Buickman: Call to Action

[Buickman]

Dear Friends,

Now is the time for a coordinated effort at convincing GM management to implement Return to Greatness and avoid bankruptcy. I am respectfully requesting each of you to fax a letter to the executive offices at corporate headquarters asking Fritz Henderson to take a look at this comprehensive marketing strategy. It will change perceptions, increase sales, rationalize our business, and lower expenses.

I suggest a brief summary of your thoughts as to the first twenty points detailed in RTG. For your convenience, here is a link to the plan for review.

http://www.generalwatch.com/editoria...ial.cfm?EdID=2

Fax 815-282-6156

Thanks,

Jim Dollinger

yesterday was on Lou Dobbs on he liked it! Let's get 'er done.

[K-1]

First, please explain how RTG reduces GM's current debt-load without bankruptcy.

[njtex]

The car industry is finally going the same way as consumer electronics, cameras, and appliances. It's time for a whole new distribution system. Would Nikon still be around if they only sold product through local camera stores? (are there even any camera stores left?) It's all about cheap products, 3rd world production, internet, and a few mass merchandisers like Walmart.

Now with the Government in the act too, forcing the sale of only very small cars, I don't see how GM can survive without a total restructure.

[paul8488]

I'm a little worried that, with RtG, you'll just have GM dust off the old Rendezvous dies, and retool dormant plants to produce golf shirts and coffee mugs with Buick badges.

If you truly think that RtG alone will cure GM's woes then my personal opinion is that RtG should continue be ignored. If you agree that GM needs good product and not just good marketing, then I'd say RtG is worth implementing. I really get the impression that you think that it's ALL about marketing, and that the current Lacrosse is A-okay, and that marketed right it could outsell all competitors. You might be right, but I certainly don't feel that way at all.

[wescoent]

RTG is obviously marketing-centric. Anyone can see that.

I think we can all agree that GM product development is where it needs to be. I have my quibbles, but the Malibu, Lacrosse, Camaro, and CTS are all pretty good cars.

However, can anyone here think of a competancy that GM needs MORE help with? Their marketing and selling is simply atrocious. Atrocious, unacceptable, and will destroy any headway they might make with great product and financial reorganization.

RTG isn't a cure-all, but it's a cure-some, and GM could use all the help it can get right now.

[njtex]

In my opinion, GM marketing, sales, and service are actually pretty good already. Certainly much better than Toyota, in my area. Regardless, the Toyota dealer crooks have no problem getting people to come back for more!

[likearock00]

Here is my opinion.

Get over YOURSELF, Buickman. You say you're concerned about GM's health, but offer only 1 solution. You may or not be correct but your attitude alienates you. Why not try and work together with others and put your agenda aside? You don't hold the magic cure for GM- no matter wha you think. Work with the BoD and offer suggestions. Listen to their ideas and try to work with them.

If I faxed that to Fritz I'd look like I was a lunatic for having anything to do with you. Change your perception with the BoD and maybe I'd consider it. Until then, you will be ignored by all.

[member12]

Buickman, you make only a few good points in that large plan that could really be put to good use.

The problems stem from poor product, high legacy cost, and crummy dealers.

But your solution mostly addresses only the marketing side of the problem. When GM brings out better product and has more forward thinkers, the rest will fall into place. If all of the dealers were as well run and offered the treatment that you stated, GM would only be a fraction of the way to recovery.

You need to address the other 500 major issues facing GM, or at least some of them. Otherwise, your plan is pretty much a pipe dream. I think more people would get their arms around it if you offered perspective from more than just your side of things.

Just some advice....do with it what you please.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by njtex

The car industry is finally going the same way as consumer electronics, cameras, and appliances. It's time for a whole new distribution system. Would Nikon still be around if they only sold product through local camera stores? (are there even any camera stores left?) It's all about cheap products, 3rd world production, internet, and a few mass merchandisers like Walmart.

Now with the Government in the act too, forcing the sale of only very small cars, I don't see how GM can survive without a total restructure.

I agree. The old dealership model is not going to work for much longer. More direct sales will be come more popular.

And speaking of which, didn't Wallmart announce it was going to start selling cars sometime last year?

[Buickman]

Originally Posted by K-1

First, please explain how RTG reduces GM's current debt-load without bankruptcy.

we begin to payback what we have been buried under. we can only do this by being consistently profitable.

[Buickman]

Originally Posted by paul8488

I'm a little worried that, with RtG, you'll just have GM dust off the old Rendezvous dies, and retool dormant plants to produce golf shirts and coffee mugs with Buick badges.

If you truly think that RtG alone will cure GM's woes then my personal opinion is that RtG should continue be ignored. If you agree that GM needs good product and not just good marketing, then I'd say RtG is worth implementing. I really get the impression that you think that it's ALL about marketing, and that the current Lacrosse is A-okay, and that marketed right it could outsell all competitors. You might be right, but I certainly don't feel that way at all.

it's about changing perception and opening consideration.

can you hear me?

[Buickman]

Originally Posted by wescoent

RTG is obviously marketing-centric. Anyone can see that.

I think we can all agree that GM product development is where it needs to be. I have my quibbles, but the Malibu, Lacrosse, Camaro, and CTS are all pretty good cars.

However, can anyone here think of a competancy that GM needs MORE help with? Their marketing and selling is simply atrocious. Atrocious, unacceptable, and will destroy any headway they might make with great product and financial reorganization.

RTG isn't a cure-all, but it's a cure-some, and GM could use all the help it can get right now.

more sales at lowered cost, effective and productive. concepts for consideration now that we've found accountability.

you're able to clearly see the damage done by VSSM. most only feel the after shocks without any awareness as to causality.

[Buickman]

Originally Posted by njtex

In my opinion, GM marketing, sales, and service are actually pretty good already. Certainly much better than Toyota, in my area. Regardless, the Toyota dealer crooks have no problem getting people to come back for more!

"GM marketing" and "pretty good" cannot be used on the same paper let alone paragraph, and certainly not in the same sentence.

[RamJet502]

The damage has been done. America perceives GM as a bankrupt company which produces inferior quality cars and those perceptions are partly accurate. GM is effectively bankrupt and high wage and legacy costs force GM to cost cut on every model they make.

Its time for the totally fresh start that only bankruptcy can provide. Debt must be eliminated, unions need to be chopped off at the knees, and the business model needs a complete overhaul.

Back to the fundamentals, superior products sold at a profit.

[Buickman]

Originally Posted by likearock00

Here is my opinion.

Get over YOURSELF, Buickman. You say you're concerned about GM's health, but offer only 1 solution. You may or not be correct but your attitude alienates you. Why not try and work together with others and put your agenda aside? You don't hold the magic cure for GM- no matter wha you think. Work with the BoD and offer suggestions. Listen to their ideas and try to work with them.

If I faxed that to Fritz I'd look like I was a lunatic for having anything to do with you. Change your perception with the BoD and maybe I'd consider it. Until then, you will be ignored by all.

RTG is a well oraganized plan including strategic implementation. within you'll find many solutions to various difficulties.

the Board has been useless and that perception is now clear to many, including Washington. it's time for them to listen my friend.