GM's Wagoner not ready to cede top global spot to Toyota

[BusyBody]

An interesting read. At least GM wants to put up a good fight and not just hand it over to Toyota.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...14F1CE6C04F%7D

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[mkaresh]

Good to hear him say this. A few years back Lutz said he figured it was inevitable that GM would fall behind Toyota.

But it's just talk. I doubt he really believes GM will remain #1. It's one of those things that as GM's CEO has pretty much has to say.

It's been a while since they wore watches on their left wrist, "29" lapel pins, etc.

[Ming]

I think its very important that GM cultivate a culture of competitiveness with Toyota. Honda has this in Japan. First thing on the agenda should be to dump the now anachronistic NUMMI and let Toyota have 100% of it. Chummying up with them while falling behind them AND using their engineering in a Pontiac while Toyota uses nothing of GM's in the U.S. market is just sad for a GM fan to watch and does not convince me of GM's intent to "beat" Toyota. Heck, you're selling their engines and transmissions at Pontiac dealers, Mr. Wagoner...how is that not helping their bottom line? How is that money just not going right back into their R&D, when we could be selling and improving annually on a GM-engineered Pontiac hatch? Selling the competition's product with a Pontiac face does nothing to improve the strength of GM-engineering. And if you haven't learned the "Toyota Way" in the last 20 years of observing it at NUMMI, GM is hopeless.

[Buickman]

He doesn't have a chance of stopping them as long as LaNeve and Company continue at VSSM. Without responsibility and accountability GM has no chance of even keeping leadership in the USA. Look for Toyota to become #1 in America shortly. It's a shame no one is taken to task for the continued failure to produce.

[cfch3399]

GM always crank out more cars for fleets or pull a Chrysler and store cars somewhere if it were really series of remaining #1.

[red_xtreme95]

I give...I am a BIG GM guy...but it looks like the fight is coming to an end...people push Toyota on others...my Grandpa just got a chevy truck and my mother-inlaws boyfriend keep pushing a toyota on him (he is an A$$) and he wouldnt do it...he is still pissed about WW2...people like this A$$ who havent had an american car since back in the day just wont belive they are making better cars now...i bought 3 gm cars and trucks last year i traded my 95 GMC truck with 256000 because i was ready for a bigger truck...

[stevecmh]

he better damn well not be ready

[EldoFan]

Sounds like alot of fluff.........

[PrenupTB]

I don't think he can do anything with their current interiors still around.

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by Ming

I think its very important that GM cultivate a culture of competitiveness with Toyota. Honda has this in Japan. First thing on the agenda should be to dump the now anachronistic NUMMI and let Toyota have 100% of it. Chummying up with them while falling behind them AND using their engineering in a Pontiac while Toyota uses nothing of GM's in the U.S. market is just sad for a GM fan to watch and does not convince me of GM's intent to "beat" Toyota. Heck, you're selling their engines and transmissions at Pontiac dealers, Mr. Wagoner...how is that not helping their bottom line? How is that money just not going right back into their R&D, when we could be selling and improving annually on a GM-engineered Pontiac hatch? Selling the competition's product with a Pontiac face does nothing to improve the strength of GM-engineering. And if you haven't learned the "Toyota Way" in the last 20 years of observing it at NUMMI, GM is hopeless.

Yes, it is important for GM to want to be competitive and retain the No.1 Spot, but the in my opinion, the standard needs to be set higher then Toyota. Innovate, go higher. When you're No.1, you need to act like it, in your products. Your products need to be the best, not just as good as Toyota or better then Toyota. GM needs to be the best it can be.

[HEVguy]

Go Wagoner! I like the wording too, its not that they can do a whole lot in one year, but they've been working on a turn-around and they'll continue to while trying to keep Toy in the 2nd spot!

[red_xtreme95]

Originally Posted by PrenupTB

I don't think he can do anything with their current interiors still around.

go to a Pontiac, new silverado torrent and others buick and others the winds of change are coming

[red_xtreme95]

i loved My g6 and my GTO inside is kicka$$

[markusername]

Sorry but the priorities here are all wrong.

1. Would you rather have a profit of $13 Billion or a loss of $3 Billion?

2. Would you rather have a market capitalization of $200 Billion or $16 Billion?

3. Would you rather be the envy of the world or the laughing stock of the world?

4. Would you rather have your bonds rated AAA or junk?

5. Would you rather be in a position where you can't produce enough to meet demand or have fire sales to get rid of product no one wants?

WHO CARES if GM is #1 in sales??? They have much more pressing things to worry about. At this rate being #1 in sales will mean the end of GM. They need to concentrate on everything BUT being #1 in sales.

[Ming]

The attitude of striving to be #1 does not have to be in sales numbers/volume. Believe me, from the Toyota employees I've met, they've considered themselves "#1" for some years now.