Future of GM???

[Tom D]

Thought I would share something that really bothered me today. Hopefully someone can put this to rest cause I am really feeling discouraged with GM. My brother in-law sent me this link to a U-Tube video about GM and China. I cant begin to tell you how crappy I feel. So I contacted GM and had an online chat session with them which I posted below. Somebody please tell me this is way off base. I have been a GM fan all my life. I have four GM vehicles in my garage and drive right now. Here is the GM website I went to...

http://www.gm.com/company/investors.html

Here is what I saw on U-Tube



Here is my chat with GM rep...

Welcome to Chevrolet. Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
19:54:21Matt:Hello! Thank you for contacting Chevrolet. My name is Matt, how may I help you today?
19:55:06Customer:I just saw some disturbing footage about GM investing large portions of the company in China. Is this true?
19:56:28Customer:I have four GM vehicles in my drive as we talk all bought to support a company that used my tax dollars to stay afloat. Now I find the effort was focused to move large parts of the company to China???
19:56:46Customer:What gives?
19:57:24Matt:Thanks for chatting with us today! I show that there are plans to expand jobs in Korea.
19:57:33Matt:Let me see if I can get other information for you.
19:59:10Matt:I'm sorry I don't show any more information in my resources.
19:59:58Customer:Your kidding right. This web site has substantial amount of info about it.
20:00:41Customer:And you cant find anything?
20:00:55Matt:The answers we are typically able to provide are for questions regarding vehicles, current incentives and most other new vehicle product questions.
20:02:11Customer:Sorry you are so either miss informed or not informed. FAQCall Me


2000 characters left


End Session

[FenwickHockey65]

GM has joint ventures in China.

So does Ford.

WGAS.

It's a global economy. China is the largest automotive market in the world and it would be flat-out stupid and economically disastrous for GM not to compete in it.

And no, I didn't watch the video because I can tell from the title it will be absolutely ridiculous. If you want to give me the cliffnotes I can debunk it for you.

[FenwickHockey65]

Oh my God.

Just watched the first minute of it and it's already ridiculous.

GM has an R&D center in China because the Chinese market demands specific cars. That Wuling van they showed, do you honestly believe the North American market would settle for something like that? As big as China is, it still is in many respects, a developing market. A good chunk of the cars GM sells in China would never fly in the US.

As for the launch of the new Malibu, it's funny how they failed to mention that the Chinese launch coincided with the launch of the Malibu in New York ON THE SAME DAY.

Also, it's hilarious how surprised they are at how so many GM vehicles are built outside the US. What global company bases all its operations in one country? That makes ZERO economic sense and creates supply and logistical nightmares. GM sells vehicles in every continent on the planet except Antarctica. It only makes sense that said vehicles are built where or near where they're sold.

My advice to you: Find yourself an objective source of information. Not an obviously politically motivated Youtube video. Most of the morons who make these videos really don't know anything at all about the automotive industry.

[derklug]

If you want to sell in China, you have to build in China. It's true from cars to toothpaste. Luckily for them, we don't have the same policy.

[BlackenedSS]

I was sent this as well. Just another ridiculous politically charged chain email. All of the major corporations in the U.S. are looking to branch out into any and all parts of the world. And why not? There money spends just like everyone else's. Or its just another Communist scheme to take over the world one Volt at a time...

[Tom D]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Oh my God.

Just watched the first minute of it and it's already ridiculous.

GM has an R&D center in China because the Chinese market demands specific cars. That Wuling van they showed, do you honestly believe the North American market would settle for something like that? As big as China is, it still is in many respects, a developing market. A good chunk of the cars GM sells in China would never fly in the US.

As for the launch of the new Malibu, it's funny how they failed to mention that the Chinese launch coincided with the launch of the Malibu in New York ON THE SAME DAY.

Also, it's hilarious how surprised they are at how so many GM vehicles are built outside the US. What global company bases all its operations in one country? That makes ZERO economic sense and creates supply and logistical nightmares. GM sells vehicles in every continent on the planet except Antarctica. It only makes sense that said vehicles are built where or near where they're sold.

My advice to you: Find yourself an objective source of information. Not an obviously politically motivated Youtube video. Most of the morons who make these videos really don't know anything at all about the automotive industry.

Thanks for your candid points of view and I am doing exactly that. Looking for information to satisfy my lack of understanding. Like I said I am an avid GM fan and even own stock in the company (though not doing so well). Just gave me kind of a sinking feeling in my gut to watch that. And then the GM rep only giving me canned responses was a kick you know where. I'll be doing some more research for sure.

[THUMPER20X]

How about better ****ing paint?

[yzrider58]

GM does need to compete on a global level. In China they go nuts for American cars so why not keep the company healthy and compete.

As far as less vehicles being built in America. Blame the unions and their chokehold on the government and corporations. Japanese cars built here don't have unions, which saves them at least $25 per man hour.

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by yzrider58

GM does need to compete on a global level. In China they go nuts for American cars so why not keep the company healthy and compete.

As far as less vehicles being built in America. Blame the unions and their chokehold on the government and corporations. Japanese cars built here don't have unions, which saves them at least $25 per man hour.

I think after the 2009 debacle, the big three are now within a few dollars per hour of the transplants. Check me on that, but those were internal numbers from when I was still there.

The China market is expected to reach 30,000,000 units in 10 years or so. You'd be a fool not to at least try. Today, with a market equal to the U.S., Mercedes, BMW and Audi sell 1,000,000 units in China............EACH. Now these are JVs and to keep China happy you have to "reinvest" in China. But that is a huge number of luxury vehicles and you can't pass it up. Like a crack addict walking past a dark alley, you can't at least check out the possiblity.

[GunnyG]

Viewed as propoganda. Any video highlighting the bailout, government budget, and what not usually has a political means. Yep, GM took taxpayer money and shored up its global business practice. Big deal...now enjoy your 3 GM vehicles and be thankful the warranties will hold up. Good luck to you, sir!

[8cd03gro]

Originally Posted by Number 3

I think after the 2009 debacle, the big three are now within a few dollars per hour of the transplants. Check me on that, but those were internal numbers from when I was still there.

The China market is expected to reach 30,000,000 units in 10 years or so. You'd be a fool not to at least try. Today, with a market equal to the U.S., Mercedes, BMW and Audi sell 1,000,000 units in China............EACH. Now these are JVs and to keep China happy you have to "reinvest" in China. But that is a huge number of luxury vehicles and you can't pass it up. Like a crack addict walking past a dark alley, you can't at least check out the possiblity.

Starting wages are similar, but pay increases are much more frequent with the Unions than in right-to-work states and benefits in Union positions are considerably greater. There is nothing wrong with manufacturing abroad and it's beneficial for the company. The combination of our high pay-grades and trade policies make it more feasible to outsource as much labor as possible than to keep more domestic labor. It's very unfortunate that the American people bailed out these corporations to spur economic growth within the country and it really hasn't had the desired effect, though this is the result of many other factors, a great many of which are international.

[1954 Belair-man]

I'am just speechless! So its ok to take our tax $$ and alot of good paying jobs over to a communist country so they can reap the profits so they can in turn come here and buy up America? OMG! I'am i the only one that see's whats happening here?

[ron10]

as long as GM doesn't import cars to the US from china,i'm good.

[1954 Belair-man]

Originally Posted by ron10

as long as GM doesn't import cars to the US from china,i'm good.

What do you think is on China mind? Hopefully its not in my life time. Your already starting to see the piece's falling in place.