General Motors
The consummate optimist lays into Detroit. How to Fix a Flat:
How could these companies be so bad for so long? Clearly the combination of a very un-innovative business culture, visionless management and overly generous labor contracts explains a lot of it. It led to a situation whereby General Motors could make money only by selling big, gas-guzzling S.U.V.’s and trucks. Therefore, instead of focusing on making money by innovating around fuel efficiency, productivity and design, G.M. threw way too much energy into lobbying and maneuvering to protect its gas guzzlers.
…somebody ought to call Steve Jobs, who doesn’t need to be bribed to do innovation, and ask him if he’d like to do national service and run a car company for a year. I’d bet it wouldn’t take him much longer than that to come up with the G.M. iCar.
Last year, when Chrysler named Robert Nardelli its CEO, I pointed out that Chrysler cars will still suck. A no-strings-attached bailout to Detroit will just allow GM, Ford to continue business as usual. And personally, I’d be ok with a world where Hummers aren’t manufactured for the general public anymore.
adam hartung wrote:
GM needs new leadership that is not committed to old Lock-ins if it is going to ever be a viable competitor. Only someone from outside the industry will be able to implement necessary Disruptions and create White Space that will allow GM (or Ford or Chrysler) to address long-term shortcomings. I don’t know why Jobs would take the job, but someone who is Jobs-like is necessary. Read more at http://www.ThePhoenixPrinciple.com
Posted on 16-Nov-08 at 6:02 pm | Permalink