I wrote this just for fun, opinions, anyone?
What I would Do If I ran General Motors

This little essay was prompted by the recent story of GM suffering the largest profit loss in its history. This along with declining market share is bring the once unstoppable automotive juggernaut to its knees, and turning what was once the boldest and most innovative car company into a perennial also-ran. This is really too bad because this hurts real people, the workers, the suppliers and the loyal customers. So I thought I would propose a few product and model changes that would over the long run restore profitability and prestige back to the top car company. My plan would meet the CAFÉ regs and still allow GM to make plenty of money, eliminate unprofitable products and put GM back into the lime light as a true leader in the industry. I will go division by division.

Chevrolet:

Aveo: Re-badge and sell as a Saturn.

Cobalt: Kill this one. The reason being is that labor costs. an American car company cannot produce an econo-box matching the quality, feature content, and engineering of vehicles like the Mazda 3, and Honda Civic for anywhere near the same money. This car and its predecessor, the Caviler existed solely to pump the CAFÉ.. In the nearly twenty years of production the Caviler did not add one dime to the bottom line and cost GM millions in marketing, development and research. The Cobalt will likely suffer the same fate. There are more profitable ways to satisfy CAFÉ.

HHR: See Cobalt

Malibu: This car is actually off to a good start. The reviews are very positive and in engineering and features it’s a good match for Accord, Camry, and Altima. It does need to be fleshed out a bit. I recommend an “SS” model with 270HP, ground effects, spoiler kit, 20 inch wheels, a quicker steering ratio, and a six speed manual. Also GM should develop a Hybrid-Diesel version with a target of 40MPG Hwy, 32-33MPG in town. Also a premium V-6 two door should be added, and a convertible from the same platform. This will make for a very strong entry in the family class.

Impala: Time to get serious. This needs to go rear-drive. It should share the chassis and suspension from the Pontiac G8. I would recommend a little longer wheelbase and slightly longer body with just a bit softer ride. The base engine should the 3.6 with 270-275 HP and the up-level would be a V8 with around 320HP. Later in the cycle introduce a high performance SS model with 350HP and a diesel V6 with a target mileage of 35 MPG. The reasoning on the switch to RWD is that a front wheel drive loses its effectiveness with cars over 3700lbs and with anything larger than a six cylinder.

Camaro: no recommendations here just make it with good quality and offer plenty of color choices.

Corvette: Now that the new Camaro is arriving there is no reason for GM to have 2 front engine high performance sports cars. Time to turn the Vette into a true exotic, move the engine to the middle of the car, put a lot of sexy body work ( Hire Pinifarina to design it!)
Improve the interior materials, set it up between 500 and 600HP. The vette would become a Ferrari for a third of the price.

Equinox: Move this to the epsilon platform (Malibu, G6) and relentlessly improve the engineering. Use the standard 3.6L V6 Six Speed Auto, premium equipment, also a diesel-hybrid version with a target of 30mpg plus.

Volt: Create this line as a dedicated Hybrid, ALA Prius, give it premium options

Pontiac:

G5: See Cobalt above.

G6: Dump this car, a hopeless version of the Malibu, see consumer reports review. Pontiac needs a true identity as an aggressive performance brand, not some Accord-wanna-be

Grand Prix: Dump this one, it’s a perennial loser.

G8: Good start here, nice car, add a coupe and convertible, make this a true flagship for the division

G4: This would be a coupe, convertible and small sedan based on the Kappa Chassis (Solstice) the base engine would be a 170HP 4 Cylinder and the up level model would have 250HP turbo 4. Tune the chassis for aggressive handling. I propose making this Pontiac’s entry car. The rear drive set up would be a compelling alternative to 4cyl. Altimas, Accords and Camry’s

Vibe: Dump, it’s embarrassing to have to sell a Toyota clone (it’s the same car as the Toyota Matrix)

Torrent: Dump, this vehicle is redundant.

Solstice: work on the materials and ergonomics, find ways to reduce the weight leave everything else as is.

Buick:

Lacrosse: Redo this model using the Epsilon Platform (Malibu) V-6 only with six-speed . Make it a little larger than the Chevy and give it plenty of polished chrome, wood and other luxury touches, It should be the premium version of the platform. Also include a diesel version.

Lucerne: Dump, the Florida crowd is dropping off, it needs replacement: As stated previously FWD makes no sense in a 4000 pound car with an optional V-8.

Park Avenue: Lucerne replacement, develop on the same chassis as the G8 and Impala replacement (see above) but with a longer wheelbase and emphasis on luxury. Standard should be a 3.6 liter V-6 tuned to 275HP with an optional V-8 in the neighborhood of 350HP. Offer a Diesel version as well and AWD for the folks north of the Mason Dixon Line.

Enclave: Good car, not much needed here accept a higher gas mileage diesel version.

Saturn:

Aveo: sell this as GM’s entry car and work Daewoo on the gas mileage.

Ion: Kill this one, see Cobalt and G5 above.

Astra: this one could work, needs a full line including a sport coupe, and sedan, also a mild Hybrid version should be developed.

Aura: I propose a similar set of changes that I did to the Malibu. I would tune the chassis a bit more Euro-Tight and offer Paddle Shifters ala’ Acura TL in the Sport Version.

Vue: good product overall, would offer a diesel-hybrid version for higher gas mileage.

Sky: see my comments on the Solstice,

Cadillac:

CTS: Enlarge the car slightly and offer a 350HP V-8 at the top end, Dump the weaker 3.6 and go with the 300HP version for the Base car. Find ways to reduce some weight. Also offer a Diesel version of the car. Keep the Ultra High performance version ( The V)

DTS: Kill this one, Front Wheel Drive does not belong in a Cadillac.

STS: Enlarge this Car and use it the replace the STS and DTS. The V8 should pack at least 400 under the hood. Target the LS460, the BMW 7 series and Mercedes S Class. Load it up uncompromisingly and give it truly bold styling. Offer AWD and Diesel versions of this car.

Escalade: Work on the chassis tuning further and offer a Diesel

SRX: see CTS


GMC and Chevy Trucks:

The full size ones are very good and need little work. I would however replace the Colorado and the Canyon with more effective competitors to the Frontier and Tacoma; the current trucks do not cut it.

Saab:

Sell this brand, none of these cars are built here and GM could use the cash for product development elsewhere.

Hummer:

Eliminate everything but the H2 and H1, the H1 would be sold to commercial and Government interest only, Offer a diesel and a diesel Hybrid in H2

In the end the GM brands would be truly distinct, more environmentally correct and offer better high performance options than before