Hummers to carry GM Badge

[PARAGON]

Lutz says U.S. engineers need more hands-on training
April 12, 2005, 5:37 PM


DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors Corp. executive Bob Lutz said Tuesday that U.S. automakers could streamline their design process if American engineers were trained more like their Asian and European counterparts.

"We are actually training our engineers to be managers while the rest of the world trains them to be doers," Lutz said during a speech at the annual conference of the Society of Automotive Engineers in Detroit. GM announced last week that Lutz was stepping down as GM's North American chairman to focus full-time on global product development.

Lutz said Asian and European engineers are trained in drafting and can draw a new design on the spot when they run into problems. U.S. engineers often need to call in designers to do the drawing and may take weeks to figure out a solution, he said.

"It's somewhat bureaucratized, and it's a slow process," Lutz said. "It's because we don't have the bone-deep understanding of what's in there and the ability to draw and model without pulling in a bunch of specialists."

Lutz said fewer kids grow up working on cars and playing with Erector sets, which give them the intuition they can't get from computers or mathematical models.

"Today everything is prepackaged and ready to go," Lutz said. "Worse yet, a lot of the tinkering that used to be done on cars is now prohibited by federal emissions regulations, in that everything is tamperproof."

Lutz said GM has been trying to combat the problem with a three-year-old program that trains engineers, including some in the middle of their careers, to do their own drafting.

"It's going to take a while to get all our engineers through this program, but believe me, it's going to be worth it," Lutz said.

Lutz said engineers also will be helped by the company's new global focus. For too long, he said, GM's geographic divisions have been run as entirely separate operations. Last week's management shuffle was part of the new focus, Lutz said.

Lutz said GM's new mid-size Epsilon platform, which is being developed by a global team, is another part of the strategy. The platform will be used for different vehicles around the world.

"We can no longer afford to do engineering and design several times over around the world," Lutz said.

GM has been struggling this year in the U.S. market, where sales are down 3.8 percent for the year. Last month, the company slashed its earnings forecast for the year and announced second-quarter production cuts.

In an effort to boost the company's identity, GM announced Tuesday it will be putting the GM badge on all vehicles -- including Saab, Cadillac, Saturn and Hummer brands -- in the North American market starting in the 2006 model year.

GM shares fell 25 cents to close at $29 in Tuesday trading on the New York Stock Exchange, near the low end of a 52-week range of $27.98 to $50.04.

[PARAGON]

Lutz says U.S. engineers need more hands-on training
April 12, 2005, 5:37 PM


DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors Corp. executive Bob Lutz said Tuesday that U.S. automakers could streamline their design process if American engineers were trained more like their Asian and European counterparts.

"We are actually training our engineers to be managers while the rest of the world trains them to be doers," Lutz said during a speech at the annual conference of the Society of Automotive Engineers in Detroit. GM announced last week that Lutz was stepping down as GM's North American chairman to focus full-time on global product development.

Lutz said Asian and European engineers are trained in drafting and can draw a new design on the spot when they run into problems. U.S. engineers often need to call in designers to do the drawing and may take weeks to figure out a solution, he said.

"It's somewhat bureaucratized, and it's a slow process," Lutz said. "It's because we don't have the bone-deep understanding of what's in there and the ability to draw and model without pulling in a bunch of specialists."

Lutz said fewer kids grow up working on cars and playing with Erector sets, which give them the intuition they can't get from computers or mathematical models.

"Today everything is prepackaged and ready to go," Lutz said. "Worse yet, a lot of the tinkering that used to be done on cars is now prohibited by federal emissions regulations, in that everything is tamperproof."

Lutz said GM has been trying to combat the problem with a three-year-old program that trains engineers, including some in the middle of their careers, to do their own drafting.

"It's going to take a while to get all our engineers through this program, but believe me, it's going to be worth it," Lutz said.

Lutz said engineers also will be helped by the company's new global focus. For too long, he said, GM's geographic divisions have been run as entirely separate operations. Last week's management shuffle was part of the new focus, Lutz said.

Lutz said GM's new mid-size Epsilon platform, which is being developed by a global team, is another part of the strategy. The platform will be used for different vehicles around the world.

"We can no longer afford to do engineering and design several times over around the world," Lutz said.

GM has been struggling this year in the U.S. market, where sales are down 3.8 percent for the year. Last month, the company slashed its earnings forecast for the year and announced second-quarter production cuts.

In an effort to boost the company's identity, GM announced Tuesday it will be putting the GM badge on all vehicles -- including Saab, Cadillac, Saturn and Hummer brands -- in the North American market starting in the 2006 model year.

GM shares fell 25 cents to close at $29 in Tuesday trading on the New York Stock Exchange, near the low end of a 52-week range of $27.98 to $50.04.

[PARAGON]

GM to add corporate badge to its vehicles - Move reflects consumer confidence in "the brand behind the brand"
GM adds corporate badge to its recently-introduced and all-new 2006-model vehicles

Detroit - In a move to link General Motors and its vehicle brands more closely, the company today announced that its corporate emblem will begin appearing on all recently-introduced and all-new 2006-model vehicles produced and sold in North America starting this month. GM vehicle brands include Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Saab, Hummer and Saturn.

"The GM badge is a promise of trust to our customers, reflecting our commitment to deliver the best value to them," said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Our own studies show that consumers place a tangible value on the General Motors name. They like knowing that the car or truck they're driving benefits from GM's global expertise in powertrain, design, engineering, and advanced electronics. Our recent announcement that StabiliTrak (ESC) and OnStar will gradually become standard features on all GM cars and trucks is a tangible illustration of what GM adds to the individual and unique character of our product brands. We believe the time is right to capitalize on those impressions, starting in North America."

LaNeve noted that the GM badge conveys an important message to consumers. "The name 'General Motors' speaks to people," he said. "It is a name people trust. We've been in business nearly 100 years and we're the global sales leader. Research tells us that many of our most outstanding segment-leading vehicles are not associated by the customer to be part of the GM portfolio. Seeing that GM badge on vehicles evokes our heritage of leadership and makes an easy connection between our great lineup of vehicle brands and the company behind them."

The move reflects the growing trend, uncovered in GM's own research as well as in surveys and studies conducted by private firms, that consumers seek closer identity with the brands behind their favorite products.

The GM badge will take the form of a small silver square, embossed with the GM logo, placed on both sides of the vehicle on an appropriate location between the front and rear wheels above the rocker and below the glass belt line.

[funpilot]

Can it be removed?

[funpilot]

There is a very lengthy discsussion on this topic on GMinsideNews. 99% is negative. I will ask my dealer to remove it and mail it back to GM. I am actually beginning to have second thoughts looking at how desperate GM is getting.

[VTSTOMPER]

That is lame. Oh...GM had something to do with the Hummer? GTFO! Dude, I learn every day!

Stamp it on the inner frame rail...

It sounds to me that GM just wants to put out a "By the way...we sign the check for these guys too!" NO KIDDING!

[mbdougl]

What is the big deal, the H2 is a GM product. Check under the hood, that vortec 6.0L is strikingly similar to the Sillverado I used to drive I am sure it won't be stamped across the back in giant letters.

[KenP]

After reading that I can't really talk.
I wonder if Ford is going to do that to it's fleet. Another very desparate move.

[GeorgeSSSS]

This is a really bonehead move by Bob Lutz, who generally knows better. Fiat does not put its emblem on the side of a Ferrari. Volkswagon doesn't put an encircled VW on the side of a Bugatti or Lamborghini. There are many other similar examples.

The idea of the "division brand" is that it represents an autonomous unit that produces a product which is distinct from the parent brand. Fiat and Ferrari are the best example of how this should work. Roger Smith nearly destroyed GM with "badge engineering" which meant that a Chevy was the same as a Cadillac except for the badge. After that fiasco, GM said, "never again." Now, Lutz is moving back to bluring the distinction between the "divsion brands."

About as stupid as it gets. They're paving the way for the urban legend that an H2 is a Tahoe with a different body. Hopefully they'll wise up.

George SSSS

[HUMMERDOGG]

I say let them do it, but remember, you might regret what you are asking for...

I'll expect the H1 I buy to have the same type warranty period as any other GM vehicle. Speaking of H1 being a GM, where the hell is my XM Radio? How about my OnStar?

And don't bitch to me when I have 5x more service issues that any other "GM Division Brand" vehicle you have in your lineup. It's a GM, I expect ""Mr. Goodwrench" to take care of my ass. And don't think I'm going to continue to pay the Hummer premium on replacement parts that are the same as in other GM vehicles. I drive a GM now, don't bend me over...

Anyways, pathetic, truly pathetic.

Can you feel that??? It's called reaching...

[h2co-pilot]

Here's a picture....

[ckhagman]

I wonder if this would be a global effort or just North America. It would be funny to see the emblem on a Fiat. I think all companies should do it. A general German type logo on all Dodges, Jeep's, etc. and even a big french flag on Infiniti's and Nissan's.

I did read somewhere that GM has around $24billion in cash and that one thing that they would really benefit from would be acquistion. I say buy Honda or BMW (these 2 where mentioned in the article) or better yet I think they should merge with Toyota. They each have their hands in each other pocket anyway. I have a story and how they are linked together but it is early and can't find it. I will prove it later today when I find it.

[Hart1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Stamp it on the inner frame rail... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Lol, good one

[usetosellhummer]

Remember Lutz was just demoted and if you belive everything GM says then just sit down with a dealership owner for a few minutes and he will straighten you out. Pop it off and mail it to them. If they are that broke it will be glued on, not drilled.

[Yetti]

Is the "Badge" going to be the equivilent of the "trail rated" Badge?

[HGW]

GM are boneheads. They now need to devalue the Hummer by putting their emblem on them---don't worry, it will be able to come off easily.

[ckhagman]

I read in an article that people want to associate with the brand behind the products they are buying. Last time I checked, Chevy, HUMMER, Saturn, ARE the brands. GM is the parent company.

In an age where people are running away from GM why do they think this will help them. I say take the $26billion in cash that they have from last year and go shopping. BMW, Honda, Toyota are all hot targets. BMW and Honda was suggested in an article that I read and Toyota I through in because the 2 of them are already working together on various products. Doing an early buyout of AM General would not do much for there consumer market share so that is out.

[Andy C]

Gasp - H2 is built by GM - no way.

I bought my H2 because of how the specs added up - how it looked and how it rode - I didnt even consider who had made it - I didnt care - if GM finally badging it is going to "devalue" it in your opinions - then I am glad I got rid of mine.

Everyone knows GM builds them - unless you happen to live in a moss covered hole in the ground in central Mongolia (and I would be suprised if they didnt know as well to be honest). They will still be the same impressively specced offroad vehicles and anyone that feels that they will lose credibility just because a little badge appears on the side of them shouldnt be driving it in the first place - it basically tells me you are more worried about your personal image than the capabilities of the vehicle you are driving.

[ckhagman]

Well if we want to get technical GM DOES NOT build the H2. They only build the H3. They PAY AM General to Build the H2.

Be that as it may, I would like the GM badge to be displayed on the rocker panels. Then it would really be taken off easliy.

On another note for GM to go shopping this year, maybe they should complete the aquisition to buy the rest of Fiat and start finishing off Ferrari. Just think if they purchase the rest of Ferrari they wouldn't have to worry about "purchasing" the headlights for the Vette

That GM badge would look great on an Enzo...