Precedent says Wagoner should leave

[ModerateRight]

Originally Posted by AMERICA 123

the EU'S moving ahead to the tune of 50 billion US for its industry.

Thats right, 50 BILLION in US dollars - and not only is that going to go to all the Euro makes - which by and large are anywhere from extremely healthy to adequately stable - its going to a real 'bailout' and not a loan.

TO BE CLEAR, PRETTY MUCH A 'GIMME'.

Imagine that, a proactive Government approach - getting out in front of the problem and protecting its highly successful Companies..... instead of subjecting them to all this crap - that applies to not only now but the last 50 years.

Exactly. And if the problem with the US manufactures was caused solely by the current financial crisis the American people would be onboard. As it stands this is just another hit for an already suffering industry.

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by ModerateRight

Exactly. And if the problem with the US manufactures was caused solely by the current financial crisis the American people would be onboard. As it stands this is just another hit for an already suffering industry.

- that's been suffering for over 40 years - only here at home because of the US Government's chronic deficit spending which leads to an artificially low Yen which destroys your manufacturing base including finally your automobile industry.

The current financial crises does matter in the sense its the 500 lbs stone that's breaking the camel's back - although yep, its not the only stone on board.

Or .......perhaps fluoridation of our water supply wasn't such a great idea after all ????

Judging from the posts here that disregard all that matters in regards to GM's current situation - and are also unable to correctly draw conclusion's concerning everybody else's effort's to save their industry before its damaged - I'd say yea, fluoridation was a bad idea.

[ModerateRight]

Originally Posted by AMERICA 123

The current financial crises does matter in the sense its the 500 lbs stone that's breaking the camel's back - although yep, its not the only stone on board.

I agree, but EU is pitching in to offset strain brought on by the financial crisis.

The problems in the US are much larger and touch on fundamental business issues.

Originally Posted by AMERICA 123

Or .......perhaps fluoridation of our water supply wasn't such a great idea after all ????

Judging from the posts here that disregard all that matters in regards to GM's current situation - and are also unable to correctly draw conclusion's concerning everybody else's effort's to save their industry before its damaged - I'd say yea, fluoridation was a bad idea.

hehe, ok. Don't take this the wrong way, it's actually meant as a compliment - your crazy posts entertain the h*ll out of me.

[PAULSTS1]

Originally Posted by rcworker

Forget precedent, all three CEO should axed if for no other reason than a lack of credibility.

I disagree that all three of the CEO’s should be axed; did you observe the testimonies of the CEO’s on Capitol Hill? I thought Alan Mulally answered the congressman’s question authoritatively, directly, positively and the congressman thanked him for doing so. He is also fairly new on the automotive scene, and has done a rather impressive job in the short term. FORD looks as if it will be possibly the only one of the Three that may survive, even if they don’t get an immediate bailout. Beforehand Bill Ford realized that he was lacking in CEO qualities and relinquished the job in a dignified manner, as is known in business and in other areas of life, not everyone is good at every job.

I watched Rick Wagoner's testimony on Bloomberg News, and was somewhat surprised that he performed so poorly! I have seen him being interviewed on Bloomberg and with John McElroy on Autoline Detroit and he appeared confident and convincing. Yes, in a CEO's evaluation he should be replaced, and I can only believe that the Board of Directors also should be replaced as they apparently are unaware of their fiduciary responsibilities to the shareholders. My only real concern is if this is too little too late!

[Buickman]

Originally Posted by fp115

I must say these threads and posts never cease to make my day.

Sometimes you wonder whether Jimmy has too much time on his hands...

rather, when you're a superhero you learn to be a quick change artist. rescuing is a busy business...

Does GM need a superhero? Buickman has The Plan


By Edward Lapham
Automotive News / May 10, 2005


Edward Lapham is the executive editor of Automotive News. He writes commentaries for Automotive News online every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. His commentaries for WJR radio, 760 am, in Detroit appear online every Tuesday and Friday. Those commentaries also can be found here.

Kirk Kerkorian and Jerry York may or may not have a secret agenda for General Motors. But Kerkorian does have a copy of "The Plan for a Return to Greatness," sent to him by its author as soon as Kerkorian let the world know he wants to own about 9 percent of GM's stock.

OK, we don't know what Kerkorian has done with his very own copy of "The Plan for a Return to Greatness," but maybe he should take a look.

That author is 47-year-old Jim Dollinger, a second-generation car salesman and general manager of Suski Chevrolet/Buick in Birch Run, Mich., near Flint. Dollinger calls himself Buickman because he says he's been the best-selling Buick salesman in America for six consecutive years. He's also something of a shareholder gadfly who has attended every GM annual meeting since 1982.

Buickman isn't shy … or modest … or afraid to speak his mind.

He's an outspoken critic of GM's leadership and has a Web site to carry his message far and wide, GeneralWatch.com. For the record, he also was a critic of Ron Zarrella and initially a big fan of Bob Lutz, though that has faded.

Through the magic of e-mail, Buickman has blanketed much of the civilized world with portions of The Plan, which he has been developing since 1997. All he wants to do is get GM off the fire-sale, deal-of-the-month rollercoaster. And he'll probably tout his ideas at GM's annual meeting June 7 in Wilmington, Del.

He has sent what he says are the first 20 points of The Plan to GM execs, GM retirees, GM shareholders, GM dealers, suppliers, Wall Street analysts and any journalist who has written about GM in the last couple of years.

Buickman sends it with the stipulation that specific points of The Plan must not be revealed because The Plan is so potent he doesn't want it to fall into the hands of the competition.

That may sound goofy, but it ain't a bad plan. Some of it ought to work.

Several of his 20 points are no-brainers that wouldn't cost a dime to implement. Some would even save GM a couple of bucks here and there.

His ideas tend to be marketing, merchandising, selling or training techniques that have worked for him at the dealership level and which he believes can be extrapolated to work nationally for GM's brands.

There is nothing radical or magical about his recipe, although another dollop of new product wouldn't hurt.

So if The Plan is so hot, why won't GM's brass listen?

Well, some have, even though the Buickman's unflinching, testy attitude toward GM management hasn't made it easy to deal with him or even meet him halfway. But at least a few are prepared to hear him out.

There's another bump in the road. Buickman wants to save GM and restore the automaker's greatness, but he also wants to get paid for it, like a consultant. That includes an upfront fee.

That's probably reasonable. If The Plan rebuilds GM's market share, which nobody else has been able to do, why shouldn't he be rewarded?

Even if The Plan doesn't restore five points of market share, at least he has a plan, as the Buickman likes to point out.

[TuffG929]

Chrysler and Ford have changed manegement. It hasn't helped them much. I can't see how it would help GM. Wagoner is not a pet rock. In fact, he's done a lot over the past few uears to help the situation.

[Buickman]

Originally Posted by TuffG929

Chrysler and Ford have changed manegement. It hasn't helped them much. I can't see how it would help GM. Wagoner is not a pet rock. In fact, he's done a lot over the past few uears to help the situation.

you mean like losing the entire company's valuation, ending the dividend, dropping our debt deep into junk, losing Olds and control of GMAC? gee....

[TuffG929]

Originally Posted by Buickman

you mean like losing the entire company's valuation, ending the dividend, dropping our debt deep into junk, losing Olds and control of GMAC? gee....

Are you aware of the housing/credit crunch? If they still had GMAC on their books, they would've been dead months ago. I think they dodged a bullet with that. Yeah, I know Cerberus decided to cut back on financing, but it could've been worse. GM can barely handle the brands it has now. Olds had to go. I maintain that management shakeups did not help Ford or Chrysler.

[psece]

The Board and the investors are just as complicit......

Secondly, we have been losing our manufacturing Base for 40 years. That is in every category of industry(automobile, electronics, bicycles, steel, textiles, etc) . Who is to blame there???? Economic intellectuals have constantly said that we will be just as strong as a Service economy. Sadly, Americans and their Leaders have never stepped back and questioned these theories....

[Corr69]

Originally Posted by ModerateRight

I agree, but EU is pitching in to offset strain brought on by the financial crisis.

The problems in the US are much larger and touch on fundamental business issues.



hehe, ok. Don't take this the wrong way, it's actually meant as a compliment - your crazy posts entertain the h*ll out of me.

Your ignorance entertains the hell out of me so its all good.

[guitarlix]

Wagoner is TOTALLY UNFIT to serve as the head of GM. He has made on disastrous move after another and has zero vision. ANY person who still hasn't identified the disaster that is GM's massive cross brand cannibalization is an idiot totally the wrong person for the job.

This is the same person who ok'd Saturn's move upmarket. Totally stupid. Mullaly stays. Wagoner........the earlier he leaves, the better.


FWIW, does anyone actually read the drivel that America123 (or whatever his name is) posts? What a load of garbage.

[Buickman]

Originally Posted by TuffG929

Are you aware of the housing/credit crunch? If they still had GMAC on their books, they would've been dead months ago. I think they dodged a bullet with that. Yeah, I know Cerberus decided to cut back on financing, but it could've been worse. GM can barely handle the brands it has now. Olds had to go. I maintain that management shakeups did not help Ford or Chrysler.

you need a bit more insight there my friend. GMAC never should have made the undesirable loans that put their portfolio in such a negative position. Olds used to sell a million units per year. Red Ink Rick drove it into the ground and closed it. the same crap continues today as Buick dealers close up beiing starved for product and subject to terrible marketing. how you can see these utter failures as anything but disaster only shows your lack of knowledge.

[Buickman]

Originally Posted by guitarlix

Wagoner is TOTALLY UNFIT to serve as the head of GM. He has made on disastrous move after another and has zero vision. ANY person who still hasn't identified the disaster that is GM's massive cross brand cannibalization is an idiot totally the wrong person for the job.

This is the same person who ok'd Saturn's move upmarket. Totally stupid. Mullaly stays. Wagoner........the earlier he leaves, the better.


FWIW, does anyone actually read the drivel that America123 (or whatever his name is) posts? What a load of garbage.

glad to see some people aren't taking stupid pills. nice post.

[theamcguy]

I agree Red Ink Rick has to go. For all of you Red Ink Rick supporters by what measure do you use to justify that he stays? Since he has come on board GM has gone down hill. After 8 years GM is worse off than the first day he walked in the door. Tell me how you justify that he stays.

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by theamcguy

I agree Red Ink Rick has to go. For all of you Red Ink Rick supporters by what measure do you use to justify that he stays? Since he has come on board GM has gone down hill. After 8 years GM is worse off than the first day he walked in the door. Tell me how you justify that he stays.

For the record Rick has been the CEO for over 10 years not 8 and he has worked at the General since the 70's. And yes it has been mostly down hill since he walked through the door 30 years ago... Some of it not his fault... But most of it IS!