Rick Wagoner Says The Sky's the Limit, GM Looks to Launch GMNext 2.0

Information Week reports that GM will be relaunching GMNext as a PR brainwashing social networking site. Apparently, they think it will make a difference. “It’s hard to put a specific dollar value on this but it’s something we have to do,” GM social media manager Natalie Johnson declared, before refusing to reveal how much GM is spending on the re-hype. Johnson cited CEO Rick Wagoner’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” video as an example of how the internet allows executives to “answer some tough questions in a very candid and frank way.” Uh, hang on; the Wagoner clip was on GM’s FastLane blog, not the [existing] GMNext website. Anyway, here’s the CEO’s one and only reply to 73 comments…

To everyone who’s commented,

Thanks for your terrific feedback. We appreciate your passion, ideas and support. This gives us a good idea of what’s on your mind. Unfortunately, I’m unable to respond to all of your comments individually right now, but I have read them. Over the next few weeks other GM leaders will offer their perspective about different areas of the company, and you’ll continue to see GM team members respond to many of your specific questions. That said, I would like to thank Ben for his CTS-V purchase; and please tell your girlfriend that I hope she enjoys her new Sky.

It was great to see many of the comments about the Chevy Volt. Since the beginning, we’ve been open in discussing the Volt’s development, progress, and challenges. Perhaps it makes the Volt’s production date seem a long way off, but at the same time, hopefully it’s interesting to be able to look through the same microscope we are. I agree with those who say Volt isn’t the only solution — it’s clearly not, which is why we offer many hybrids today, have 18 2009 vehicles that achieve 30 mpg or higher highway fuel economy, and are doing extensive work in biofuels, including cellulosic.

I assure you that the GM team is working hard to reinvent the automobile and our company . . . and we’re doing it in the midst of a very challenging environment, but we know we can win.

Thanks again for your interest and comments, and please keep them coming.

Rick