By [...]]]> There are two aspects to the LA Auto Show that have captured my attention this year.  The first is the innovation that is emerging in sustainable energy (and I’ll have a post just on the green cars I enjoyed test driving.)  The second is the continual shakeup in the auto industy — this time at GM. 

By now, everyone knows that GM Pres, Fritz Henderson, was ousted by the board on Tuesday.  I was at a Chevrolet media event at the time, lagging behind after all the other media had left, talking to a PR woman I know at GM about innovations in social media, when all the executives were ushered away for an emergency confab.  And you knew by the urgency, that it was bad.  By the time they’d emerged, all white-faced,  I was already getting feeds regarding a GM press conference in a few minutes.  In a matter of minutes, the world knew that there had been another shake up at GM. 

From my position, next day, on the floor, listening to Bob Lutz’s (replacing Fritz Henderson as keynote — all the signboards papered over with Lutz’s name…ayay) excellent keynote address, to going from GM vehicle launch to vehicle launch, the execs did what they do best — smoothly and passionately presented their lines to the media.  But everyone could see the wind had been knocked out of their sails.  Hard to launch products when your leader has been sacked, which always means your own future becomes uncertain again.    To top things off, by the end of the day, there was a huge gaffuffle over the now infamous 58- word, expletive-filled posted comment allegedly by Henderson’s daughter (identity not confirmed) on the GM Facebook page, followed by a GM media spin.  Here is a good summary.  And if you really want to read the full comment: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/01/did-gm-ceo-fritz-henderso_n_376229.html

I’ll stop myself from going on a rant, but I do have a few more things to say.  I’ve experienced corporate drama, but not at this scale…and certainly not while sitting and watching it all unfold in front of me, an industry outsider.  Regardless of whether or not this was the right move, a good move, or a bad move, Henderson’s removal right at the start of the Auto show (and the car season) definitely knocked everyone off-balance. 

I wonder how it is possible that Mr. Henderson was sacked without the White House knowing about it, given our share in the company….makes me wonder if the good ole boys are retrenching themselves in the board?  When a company is so big, it is so easy to forget that the employees are the ones who are the real face of the company and not really quite as disposable as pawns on a chessboard.   Now the American people are a bit too invested to stand by and watch political manoueverings silently.

Personally, I root for success for GM.  Aside from the fact that I, along with all of you, am now heavily financially invested in its success, the products they are producing are really good (to my consumer eye).  Of course,  I’ll talk about some of the cars in following posts.  The thrill of coming as media to the show, is the opportunity to talk directly to the designers and product managers, who aim for transparency, who definitely have passion for their products, and who answer any question without hesitation (at least to me, they did.)    Overall, what I experienced was that it didn’t matter whether it was GM, Ford, Mercedes, BMW or any other company…the people who work for the car companies believe in their products and they all recognize that a huge mindset shift is not only taking  place, but has to take place.  Is there a far way to go?  Yes.  Decades.  But is the auto industry moving in the right direction?  Yes.

It isn’t possible to imagine the American car industry turning around the whole ship in a year or two.  Imagine the ship.  When you are a small, nimble company, yes, sure, you can spin on a dime.  See a big iceberg ahead?  You can easily steer around it because you don’t have big bulk to move.  But when you are as big as GM, or Ford, or Chrysler…to turn the ship,  you have to lay in the course and turn it one little tiny degree at a time…miles ahead of the iceberg.  Forget that thousands of people have been laid off at the carmakers.   What that has done is put the same massive amount of work on the shoulders of less people.  That doesn’t make a company more nimble…it just makes it leaner.  Focusing GM on fewer lines makes is leaner, and a bit more nimble…but still, to expect a company of this size to make seismic shifts in a nanosecond…won’t happen…fired President or no.  It will take years to redirect the ship and recognizing that, and making choices that will shape decades, is the direction that needs to be taken. 

Renewable energy, alternative fuel systems…that is the direction to go, and talking to the designers and engineers and product managers…it isn’t just the car companies that have to make the shift.  So the right direction is around the iceberg.  And not just the car companies.  Our entire culture, infrastructure and economy needs to move around the iceberg, a degree at a time.

Volt is on the left and Cruze is on the right

The great thing about the Auto Show media events is that you get to speak with the designers and marketers and really get inside their heads and their visions for their cars.  Today’s Chevrolet event highlighted the Volt and the Cruze.  [...]]]>

Volt is on the left and Cruze is on the right

The great thing about the Auto Show media events is that you get to speak with the designers and marketers and really get inside their heads and their visions for their cars.  Today’s Chevrolet event highlighted the Volt and the Cruze.  The designers did a good job showcasing the clean lines, crisp looks and the interior detailing.  I was able to have a chat with Margaret Brooks, Marketing Director, Cruze to get her unique perspective on this vehicle’s strengths and positioning.  Of course, I’m always interested in how a car will apply to the Boomer and 50 plus demographic, more so than the engine horsepower (what is that, anyway?), wheel size or base, or whatever, or how the wind slides aerodynamically over windshield to spoiler.  I look at whether or not I’d buy the car.

The Cruze is going head-to-head with the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla, and it’s a good contender!  The design is very good, the car feels roomier than either the Civic or the Corolla…but more than that, the interior is really nice.  I could hang out in it.  It’s not really the right car for me and my current lifestyle — I’m still in the minivan/SUV/station wagon category, but it is a great downsize vehicle for empty-nesters. 

I asked Margaret about the point of differences in this vehicle.  Basically there are 4 key areas. 

1. The styling.  No question, a strong, clean, crisp exterior. 
2. The interior.  In Margaret’s words, the vehicle boasts a “surprise interior, with a richer, more upscale feel than you’d find in a compact car.” (I agree — and lots of bells and whistles.)  
3. Roominess.  Indeed the Cruze has a large interior and is wider inside than last year due to an expanded wheel base.  (You push the tires out to the max and it gives you a few more interior inches…see?  I was listening.)
4. Fuel economy.  Their new 1.4 liter turbo-charge engine (hope I got that right) combines fuel economy and fuel efficiency…to the tune of 40 mpg.    Bingo.  A winner.

Keep your eyes on Cruze campaigns.  A very solid competitor for tight pocketbooks.