No sooner had GM CEO Rick Wagoner delivered the sobering news regarding GM cuts, Bob Lutz was right there to confirm that there is a lot of life left in what we can expect from the General in terms of future products. More to the point, the recently rumored cutting of brands was not a part of the discussion. Nope, all the current brands are to remain in place according to Lutz.
The biggest change that we can expect is that products from GM (and other vehicle makers too) will have a decidedly European/international flavor to them. That means less trucks--and the trucks that do remain will be smaller and more efficient. Expect more smaller cars and fewer cars with big V8s. No longer will the American car market be different from that of Europe and elsewhere.
"This is a difficult transition but once the transition is made, it's going to ease our problem of no longer having to produce unique vehicles for the American market," Lutz said. "In the future, anything we create worldwide is available to use to either import or produce in the U.S."
For a quick glance as to what's in store, check out AutoObserver's editorial:
GM: Remapping for a More Euro-Style Vehicle Landscape
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Smart move.
I can't believe Saturn is the brand closest to the chopping block (besides Hummer). Saturn is the epitome of what GM needs to produce: Euro-styled cars with decent gas mileage.
Saturn should be the Euro-styled car brand, but so far the Astra is the only true Euro car. The rest are heavily "Americanized" (Aura, Vue) or 100% American (Outlook).
From what Lutz said, we are not going to see Euro cars for at least another 3-5 years, which is to bad. I was hoping to see the new gen Astra and Corsa here in their Euro form that is, but if this is not the case, so long GM.
I don't know if I like where this is going. It doesn't sound like GM wants to cut brands- and they need to. At least get rid of GMC (a GMC Equinox? What are you guys thinking?!) and Hummer (I guess they still plan to). As for Saturn, why not kill the brand. It's a little saddening as the brand is the newest, but if Chevy wants to be a real world class Toyota competitor, GM can't split toys between them and Saturn. They did say that they pushed back introduction of the new Aura, so maybe they will end up cutting the brand. The Cruz sounds like it could be a real hit, and a true competitor to the outrageously successful Civic.
+1 albook. Good points there. I like the idea of Saturn, but I agree that its not essential when Chevy could do the same job. GM should also consider doing away with Buick in the American market. To make up for it they could flesh out Cadillac a bit more. One also has to take a serious look at Pontiac. I don't like the idea of no more Pontiac myself, but really, what does Pontiac offer that is essential to this market that Chevrolet couldn't offer equally as well?
For that matter, what is Saab still doing in the GM family? I'm not up to speed on Saab sales figures, but are they really bringing in any worthwhile volume?
-Yes I agree that Saab and Buick should be cut. Killing Buick would also contribute to bringing Chevy's image a bit upmarket. And Saab is one of the very few examples of GM messing up where Ford goes right. Ford has made Volvo a company that has the potential to quickly return to profitability. But Saab is a mess. But I think that Pontiac should stay. They are a niche brand- the sport division. As long as GM quits doing cars like the G5, then they will be fine. The next gen. G6 is on hold (maybe canceled) and they are planning a small G8 (MT magazine called it G7). If Saturn goes then the Solstice won't have to share sales. And the Vibe is a big seller. So then, Pontiac won't share any cars with any other brand in the US. Then, it can stay. It think the future of GM is in Chevy, Pontiac, and Cadillac.