The future of General Motors

[mchastek]

GM's sales continue to slide - they expect to lose around $850 million this quarter. GM's North American operations are losing $2 billion. In order to sell vehicles, they are resorting to large incentives, which drives down the profit per vehicle. Their stock is at a 13-year low, which costs GM about $2.7 billion in market value.

What do you think the future holds for General Motors? Will they separate out the more profitable brands and sell the rest off? How much longer can GM operate under current conditions?

[jtlesage]

General Motors has been in this situation many times over the years, although not when it's market share has been slipping like it has been lately. GM has various options for selling its vehicles and finding profit centers, methods that have enabled the company to get through other transitional phases. Changes in its UAW contract should allow for reduction in production capacity, which would help a lot. One of its main problems is passenger cars - focusing on design and new technology plus marketing would be a great place to start.

[Paul12801]

Hopefully GM pulls its head out of its a$$ and starts revamping things. There are so many things wrong with GM its not even funny.
Here is a small tidbit.
They should treat the customer not better, but the best.
They should make the best cars, not make them better. Toyota should only be second best.
They should price their cars right, the first time.
They should stop jerking employees/dealers/customers around.
They should handle recalls right. The first time.
They should stop saturating their market with more cars. Do we really need this many Buicks?
They should stop confusing the customer with all the rebates and incentives. Its only telling the customer its not worth it while it hurts used car values.
They should build cars people want.
They should build cars people value.
They should make a new General Motors.

I am not worried about GM. This is a good thing, provided they get their act together.

[bobcooke]

I thought Roger Smith was gone. How short sighted could GM be to make public statements about doing away with some franchises........then recanting.....They
have really confused the consumer.....