Separating Fact From Fiction With GM

GM has been pushing a major publicity campaign this year in part to keep people informed about where the company is heading, what new products are being planned, and how the company is doing. GM’s rapidfire introduction of upcoming models this summer arrived at a dizzying speed, timed to coincide with the company’s big centennial celebration on September 16th.

As you probably know, domestic auto sales for The General are down for the year, to the tune of 18.1% through August 2008. High gas prices, shifting consumer demand from big trucks and SUVs to smaller cars, and a sour economy have taken their toll for the automaker. Internationally, GM is fairing quite well, selling more cars in China than any other automobile maker and seeing strong sales in Latin America, Asia, and other key markets.

Here An Opinion, There An Opinion

One thing not lost on me is that everyone has an opinion about GM, where the company is going, how they should get there, and more. I count myself among that crowd, but I try to keep my speculation within reason.

Of course, I did suggest recently that GM and Proton were looking to hook up, a fact that has yet to be borne out in the news. That’s okay, at least I’m not signaling the company’s imminent demise despite multi-billion dollar losses, plant closings, and early retirement for tens of thousands of workers. Personally, I believe that GM will be in a much different place come Fall 2010 then they are in now thanks in part to the planned roll out of the Chevrolet Cruze, the Chevrolet Volt, and other new models currently in the pipeline.

GM Facts and Fiction Launches

To counter the various rumors, false reports, and misleading news, GM has set up a new website called, GM Facts and Fiction. The site “…aims to clarify misconceptions about the company” by addressing these issues one at a time. Among the many topics covered are:

GM is looking for a government bail out — They’ll take the federal cash, but want a loan not a donation.

The Volt is vaporware — The Truth About Cars has been especially harsh in this assessment. Then again, TTAC is harsh, period.

GM quality is not competitive — Buick and Cadillac have rated at or near the top in many consumer surveys over the past few years. Besides, the “J” cars are now a thing of the past! Where’s my Cadillac Cimarron?

GM no longer matters to the U.S. or its economy – Okay, I admit it: I majored in business while in college. Still, it should be obvious to everyone that if GM (or Ford or Chrysler) went under, the economy would be hit hard especially in the rust belt states. Regardless of what some people say or think, we’re still one America.

GM has too many brands — I might agree with that popular assessment especially if GM continues down the rebadge a car/truck/SUV/crossover road. Let’s face it: Cadillac and Chevrolet are the two bookend brands, while all of the rest are kind of meshed together. On the other hand, closing down a brand could prove financially disastrous, a move that cost GM major money when they killed off Oldsmobile in 2003.  Just sayin’….

Defensive or Offensive

What I have read on the new GM site so far seems pretty decent as the company isn’t being defensive and they aren’t lashing out over what is being said about them. PR folks know that everything on the web can be misconstrued or downloaded and used against them at some point in the future and are being careful to respond professionally and without rancor.

By the way, if you have a question you would like to see GM address, the new site allows you to email GM and ask them. If it is a question that GM deems significant enough to share, it could be posted to the site — let’s hope they give you a mention and a link back to your site too!

Be Sociable, Share!

•