Quote:
Originally Posted by Number 3
And by the way, GM market share on the coasts drops to near 10% from the 40 plus % in the heartland. Explain that.............I can't.
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Sure.....
That is partly due to GMs archaic global identity strategy (a Buick here is an Opel there syndrome). There still seems to be (amongst the old guard at GM) a mentality where "the 4 core brands" cannot be implemented throughout the world because Opel, Vauxhaul and Holden have such strong brand recognition in their respective markets.
Well guess what happens when an immigrant comes to the US or Canada seeking a better life for their family (500,000 refugees a year become permanent residents in US and Canada)? They end up buying something they are familiar with. Do they know Opel? Yes they do because Opel is well known in the poor countries. Do they know Buick? Nope. Do they know Toyota and Ford? Damn right they do and so familiarity plays a strong part in their decision making.
Get your market research folks to give you the numbers about how many new immigrants buy GM and post it back on this thread.
I've been saying for years that all of GM's brands should be global brands. You've owned Opel and Vauxhaul for 80 years or so and you still haven't had a CEO who has the testical fortitude to develop a good M&A strategy for those companies which will protect their goodwill that they've developed over the years.
Can't be done? BS - you just have to look at the technology world for proof. Companies like Microsoft, Intel, AT&T and HP (all American btw) have been gobbling up companies while still being able to retain the customer base of the acquired. For example, Digital (DEC) was bought out by Compaq which was later bought out by HP. Everything from customer retention to company culture was thought through before the transaction occured. That's just good management using a well thought out M&A stategy.
You guys have no idea about the BILLIONS you are losing in overhead and the BILLIONS you are losing in lost sales due to not having the 4 core brands globally and nothing else.