What would you do if you were GM's CEO?
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
What would you do if you were GM's CEO?
I don't know why Mary Bara is running GM. Most of GM's cars are uninspired. Dealers suck. Advertising sucks. So...given all that, what would you do if today you were announced as GM's new CEO?
Last edited by C2C3C4C6; 12-12-2018 at 10:29 AM.
#3
Melting Slicks
As a car enthusiast, I don't totally disagree with your feelings, although I think between the Corvette, Camaro, and V Series Caddys, GM is putting out some great cars that fit my bill.
GM isn't going to make money building 'inspired' cars. Really, they aren't going to make money building cars at all. They will do it building trucks, SUVs, and in the future being a leader in the electric/self driving/ rid sharing world.
If I was CEO and wanted to keep my job long term, I probably wouldn't do much different.
If I was CEO for a short-time for "fun", I might hop up a few SUVs like the Germans do. Wouldn't mind building $250K+ a super car, (probably has to be branded a Cadillac). And I might see if we can do a few limited runs retro based cars. Woudn't it be cool if you could get a modern Grand National, GTO, Chicken Firebird/Trans AM? I don't mean in name only (how did the last GTO work out), I mean a car that has the looks and character of the original. It would be a money loser for sure, but again, I'm reaching here as a short-term CEO.
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Foosh (12-13-2018)
#4
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What would I do? She's doing it.
#5
She's doing what has to be done if GM wants a chance at survival with the coming market disruption by EV.
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Zaro Tundov (12-14-2018)
#6
Moderator
Retire and buy a C8.
#7
Advanced
I don't think I've seen too many business decisions that she has made that I disagree with from a business standpoint. Of course there are some things I'd like to see changed, but if I was CEO I would do what is best for the company and I think for the most part she has done a decent job in that respect. Keep in mind that she doesn't decide everything that goes on in the company. Some of the bad decisions that were made were likely decided by other people.
Last edited by Randy Miller; 12-12-2018 at 12:28 PM.
#8
Melting Slicks
One thing GM (and Ford) needs to start doing is to start paying attention to what Lexus does (and has been doing). Look at the Lexus ES 350 (their 4-door sedan). You see gorgeous leather, (real) wood everywhere, amazing stereo sound quality, great gas mileage, super reliable, sleek and sexy exteriors and basically ZERO maintenance costs. Also, their dealerships treat me like a king. No BS about a loaner car, no BS about warranty, no BS about repairs getting done correctly...no headaches EVER.
Now you look at a Chevy Impala and you get the typical plastic interior, no wood, leather "inserts", cheap stereos, typical gas mileage, not even close as reliable, and you get a ton of BS from GM dealerships...
If GM (and Ford) want to stay in the game - they better start building cars like Lexus. Sad that a loaded Impala and the ES 350 are closely priced, yet the quality is night and day...
Which interior do you think offers better quality? Which car would you spend $35k on? This is what I would focus on, if I were the CEO.
Impala
ES 350
Now you look at a Chevy Impala and you get the typical plastic interior, no wood, leather "inserts", cheap stereos, typical gas mileage, not even close as reliable, and you get a ton of BS from GM dealerships...
If GM (and Ford) want to stay in the game - they better start building cars like Lexus. Sad that a loaded Impala and the ES 350 are closely priced, yet the quality is night and day...
Which interior do you think offers better quality? Which car would you spend $35k on? This is what I would focus on, if I were the CEO.
Impala
ES 350
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Zaro Tundov (12-14-2018)
#9
Le Mans Master
I honestly don't know what I would do different if I was CEO of GM! The problem is there is a lack of interest in the bread and butter cars that manufactures build today. Today's buyers are more for utility and need versus passion for the car itself. That is why SUV's and Trucks dominate the industry! I think today's vehicle sales/leases are more like buying an appliance! The cars don't change much and regardless of what make you buy, foreign or domestic... they all look the same and lack pizzazz! A far cry from the cars years ago when you could tell the year and make when it drove by!
I remember the old days when every year it was a big deal in the Fall to see what next years cars looked like. Back then, even if you were not a car enthusiast, there was excitement in purchasing the latest model new car whether you needed it or not! That has all changed since the mid '70's.Look at the Muscle cars of the mid 60's to early 70's, every manufacturer had many models to choose from and could fit in almost anyone's budget! Today you have the Cadillac V series, Corvette, Camaro SS, Mustang GT, and Challenger on the domestic side...all which are not easily affordable to the masses!
If I was CEO I guess I would try to come out with some affordable models that could generate excitement again! However, given the current trend and future in electrics, it may be a futile attempt!
I remember the old days when every year it was a big deal in the Fall to see what next years cars looked like. Back then, even if you were not a car enthusiast, there was excitement in purchasing the latest model new car whether you needed it or not! That has all changed since the mid '70's.Look at the Muscle cars of the mid 60's to early 70's, every manufacturer had many models to choose from and could fit in almost anyone's budget! Today you have the Cadillac V series, Corvette, Camaro SS, Mustang GT, and Challenger on the domestic side...all which are not easily affordable to the masses!
If I was CEO I guess I would try to come out with some affordable models that could generate excitement again! However, given the current trend and future in electrics, it may be a futile attempt!
#10
2) Revive Holden manufacturing in Australia.
3) Kill Buick.
4) Bring back the S10.
5) Redesign the Chevy pickup face.
6) Make Cadillac a testbed of new designs.
7) Fire Tadge.
#11
I honestly don't know what I would do different if I was CEO of GM! The problem is there is a lack of interest in the bread and butter cars that manufactures build today. Today's buyers are more for utility and need versus passion for the car itself. That is why SUV's and Trucks dominate the industry! I think today's vehicle sales/leases are more like buying an appliance! The cars don't change much and regardless of what make you buy, foreign or domestic... they all look the same and lack pizzazz! A far cry from the cars years ago when you could tell the year and make when it drove by!
I remember the old days when every year it was a big deal in the Fall to see what next years cars looked like. Back then, even if you were not a car enthusiast, there was excitement in purchasing the latest model new car whether you needed it or not! That has all changed since the mid '70's.Look at the Muscle cars of the mid 60's to early 70's, every manufacturer had many models to choose from and could fit in almost anyone's budget! Today you have the Cadillac V series, Corvette, Camaro SS, Mustang GT, and Challenger on the domestic side...all which are not easily affordable to the masses!
If I was CEO I guess I would try to come out with some affordable models that could generate excitement again! However, given the current trend and future in electrics, it may be a futile attempt!
I remember the old days when every year it was a big deal in the Fall to see what next years cars looked like. Back then, even if you were not a car enthusiast, there was excitement in purchasing the latest model new car whether you needed it or not! That has all changed since the mid '70's.Look at the Muscle cars of the mid 60's to early 70's, every manufacturer had many models to choose from and could fit in almost anyone's budget! Today you have the Cadillac V series, Corvette, Camaro SS, Mustang GT, and Challenger on the domestic side...all which are not easily affordable to the masses!
If I was CEO I guess I would try to come out with some affordable models that could generate excitement again! However, given the current trend and future in electrics, it may be a futile attempt!
Ya, the whole "excitement of new models" things hasn't changed. You just got old.
You can tell the year and make of every car on the road built in 2018.
Yes, the Mustang, Challenger and Camaro have become more expensive, but the Turbo base models are good performers and do better than the GT (or SS)'s of 10 years ago (Oh wait, a Camaro didn't exist 10 years ago hahaha). A 2019 Mustang GT with their Level 2 track pack or a Camaro SS 1LE will easily beat a Ferrari 360 Modena around a track. Mustang GT's and Camaro SS of today perform better than Ferrari's of 15 years ago. It costs money to do that. That's what the target audience wants BTW and the are willing to pay for it.
Last edited by C7pimp; 12-12-2018 at 01:00 PM.
#13
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I would develop electric SUVs and trucks in secret as fast as possible because the idea that people simply are no longer buying sedans is not true. Saying that while also claiming GM will devote itself to SUVs and trucks is a smokescreen to hide the truth, and that is that people have stopped buying sedans because they are waiting for EVs to suit them. A flood of EVs is right around the corner and people know it, including, I might add, the Lectric Vette (C9). If Barra and Co. let on that they were just as serious about SUV/truck EVs that market would also tank, which they cannot afford. If they can get their own EVs to market first, then they can lay in the SUV/trucks and stay alive.
.
This idea is unpopular with the Vette crowd, who can hardy stand the idea of a non V-8 Vette, a DCT only, or even (gasp!) tail lights that are not round. The biggest objection seems to be the electric grid which, according to CF, "couldn't handle it." But it could. Charge your cars at night and problem solved. Build up the electric grid with solar. This is technically easy to solve. This whole thing is going to happen quickly, as in within six years. If Barra is smart, that's what she is planning for.
Observe: https://seekingalpha.com/article/422...ct-2023-beyond
.
This idea is unpopular with the Vette crowd, who can hardy stand the idea of a non V-8 Vette, a DCT only, or even (gasp!) tail lights that are not round. The biggest objection seems to be the electric grid which, according to CF, "couldn't handle it." But it could. Charge your cars at night and problem solved. Build up the electric grid with solar. This is technically easy to solve. This whole thing is going to happen quickly, as in within six years. If Barra is smart, that's what she is planning for.
Observe: https://seekingalpha.com/article/422...ct-2023-beyond
#15
Le Mans Master
1967 GM Performance
1968 GM Performance
Ya, the whole "excitement of new models" things hasn't changed. You just got old.
You can tell the year and make of every car on the road built in 2018.
Yes, the Mustang, Challenger and Camaro have become more expensive, but the Turbo base models are good performers and do better than the GT (or SS)'s of 10 years ago (Oh wait, a Camaro didn't exist 10 years ago hahaha). A 2019 Mustang GT with their Level 2 track pack or a Camaro SS 1LE will easily beat a Ferrari 360 Modena around a track. Mustang GT's and Camaro SS of today perform better than Ferrari's of 15 years ago. It costs money to do that. That's what the target audience wants BTW and the are willing to pay for it.
You can tell the year and make of every car on the road built in 2018.
Yes, the Mustang, Challenger and Camaro have become more expensive, but the Turbo base models are good performers and do better than the GT (or SS)'s of 10 years ago (Oh wait, a Camaro didn't exist 10 years ago hahaha). A 2019 Mustang GT with their Level 2 track pack or a Camaro SS 1LE will easily beat a Ferrari 360 Modena around a track. Mustang GT's and Camaro SS of today perform better than Ferrari's of 15 years ago. It costs money to do that. That's what the target audience wants BTW and the are willing to pay for it.
Last edited by Supersonic 427; 12-12-2018 at 01:43 PM.
#17
Team Owner
#18
Melting Slicks
One thing GM (and Ford) needs to start doing is to start paying attention to what Lexus does (and has been doing). Look at the Lexus ES 350 (their 4-door sedan). You see gorgeous leather, (real) wood everywhere, amazing stereo sound quality, great gas mileage, super reliable, sleek and sexy exteriors and basically ZERO maintenance costs. Also, their dealerships treat me like a king. No BS about a loaner car, no BS about warranty, no BS about repairs getting done correctly...no headaches EVER.
Now you look at a Chevy Impala and you get the typical plastic interior, no wood, leather "inserts", cheap stereos, typical gas mileage, not even close as reliable, and you get a ton of BS from GM dealerships...
If GM (and Ford) want to stay in the game - they better start building cars like Lexus. Sad that a loaded Impala and the ES 350 are closely priced, yet the quality is night and day...
Which interior do you think offers better quality? Which car would you spend $35k on? This is what I would focus on, if I were the CEO.
Now you look at a Chevy Impala and you get the typical plastic interior, no wood, leather "inserts", cheap stereos, typical gas mileage, not even close as reliable, and you get a ton of BS from GM dealerships...
If GM (and Ford) want to stay in the game - they better start building cars like Lexus. Sad that a loaded Impala and the ES 350 are closely priced, yet the quality is night and day...
Which interior do you think offers better quality? Which car would you spend $35k on? This is what I would focus on, if I were the CEO.
Chevrolet will never (or for many years) really compete with Lexus very often due to name alone, even if the car was better due to perception. They have to go down market and start cheaper, and to do that they probably can't offer the same materials. In theory Buick should be able to upscale the interior and compete with Lexus, but the Buick brand has lost its status. One of the reason GM is dumping a lot of its cars. Very few are buying a Chevy over a Honda or Toyota, even if it is a better car (not saying it is or isn't). Same with Buick vs Lexus. And those they do purchase the Chevy/Buick are doing it at a low profit level.
#19
Melting Slicks
After the release of the new ME I would get out of Detroit. If the ME is a success, being a self-absorbed CEO I would take 99% of the credit for the development. Then I would take all my money and move to Hawaii before it starts overheating on the track. life is to short to work and deal with all the BS. In the end, you can't bring it with you.
The auto industry is in a transformation and for those not innovating will have problems, One thing I would do is consolidate the brands and shrink the company. Why have competitive lines like GMC and Chevrolet, merge the brands and limit all the duplications across the line. Only bad thing you would **** off the dealers and the unions.
The auto industry is in a transformation and for those not innovating will have problems, One thing I would do is consolidate the brands and shrink the company. Why have competitive lines like GMC and Chevrolet, merge the brands and limit all the duplications across the line. Only bad thing you would **** off the dealers and the unions.
Last edited by fasttoys; 12-14-2018 at 03:35 AM.
#20
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Atari_Prime (12-12-2018)