GM Fastlane blog was launched with the usual blather about two-way communications between the suits and the “little people” (a.k.a customers), complete with assurances that executives really will (we swear to God) read your comments and respond. Aside from one remark by Rick Wagoner about one commentator’s girlfriend’s car (as I remember it), this has most decidedly not been the case. Now, GM PR Supremo Steve Harris has decided to use the blog to rant against the New York Times’ columnist Thomas “Don’t Call Me Kinky” Friedman. Yeah, that’s the spirit!
An Open Letter to Thomas L. Friedman
Dear Mr. Friedman:
On Meet the Press you said, “So, show me a plan…” on why GM should receive government aid to bridge the current global financial crisis. We’ve invited you repeatedly to visit General Motors and see firsthand all we are doing to transform our business and develop new, energy-saving technologies.
We’re disappointed you still haven’t taken us up on our offer. You would be surprised at what you’re missing:
– A leaner company that has reduced its annual structural costs in North American by 23 percent, or $9 billion, since 2005, and are on track to reduce them by about 35 percent, or $14-$15 billion, by 2010. We also negotiated a landmark labor agreement with the UAW last year that will enable us to virtually erase the competitive gap we’ve had with foreign automakers.
– Award-winning products in the Chevy Malibu and Cadillac CTS, (Motor Trend magazine’s 2008 Car of the Year). The Chevy Malibu beats the Toyota Camry in highway mileage, and was recently ranked the highest in initial quality in the midsize car segment by J.D. Power & Associates.
– In fact, 13 of our last 15 new product launches in the U.S. were cars or crossovers, and 18 of our next 19 new products will be, as well. Mr. Friedman, we also think you’ll be particularly interested in the huge progress we are making to develop a broad range of advanced propulsion technologies.
For 2009, GM will offer 20 models in the U.S. that get 30 miles per gallon or better on the highway –twice our nearest competitor.
– We now sell six hybrid vehicles, with three more on the way by the middle of next year.
We have more than three million flex-fuel vehicles on the road in the U.S., which are capable of running on bio-fuels like ethanol and we are committed to making 50 percent of our annual production flex-fuel capable by 2012.
– We’ve established the world’s largest fuel-cell test fleet by placing more than 100 Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles in the hands of U.S. drivers.
– And perhaps most important, we’re running all-out to get the Chevy Volt extended range electric vehicle to market as soon as possible. When running off its battery, the Volt will be able to drive up to 40 miles–more than the average daily commute for over three-quarters of Americans–without using a drop of gas.
Mr. Friedman, what exposes us to failure now is not our product lineup, or our business plan, or our long-term strategy. What exposes us to failure now is the global financial crisis. Please know that you have an open invitation to come and visit GM. We’ll be happy to brief you and we’ll even show you the cool stuff. Please give us a call. We’re looking forward to your visit.
Sincerely,
Steven J. Harris
GM Vice President, Global Communications
Editor’s Note: New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman has written frequently about the US auto industry and appears regularly on NBC’s Meet the Press.
Do we call this spin? PR mumbo-jumbo? Koolaid? What?
Or do we just call it what it really is.. BS?
Generalismotorismaximus fecal excrement.
Has a nice ring to it..
Maybe Steven doesn’t know what a plan is. Someone should tell him what a business plan looks like. He might even share it with others at RenCen.
Only at GM would one think bullet points are a business plan.
Very interesting…
The first point is legit – they have been on a plan to significantly reduce costs from 5+ years ago… – however, the rest is the usual blah blah blah…
What’s the difference between a cross over and a bloated wagon that has poor fuel economy???
How many different platforms does GM have that get over 30 mpg??
What’s a larger number: 100 (Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles) or 200 (Honda Clarity)??
Is a motor trend award something to be proud of??
What will be the purchase price of a volt???
What will it’s ‘true cost to own’ be, compared to say a honda civic or toyota corolla, or prius…
Why is GM so excited about the number of models which XYZ? +1 to jkross2. Nothing in that tired GM talking points bulletin looks anything like a plan.
Neither hydrogen cars nor the Volt offer the prospect of saving GM. The numbers aren’t there.
check out the comments on the fastlane blog…
a mix between gm fanboys and ttac like pessimism…
funny thing is, there is a plan but Red Ink Rick isn’t at all interested in even attempting parts of Return to Greatness. therefore, he needs to go bye bye.
I REALLY wish somebody would garner the cojones to take Wagoner and Co. to task on WTF kind of non-viable business plan supporting 8 brands is, and what possible good could come of stringing along Pontiac, Buick, GMC, and Saturn only to keep their bloated number of dealers semi-afloat. They have relentlessly dodged this subject. TTAC B&B’s are no stranger to the 2-Brand theory; business experts and even the pols are wising up to it.
So tell me… huh? Huh? [crickets]
This from April 2008:
“GM CEO’s compensation jumps 64 percent in 2007”
http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSN2534738420080425
Nobody can take anything Wagoner & Co. say seriously when they are being so well paid to do such a horrific job.
When I see Rick put up $20 million of his own money as a contribution to the GM “bridge loan” then I might start listening. But no, he wants to keep raking in ever more cash from the company and get everyone else to provide it.
I don’t think Mr. Friedman needs to waste the $300 to fly to the Motor City to examine the lack of plan. I believe this letter is ample evidence to support Mr. Friedman’s assertions. The letter does not address fundamental problems such as dealership count and brands-gone-wild. Also, if you actually have a plan (see FordMoCo), you don’t have time to get in online snit fights with journalists (maybe that’s the plan!).
I finally figured out why no one at GM can write a real business plan. Nobody can look at GM’s financial statements without laughing and crying at the same time.
If GM came up with a business plan, it would look something like this.
The list is lame, lame, lame.
As has been stated, only the first one has any real validity; the rest are all window dressing (or lipstick on a pig).
Phukk Friedman and the Friedmanistas….Steve Harris must get the REAL plan (its floating around RenCen somewhere) to D.C. and in front of the real decision makers…not some right coast schmendrick who’s favorite pastime is calling for the destruction of our country’s manufacturing base.
Hmmm…that description sounds a lot like The….nevermind.
When you are losing an argument to a guy as weak as Friedman, you really are in trouble.
For once he has a point, show is the plan.
When you are losing an argument to a guy as weak as Friedman, you really are in trouble.
For once he has a point, show us the plan.