GM to make ventilators

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by Deputy Dog

Seems Mary Barra, gave Trump a hard time and wanted to back out of making them. Trump forced her using this new emergency act. Sad.
I guess Mary is not too patriotic when it comes to sacrifice in helping out fellow Americans. Trump said Mary always gives him a hard time when trying to get things done.😡

What fake news are you reading to get that BS?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...97sATP39CuQXSc

https://www.axios.com/us-ventilator-...9f7f4cdbf.html

GM has people working 20 hour days pulling off what will be a near miracle from a manufacturing and logistics point of view. You may not grasp what this takes, I do.

And the saddest part is, the President will take credit after GM comes through.

The President if anything caused Mary Barra to go "WTF, I've got a plant almost ready to go" He forced nothing but his own agenda on GM closing Lordstown Assembly, which pissed him off, especially with the election coming.

Don't disagree with the President often, but he was WAY out of line on this one. And sorry, but so are you.

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by Petrol Head

Mary is a witch. She has no idea what to do with Cadillac and making it all electric doesn’t change the fact people just aren’t impressed with their design direction. She’s waffled in what to do with the Camaro. Buick is null and void since she became CEO. GM’s market share is not improving. Even the new Silverado interior design lags the F-150 by most critics. About the only thing she’s done right that everyone universally approves of is the C8 Corvette.

My biggest problem with her is that she’s a GM lifer. She Was hired in 1979 straight out of college as a quality control engineer. Which is where every engineer starts life after college. Quality control. Here kid, sit at your desk all day and make sure these parts fit and work together. That same year the Olds 350 diesel went to full scale production. Coincidence?

The board needs to start looking for her replacement now. GM needs an infusion of young and new ideas with real leadership skills who was NOT with the company when the Cimaron came out.

First, you are correct on the Silverado interior.

You are also correct on Cadillac, but incorrect to blame her. Her past 10 predecessors put it in a position where it's frankly impossible to fix without a complete change in direction, which she is at least trying with EV technology that on first blush, looks pretty solid.

Second, you are not correct on some other things.

How has Mary Barra waffled on the Camaro? Were you in meetings or something? It's a fail in market for a few reasons we've all discussed.

I never started in Quality Control and frankly never worked in Quality Control anywhere. It's not even a requirement for an engineer to work in the plant.
Not a requirement anywhere I've worked (3 OEMs)

Buick is gangbusters in China. That's all the matters in this discussion. Yep it hurts Chevy here in the US as it forces a glass ceiling for content and features, but that's been the case for years. Go look at Buick's lineup in China. They have a mini-van.

Lastly, GM has said they are ALL about profit, not market share. And in that light she has done exceedingly well which is why, as much as you hope, the board will not show her the door.

And lastly, you may not realize this but a CEO doesn't make product decisions. The CEO will approve financial decisions of which product programs are part of. The guy running Cadillac is Steve Carlisle. Now if you want an Elon Musk or Steven Jobs type CEO, different conversation. But they are both very unique cases.

[Petrol Head]

Originally Posted by Number 3

I never started in Quality Control and frankly never worked in Quality Control anywhere. It's not even a requirement for an engineer to work in the plant.
Not a requirement anywhere I've worked (3 OEMs).

The point is that her foundation for her career and everything she learned in her most formidable years were all bad. That was the bad, TERRIBLE GM. You can’t even argue with that no matter how hard you try.

There was NOTHING good that came out of GM from the late 70s through the early 90s. No product, no employee. Now, to be fair it was like that with every car manufacturer. But again, my point is that she was the LAST person anyone should have picked to be CEO.

There were more than likely one of two reasons she was picked and you don’t want to discuss either, I’m sure about that.

They need someone who is currently successful at another car company who has zero ties to GM.

[Deputy Dog]

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

She won’t step down from GM! She was endorsed by Obama while he was in office so we can’t expect anything else!

True!

[90503]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Buick is gangbusters in China. That's all the matters in this discussion. Yep it hurts Chevy here in the US as it forces a glass ceiling for content and features, but that's been the case for years. Go look at Buick's lineup in China. They have a mini-van.

Lastly, GM has said they are ALL about profit, not market share. And in that light she has done exceedingly well which is why, as much as you hope, the board will not show her the door.

Yep, thanks for admitting it. We know her and GMs priorities. Dealing with China is a suicide mission, but a must-do for profits, the US be damned. I'm sure Mary will be there with a bid for a potential profit on the hanging rope, too.

Lenin wrote, “When it comes time to hang the capitalists, they will vie with each other for the rope contract.”

After all, there is a profit to be made.

[Deputy Dog]

Originally Posted by Number 3

What fake news are you reading to get that BS?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...97sATP39CuQXSc

https://www.axios.com/us-ventilator-...9f7f4cdbf.html

GM has people working 20 hour days pulling off what will be a near miracle from a manufacturing and logistics point of view. You may not grasp what this takes, I do.

And the saddest part is, the President will take credit after GM comes through.

The President if anything caused Mary Barra to go "WTF, I've got a plant almost ready to go" He forced nothing but his own agenda on GM closing Lordstown Assembly, which pissed him off, especially with the election coming.

Don't disagree with the President often, but he was WAY out of line on this one. And sorry, but so are you.

I got the info from the Mouth of Trump and Navarro. Did you see Trump's news conference on Thur..or maybe it was Fri??? Peter Navarro was on some show yesterday and said it. Is that the new definition of Fake news now?

[ChevyRules]

Originally Posted by Deputy Dog

I got the info from the Mouth of Trump and Navarro. Did you see Trump's news conference on Thur..or maybe it was Fri??? Peter Navarro was on some show yesterday and said it. Is that the new definition of Fake news now?

And what makes Trump trustworthy and not trying to score political points? Simply because he is a President you support?

GM already was working on converting a plant for ventilator production well before Trump used the DPA on them.... So something is missing from the picture Trump is painting.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/21/2...sk-coronavirus

[vtirocz]

Originally Posted by Number 3

What fake news are you reading to get that BS?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...97sATP39CuQXSc

https://www.axios.com/us-ventilator-...9f7f4cdbf.html

GM has people working 20 hour days pulling off what will be a near miracle from a manufacturing and logistics point of view. You may not grasp what this takes, I do.

And the saddest part is, the President will take credit after GM comes through.

The President if anything caused Mary Barra to go "WTF, I've got a plant almost ready to go" He forced nothing but his own agenda on GM closing Lordstown Assembly, which pissed him off, especially with the election coming.

Don't disagree with the President often, but he was WAY out of line on this one. And sorry, but so are you.

Originally Posted by Number 3

First, you are correct on the Silverado interior.

You are also correct on Cadillac, but incorrect to blame her. Her past 10 predecessors put it in a position where it's frankly impossible to fix without a complete change in direction, which she is at least trying with EV technology that on first blush, looks pretty solid.

Second, you are not correct on some other things.

How has Mary Barra waffled on the Camaro? Were you in meetings or something? It's a fail in market for a few reasons we've all discussed.

I never started in Quality Control and frankly never worked in Quality Control anywhere. It's not even a requirement for an engineer to work in the plant.
Not a requirement anywhere I've worked (3 OEMs)

Buick is gangbusters in China. That's all the matters in this discussion. Yep it hurts Chevy here in the US as it forces a glass ceiling for content and features, but that's been the case for years. Go look at Buick's lineup in China. They have a mini-van.

Lastly, GM has said they are ALL about profit, not market share. And in that light she has done exceedingly well which is why, as much as you hope, the board will not show her the door.

And lastly, you may not realize this but a CEO doesn't make product decisions. The CEO will approve financial decisions of which product programs are part of. The guy running Cadillac is Steve Carlisle. Now if you want an Elon Musk or Steven Jobs type CEO, different conversation. But they are both very unique cases.

Well stated. I agree. I thought that was out of line given the sequence of events.

Originally Posted by ChevyRules

And what makes Trump trustworthy and not trying to score political points? Simply because he is a President you support?

GM already was working on converting a plant for ventilator production well before Trump used the DPA on them.... So something is missing from the picture Trump is painting.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/21/2...sk-coronavirus

Exactly. Something is missing from the story based on the actual timeline of events. Seems like a cheap shot to make it look like his team is doing something and to take credit for GM and Ventec's work. I must admit, the tactic has worked though. People are gullible and many will believe his spin on things whether it's true or not.

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by vtirocz

Well stated. I agree. I thought that was out of line given the sequence of events.

Exactly. Something is missing from the story based on the actual timeline of events. Seems like a cheap shot to make it look like his team is doing something and to take credit for GM and Ventec's work. I must admit, the tactic has worked though. People are gullible and many will believe his spin on things whether it's true or not.

Time was the issue.

“Our fight against the virus is too urgent to allow the give-and-take of the contracting process to continue to run its normal course,” Trump said in a statement. “GM was wasting time. Today’s action will help ensure the quick production of ventilators that will save American lives”

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...virus-n1170746

[Deputy Dog]

Originally Posted by ChevyRules

And what makes Trump trustworthy and not trying to score political points? Simply because he is a President you support?

GM already was working on converting a plant for ventilator production well before Trump used the DPA on them.... So something is missing from the picture Trump is painting.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/21/2...sk-coronavirus

Actions speak louder than words...1 month ago we had the best economy in US history despite socialist and fake news throwing the kitchen sink at him. Could never figure out why people hated that.

[LT4Greg]

I agree with you Deputy Dog! Everyone here in the country needs to pull together instead of being so divided now and maybe we can weather the virus storm together!

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

I agree with you Deputy Dog! Everyone here in the country needs to pull together instead of being so divided now and maybe we can weather the virus storm together!

[closs2sx]

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

To each their own.

I own a 2020 RAM Limited and I will put it up against any truck on the market. But I should keep my non GM preferential posts to non GM forums

No sir you are free to have your opinion. I have good friends that drive dodge.....

[Number 3]

From Ken Morris, a senior Executive at GM.

For those outside the Detroit area - Guy Gordon is one of the most respected people in the media here - more facts about what my company is doing in reality to help our country in time of crisis. I’m personally offended ANYONE would attack us. We’re all in this together! #IworkforGM

From Guy Gordon:

On Friday, the President insinuated General Motors was acting un-patriotically, and was attempting to profiteer from the shortage of life-sustaining ventilators. He invoked the Defense Production Act, ordering them to produce the ventilators. But GM was already far ahead of any other company in moving forward and had in fact made the commitment to produce the ventilators “at cost” with Ventec, a leading ventilator provider.

Here are the facts:

Wednesday 3/18: GM Chairperson Mary Barra reaches out to White House Chief Economic Advisor Larry Kudlow and offers GM’s manufacturing and engineering capacity to fulfill the need for medical supplies. (Source: Axios, GM and White House)

Friday 3/20 GM and Ventec, a ventilator manufacturer from the Seattle area, announce they are undertaking a feasibility project to determine whether they can jointly initiate rapidly expanded production. (GM and Ventec joint release)

By Monday 3/23 GM and Ventec not only prove feasibility, but designate GM’s former electronics facility in Kokomo, Ind. as the “clean” facility for production. The UAW is asked to begin recruiting volunteers. It’s a labor intensive project and may need as many as 1,000 workers. GM’s purchasing chief informs Barra he has commitments from nearly all the suppliers needed for 700 components. He is confident the remaining 37 components can be sourced. (GM, Axios and Reuters)

Tuesday 3/24 Axios and Reuters report GM’s incredible progress. Ventec is told to anticipate an announcement from the White House about the impending contract. Ventec is ready to go but has still not received direction from the feds on how many ventilators it is ordering, making cost quotes per unit more difficult to estimate.

Wednesday 3/25 Without explanation the White House cancels the announcement and Ventec is told there will be no contract. Late that evening Ventec and GM agree to move forward anyway. GM agrees to help clear Ventec’s 20,000 unit back-order at cost. Essentially they agree to build a decade’s worth of ventilators in less than 2 months.

Thursday 3/26. NYT reports White House balks because they are trying to decide between different vendors who they believe can offer lower cost options. Ventec and GM prepare to announce their formal production agreement on Friday.

Friday 3/27 President threatens in 2 tweets to invoke “P” (Defense Production Act) against GM. Suggests they should build ventilators at Lordstown, a plant the White House knows GM no longer owns. They are also aware a much more practical electronics plant was chosen for production. He also insults Mary Barra who made the initial offer with prompting from no one.
Within 90 minutes, Ventec and GM announce their plans for production. They have hired 1,000 workers, a full shift, and have the sourcing to make 200,000 ventilators. They have printed training manuals and intend to start training in the new work week. All of these plans and progress occur well before any implied or actual threat from President Trump.

Friday Evening: The President announces he is invoking the Defense Production Act. It will not get things built any faster, but does eliminate the red tape normally associated with government contracting.

His new procurement czar Peter Navarro suggests many “patriotic” companies had come forward, but they hit a roadblock with GM. The President says, “we won’t pay double or triple for ventilators.” Yet GM and Ventec were producing them at cost. Throughout the briefing it’s implied they had difficult discussions with GM. In fact, Ventec is the primary contractor and handled all interaction beyond Barra’s original offer. When asked in opening Q and A whether cost and profit were a factor, the President was very candid. He doesn’t like GM.

President: “It got to be a debate over cost. We don’t want to think too much about cost when we’re talking about this. This is not about cost. I WASN’T HAPPY WHERE GENERAL MOTORS BUILT PLANTS IN OTHER LOCATIONS (MEXICO) OVER THE YEARS. ….. AND SO I DIDN’T GO INTO IT WITH A VERY FAVORABLE VIEW. I WAS EXTREMELY UNHAPPY WITH LORDSTOWN OHIO. THEY LEFT LORDSTOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN AUTO BOOM (in fact, sales of sedans produced at Lordstown were crashing). BECAUSE WE HAD 17 CAR COMPANIES COMING IN (?) AND THEN THEY WERE LEAVING ONE PLANT IN OHIO. I LOVE OHIO AND WHAT HAPPENS, THAT BECAME THE STORY.

AND FRANKLY I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO BUILD THE VENTILATORS. AND WE’LL SEE, WE’LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

SO I WASN’T TOO THRILLED.

“And then we thought we had a deal for 40,000 ventilators and then it became 6 and price became a big object. But Peter is getting involved… maybe they’ll change their tune.”

Sadly, the tune has always been the same. GM offered to help and in less than 10 days moved heaven and earth to find a location, hire a workforce, source a 700-part piece of technology, spec it out for suppliers and set employee training in motion. All of this to be delivered at cost, a cost that could have been pinned down better had the Government instructed how many they needed.
Maximum production for Ventec is 200 ventilators per month. GM was offering to build 100 times that many in a matter of a few months… needing less than a month for re-tooling and training. That is nothing short of incredible. Their thanks was a politically motivated shaming in a nationally televised White House briefing. GM was patriotic. GM was All-American. They will not profit. In fact, they may lose business because of the President’s diatribe. I wonder how many other companies are re-thinking their willingness to step up as a result.
But on Monday, GM will start making masks in Warren and begin training in Kokomo.

We remain focused and resilient.