Ed Whitacre Emails The Troops

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Editor’s Note: GM’s outgoing Chairman/CEO Ed Whitacre sent the following email to GM’s senior executives today [via Detroit News]

My goal in coming to General Motors was to help restore profitability, build a strong market position and prepare this iconic company for success. While we have more to do, it is fair to say that GM is headed on that path. Our earnings for the last two quarters show that. Our strong sales show that. And the enthusiasm from everyone I meet at GM shows that.

We are on the right track. And I have complete confidence that Dan Akerson will keep us moving forward. Dan is committed to GM; he’s been a key player in the decisions our Board has made over the last year. He will do a great job, and deserves your complete support.

I have enjoyed my time as CEO of GM more than I can say, and I am pleased to stay on as Chairman through the end of the year. I am excited about this company, and I want you to know that it is the people of GM who make this a very special place. You are the best, and I truly appreciate all you do.

Thank you for the privilege of leading this great company. I am anxious to see the new heights that you will achieve as you continue focusing on designing, building and selling the world’s best vehicles.

Ed Whitacre

Edward Niedermeyer
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  • AaronH AaronH on Aug 14, 2010

    This reads like a soviet-era release designed to placate the feeble-minded bratty gimme-gimme losers...err...Citizens. Did he kiss any UAW Parasites on his way out? The glorious GM Auto/Vodka/Condom/Tractor company is doing very well indeed...Now...Shut up and worship the State!

  • Mikey Mikey on Aug 14, 2010

    Does any body remember when TTAC used to be the home of "civilized" debate. The hate here is getting out of control.

    • See 3 previous
    • Mikey Mikey on Aug 14, 2010

      Really, you can't wait for that to happen? I mean, I can't wait to win the lottery. Or maybe somebody finds a cure for cancer. How about erasing world hunger. But if your wish is for a half a million good jobs to be gone, I'm OK with that too. Have a nice day.

  • .5MT .5MT on Aug 14, 2010

    when TTAC used to be the home of civilized... Ima love iconicry in the morning.

  • Mythicalprogrammer Mythicalprogrammer on Aug 14, 2010

    ... So much hate. You do realize that if GM goes down then it'll affect America's economy right? I mean, I'm not really into GM but I am rooting for them and for GM workers. And bean counters are fine, Carlos Goshn is one sick bean counter (especially in the late 90s and early 2000s), and he managed to turn Nissan/Infiniti around.

    • Rob Finfrock Rob Finfrock on Aug 15, 2010

      The real question is, how much would it actually affect the US economy... and would that correction have necessarily been a bad thing? Would it have been the Doomsday scenario bandied about by the politicians and the unions... or, would we have seen an orderly, normal Chapter 11 bankruptcy, soon to be followed by a leveling-off period as healthier and more able companies snatched up the remnants worth saving, to go forth and prosper without the UAW noose around their necks? Don't believe the Doomsday hype. It's possible -- some say likely -- having GM and Chrysler fail two years ago would not have crippled our economy, not by a long shot. What it would have done is properly euthanize two decrepit automakers, and ditched dozens of unneeded models. And absolutely, it also would have shed thousands of jobs held by under-qualified, UAW-represented "workers." See, I don't think that would have been a bad thing. The UAW would be dead today, which would benefit every other automaker still standing. The more able workers would be forced to grudgingly find other work, albeit at their proper market value; the less able, not so much. Darwinism at its finest. Alas, we'll never know what would have happened. All we do know is that $60+ billion has been thrown into the fire. Oh, and here's the kicker: when it comes to economic matters, history shows us the short-term benefits of such interference will often be far outweighed by the long-term consequences.

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