My Three and a half minutes with Jill.

[coaster.n3rd]

On Friday night I was invited to the Saturn VIP Woodward Dream Cruise Event. Me never missing a golden opportunity to see the latest and greatest product, eat some of the best hor d oeuvres on Woodward and check out the classics cheerfully accepted.

Throughout the night I had pomegranate (?) martinis, orange chicken, coconut shrimp and tortellini. Saturn really went all out for us this year and even added some more drinks to the bar, obviously it had been a good year for Saturn.

As I was about to leave I wanted to say goodbye to my general manager. I approached Jim and his wife and politely interupted his conversation with a very short woman. Jim looked at me and said Rob this is Jill, I stuck out my hand for a handshake looked closer and realized I who I was shaking hands with.

After some formalities and talk about locals who served in Iraq my manger excused himself and I politely asked Jill for a minute of her time. She agreed and was extremely polite and kind while very willing to listen.

I explained my stance on GM, and went onto explain how much I like selling for Saturn, GM and the excitement the brand has taken on in the last year. But I dove into some questions after that. Knowing GM does not speak about future product plans, I tried not to touch on the future we have seen here and discussed on GMI.

First up was the Aura and it's lack of certain features some of you had complained about. Navigation will not be seen in the current Aura. Electrical architecture in the Aura does not support it. The Malibu is not cross shopped with the Aura, so Jill sees no reason to be afraid of what the Malibu has to offer or their $100 million advertising budget. I then thanked her for removing the fake stitching off the arm rests and she agreed.

I asked about the next gen Aura and we should expect to see a lot of features we want in it. Her and Bob Lutz had sat down together the previous day and had gone over the next Aura. She says it is sure to be a hit in both style and content and we can expect it soon.

I asked about the pano windshield in the Astra. To this she responded by rubbing her fingers together to show it costs money, but she would like to see it as much as any of us.

Finally I thanked her for her time. I did not want to bother with work on a night like that. She mentioned that if the market was anything like Detroit's, she could sleep with both eyes closed at night.

Jill seems to know what people want, she has a strong head on her shoulders and will continue to do an excellent job at the head of Saturn. She understands that a lot of what we have to overcome is the perception about Saturn. She is working hard on that and I think we will see some serious results with her at the helm. If you ever get to meet Jill, thank her for what is about to come, she knows that none of this is over and we have a lot to look forward to. The current state of Saturn is only the beginning.

[gm_scott]

Thanks a very good story. Out off all the execs, Jill was always one of my favorites. And way to ask the best questions in the shortest amount of time.I guess the navigation makes sense, considering none of the others have it. I think its more of a money issue then anything.

[nsap]

Good read! I really think Jill is the absolute best for the job. She seems to have a good balance of business sense and enthusiast sense. By that, she knows what it takes to do well in the business, but knows what people like us want.

I wish GMI could score an interview with her. I know she has a large fan-base here.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by nsap

Good read! I really think Jill is the absolute best for the job. She seems to have a good balance of business sense and enthusiast sense. By that, she knows what it takes to do well in the business, but knows what people like us want.

I wish GMI could score an interview with her. I know she has a large fan-base here.

Did you happen to see the chat she had at www.saturnfans.com several months ago? I'm sure the transcripts are still up somewhere there.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

Did you happen to see the chat she had at www.saturnfans.com several months ago? I'm sure the transcripts are still up somewhere there.

Yeah, I participated in that chat.

[gmhashope]

Well Saturn's future looks very bright indeed. I wish I got to meet Jill. Very cool, coaster.n3rd.

[BusyBody]

Great post, thanks for voicing some of GMi concerns with a the powers that be!

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

First up was the Aura and it's lack of certain features some of you had complained about. Navigation will not be seen in the current Aura. Electrical architecture in the Aura does not support it.

Yep, blame whoever messed that up in 2003 when the old Malibu was being designed.

[CobaltSScrazy]

well that blows that the arch limits the car...what about DUAL zone climate control and a lack of a rear armrest and such...?

one thing that bugs me about the aura/malibu is the doors are essentially the same IMHO from my memory of them...

CobaltSScrazy

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by CobaltSScrazy

well that blows that the arch limits the car...what about DUAL zone climate control and a lack of a rear armrest and such...?

one thing that bugs me about the aura/malibu is the doors are essentially the same IMHO from my memory of them...

CobaltSScrazy

Rear Armrest was a platform change, the back seat would have to be redesigned. The Maxx is the only US Epsilon to have it, and it had a different backseat unit. It would be cost prohibitive to add it on this version of the car.

Dual Zone Climate control probably has to do with the way the ventilation is routed. It might not be able to spit it soon enough to provide a temp change.

Logistically these things involve substantial Engineering changes.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

The Malibu is not cross shopped with the Aura, so Jill sees no reason to be afraid of what the Malibu has to offer or their $100 million advertising budget.

I don't buy that one bit.

I find it idiotic that the North American Epislons are apparently not wired to accept Navigation.... yet the European ones are. It's continued poor planning by GM. Even platform at GM should be wired for it by now.

[knightfan26917]

Wow, coaster ... that's very cool! Glad you had that opportunity .



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[goblue]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I don't buy that one bit.

I find it idiotic that the North American Epislons are apparently not wired to accept Navigation.... yet the European ones are. It's continued poor planning by GM. Even platform at GM should be wired for it by now.

Well, I think we can all agree that US Epsilon I had many mistakes, and is not a class leading platform. Idiotic is putting it mildly. Rampant beancounting is another way to put it. Considering the Aura can handle and ride with the best of the current competitiors, there is hope for US Epsilon II - it should be even better with all the missing features.

The fact GM has worldwide platforms that are not compatible was one of the largest mistakes GM ever made, it has cost them millions in dollars and lost sales. Its sad it took a 6 billion loss to correct this issue, but at least its being corrected.

I don't see the 08 Malibu as being completely competitive with the new Accord. We'll have to wait for the next gen Aura to see what GM can really do. It takes time for a company as large as GM to fix mistakes. They at least seem to have the boulder rolling.

[hrcslam]

1 year ago if I said GM, most everyone would think "bankruptcy." Today I say GM, what are you thinking?

[kmacleod]

One of those once in a lifetime opportunities to talk to Jill!!!!

Coaster.n3rd, That blue color will be a hit. I can't wait to see this car in production trim.

The more I see the Astra, the more I like it. Time to convince the wife.....

Thanks for the PIC's and comments .

Ken

PS, Did you have a chance to drive the Astra, even in the parking lot?