GM’s CEO Answers More Questions: We Find Out If GM Is Planning Fuller Line-ups

Fritz Henderson, GM CEO

You might remember earlier this week that I reported on GM’s CEO, Fritz Henderson, jumping on the information super highway to answer the public’s questions about GM and the future for the company. Since Mr. Henderson had only half an hour to chat and was limited by the chat technology, there were quite a few questions that came in from employees and consumers that couldn’t be answered. However, GM is dedicated to rivaling Ford’s participation in social media and blogging, so he has come back via the GM Fastlane Blog.

Something that I found quite interesting was a question asked by Brian Beringer. He asked, “With the declining number of brands, maybe GM can provide the remaining brands a fuller lineup - any comment on flagship sedans for Cadillac or Chevrolet?” This was Mr. Henderson’s answer to his questions:

“Brian, we have big product and technology plans for all our brands. Chevrolet is already loaded with great cars, crossovers and trucks with a lot more coming like the Cruze, Spark and Orlando - and of course, the Volt. And we’ve got some great new Cadillacs, as well as Buicks and GMC cars in trucks in the works. Each week I join our Design chief Ed Welburn, the head of GM Product Development Tom Stephens and a few others to tour GM design and look at future cars and trucks. It’s great to be reminded what this business is all about, and it fills me with optimism about the new GM. I promise you that we have new vehicles that will blow you away.”

2011 Chevrolet Volt

The thing that interests me is that we have already heard about the Cruze, Spark and Orlando. The real question is: When will we get a glimpse of the future for Cadillac, Buick and GMC? Most importantly Buick since it seems to be the next one on the chopping block. Yesterday, I reported on the 2010 Opel Astra and the speculation that it might be Buick’s next small 5-door. However, the Astra wouldn’t blow me away…sure it is a nice 5-door, but not a mind blowing automotive experience like a Nissan GT-R, which just set a record at Nurburgring.

My opinion—Buick needs to look back at its heritage and figure out what it was about the old Buick line that made it the brand it is today. There is a reason the Buck Riviera Boat Tail, Roadmaster 4-holer and GS stick in people’s minds. Just putting some holes in the side of the newest sedan might have worked in the ‘80s, but in today’s world GM needs to get back to why people used to buy a GM. They have a winner with the Camaro; they need to bring this kind of soul to the rest of the product lines, especially the small car segment.

Be sure to check out the full list of question over at the GM Fastlane Blog. After that we invite you to come back and check out the rest of the blogs, reviews and photos here at AllSmallCars.com. You can also drop me a note at JEMblogger at Gmail dot com.