowaleski, General Motors' Top Communications Executive, to Resign March 1 DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors Corp.'s top communications executive, who steered the company's public relations during times of dismal earnings and bankruptcy rumors, will resign March 1, the automaker said Tuesday. Tom Kowaleski, vice president of global communications, said he is stepping down because he misses the product side of the business and wants to pursue other opportunities. Steve Harris, who retired from GM in 2004, is returning to the company to replace Kowaleski. Kowaleski, 54, has worked in auto communications for 26 years, with GM, DaimlerChrysler AG, American Motors Corp. and Renault SA. He joined GM as executive director of product communications in 1999 and was named vice president of global communications in 2004. GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said Kowaleski "was dedicated to helping get our turnaround efforts known and understood and has been a strong advocate for our company during a particularly challenging time in its history." GM has been challenged by fierce competition and rising health-care rates at the same time its U.S. market share has been falling. The world's largest automaker said last week it lost $8.6 billion in 2005, its worst results since 1992. In November, GM announced a turnaround plan that will cut 30,000 jobs and close 12 facilities by 2008. Harris, 60, began his public relations career at GM in 1967. He worked for American Motors and DaimlerChrysler before returning to GM, where he was vice president of communications from 1999 to 2004. Wagoner said Harris is regarded as one of the leaders of the profession. GM shares fell 28 cents, or 1.2 percent, to close at $24.06 Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange. General Motors Corp.: http://www.gm.com Direct URL: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060131/gm_moves.html

Did the steel roof on the convertible get replaced with glass and no one told me?? The G6 sedan's styling has always reminded me of the previous generation Audi A4. Couple that with they now offer the manual trans option and it shows Pontiac is trying. The interior was where I was hoping they'd focus their efforts for now. The move to the 3 spoke steering wheel was a good start. Longterm, I still hope they drop the G6 name, replace it with a RWD/manual trans replacement and call it LeMans or something like that. Coupe, convertible, and wagon body styles. Their niche should be to steal sales away from CPO BMW 3-Series cars with this car...leave Honda, Toyota, etc to Chevy and Saturn with a FWD car. Pontiac could become a "premium small car" similar to MINI and fill the RWD void underneath Cadillac while not overlapping with Chevy, Saturn, etc. Premium image fits with the combined PBG dealer model. Apple was considered a "damaged brand" at one point too...

You commented that "those who want "BMW performance" are simply those who want that hard driving feel, nothing more." As your opinion of BMW's driving experience seems to differ from most major car magazines that have road tested BMWs as well as my own opinion, I was curious what vehicle you drive which you are using as a basis for comparison to form your opinion. For example, if your daily driver is a 1988 Buick Electra Limited, then I can understand why you would feel the BMW has a "hard feel." I am basing my opinion on owning a BMW and driving it in real world conditions. In fact, I've owned two BMW 3-series cars, a 2000 323i 5sp and now my current 2005 330i 6sp with performance package. The performance package cars have the M3's suspension and close ratio gearbox with 18" wheels with offset Z rated tires. While the 330i doesn't ride as well as the 323i did, it still has a supple suspension which is not punishing in daily life. Additionally, my dad just bought a 2006 Infiniti G35x and we cross shopped the 2006 BMW vs. the Inifiniti vs. the Lexus. After DRIVING the Lexus and comparing it against my own car, it did not handle as well or ride any better. A car that competes in a car class of "sport sedans" and was designed to compete against the BMW 3-series but only offers a manual transmission on the small displacement engined base model is a pretender in my book. If they were truly serious in trying to beat BMW, they would offer a manual trans on the IS350. So, I've explained how I arrived at my opinion: I own and drive a BMW and test drove the Lexus. I even read the October 2005 issue of Car and Driver and their $35,000 Sport Sedans comparison test. Back to my question: What's your daily driver? How many BMWs have you driven? Have you driven the Lexus? As for SMGs, that is still a manual gearbox, not an automatic. Last I looked, BMW offered them but Lexus did not. Ferrari offering the SMG is likely a tie in with F1 racing where they're used. SMGs seem to be popular in Europe, however they have not been well received by enthusiasts in the North American market.

And your daily driver that you're using to backup your driving experiences is what exactly?

The IS 350 is a major pretender...the lack of a manual trans. option proves the point. Lexus is trying to steal the BMW buyers who buy based upon the badge, not those that want the BMW performance. At least Cadillac and Infiniti are close...

I saw them on AutoBlog...not sure where else they may be...

Reuters GM CFO: "I am in crisis mode" Tuesday January 10, 2:38 pm ET DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM - News) Chief Financial Officer Fritz Henderson said on Tuesday that the automaker is operating in a "crisis mode" and shares the sense of urgency of Jerome York, a close aide to billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian. York, in a speech in Detroit, called for GM to step up efforts to stanch its mounting financial losses. "This is one of our largest shareholders who is articulating his vision for what we need to do and frankly there is a lot that he had to say that I agree with," Henderson told reporters after listening to York's speech in a Detroit hotel ballroom. Henderson said GM's board would review the company's dividend, but declined to say whether he would recommend cutting the quarterly payout as York had urged. "It's something that the board of directors seriously considers on a regular basis," he said. Henderson said it was "too soon" to discuss what other cost-cutting measures GM might take and declined to comment on whether GM could get the wage concessions from the United Auto Workers union that York had urged. "To be honest I am in crisis mode. I agree with him," Henderson said. "You can't panic. That is not crisis mode. Crisis mode means taking serious action, decisively, quickly and addressing your problems as urgently as you possibly can. So I think I understand crisis mode and I am in it and have been for a while." URL: http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/060110/autos_show_york.html?.v=2

Tracinda Steps Up Pressure on GM By Nat Worden TheStreet.com Staff Reporter 1/10/2006 2:08 PM EST Kirk Kerkorian's firm, Tracinda, called on General Motors (GM:NYSE - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) Tuesday to pare back its dividend payments to shareholders and adopt a comprehensive "equality of sacrifice" plan to revive its business. The firm said its adviser, Jerome York, presented a plan for GM at the Society of Automotive Analysts that included cutting the company's annual dividend by 50%. York also is seeking a "substantial" reduction in payments and salaries for the company's top brass. "The reality is that all constituencies -- the companies themselves, their investors, their unions and employees, and indeed the communities in which they live and work -- are in this together and should therefore work together towards the best collective solution," York said in a statement. "The [united Auto Workers union] will be a key partner in much of what GM must do, and we believe an 'equality of sacrifice' approach similar to what was done at Chrysler in 1980, and consistent with what Mr. Gettelfinger recently wrote in the Detroit News, will be necessary." Full Article continued URL: http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/stocks/aut...s/10261136.html

Any ballpark pricing numbers mentioned which determined the volume target?

I really like the exterior, though I think I'd prefer the interior to be a bit less retro in production. I like how the seat belts are mounted to the seats to keep the "pillarless" look. Does anyone else see more "Knight Rider" in that front air intake than Z06?

Wow, that is a HOT car! Who was in the car with Lutz? Memo to GM, I want mine with a power moonroof...don't mess this up like the GTO by not offering it...

Got it, had to launch IE instead of Firefox...or maybe it was just a timing thing...not screwing with it now since it's on!

Neither link works for me, just RealPlayer missing content from GM TV and a generic "error" link on that alternate site. Apparently I'll have to wait for 1pm for the archive to be posted on GM TV...

BONNEVILLE! The first production Bonneville started in 1957 and the name was continuously used until some moron recently killed it! I'd type in the "30 Years of Pontiac's Bonneville" from the Dec 1986 issue of Collectible Automobile, but it's pretty long...

It's a good start. Where's the close ratio 6-speed manual to go along with the GXP motor??? WTF? My old '99 10th Anniversary Miata (which pre-dated the MazdaSpeed models) had a 6-speed manual and a more differentiated interior than "lesser" Miatas. I wish Pontiac had followed that theme here and also confined the automatic trans to the base model only. It would also be nice to have that antenna on the trunk body colored...

I had my 2000 GMC Sierra done about a month ago...it stops SO much better now! They did both speed sensors on mine according to the paperwork. I still think I'm going with aftermarket rotors when the time comes for replacement. Brakes are the biggest weak point on these trucks.

Hey, I had a MOPAR almost like your picture! Though mine was a 1970 Chrysler New Yorker (with the 440/4bbl). Used to "hunt" for 1988 Camaro IROC Z's with that car...they never knew what hit 'em! Great car...not such a great picture.

From what I could find, GM owns at least two: Miracle Mile Chevrolet Buick - Los Angeles, CA Chevrolet Oldsmobile Cadillac Chicopee - Chicopee, MA Source BMW owns two dealerships in the NY area, BMW of Manhattan and BMW of Westchester. Does great things for competition and keeps the local dealers on their toes...

Wow, that brush guard is terrible looking! Maybe if they'd gone with the half-height approach like the one for the Honda Pilot it would look a little better. The front end styling reminds me of the Buick Lucerne. Maybe to build some commonality between Buick and GMC to go along with the merged dealerships? Or maybe just because they were both styled under Lutz. One thing I would've liked to have seen in the accessories is a dog barrier for the "way back." The net/barrier that BMW has on their station wagons would be a good benchmark...it's integrated into the cargo cover "window shade" mechanism. Handy for dogs and/or keeping cargo from ending up in the back seat during a hard stop. Latch and unlatch as needed. What NOT to benchmark would be the GM accessory dog barrier that my Dad has in his Buick Ranier. Had to cut the headliner to install it, didn't come in the "cashmere" interior color of his truck and when it's up, you can't see out the back window! The dog bumper cover (plastic or fabric) that folds in and out of the back to prevent Fido from scratching the nice painted bumper upon entry and exit would be another good accessory idea...

What about moving NA production for the Saab 9-3 to that plant? That would bring in another Epsilon without creating anymore overlap.

Appears to look a lot like the Opel Antara concept. New nose, same body. Hopefully a 3 door version of one of them makes it to the U.S.

What's that saying Jay Leno has posted in his garage? "more money than brains"

So when and where are the new GMT900 pickups supposed to debut? I REALLY want to see the new GMC Sierra! I also wish the pickups had debuted BEFORE the "full size utilities" as was the case in prior redesigns...but, oh well! The extended cab please...none of this crew cab nonsense.

The Foose Camaro by Unique Performance...yours for a only $109,000! With options, they expect it to top out around $179,000. Unique and Year One will be selling the parts separately too. Unique has done good things for the Shelby G.T.500E's...should be good for the Camaro as well. Was a good episode of Rides when they covered the build process for that car. Don't forget the convertible version!