OK, Bob. Thanks for the update.

This morning, I commented on the changes at GM and wondered if we'd hear Bob Lutz's take on them.

Well, we have.

Here's what I like about this.

Forget your feelings about whether or not GM can turn things around fast enough to handle the combined effects of global economic changes, pensioner health care costs and a whale of a lot of auto competition.  OK, so that's a lot to forget.  But, what I mean is, Bob's explanation of these changes as an attempt at focusing executive efforts on things that matter makes sense.  If GM is to make it long term, customer-centric product development will be one of the key elements of that success.  Having a design/development pro like Bob Lutz focusing on product 100% of the time sounds like a good decision to me. Time will tell.

From a blogging perspective, it's refreshing to have Bob quickly and simply explain these changes from his point of view.  I think we're seeing something pretty interesting in the GM Fastlane Blog.  It will be fascinating to see how transparent Bob and his colleagues will be as the story of one of America's corporate giants continues to unfold. 

PR?  Maybe some.  BS?  I don't think so.  What do you think? 

Comments

[Peter Flaschner]

I think these are very interesting days. PR indeed, but that's what blogs are best at. I propose we change PR from Public Relations to Public Relationships. The difference? Traditional PR requires the media to act as intermediary. Now that we're all ultra hip and media saavy, we're reluctant to take info we receive through those channels to heart. Blogs like Bob's on the other hand, seem to do a bit of an end run around my own distrust. Sure, I know his thoughts are probably heavily self-edited, but at least their personal, and that really counts.

It will be interesting to see if this continues, or if I get hardened to corporate blogs like GM's when the inevitable fake-blogger scandals emerge...

[Tom Guarriello]

Wow, changing Public Relations to Public Relationships is a great idea, Peter. I'm stealing it right now! And your phrase, "doing an end run around...distrust" is a terrific one.

Thanks for the comment.

[Peter Flaschner]

The pleasure is all mine...

[Keith]

So, Bob has been with GM for four years now. He was orginally brought onboard to focus 100% of his time on product development. Now, his NEW position is to focus 100% of his time on product development. What have you been doing for the past four years?

How do products like the new quartet of minivans, yes minivans - they are not sport cross-over vans!, get by you? And why is there a minivan in the Pontiac Division (Excitement remember)? How does an H3 with a 5-cylinder engine get in the portfolio? Don't get me wrong, the H3 is great, I like it, but a 5-cylinder engine? That's just depressing!

By the way, blaming the media for GMs problems makes you sound like a spoiled executive who's used to getting his way. News flash, customers aren't by GMs products! Fix the real problem!

How about a Pontiac car that is akin to the BMW 3-series (in looks and performance) but sells for 5 to 7 grand less. That'll create Excitement. How about a complete re-design of the Grand Prix, complete with comfortable seats!

I apologize for the tone of this post, but I love GM, and I want some real vehicles. Stop mailing it in!