Ms. Truck: Petite Woman Brings In Big Bucks At GM

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Some people say Obama saved GM from the abyss. Some people say GM sold its soul to the Chinese devil to cheat death. In truth, the future of General Motors rests on the shoulders of a 5-foot-2 woman by the name of Diana Tremblay. Writes Ben Klayman at Reuters:

“Global manufacturing chief Diana Tremblay is one of the highest-ranking women in the automotive industry. Throughout her 35-year career at GM, she has made her mark in what were regarded as male domains, from directing foundry workers to staring down union labor negotiators.

Now she faces an even more critical task for the world’s largest automaker – ensuring the smooth 2013 introduction of the remodeled full-size pickup trucks and SUVs, GM’s high-profile equivalent of a new Apple iPhone.

While executives at GM touted its strength in overseas markets like China after the Detroit company’s bankruptcy and $50 billion U.S. taxpayer bailout, it turns out the profit engine has instead been North America. And nothing is more important to that success than the second-quarter introduction next year of the big Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups and related SUVs, which analysts say generate profits of $12,000 to $14,000 per vehicle. ”

GM’s new full-size trucks will debut in Q2 2013, and with a successful launch, Trucks could boost operating profit by over $1 billion in ’13 and ’14, analysts say. 60 percent of GM’s profits come from trucks. GM depends on the success of the new truck line, and on the petite Diana Tremblay. Read the rest of the story here.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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 4 comments
  • LeMansteve LeMansteve on Jun 25, 2012

    $12-14,000 profit per vehicle? Damn. Wait, is that before or after they up-sell you on the myriad available options and upgrades?

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    • Bikegoesbaa Bikegoesbaa on Jun 25, 2012

      @redmondjp The best part about this plan is that there is absolutely no way that it could ever backfire or fall apart due to changing fuel prices or consumer preferences. Everybody knows that gas will remain cheap and trucks will stay popular forever, right? At least this time they seem to be developing good cars to sell alongside their trucks, so that's encouraging. Maybe they learned something from the last truck implosion.

  • Doctor olds Doctor olds on Jun 26, 2012

    GMNA is a mean lean machine, operating near capacity, and generating record profit. Arlington's new round the clock production plan and flexible assembly plants give GM the capability to adjust production to market demand. Trucks are over 50% of the American market and will not stray far from that share unless gas gets very much more expensive, and even then, consumers will still choose these vehicles. Besides, these new GM products will lead the segment in fuel efficency and performance. GM wil continue to sell far more large trucks and SUVs than anyone else.

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