Mark Reuss is the newly appointed head of global product development at General Motors. Automobile Magazine’s Jamie Kitman sat down with the long-time executive to talk Cadillac, trucks, Europe and anything else GM related.
The interview kicks off with Kitman picking Reuss’ brain about what’s exciting him right now within GM. Reuss says, like many others, that the direction in which Cadillac is heading excites him the most.
“The future of Cadillac – I’m really excited about having influence on it firsthand,” Reuss said. “My daily driver is a CTS twin-turbo (V6.) Great car.”
A big part of Cadillac’s future will be its impending flagship model, which could be named LTS. While a large, halo sedan is in the works, Reuss discussed the need for a coupe version, like the Elmiraj.
“You’ve seen the Ciel, an open air, sort of big car. Then we did this big, dramatic coupe. (Cadillac Elmiraj) It’s hard to do market research on something like that. Because you know the market is not going to be really big. You really want to find out, do people like conceptually the proportion and the size and what it says styling wise.”
Another large part of Cadillac’s near future will be the success of the $75, 995 ELR hybrid. The ELRs price tag has been the subject of much criticism since it was first announced, but Reuss isn’t worried about it.
“I don’t care, I really don’t care. Because it’s a really uninformed point of view. The ELR’s about $1400 bucks less than a Tesla on a comparable equipment basis, it’s got two doors, it’s a beautiful car. It’s not limited by range and it’s got the $7500 tax credit, which takes it to $67-ish, and it’s got a good lease rate,” he said. “It’s a beautiful car. My wife wants one. That’s the kind of person we want to sell it to —we’ve got three kids but two of them are going. Someone fiftyish. You don’t need an SUV anymore.”
Reuss also commented on Ford’s new aluminium-bodied F-150 pickup and compared it to GM’s three-truck strategy.
“If I was in Ford’s shoes [aluminum] would be one way to solve an equation on a line that doesn’t get any better from a CAFE and grams of CO2 standpoint. That’s one way to solve it,” he said. “We’re doing this in a different way, creating models that are different in size and therefore we’ll get even more mass savings (than Ford). We’ll also have different powertrains than what they will have in their big truck. So this is quite a different formula but it’s also floating around the solution of CAFE and grams of C02 for the future.”
Reuss and Automobile also talk about station wagons for the North American market, bringing the Opel Adam to North America as a Buick, hydrogen fuel-cells and more. Check out the full interview right here.
Comments
GM has had the fuel cell system ready to go, and where is the governments help on infrastructure???… No where.
I don’t recall any Ford executive being asked or commenting on GM’s new truck, so what gives Mark? Insecurity?
You would have to ask Mr. Obama where the government help in infrastructure is. That is the only thing holding Fuel Cells up as there is not place to fill them and no one will buy one if they can not fill it.
They could have made a good impact on the market with all the money wasted on so many Green companies that failed already.
GM took no risk with the trucks so what is to ask about. Ford is taking a risk here like they did on the Ecoboost. In the case of the engine it paid off with the good marketing. As for the Aluminum it will come down to price and operating cost.
I expect the Ford to come fast out of the gate but will it last? If it is much higher priced it will hurt as well as if operating cost go up it will dash fleet sales as companies are looking to close in cost on all aspects of business. Price rules as we are seeing with GM trucks today.
GM could discount the trucks today and bump sales volumes 35% over last month but where does it stop. What do they do when the Full Size truck is discounted less than the new Colorado? There are a lot of factors here and you have to consider them all not just the popular select few.
Right now he has to put a good spin on the ELR he inherited. I do not think this car would have made it if it were his choice alone but it is here and he has to make the best of it. I expect it will be around for a little while and be replaced with a sedan of some kind to better match the Tesla. But then again we had another Tesla fire again.
The last time GM sold more pickups than Ford twelve years ago, the Duramax was new, the GM half tons were the most fuel efficient ones out there and they weren’t ugly, and the Japanese nameplates weren’t serious about trucks yet.
Too bad GM hasn’t evolved since then while the competition has. Right now, even comparing the GM trucks to Ford is an insult to Ford.
February sales numbers will be down once more and things like the weather will be blamed again. I predict zero percent financing in the near future, which will be good for those of you who want a Mexico – built truck, with Chinese parts and components.
A Honda Ridgeline (for crying out loud) is USA built of mostly American made parts and GM can’t do that!? How many billions does GM need to start supporting the American worker?
They already employ over a million U.S. Citizens. Is that not enough for you? GM could have kept the Moraine plant and assembled the Silao trucks there, but they didn’t. If it were me reading the signs, you are quite the single-minded as all of the comments I’ve seen from you give out the same whiny message. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where a vehicle is designed or built but rather where it comes from. Profits stay here to pay U.S. employee’s.
You mentioned in your previous comment “The GM fat cats took billions of American tax dollars.” I just wanted to make it clear that GM supports 1.2 Million U.S. jobs as well as donate to nearly every important charity/foundation in The U.S. Have they not?
Also, let’s take a look at the vehicles that are built outside of The U.S. .
Chevrolet-
Spark (most likely getting moved to Michigan where the Sonic is built)
Impala
Camaro (Michigan in 2016)
SS (Michigan by 2017)
Equinox (Tennessee in 2016)
Silverado
GMC-
Terrain (Tennessee in 2016)
Sierra
Buick-
Encore (Most likely getting moved to Michigan where the Sonic is built)
Regal (Most likely getting moved to Kansas where the Malibu/LaCrosse are built))
LaCrosse (Possibly completely Fairfax)
Cadillac-
SRX (Tennessee in 2016)
XTS
Which leaves 8 vehicles for sure or maybe even 4 that are built outside of The U.S. out of the whole lineup of 44 vehicles (excluding commercial trucks)…
Magirus why don’t you do yourself and GM a favor and just go buy a Ford since you are so in love with them. You will get just what you deserve.
For your information GM is going to offer sale prices next week and they have topped off GM cards to $3,000. I already know two people that are going truck shopping at GM. I am sure they are not alone.
My dad just found a perfect Victory Red/Jet Black 2015 Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab LTZ Z71 4X4 6.0L that he is going to buy! GM’s new products are astonishing!
Scott, because I have been a GM fan since the Fall Guy. I have pulled 30k lbs uphill at 10,000ft with a Duramax. I almost soiled the driver’s seat of a Corvette when it wanted to go sideways at godawful speeds.
I just think they can do a lot better. And I have to be clear that I am a fan of the American engineers who make it happen and the American blue collar that bolts it together. Conversely, I am very disgusted by the suits at the top of the organization and many of the decisions they have made past, and present.
All BS aside, you have to admit the new foreign built GM trucks are a disappointment. It seems anyone with eyes, a budget, and a right foot would have to agree.
As far as deals… $30K for a two wheel drive pickup with a 4.3 V6 IS NOT a good deal. Yes, it’s $7k off but that isn’t enough when the truck is $15K overpriced in the first place. Seems like they could offer them for less considering all the cheap parts that go into them.
You say “foreign built GM trucks” like they are all built in Mexico. Let me just clarify that the 1500 Crew Cabs are the only ones built in Silao (which by the way is an amazing plant).
“It seems anyone with eyes, a budget, and a right foot would have to agree.” Design is subjective, the Silverado/Sierra are priced very competivly but you don’t know that because every other truck on the market are extremely outdated and are basically being given away with all of the incentive’s, the 4.3, 5.3 and 6.2 have all been perceived as reliable, powerful and efficient engines so far. The 5.3L is great for what it is, but I am hoping to see a power bump for the refresh to 365HP and 390FT-LBS along with the addition of iVVL. Also, if the Silverado was “so disappointing” like you make it out to be, then why did it win NATOTY? Who can explain that one to me huh?
In the end, GM couldn’t care less what vehicle you buy! Think about it though! You are just one person out of the billions of people in our beautiful world.
I am not worried about the direction of GM cars. I think that GM cars are headed in a good direction.
As for the trucks, they are not seeking that same excellence that the new CTS was seeking. Buyers want value and capability. How has GM increased either with the new trucks?
Well, they are using better materials as well as more efficient and powerful engines. Not to mention the 6.2L has the most power in its class! The 6.0L V8 is a drag, but the refresh for the HD’s will come soon enough..
Magirus
Ok it is time for you to use all the numbers and facts here. Just because you are disappointed does not make you right no matter how you feel about GM management or the present trucks.
I was one of the first that said they did not go far enough with the styling as I would have liked but even though I was disappointed the real numbers and the reality of what really is going on is not different.
While you vent your disappointment here I am not spewing my love for GM as all I state is the reality of the entire situation.
Let me post this and get some facts in the way of your fantasy.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/16/is-the-2014-chevy-silverado-a-failure.aspx
While I agree with you there are things they should and could have done but GM is not going to be flushed out of the truck market based on 5 months of sales. I feel GM will not make the gains they could have but they will not lose much over the model year.
While weather may have has some place in this it is not the only thing by far. The fact they had incentives up to $7,000 last year and sold record numbers of trucks skew this years numbers as well as not offering much in incentives while Ford is doing a fire sale now.
You will find that while GM sales are down many are not buying Fords either as they are just waiting for GM to offer something. Like I stated I know two people just this week that will make a move because of the offers they are going to give.
And if you bothered to read the post I pasted it also points out that GM is going to make a lot more money per vehicle and over all buy not marking them down. Also factor in the resale value will also remain higher vs, other models.
Next year Ford has tow choices on their trucks one is to sell it at least $2000 more just because of the Aluminum of keep the price the same and lose profits. These are their only real choices. If they move to incentives they will lose even more money. Ford still has loans to pay off and they can not afford to lose income so this is why so many see this as a risk. It is not about lost sales it is about lower profits that are paying to revamp the other lines.
So you have to look past your petty bickering and really asses the numbers and all the factors in play. This is more than just about Liking or being mad at GM. This is about market strategy and how it will play out in the long run.
The reality is the new trucks even if you make them out of plastic they will never see 53 MPG CAFE in the future so the MFGs. need to find ways to make more money and limit sales or offer alternatives.
Ford is hoping the Aluminum will buy them time but GM knows a smaller truck will have to come into play as less size is the only way to meet the higher standard and Aluminum will only take you so far. Also keep in mind Ford has a Ranger that is designed to meet North American standards and will fine a way here at some point. That is something Ford does not tell you and why they are not afraid to raise 150 prices as they move ahead.
The next 10 years the truck market will be fundamentally changed from how we see it now as regulations will prevent what we have now.
So it matters little that you nearly crapped your pants and I may have watched Fall Guy as like I keep trying to get you see the big picture beyond the end of your nose. FYI I was more a Rockford Files guy and Used to drive a GMC like Rocky’s.
EvanG, it won NATOTY because both the F150 and Ram were not entered, because of the stupid rules, so that win means absolutely nothing!
http://www.wheels.ca/news/its-ludicrous-that-ford-f-150-isnt-eligible-for-truck-of-the-year/
To declare a winner they look at each contestant and how it impacts the segment it is in from a performance, efficiency and quality standpoint.
NATOTY and most other awards are political at best in most cases. Good to win but really means nothing as seldom do trucks go head to head and a lot has to do with marketing and advertising like Motor Tend Awards.
Mark is obviously Concerned about the new F150 but he forgot the most critical part…
The very efficient n powerful new 2.7 v6 EcoBoost engine that will get at least 28 mpg or more n challenge all mid range v8s with it “High Output” like 375 ft lbs at 2000 rpm…!!!
Ford is expecting 30 MPG highway. But you also have to factor in that we have not see the new GM engines tuned for the 8 speed trannys yet.
GM is not far from 30 MPG and the 8 speed may get them there.
You have to remember Mark is privy to info we are not so he may have good reason not to be worried.
I thoroughly enjoyed that article on fool that you posted. It made complete sense of the whole situation.
I have no doubt that those ECOTEC3’s can be tuned for 30 mpg. With the 8 or even 10 speed transmissions and an addition of Intake Variable Valve Lift (ECOTEC4’s?)
GMs best mpg is 24 with v6 and includes latest tech DI active fuel mgmt better aerodynamics and 250 lbs lower wt… Vs 23 mpg for 2014 Ford 3.7 v6 in F150 so all GM has for all its effort is just 1 mpg better vs Ford n still below Ram v6 at 25 mpg… With 8-speed auto.
GM full size truck is long way from 30 mpg n new 10-speed won’t get them there… Ford gets same 10-speed in few years… That should push Ford to 30 mpg with 2.7 v6 EcoBoost…!
GM is very concerned with only answer in there new mid size trucks n if they don’t sell well … Then what???
If they sell too well n rob sales from GM full size trucks then GM hurts on profits…!!!
30 mpg is a mirage rightnow for the new Ford. All of the GM truck engines are more efficient than the Ford counterpart.
The new Colorado/Canyon will have a chance of getting close to a real 30 mpg highway.
I will be interested in a Colorado when it comes with a real off road package.
GM is discounting 2014 trucks $7500 – $8000 so met price for nicely loaded is under $30,000
What if new Colorado loaded with off road pkg v6 4wd is high $20s…
Which would u buy if price diff is less than $1000.. ?
My only question to him would be when is Cadillac going to drop Cue? It’s three steps behind the market, and it is an albatross is an iPad world. It’s preventing thiusands of would-be buyers of the Cadillac from pulling the trigger.
CUE is a very good system as it is. But it needs to be faster and more responsive. .
Touch screen systems have no place in cars, too distracting. Both GM and Ford needs to adopt the rotary dial/mouse like systems in Lexus, and the German cars. These systems are not necessarily faster than CUE/MyFordTouch, but are easier to use and less distracting while driving.
Look like Ford has announced Aluminum repair training program for dealers. Repair shops with I-Car and insurance adjusters so there will be No Issues about the repair or insurance on the 2015 F150.
Nice proactive move to extend the advantages of aluminum n lighter wt in the new F150… Game Changer!!!
Plus the media Buzz about this truck has been unprecedented and everyone is talking about it…!
Not so much for GMs midsize trucks!
WSJ reports GM will copy copy copy Ford the Leader in Trucks….
Make aluminum body GM trucks by Late 2018… 4 Years Behind Ford…!!!!
Any thoughts from this crowd…?
Mark said if I was in fords situation then using aluminum is the only way to go! Which means to me that he thinks GM is in a better position!
Better position?
It will take GM 4-5 years to respond with aluminum body trucks and all Mark can do to compete is …
What he just announced “Deep Discounts!!! ” on an Chevys thru March in an unprecedented announcement for incentives!!!
Like 20% off on trucks…!!!!
Can’t see GM making much profit just giving product away….!!!
Ref: Automobile News for details.
This idea that a company Should be at the front of innovation and be the leader in bringing products to market is completely overblown!
Look at what has happened to apple, they spend all this time and money developing the I phone, pod, pad, ect! They lead the industry in this technology and are first to the market.
Then what happened other tech companies took their products copied it made a few changes and now call it their own products!
What works in this day and time is let other companies bring new ideas to market, monitor how the public reacts to it and then use the new technology and call it you own! It happens all the time! Samsung has done it over and over again!
Lastly consumer’s don’t care who’s first, most don’t even keep track of it! People like us do but we are less than 5% of the buyers!
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Wow what a joke