The Passion of the Business
I’m writing this from Detroit after a long week of meetings. That's one part of "being global" that can take its toll...a global business requires a lot of travel and while it’s necessary, I can’t exactly say it’s the most enjoyable part of the job. But there is the exciting side of the business, where the travel is actually welcomed. This weekend I’m off to Austria where I’ll join some of our former race drivers at the 21st Kitzbühel Alpine Rally, which is one of the largest and most popular events for historic automobiles in Europe. We'll have some of our Opel historic collection on hand, including an Opel Diplomat Coupe that I'll get to pilot on some of the most beautiful alpine roads you could imagine. Given the challenges of the business right now, I'm sure you can understand why I can't wait for the weekend. But it also reminds me that our business is about emotion and excitement -- that's why people love cars. And it's why I love being in this business -- cars are about passion, precision and freedom -- things that I think all enthusiasts can identify with.
And speaking of enthusiasts, I promised to bring back a report from our massive dealer meeting in Germany this past week, where there was a tremendous amount passion flowing. We had more than 6,000 dealers from all of Europe, representing all of our brands. It was an amazing event just to witness. To keep their attention we rolled out a substantial amount of our future product portfolio for all the brands. Overall, I would say that what we showed gave our dealers a substantial boost in confidence on where we're driving the business. While we were careful not to give away too much info, we gave a clear signal that our brands are well supported by distinct and powerful designs that are well targeted at growth aspirations. It was an interesting contrast in sentiment....the traditional mature market dealers are clearly feeling the pressure of a tightening economic situation, while the dealers in the developing markets were seeing huge new opportunities. It's amazing the stark contrasts you can see in such a close geographic proximity. We also got substantial feedback on the issue of CO2 and the need to be at the forefront of the technological arsenal that will be needed to address future challenges with the environment. As we move to the 120 gpm standards in the EU, we're going to need every option available to thrive...it's the biggest challenge I've seen during my entire career. That's a great topic for a future post...stay tuned.
Thanks for all of your initial responses on the blog. I will stay as engaged on responding as quickly as time will permit. Thanks to the Blackberry, I'm able to get the blog responses forwarded to me quickly...I'll do my best to keep on top of things. If there's a delay in hearing back, understand it's simply a function of a very packed schedule!
All the best,
Carl-Peter
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- Posted in Carl-Peter Forster |
- Comments (7)
Comments (7)
A. Woodruffe said:
Hi Carl-Peter,
It sounds like the convention was very much a success, a small shame that the consumer’s appetite can’t be whet a little by the odd sketch of not to distant products.
I think you have highlighted the importance on how the auto industry will deal with the EU’s demands for lower emissions. It seems an almost impossible task as not only are more electronic devices (thus extra weight) required to meet new safety regulations for modern transportation but you are also expected to engineer power-trains to sub 120g/km.
It makes you wonder if although initially there is an expensive outlay, maybe optic fiber cabling could be part of the solution?
‘Downsizing’ seems to be the buzz word at the moment and we can see from GM’s concept vehicles; the Saab 9-x Bio-Hybrid and the OPEL Flex-stream that this can be achieved. With larger vehicles diesel motors seem to be key in keeping emissions under control but with an initial higher outlay, higher road taxes and now with higher fuel prices; a diesel variant doesn’t offer the advantages it used to. The problem is that an equivalent petrol version tend to produce around 15% more Co2. Is there an application that GME will implement in the next 3-6 months which you feel could be worth consideration for the petrol car buyer that will meet new EU standards?
Kind regards
Anthony
Jean-Charles Jacquemin said:
Mister Forster,
Thanks to partake with us a little part of the life of a "global" manager.
"Passion, precision and freedom" : if you allow me to do so, I will steal this expression from you to apply to my organization.
And as the concern on CO2 emissions and the price of oil is growing among people, I think paradoxally that this situation is a window of opportunity (as your post seems to imply in the case of GM) for all the companies and business units seizing it right now or even some time ago.
Nathan (aka HotCarNut) said:
Carl-Peter:
It's good to hear that dealers in Europe are enthusiastic about the future products. Can you give us an idea as to what kind of horizon these products spanned? For example, of the models shown will 90% be on the market within 24 months?
Best Regards,
Nathan
Carl-Peter Forster said:
Nathan,
Yes, most of all the products shown were within a 24-month window, in most cases. Many were right around the corner.
Carl-Peter
John Turnbow said:
Ok.. I want to see a 100+ MPG car... Then I'll buy GM again... These "loner" small companies are having success, why not the big three?
http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/8129227
Have faith, you build it and gas is $4.00+ per gallon and we'll buy it...
Till then, no GM for me.
tommy hollyfield said:
i would like to see chevy make tier cobalt's and some more of thier small cars allwheel drive,yes and i would like to see a v4 cylinder enginewith direct injection dual overhed cam's 6valve's per cylinder,plus optional tubo.i amm waiting for the sscocalbt to hit dealers around my area,and also on their extcab truck's make the back door's either open the same as front or slide open van type this would slide part i know would help people in back get out in tight spot's my self rather have extcab instead of a crew i would like to see these three thing's happen with chevy product's that i drive.ever sence i new what cars were i prefered chevy,espesically when it came to work on one, hardly ever and all enterchange,but they are some in all type's i like but i will only buy american made union made auto's,help do your part and stick with the big three,and let the rest yes iknow there good on gas ,but no better than chevy.pull them up and do a comparision,drive all for the money 2 door's drive better have more hp more touqe,and on average the cobalts and impalas after drive for a while get better than what the sticker states.i know this because i know people who have both and have used them for myself,when they needed a truck,or we trade for a week when we go on a long trip.
tommy hollyfield said:
what kind of car do you drive now that get's100mpg???if anyone can chevy can.till then and after then always chevy for me[ my prescious.]