As expected, General Motors CEO Dan Akerson visited a bipartisan group of members of the Congress Thursday morning, and delivered some good news about the resurgence of the automaker’s business.
At the end of what USA Today characterized as a short, closed-door meeting, Akerson was asked if there is anything the automaker needed from Washington. Akerson’s reply: “No, we’re fine.” After that session, Akerson was reported to have spoken briefly to the Indiana delegation.
And in showing off the automaker’s product line, a 2014 Corvette in metallic gray was displayed outside. That was also expected.
Since exiting a government-backed bankruptcy in 2009, General Motors has created or retained 23,000 U.S. jobs.
The GM Authority Take
Don’t you wish you were the fly on the wall in these kinds of closed-door briefings? Because I sure do. In any event, this was likely a good dog-and-pony show for those members of Congress who weren’t entirely aware of GM’s progress up to Mr. Akerson’s visit, or the massive product offensive that the automaker has planned for 2013 and 2014.
Comments
I too would have liked to have been the fly on the wall. Although with my attitude I’d probably have been swatted. Clicked on the link to check out the upcoming portfolio again, too bad some of these will never see American asphalt. Then others, speculative, but we can always hope for fruition. Thanks for the update as well.
11/14 are US intended.. which of the 3 is it too bad that North America won’t be getting them?
The Spin doesn’t really matter since the US is likely to receive the Orlando which is on sale in Canada. As for the Trax and Onyx, I don’t think they would sell all that great in the US, certainly not at any sort of reasonable profit.
Cruze variants, Trax and Nomad/ El Camino
Oh ok, fair enough. We won’t see any new Cruze models or variants for this gen, next maybe. And the same for an El Camino, I think it is just a matter of time, 2016?
GM’s #1 is get more profitable, they can’t do that by offering low volume mid range cars that might not even turn a profit here. The CTS-V wagon only needed to sell 12 units to recoup the development cost over the Coupe and Sedan. Not bad considering they sold a ton more than 12.
The thing with the Ute coming here as an El Camino is the cost of safety and regulations plus import and they will sell fewer than the imported SS Sedan.
I like the confident “no we are fine” statement, it shows not only an improving product range but also the profits are good so future models can be developed, improved further & model ranges expanded to cater for everybody’s tastes & budgets. Well done everyone at GM 😀
Glad Dan was able to bring a positive message of GM progress to the US congress.
If you pause and think about the new product offensive for this year, it is a very rare occurrence. Think about it. When has any other automaker released this many new or redesigned vehicles in this short a time frame? Also, take a look at the economy. With recent reports of the Dow and other signs, it seems the economy is on the rise. However, full recovery is far from a reality. For GM to invest and release these new vehicles now shows a willingness to take a risk and presents a image of confidence in themselves, the auto market and the economy.
I also am expecting an increase in the diversity of their product portfolio within a few more years. I wouldn’t be surprised if they offer the Cruze hatch with the next generation. When they retool the plant for the next architecture, they can make provisions then for producing the hatches. It may not have made economic sense to invest to retool Lordstown for the hatch variant if they plan another big retool in another couple years or less. Another thing to think about regarding these lower volume niche products is the market and economic conditions. Would it be better for GM to offer them now or wait until the economy gets on stabler ground. IMHO, if GM were to release them now they would gain less than optimum sales. The other brands could release their products as brand new models a year later when the market is better. The competition would then steal GM’s thunder by having the right new product at the right time. Overall, GM is trying to read the market. The 13 in 2013 is a gamble, but I doubt GM is laying their full hand out right now. I think we have even more in store for 2014 and beyond.
I’m sorry guys, but I won’t believe there is a “massive product offensive” until we see some creative body styles, some fuel-efficient, flexible utility vehicles, and some serious advances in power-train technology, particularly on automatic transmissions. Until then this just looks like more of the same.
This is just North America, and just powertrain:
the new 2.0T in the ATS
the new 2.5L
the new 3.6TT
the entire new, advanced, V8 lineup
the new 4.3
the new 7 speed manual
the new 8 speed auto
the 1.4T
the soon to be in NA 1.6T
the 2.0 diesel coming in the Cruze this summer
and I probably missed a few, that was just off the top of my hungover head.
What’s more of the same is your tired-ass remarks. I don’t even know where to start with your moronic commentary… how about the “product offensive” that you don’t believe in.
See this link:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/12/here-are-the-13-new-models-chevy-will-launch-in-2013-future-product-guide/
Chevy is coming out with 13 new or refreshed models this year by itself. This isn’t fiction… there is nothing for you to “believe”. It’s a fact.
Buick will refresh the Regal and LaCrosse; Cadillac will have the ATS-V and new CTS. Opel has Cascada and Adam. Again, these are facts.
The “creative body styles” have been discussed here over and over and over again. What don’t you understand about the phrase “next generation?” We all know you really want a hatch; screw the Verano hatch, a Cruze hatch should do just fine. But the car is not going to be here until 2015 when the all new Cruze comes out. GM isn’t going to invest in making an extra body style at Lordstown when the time to recoup tooling expenses for the hatch won’t be nearly long enough for the new D2XX model to show up.
The same thing can be said for “fuel-efficient, flexible utility vehicles”. The new D2XX based Equinox is coming in 2015 or so. It will be smaller than the current Equinox and will introduce the new engines from Europe. The Trax, which you seem to be enamored with even though only 1 automaker (Subaru) has a vehicle in that class in the United States, isn’t necessary since the next Equinox will be compacted and serve the biggest crossover market in this country and around the world; that’s why it will be a global car finally.
Now regarding “serious advances in power-train technology”… have you not seen the new 1.6 turbo gasoline and turbo diesel engines from GM in Europe? These will come out in the all-new Cruze and Equinox. These will also be lighter than the current vehicles of the same name allowing them to be more fuel efficient. In the meantime, the Cruze Eco is still the most fuel efficient compact car in the United States… “particularly on automatic transmissions” can have a seat.
So it seems like you’re being impatient at a time when GM is going through a major product, platform and technology renaissance. Everyone who reads GMAuthority knows this, as do you… but you keep touting the same bull$hit over and over and over again. All-new cars don’t arrive over night so can you please stop crying about it?
I agree, if the reports on 2015 are accurate, then that year will truly be a “product offensive.” But this isn’t. That’s just my opinion.
And the most fuel efficient Cruze ECO that you think is class leading requires one to row their own gears, run with low rolling tires, etc. Other makes are using dry, dual clutch transmissions which are delivering nearly the same mileage, but with more horsepower and the convenience of an automatic, which is what 90% of the public buys. So let’s keep our comparisons on the level hear shall we? (My Mazda 3, a hatch with 155 HP and automatic transmission, is getting 43 on the highway.)
And regarding body styles, I’m not necessarily referring to hatches, CUVs, etc. What about something a little different? I thought the HHR was a wonderful entry. It just had mediocre performance. There are a lot of them on the road, and GM canceled it. What about a fun-to-drive roadster? A Saturn Sky? A Pontiac …
Regarding small CUVs. Honda will be coming out with something the size of the Trax within a year or so. I bet they sell it in the U.S.
@VeranoHatch a product offensive, by logic, is a time in which a slew of new and competitive products are released and made available in the marketplace. In that regard, pretty much all of GM’s brands are having such offensives in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
But talking about this is just arguing semantics, in my opinion. The point is that a significant amount of GM’s outdated products (Impala, trucks, full-size SUVs) will be replaced, and new ones introduced (CTS, SS). This is perhaps even more important in international markets where GM has fallen behind (South America); in that regard, the Onix, Spin, etc. will be very important to GM’s success abroad.
As for Cruze Eco, sure — it makes some compromises to reach the 42 MPG mark. But the car has been around since 2009, and will be replaced in a matter of 1.5 years. 42 MPG, or even 38 official MPG for the non-ECO, is pretty good for a car engineered over 5 years ago. But even so, my 2011 2LT consistently averaged 45 MPG on the highway (at 65 MPH on cruise control).
On the topic of body styles: in my opinion, the only body styles Chevy needs are variants of the Cruze, including:
5-door hatch (serves Chevy HHR market, which was already small)
3-door hatch
Coupe
Convertible (ala Golf convertible)
Wagon
Not all of these should necessarily be offered in the U.S. of A.
In effect, I’d love to see the Cruze range emulate VW’s Golf/Jetta range globally. That’s one of the ways in which the Chevrolet brand can grow in market share and profitability (based on cost-effective manufacturing of vehicles on the same architecture).
It would also be nice to see a midsize crossover on the next-gen Epsilon/E2XX architecture… but outside of those offerings, everything else is a business case pipe dream. A roadster could work, but it is extremely difficult to build business cases for those vehicles, especially when customers will need to be conquested from segment stalwarts (Mazda), which is difficult and expensive. That’s one of the reasons that neither the Sky nor the Solstice were brought back as a Chevrolet.
As for Honda offering a subcompact crossover below the CR-V — we’ll see how this vehicle performs; current demand in the U.S. is minimal, which is why other automakers are electing to not offer subcompact CUVs here.
The new powertrain offensive looks to be impressive. Can’t wait to see the portfolio in a year or so. I personally am still hoping for a Cruze diesel hatch, but if not I’d seriously be interested in a Cruze diesel sedan. main reason is power and effeicency with it’s std. equip. level. Thanks for posting it.
The power-train improvements listed above will get GM caught up to competitors on engines, but unless there is a secret development process somewhere, GM will still be behind others on transmissions. (So will we be in the same place come 2015 or is GM Authority not getting all of the inside news?)
Per the loan (8 speed) automatic transmission advancement, I’m not sure adding speeds is the answer. That theoretically helps the engine find an efficient speed but it does nothing to reduce drag (unless one drives a full manual). The concern I would have with adding speeds is that this would tend to make the transmission “hunt” a lot more with slight variations in load. Some already complain about this with GM’s 6 speed. I’m not sure all the shifting will be good for the life of the transmission either. Frankly, I’m quite happy with the 4 speeds (a tall 4th) in our Saturn wagon. It’s engine and transmission are ultra smooth, but the car is heavy and it’s a V6, so for most driving fuel is wasted. I’m quite happy with the 6 speeds in our 4 cylinder Mazda 3 too, but that is because it is programmed not to hunt too much (a concern because 5th and 6th are close, though I hardly notice when it does shift). It is also programmed to be ultra fuel efficient. Mazda could have easily improved this with a “sport” mode program, but for now there is the select-shift for more power/fun.
At some point in my simple way of thinking about this it would make sense to transition to a CVT if your strategy is not dual clutch. (So what is it GM?) I’ve driven the Impreza and think it is fine if it were not for the whining noise, but don’t know about longevity. I’m not an automotive engineer (my background is fuel and lubricants), so perhaps one with better qualifications can comment to help my understanding.
I have booked for Newly Launched Chevrolet SAIL ,India much impressed with its features. I have made the Booking and made full down payment to Chevrolet India Dealer M/s Gian Motors , Mumbai,India. Even a.fter 50 days iam made to run pillar to post to get my vehicle.
I have approached your customer service center and Dealer & the only response i got was that of Complaint No 204457. Nobody bothered to inform me about when vehicle delivery & iam totally in dark about getting vehicle on hand.
Iam a senior executive with One of the Oil Giants in India ,handling projects worth $ 60 milion every year & iam aware about customers having dealt 1.5 million of them in my previous assignment.
But this kind of Customer Harrasment something i have not experienced and unheard ,especially from an Orgainsation Like General Motors who are the Pioneers in setting Bench marks in quality & customer service.
Trust someone wakes to my distress call and takes immediate action .
Else i shall be left with no option to proceed against Chevroler India in Court of Law.