

America’s car bosses

Three outsiders, three styles

Dan Akerson of GM doesn’t do hugs. Is this bad?

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Readers' comments


SET Sail

at least a couple are extremely good negotiators, and bluffers, we are talking textbook stuff as far as negotiation skills go. They've also sacrificed their personal life beyond what is arguably acceptable for families..

I read the book about mullays time at ford "saving an american icon". He sounds like hes been doing a good job. I always wondered as kid in the late 80s why the american and european range of ford was different. When had cars that are similar size in what at the time was european "medium" dupplication in american compacy. I did not twig with GM as they used different names in europe and the US.

Now ford selling european cars and american trucks in united states. The same to GM and chystler to an extent in respect of platforms sold outside american and sizes but the styling is more american.

The large bold american vechcile mechanically basic only a aviable in truck.

It does seem a little odd that dont compete in areas with comparative advanatages. For example the new cadillacs as good as they are would have thought be better margins on selling a smaller number of american style boats cadillac had such a strong brand. It seems strange that instead of using that value they spend lots time and money changing this to a sports brand. When could have used pontiac name for the sports model. Used the value already in the cadillac brand to sell high margin boats. Pontiac already had a kinda sports image.

I also wonder how much market is lost by gms and fords lack of v8s. As jaguar mercedes bmw hyundai audi. Manuftures that largly started making v8s for the american market offer these options. Just cant really see how if someone wanted the best the car, they would rather drive a 6 when v8s makes better noise and econony differences margin even in same size.

When people buy top end cars they not going to worry so much the most popular vechcile in america trucks, why is it cadillac buyers are on such a budget when it comes to fuel always wonder. Just seem kinda off when what has made a cadillac a cadillac for years is being v8 to extent the manufatures that took the market still offer v8s. Also why audi bmw and mercedes make personal couples and convertables. Have they spend there fuel allowance on there vechcile. Also I see on motorweek what is the mystering with the new malibu having a smaller wheelbase and less room in the back than the old.

It is interesting how well germany manuftaures have done making cars people want to buy.

I am not sure about sacrificing personal lifes as many smaller buiness or armed forces sacrifice personal lifes for very small amounts of money. For the money the role they perform and renuemeration they recive. It goes with terriroirty in these roles, so not amazing simpatetic when you have people on barely minium wage away from famrily for longer periods that have no choice as cant get better jobs. The 3 all chose the buiness over there family time. So dont feel as symaptic as those who have less options. I dont mean to rude but normal people can not use the coperate jet to commutte home at weekends.

sure, extremely few people are privileged enough to go back home on a Sunday on a helicopter, still very few spend 3/4 hrs every other weekend off work. Although one may not share much simpaty with such life regime, nevertheless believe you me this causes bad effects also on working relations :)


I see the new siverado what a beauty. THe v8 More economical than fords turbo v6s the artcile said is expected. The trucks amongst the only proper american vechciles with nice shape body and v8. Rather tham copying european vechciles with some melted in the sun look. Proper margins on pickups also. Actually build vechciles some one wants to buy. Rather than what some offical may recommend while driving a german made vechile them self.

I am no exbert may be market will change. But the aluimum f150 sounds a bit risky for the market leader. The f150 amongst fords most profitable vechile? easier to increased milage by dropping a diesel on it for where they could sell. Then again may be every one will want alloy but even if they do will they make more money and be able to build enough. Then may be they all will end up allow with smaller margins not much greater market. May be they should have gone for a beer to decide what the best way to maxmise profit.


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