The Conference Call Question That Kicked Off GM's Production Goal Controversy

by Edward Niedermeyer

Published: October 12th, 2009

the conference call question that kicked off gm s production goal controversy

Thanks to KixStart for providing transcripts of the exchange on September sales that launched the current GM production goal controversy.Chris Russo, Credit Suisse:

“I noticed in the comments, in prepared remarks and [others], there’s an increased focus on market share from your company, which can be good but which can also be dangerous, is this a shift in tone at the company is gm, do we have to learn about industry pricing, is GM, not having learned the lessons of the … going after market share at the expense of profit and price? Is there a new regime here?”Mark La Neve, GM:

Very good question. I would say that there is certainly a viewpoint from GM management and our board that we need to be aggressive in the market place, that we need to put a line in the sand on losing share, I mean, common sense, you know me, I’m pretty practical… you keep eventually it gets to zero… Got a deal right now with the bleedoff of the 3% share points of our wind-d0wn brands, gotto do it with less dealers and modelsGotta be aggressive in the market place, gotta defend our share, grow it at some point. … don’t get bogged down in numbers floating around. Continuing to lose isn’t a good strategy. Want to do it profitably I think we’ve got a pretty good track record onWant to do it profitably. I think we’ve got a pretty good track record of holding disciplined levels on incentive spend.Overall strategy gain share on product and marketing.We’re going to spend some more dollars on advertising. … We’re going to properly tell our story.

“But we’re not going to go out and buy it [market share], if that’s what you’re worried about, Chris. From an incentive standpoint, we’re not going to go out and buy it.”

Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 6 comments

Anonymous on Oct 13, 2009
lol….always be wary when the response to a question starts “that’s a good question.” It really annoys me when clowns like LaNeve, instead of answering the damn question, patronize the questioner and kill time by mumbling what a great Q it is.

Like Reply
Klossfam on Oct 13, 2009

Mark La Neve looks like Eddie from "The Munsters" and knows about as much when it comes to running a large corporation.

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Lou_BC Collective bargaining provides workers with the ability to counter a rather one-sided relationship. Let them exercise their democratic right to vote. I found it interesting that Conservative leaders were against unionization. The fear there stems from unions preferring left leaning political parties. Wouldn't a "populist" party favour unionization?
Jrhurren I enjoyed this
Jeff Corey, Thanks again for this series on the Eldorado.
AZFelix If I ever buy a GM product, this will be the one.
IBx1 Everyone in the working class (if you’re not in the obscenely wealthy capital class and you perform work for money you’re working class) should unionize.