[ericmvest]

The positives:

1. I think General Motors has its best senior management in decades.
2. The product launches over the last three years are second to none and future product appears excellent also.
3. JD Powers and the Harbour Report verifies that General Motors' quality and productivity is right up there with Toyota and Honda.
4. General Motors' pension is fully funded.
5. General Motors is handing off responsibility for hourly retiree health care benefits to the UAW.
6. General Motors series hybrid approach (Volt) appears to be superior than Hybrid Synergy Drive.
7. The Volt's development appears to be on track.
8. The Two Mode Hybrid appears better than Hybrid Synergy Drive.
9. General Motors is a leader in flex fuel vehicles.
9. General Motors appears to be the leader in fuel cells.
10. General Motors' June sales performance was better than Toyota's.
11. General Motors UAW agreement appears competitive with the transplants.
12. General Motors buyout programs are attracting enough buyouts.
13. General Motors is doing very well in practically every market except the United States.
14. General Motors design/styling is the best in decades, probably since the Bill Mithcell era.
15. General Motors has survived rough patches before. General Motors faced insolvency in 1909 and 1920 when they were bailed out by New York banks and the DuPonts, respectfully. General Motors turned itself around and thrived after these experiences.

An arguement could be made that General Motors is improving at an impressive rate and Toyota is getting worst. Toyota's recent product launches, such as the Corolla, Sequoia, and Tundra, are uninspiring and their quality and plant utilization is going south. It's not your father's Toyota anymore.