[Buickman]

Originally Posted by Gagarin

Buickman,

The RTG is great and I'd really love to see a company do the things outlined there - and I'd love for General Motors to be that company.

I agree with some of the product comments -

Addressing something about product would be good - maybe about keep striving for class leading and competitive vehicles, instead of place fillers which suck development, marketing, and distort brand image. Not having embarassments on the lot will help dealers (less risk), help brand managers (distinctive product), and help salesmen who will have a easier time selling a product that has many advantages.

Also, I have a sense that GM was a engineering blackhole where engineers would be working on science projects that would never see the light of day. This seems to be getting better (Volt?) but we see some big fumbles (Quadrasteer, the invisible 2-Mode Hybrids). This company at one time had huge amounts of cash and R&D but did not turn these into viable products soon enough. There needs to be technological leadership and wise investment into technology.

The BIG problem I see with the auto business is the way the dealership system seems to be this iron-tight thing. Podunk towns or big cities have all kinds of GM dealerships and you never really know what you're going to get. If the hotel industry and the fastfood industry can DEMAND certain quality, image, customer service and experience, I think GM should be able to demand that from it's dealers. Clothing retailers and restraunt chains owned by the same parent company control consumer experience and perception with decor and product selection - GM should be able to market it's brands with the dealerships being assests instead of liabilities. 'Shape up or ship out'. I have a feeling many dealerships just need some leadership - they're doing the best they could, but GM needs to LEAD.

excellent point. anywhere in America a Big Mac is a Big Mac, same, same. GM would benefit to a large, very large, degree having consistent, reliable, trustworthy service from sea to shining sea. good concept and great goal to be shared and strived for amongst the dealer body. would also give the writers/techs/cashiers a sense of common purpose and a feeling of particiapting in a plan to win. man, am I getting some solid input and ideas to fold into RTG. they need to be thought thru as to presentation/implementation, but this is good stuff. worth staying up way too late.