GM Vice Chairman talks about the company’s future
MIDLAND (WJRT) -- (10/02/09)--General Motors Corp. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz made a stop in Mid-Michigan Friday.
By Matt Franklin
He talked about the New GM post bankruptcy. Lutz was in Midland to open the Northwood University International Auto Show.
Lutz says GM is getting down to business. That means producing and selling cars that people want -- cars some dealers can't even keep on dealer lots.
Also, it means making the tough decisions, but he says it's the only way for GM to survive.
The rain may have dampened the opening of the Northwood University International Auto Show in Midland, but that didn't stop Lutz from beaming as he talked about the progress GM has been since coming out of bankruptcy.
"Our new vehicles like the Camaro are sold out. The new Chevy Equinox is sold out. The GMC Terrain is sold out," he said.
As GM travels down the road to recovery, it has been operating on billions of dollars in government loans. It has shed four of its brands and cut thousands of workers.
Lutz is optimistic those drastic changes are now in the rear view mirror.
"I think we are through the most of it," he said. "With the last round of cuts and capacity reductions, brand elimination and everything, I think we have practically all of it behind us."
Lutz says it's a new day for GM, one that is focused on high-quality products and a high-performance culture.
"If you don't produce, we aren't going to keep you very long. This is the way successful companies operate," he said. "We love our employees, but we don't love them if they don't produce."
Going forward is the primary goal for the automaker now.
"Financial results. The sooner we make money, the sooner people will believe we're back on the road to recovery," Lutz said.
Source: ABC