Buickman: Call to Action

[K-1]

Originally Posted by Buickman

last month Chev/Buick Birch Run up 30% in new vehicles vs LY. detail that.

Congrats on that, but we're talking about the corporation here, big guy. How many of those sales were profitable to the company? As it stands GM is still hemorrhaging cash.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by Buickman

that's ridiculous. we sell another million per year. question is how. answer is RTG.

GM wasn't profitable at 9 million/yr, but it will be at 5.5?

[K-1]

Originally Posted by Buickman

you wouldn't video every unit, only sold orders. we could do it ourselves for that matter. was only talking YouTube to get point across.

With talking direct to the factory, that would be all sales, no? Or at least a majority.

[56 Starchief]

Originally Posted by Buickman

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.

As many have pointed out, the reason the plan gets no attention is because is only focused on one, albeit bad, part of the business strategy.

It is clear unless everything GM brings out is the 2008 CTS of its segment, it doesn't matter. Sorry Jim, but the Regals and Centurys you were pumping out for your whole career were inferior automobiles - and you can't market crap to anyone with eyeballs.

Go sell Buicks here in New Jersey. Or New York City. Also known as areas GM doesn't do particularly well. Get out of the heartland and see that the majority of foreign buyers here are not going to just buy a Buick or any GM because it is reliable. It needs a good interior and, considering the position GM is in now, needs to lead in design to stand out.

Marketing to people in a pro-domestic area is a lot easier than here. I challenge you to work at whatever Buick dealers are left in New Jersey and see that much of an increase in store traffic.
I'm a PR guy, and that's like saying PR is all GM needs. It DEFINITELY needs good PR and a better brand image, but it is more complicated than just marketing, PR or products. It's the whole package, and your plan is just marketing.

[Ming]

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.

As long as Jim promises to push to bring back the old Rendezvous Seat fabric with the mind-blowingly groovy polka-dot Buick Emblems, I am all for it!

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by Buickman

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.

So says you, the writer of "Return to Greatness". Shameless self-promotion or selfless gesture?

All the fanciful ideas in the world to "Return to Greatness" will not work on an apathetic, once-bitten/twice-shy American consumer who has a near genetically encoded dislike/distrust/disinterest in American cars.

John Q. Public does NOT like to be preached to or marketed to; he is NOT going to listen to the very same company producing the products telling him they've changed and they are better. No amount of marketing in the world will convice a Camry owner or Accord owner to jump the Toyota or Honda ship and buy/drive American.

I admire your passion, but the truth is that in a market that is now a fraction the size it was last year you will never convince enough people to make the switch and therefore sell enough to support such a grandiose dream.

Chapter 11. That's what I want to see. A lean, mean 2 or 3 division GM that can compete with the 'best' from Japan, unbrudened with the weight of the UAW and the mountain of debt they currently have.

[Buickman]

Originally Posted by Ming

As long as Jim promises to push to bring back the old Rendezvous Seat fabric with the mind-blowingly groovy polka-dot Buick Emblems, I am all for it!

free Buick tattoos also available.

you're a hoot.

guess what? our brilliant Sigma is on the prowl, hitting me with infractions by whim. told I'm a "whore" for responding to each post in this thread. opinions? thought was just exchanging thoughts. maybe he's really Wagoner with more time on his hands than previously.

[BigThreeForever]

Buickman,

I have never sold a car in my life, so I don't really know that much about retailing or marketing . . . but I very much admire your drive, ambition and the fact that (unlike so many) you believe in something, and believe in yourself.

I also like the fact that you've attended the GM meetings and asked the awkward questions. It's "can-do", as opposed to "can't do".

I'm 100% behind you on this, O Caped Tri-Shield Crusader!

[scotth3886]

Originally Posted by 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.

I will readily admit, I have never met you, but after the behavior I have seen from you on this forum with all the belittling, sarcasm and petulance you've shown since I’ve seen your screen name in virtually every one of your many posts, I’ll happily write a letter, but it may not quite be to your liking.

I will humbly submit, that I think that it’s high time you get over yourself and show just a modicum of humility around here, and then, and only then, might you get some traction.

[scotth3886]

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.

I'm HAPPY to see that I'm not the only one that feels this way.

[joemac]

Originally Posted by member12

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

.....and the infiltration of import manufactures bringing multi-millions of product sourced outside North America annually. This imported product undercuts not only union labor but normal run of the mill median wages, additional it comes with huge built in margins as the vehicles are sourced from countries of origin that have hugely manipulated and devalued foreign currencies.

[iluvcamaros]

The later W-body Buicks had AWFUL interiors. The Regal was a sharp looking car on the outside, but I often take the time to look inside them cause I almost always emit an audible "gasp" at how cheap it looks; no better (maybe even worse?) than my Mom's old '96 Lumina in a 200x model car!

The clean looking used LeSabre my parents bought last summer has definitely taught this college age boy that Buicks are fantastic cars. The ride, the seats, elegant styling, powerful V6, reliable, fuel efficient, etc.

I've even come to believe that if GM had used one-piece headlights on the 2005 LaCrosse it might not have been that bad of a car considering its ancient platform.

-----------------------------------On Topic

GM has a nice print Ad for the new Camaro in Car and Driver. Though it has the dull white blah look of the website. It starts on one page with an early sketch of the design and then goes into telling you the whole story of its development. They go on about the international design team, they mention Holden etc. I found that really honest. You would think they would spin it as a "red white & blue mobile" but they actually brag about the fact that the designer was Korean with input from a Russian etc.

Not to mention there was an Accord coupe ad praising its 28mpg V6, when the new Camaro gets 29mpg!

50% of GM's problem is perception. After all were 90's Camry's REALLY that great, or did people just think they were? My Dad has seen fellow mechanics take a pressure washer to oil sludged Camry engines. So a clear marketing strategy could do wonders.

90's GM = blah cars and decent advertising (Like a Rock > An American Revolution)

2009 GM = GREAT cars and AWFUL advertising (2009 Malibu > 1999 Malibu/Lumina)
(2010 LaCrosse > 2000 Century/Regal)

[jomo]

Useless to argue with Buickman, guys. In some ways, I really feel bad for him because he doesn't have the tool set for the problem that GM is facing right now. It's the classic situation where if all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. In Buickman's case, all he really seems to know is selling cars, so every problem looks like a marketing issue to him.

Unfortunately, no amount of marketing can save you if people: Won't. Buy. Anything.

We saw Circuit City go under. We're seeing car dealerships go under by the truckload. We're seeing retailers in every category going under.

No amount of marketing can save you if your customers require a loan to finance the purchase, and they can't get one.

A good friend of mine has basically exited the real-estate business, where he's worked for most of his life, simply because he can take a customer all the way to the closing table and still have the bank back out on him.

Return to Greatness won't help GM. Only god can help GM right now. Buickman, if you want the company to return to a state where your marketing skills can help them, start praying for a turnaround in the economy.

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by jomo

Useless to argue with Buickman, guys. In some ways, I really feel bad for him because he doesn't have the tool set for the problem that GM is facing right now. It's the classic situation where if all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. In Buickman's case, all he really seems to know is selling cars, so every problem looks like a marketing issue to him.

Unfortunately, no amount of marketing can save you if people: Won't. Buy. Anything.

We saw Circuit City go under. We're seeing car dealerships go under by the truckload. We're seeing retailers in every category going under.

No amount of marketing can save you if your customers require a loan to finance the purchase, and they can't get one.

A good friend of mine has basically exited the real-estate business, where he's worked for most of his life, simply because he can take a customer all the way to the closing table and still have the bank back out on him.

Return to Greatness won't help GM. Only god can help GM right now. Buickman, if you want the company to return to a state where your marketing skills can help them, start praying for a turnaround in the economy.

"What does God need with a starship?"

Why would an omnipotent being give a rat's patooty about an auto company? Prayer? Seriously? For a car company? Not that I believe in it, but prayer that your children remain healthy. Pray for guidance in your life. Don't pray for a company or a product. Sheesh.

[scotth3886]

Originally Posted by jomo

Useless to argue with Buickman, guys. In some ways, I really feel bad for him because he doesn't have the tool set for the problem that GM is facing right now. It's the classic situation where if all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. In Buickman's case, all he really seems to know is selling cars, so every problem looks like a marketing issue to him.

Unfortunately, no amount of marketing can save you if people: Won't. Buy. Anything.

We saw Circuit City go under. We're seeing car dealerships go under by the truckload. We're seeing retailers in every category going under.

No amount of marketing can save you if your customers require a loan to finance the purchase, and they can't get one.

A good friend of mine has basically exited the real-estate business, where he's worked for most of his life, simply because he can take a customer all the way to the closing table and still have the bank back out on him.

Return to Greatness won't help GM. Only god can help GM right now. Buickman, if you want the company to return to a state where your marketing skills can help them, start praying for a turnaround in the economy.

Its like the Joe Gerrard / Zig Ziggler 1950s and 1960s. That kind of marketing BS doesn't get it with today's consumer. We need substance.