The WSJ reports Outside Pressure Grows for GM to Oust Wagoner as part of any bailout deal. Great idea. GM’s Chairman and CEO certainly shares of much of the blame for the company’s collapse.
But I agree with SolveClimate and DeSmogblog, that Bob Lutz should also go. He is GM’s greenwasher and global warming denier (see “GM is full of crocks” and “GM’s Lutz is nuts“). And, of course, he is Vice Chair of Global Product Development (and was chair of GM North America from 2001 to 2005) — so he must have something to do with people not wanting GM products.
Probably the worst of all worlds would be oust Wagoner and promote Lutz. That’d be like impeaching and convicting President Bush. Hmm. Maybe Lutz is Wagoner’s job protection plan….
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Hold on. Lutz was instrumental in pushing for development of the Volt– which, let’s be honest, is the best hope in the entire auto industry of weening us off oil and replacing it with green electricity. Who cares if he’s a denier? He’s a crazy old kook, absolutely. But he’s (inadvertently) doing a lot of good for clean energy. Let’s keep our eye on the ball.
What a lot of bull…
It is likely the Fiat Grande Punto can’t meet U.S. environmental and/or safety standards.
As a one-time GM employee and UAW member, I must point out that GM is required by law to produce a percentage of fuel efficient cars. The ones they make now and have for the last few years are excellent. For a variety of reasons, one of which is labor and retirement costs and another is perception, foreign cars makers have held an advantage in the market.
After 10 years of competition, GM has beaten Toyota to the electric plug -in. That should be rewarded. Anyone who has purchased a Honda or Toyoto (Prius excepted), especially one built in a non-union U.S. plant, rather than a comparable GM car has little place criticizing them.
As stated in your quote, the Prius gets 48 mpg and the Punto 41.5 mpg (or less than 38 according to some reports). In city driving. That’s 25% better.
Hybrids do not offer a highway advantage. Those who do the majority of their driving under highway conditions would not benefit from a hybrid.
Additionally, hybrids are a stepping stone away from petroleum fueled cars. First hybrids, then PHEVs, and finally BEVs.
As for dumping GM’s CEO and other top management….
It might be a very good idea. Ford brought in Alan Mulally a few years ago and Ford appears to be in much better shape than does GM.
Bring in someone who understands where US car manufacturing needs to go over the next few years. Someone who understands the need for better efficiency will save/improve the Volt.
Replace the top few guys. Put the rest of management on notice that if things don’t improve quickly there will be wholesale replacements down the ladder….
Two years ago Eli wanted to buy the Ford Fiesta Diesel which is available in the UK. The dealers laughed and tried to sell me the US model which lagged about ten years behind the Euro models. The new one is even better (caution UK gallons are imperial)
The Volt is a mirage designed to get Democrats in congress to agree to federal loans. Now that GM gets those loans anyway, the Volt can be killed. It is a turkey anway — who is going to be paying 40K for new a car next year?
[JR: Actually there are a lot of people who will pay 40k for a new car in 2010, especially with a $7,500 tax credit, assuming the vehicle is any good. I expect emand to vastly exceed sales.]