GM V.P. Mark LaNeve on gas prices, hybrids and more

camaro5 · 05-30-2008, 08:35 PM

Mark LaNeve, GM's Vice President of Vehicle Sales, stopped by the Edmunds.com offices yesterday and spoke with us about the state of the industry and how GM fits into it. Mark's a remarkably straightfoward guy that breaks the stereotype of the double-talking executive, which makes for far more interesting conversation than is typical with automotive VPs.

Mark touched on several important topics, including:

1. Gas Prices: "People used to think of gas money like they thought of lunch money or postage bills. It was costing them something every month, but not enough to keep track of. Now, everyone knows what they are paying in monthly fuel costs."

2. Hybrids: "Right now we have three different hybrid systems on the market. In a few years we may have five different systems we utilize based on vehicle type and segment. But hybrids have to pencil. We have to get production costs down so the cars are profitable and priced right."

3. Diesel and E85: "Diesel is a great alternative except for the price of diesel. E85 is a great alternative except you can't get it anywhere."

4. Engine Size: "We are looking at everything to improve fuel mileage. Cars that use primarily 8s we are looking at getting 6s in them. Cars that use primarily 6s we are looking at getting 4s in them." Does this mean a four-cylinder Camaro is coming? "We're looking into it."

5. Model Quality vs. Quantity: "The Buick Enclave, by itself, is selling in better numbers than the Terraza, Rainier and Rendezvous sold when added together. We've told dealers that there will be fewer Pontiacs and Buicks in the model line-up, but they will be really good Pontiacs and Buicks."

6. Energy Solutions: "I'd like to see us be totally fossil fuel independent, but we need something along the lines of the Moon Shot. We need a comprehensive plan that has government and business working together. We can't simply regulate ourselves to energy independence."

7. Market Share vs Sales Numbers: "In almost every segment we've held, or improved, market share. But we're still down 800,000 units because the entire market is substantially down."

http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/20

*DGthe3* · 05-30-2008, 11:53 PM

I like that guy, and Lutz, and anyone else from the top of GM that I've heard from.

NOODLESgoneWILD · 05-31-2008, 01:01 AM

The old good thing that comes out of high gas prices is...better cars from fine MFG like GM.

05-30-2008, 08:35 PM	#1
camaro5 Drives: X-15 Velocipede Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SW Florida Posts: 4,630	GM V.P. Mark LaNeve on gas prices, hybrids and more Mark LaNeve, GM's Vice President of Vehicle Sales, stopped by the Edmunds.com offices yesterday and spoke with us about the state of the industry and how GM fits into it. Mark's a remarkably straightfoward guy that breaks the stereotype of the double-talking executive, which makes for far more interesting conversation than is typical with automotive VPs. Mark touched on several important topics, including: 1. Gas Prices: "People used to think of gas money like they thought of lunch money or postage bills. It was costing them something every month, but not enough to keep track of. Now, everyone knows what they are paying in monthly fuel costs." 2. Hybrids: "Right now we have three different hybrid systems on the market. In a few years we may have five different systems we utilize based on vehicle type and segment. But hybrids have to pencil. We have to get production costs down so the cars are profitable and priced right." 3. Diesel and E85: "Diesel is a great alternative except for the price of diesel. E85 is a great alternative except you can't get it anywhere." 4. Engine Size: "We are looking at everything to improve fuel mileage. Cars that use primarily 8s we are looking at getting 6s in them. Cars that use primarily 6s we are looking at getting 4s in them." Does this mean a four-cylinder Camaro is coming? "We're looking into it." 5. Model Quality vs. Quantity: "The Buick Enclave, by itself, is selling in better numbers than the Terraza, Rainier and Rendezvous sold when added together. We've told dealers that there will be fewer Pontiacs and Buicks in the model line-up, but they will be really good Pontiacs and Buicks." 6. Energy Solutions: "I'd like to see us be totally fossil fuel independent, but we need something along the lines of the Moon Shot. We need a comprehensive plan that has government and business working together. We can't simply regulate ourselves to energy independence." 7. Market Share vs Sales Numbers: "In almost every segment we've held, or improved, market share. But we're still down 800,000 units because the entire market is substantially down." http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/20 __________________ Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge General Motors ASEP, A.S. Automotive Technology, Telecommunications Specialist, CISCO Network Engineer STANDARD DISCLAIMER camaro5 is furnishing this information "as is". camaro5 does not provide any warranty of the information whatsoever, whether express, implied, or statutory, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or any warranty that the contents of the information will be error-free.

05-30-2008, 11:53 PM	#2
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	I like that guy, and Lutz, and anyone else from the top of GM that I've heard from. __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

05-31-2008, 01:01 AM	#3
NOODLESgoneWILD IS IT 2009 YET??? Drives: '05 Z51 Black Vette & '06 H2 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mill Creek, Washington Posts: 408	The old good thing that comes out of high gas prices is...better cars from fine MFG like GM.