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...With layers of managers, decision-making often takes too long, and subpar performance is sometimes tolerated. Many of the executives blamed for the company's troubles are still in leadership roles. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121539865693931653.html?mod=googlenews_wsj)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/GM_Logo1.jpgJohn D. Stoll - Wall Street Journal - July 7, 2008

And they did not know this could happen as recently as 2005? -- Ed.

Detroit -- Bruised by a deep sales slump and a half-century-low in its stock price, General Motors Corp. is preparing to cut thousands more white-collar jobs and is considering whether it should sell or shutter more of its brands, people familiar with the matter said.

Both moves are part of a broader re-evaluation of GM's strategy and of its ability to meet an internal projection of returning to profitability in 2010, these people said.

The job cuts are likely to be approved when GM's board of directors meets in early August, these people said. Management may also present the board with options for raising additional cash to help GM make it through the downturn, they said. The board will probably also hear management's latest thoughts on whether GM should trim the number of brands it offers in the U.S… http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121539865693931653.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Since they have been so consistent in making the worse possible decisions,
when they start cutting those white collar jobs, the first to be axed will be the teams
working on EV and hybrid projects.

;)

I don't think Saab should get the cut, but just might happen.

Saab would be better off to be sold back to the Swede's. Since owned by GM, Saab has lost all individuality. Sure, they were ulgy, but anyone could spot a pre-GM Saab.

The only thing keeping Buick alive is its popularity in China (and my parents).

Hummer is the obvious choice to get the axe, but I still wonder why GMC exists - it's the same as a Chevy! I don't see the point, and I never have.

Saab would be better off to be sold back to the Swede's. Since owned by GM, Saab has lost all individuality. Sure, they were ulgy, but anyone could spot a pre-GM Saab.

The only thing keeping Buick alive is its popularity in China (and my parents).

Hummer is the obvious choice to get the axe, but I still wonder why GMC exists - it's the same as a Chevy! I don't see the point, and I never have.

GMC makes a much larger vehicle than the Hummer. That would be the GMC buses. With greater demand for mass-transit I don't think GM will ax that brand all together. They'll reduce the number of the largest lumbering vehicles they make. After all what will the farmers, oil roughneckers, and lumber jacks do for a heavy duty vehicle.

Since they have been so consistent in making the worse possible decisions,
when they start cutting those white collar jobs, the first to be axed will be the teams
working on EV and hybrid projects.

;)

That would be the ultimate company killer. GM has staked too much of its capital into this project and it would serve the GM skeptics, who don't think GM will come through on the Volt, the evidence they need to say, "See I told 'ya so!"

GM has no choice but to build the Volt since there is no way it can compete on the sale of economy cars with the Asian automakers. Therefore GM must build an economy car that employs the best and latest in 3 Phase induction motor technology and battery chemistry.

After all what will the farmers, oil roughneckers, and lumber jacks do for a heavy duty vehicle.

http://www.parish-without-borders.net/cditt/cambodia/dailylife/2006/graphics/motordupe46.jpg

Go to any Eastern city. The unofficial load limit of a motorbike is three tons. :)

By By GM. Good Ridance!

American made cars are such crap! And designed to waste as much fuel as possible. How many people even know that when they turn on the window defroster that it kicks in the Air Conditioner to make the air cold? And on my wife's minivan the AC drops the MPG so much you can see the gas gauge drop!

I get much better mileage on her minivan if I drive at 65MPH with all the windows down than I do at 55 with the windows up and the AC on. When the AC compressor kicks on, you can feel the van stagger it sucks that much power!

And now that US automakers have bought Volvo, their safety rating and fuel efficiency have collapsed like a wet taco! They have brought foreign autos down to their level.

But hey, maybe the Big Three can get a welfare bailout like Reagan did with Chrysler back in the 1980s as a reward for their fiscal mismanagement.

Tom Paxton - Changing my Name:
"I am changing my name to Chrysler
I am going down to Washington D.C.
I will tell some power broker
What they did for Iacocca
Will be perfectly acceptable to me
I am changing my name to Chrysler
I am headed for that great receiving line
So when they hand a million grand out
I'll be standing with my hand out
I'll get mine"

http://www.parish-without-borders.net/cditt/cambodia/dailylife/2006/graphics/motordupe46.jpg

Go to any Eastern city. The unofficial load limit of a motorbike is three tons. :)

LOL! Too funny!

How many people even know that when they turn on the window defroster that it kicks in the Air Conditioner to make the air cold?

I did, and I also know that the vast majority of cars do the same thing. The purpose of doing this is to dry out the air so that the frost/fog gets better rather than worse. The side benefit is giving the A/C compressor a bit of exercise in the winter so that the lubricants are circulated and the seals stay in good shape. Even the Prius does it.

Yours could be in need of maintenance. I would suspect improper refrigerant level or bad compressor bearings if the impact is that noticeable.

Sounds like GM has their work cut out for them. While they're at the business of flattening the management structure, they might want to flatten salaries as well. I've heard that they can be very juicy in management, so much so that foreign manufacturers comment on them occasionally.

But I vote for Hummer, GMC, and Saab to go. Hummer is already on the block while GMC is largely redundant. This would reduce their PU truck capacity. Saturn should be kept, in my opinion, since they make cars that may well take off with higher gas prices. Saab is kind of an odd duck in the parade.

Not noted in the article was what is perceived as Toyota and Honda's current relative market position to GM and the ease with which they could, and apparently now are, making further inroads to that market. Largely, that is the quality issue.

Sadly, this will only add to the current recession.

Faithful and True.

GM just told the dealers only Hummer is for sale (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25592234/), but who knows?

Yesterday we went by the local Dodge dealership (across from Burlington Mall).
It seems like they must have had a big sale, because everything was gone. Even the signs.
:Banane15: I guess they bailed..