The Auto Writer

One of the privileges of being invited by General Motors to the NAIAS was the access it has given to us to meet with key GM executives. I’m not talking simply about line managers and communication specialists — important people that they are — but to people at the top including Rick Wagoner (top photo), the CEO/Chairman for General Motors. This morning, we had an opportunity to have a breakfast Q&A session with Wagoner who spent about 45 minutes with us.

Lots of questions were directed Mr. Wagoner’s way, but since I didn’t utlize a data voice recorder, I will share with you excerpts from our meeting.

Would GM Fuel Branding

The first question offered (by Podcast’s Matt Kelly — pictured below) asked Wagoner if GM would enter the business of manfacturing ethanol. Although Wagoner said he would “never say never” he indicated that working with companies such as Coskata is the direction GM plans to go. Instead of branding their own fuel, GM plans tot help Coskata bring about what he called “fundamental changes” to the fueling industry.

What About The Volt?

Lyle Dennis, who manages GM-Volt.com, asked a two-folded question about the Chevrolet Volt and heard the chairman answer that the Volt “…is the right risk for the time” when asked about the viability of undertaking this type of venture. In addition, he said that he was okay with Toyota competing in battery technology. Apparently, the chairman of Toyota has taken a competitive stance with General Motors, vowing to bring an electric car to the market before GM. Nissan has also stated that they are planning to do the same thing.

Too Many GM Brands?

One question posed asked the chairman if GM had too many brands to maintain. Wagoner responded by saying that GM is divided up into four channels: Saturn, Chevrolet, Pontiac-Buick-GMC, and its luxury brands (Cadillac, Saab, and Hummer). GM has been trying to group Pontiac, Buick and GMC dealers together in one showroom as “Buick and Pontiac don’t need to sell trucks and SUVS while GMC doesn’t need to sell cars.” Wagoner believes that GM can support its brands, but that doesn’t mean each brand will have 6 or 7 models to sell.

Hugo Chavez Throws Up Restrictions

Several people who attended the breakfast were from South America — Argentina and Venezuala respectively. We learned from one that Venezualan president Hugo Chavez recently decreed tough new laws for the auto industy including limiting engine size. Wagoner said that he knew about the decree but hadn’t examined it fully yet — he said that GM would comply with whatever Venezuala demanded by shipping cars with smaller engine displacements as needed.

What About Hummer?

When the topic of Hummer came up, the question was asked if GM would keep Hummer and what the future of the brand would be. Wagoner stated that Hummer was important to GM and that “no one has said you have to be big to be a Hummer,” suggesting that smaller Hummer models would continue to find their way into the Hummer line up.

No Tata Nano Competing Model Announced

One person made a comment about the $2500 Tata Nano asking the chairman if GM would attempt to bring a similarly priced vehicle to the market in countries like India. Wagoner said that they already were building cars as low as the $3500 price point including the Chevrolet Celta and a model in partnership with a Chinese company. He said that although the Nano may work fine for India, it probably wouldn’t do as well elsewhere because customer expectations are much higher.

Unlike some of our other group interview sessions, this one was miked making it easier to hear the questions being asked and Wagoner’s response. I plan on sharing Bob Lutz’ interview at a later date, so please keep an eye on this blog for that information.