Question of the Day: What do GM and Chrysler need to do to survive?

Posted: Mar 30, 2009
Filed under: Chrysler, GM, Industry News

Now that General Motors and Chrysler have limited time to decide what they want to do with their future – we’re wondering if you have any tips for Bob Nardelli and GM’s new CEO, Fritz Henderson.

The Obama administration said today that they will continue to fund General Motors for an additional 60 days while they come up with a new restructuring plan. On the other hand, the government said that Chrysler has 30 days to decide to move forward with the proposed partnership with Fiat. If they do, the U.S. Treasury will provide $6 billion to support the alliance.

We’re guessing that a lot of you have your own opinions on what the two American automakers should do to survive – so have your say in the comments section below since we’re sure that Henderson and Nardelli are looking for all the advice that they can get.

- By: Omar Rana

Make the jump to make your suggestions.

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  4. Toyota wants GM and Chrysler to survive
  5. Analysts say Chrysler won’t survive with or without bailout funds

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  • JVC
    1. Eliminate Unions
    2. Renegotiate lucrative Retirement Benefit Plans
    3. Rethink bonus packages for Upper Management- should be performance based
    4. American Focus (technology, resources, marketing)
    5. Improve efficiencies and trim the fat
    6. Consolidate brands
    7. ... and the toughest one of all ... make good products that people want to buy because they are good, not because they are American.
  • Andrew
    I think GM has a lot of good planed cars but that is the problem just plans they need to get on it.

    As for Chrysler I think it is a great idea for the government to push for a merger. When you look at dodge it is all big gas guzzling cars. Fiat with their small cars is just what they need.

    Over all I think GM is in the right direction and so is chrysler if they merge with fiat.
  • Mauricio
    Several things.

    However, nothing is guaranteed if people don't have money or spend the money they do have.

    Of the things that they DO have control of:
    Get rid of the UAW. Which doesn't mean gloom and doom for its employees. It means accuracy and accountability for ALL its employees. This in turn will help with the second thing. . .
    Make better cars. Not just small cars. Make all your vehicles better, even the big ones. People will continue to buy big SUV's and trucks so disregarding those needs is a potential downfall as has been lack of attention to quality no matter the cost.

    But what remains is a buyer. Having the product and making it the right way is only one side of the equation. The other is having some one willing to pay for it.
    That is something that is lacking right now.
    Which is where the government should step in. Quit taxing me to pay Wagoner his $20m retirement! Or that guy who sweeps, $50/hr. at a plant dedicated to building me something that I have to worry about putting my family in.
    Instead we have some one in office spending more and more. I can't wait til my taxes go up, which I fear is on the way given it's not a bottemless pot of money he has. Or maybe he'll just take everything over and take all my money to ensure we all get along. Kind of like China and Cuba and Venezuela.
  • Sell all the brands. Well, I guess that would be what might save GM but Chrysler is best to let go under. I guess if they laid off all of their workers and brought in only robots that should change the profit and change the tune of the union. They would have better products and have less external costs. GM and Ford should do the same because none of the automakers have treated their employees poorly. When they keep demanding ridiculous requirements I say tell them you know where the money is... Robots. Everybody is hurting from the recession let self correction take place rather than trying to stimulate both supply and demand.
  • Dr.Who
    Start producing creative products instead of attempting to rely on the past (i.e., Camaro), get the energy/fuel saving vehicles on the road pronto! (the 'volt' has been taking forever to get to production), provide much better warranties (if the vehicles are as good as claimed then back it up!) and include more 'extras' instead of 'options'. Slim down the model selection (instead of Chev and Pontiac models of everything), competitive 'world economy' pay rates and bonuses to cut back costs and employee expenses that would help to lower the cost of new vehicles. Hey if Honda and Toyota and Hyundai can do it why not GM?
  • Pat
    Nardelli - Take the Fiat deal ASAP.
    Henderson - Bob Lutz once said... make fewer models and market the hell out of them - LISTEN TO HIM. Also, get that god damn Chevrolet Cruze to the U.S. ASAP!!! and throw in a damn two-mode hybrid version. Stop wasting our time with things like the Volt or whatever else you've got planned...do that later... CRUZE should be your first priority. RIGHT NOW
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