How to Fix General Motors part II
Now for the next installment on what we think GM should do to get back in the black.
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How to Fix General Motors part I
Now for the last of the American big 2.something manufacturers. We have worked up to GM since they are by far the messiest of the three, and have the most right and wrong at the same time. They have so many home runs mired among the steaming piles that they are easy to miss. Let’s hope there won’t be too much to wash off when were done here.
I think that may be a bit generous. When you make as many things as GM does you’re bound to get a few things right once in a while. My biggest problem with GM has long been that they are one of the worst abusers of badge engineering. In some respects I thought that was improving, but now I’m not sure anymore. Pontiac, in particular, is like my gauge for how stupid GM is being. Pontiac G3? No way.
Before he has an aneurysm… on with the show!!!
How to fix Chrysler (if there was still a chance)
Let’s put on our imagination caps and think of a world where the impatient Cerberus group wasn’t desperately trying to regurgitate the remains of Chrysler on to anyone willing to spare a few pieces of pocket lint and pennies. In this imaginary wonderland Cerberus wasn’t going to dissolve the remains of Chrysler, but instead invest the time and money in a long term plan to save the irrelevant Chrysler brand, strengthen Jeep, and trim Dodge to a lean and competent brand.
I have always been a fan of the upstart underdog that Chrysler has been through the years. Always small enough that they were willing to take risks, but not quite enough money to keep up with the bigger bullies from across town – Ford and GM. Now they have been sucked dry by Mercedes, and left to rot with Cerberus. This analysis will be in same vein as our earlier Ford break-down, just this time we have to suspend disbelief for a little bit and assume Chrysler will stick around long enough to be fixed.