Green Tech: Prequel to a Hydrogen Future: Driving G.M.?s Fuel Cell Prototype September 24, 2006
More important than its performance or apparent normalness is G.M.’s latest prototype’s role as a development mule for future production models. IF an afternoon behind the wheel of General Motors? latest prototype hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Sequel, is any indication, automotive powertrains of the future will not feel much different from the engines that drive today?s cars and trucks. By a seat-of-the-pants evaluation, the Sequel feels reasonably peppy; acceleration is smooth and nearly silent. And it is capable of reaching 90 miles an hour, said Mohsen Shabana, chief engineer for the Sequel program and my passenger on the test …
Advertising: Would You Like a Gas Guzzler With That? August 10, 2006
McDonald?s has started putting toy Hummers in children?s Happy Meal boxes, calling it the ?Hummer of a Summer? promotion. Not surprisingly, environmental groups are appalled. WHEN General Motors introduced the three-ton, 11-miles-to-the-gallon Hummer H2 four years ago, it redefined American extravagance. But now, with gas prices hovering at $3 a gallon and threatening to go higher, sales of Hummers are declining as Americans become increasingly conscious of gas mileage. McDonald?s, however, appears not to have gotten the message. This week, the restaurant chain started putting toy Hummers in children?s Happy Meal boxes, calling it the ?Hummer of a Summer? …
G.M. Hopes a Line of Pickups Will Lead Back to Prosperity August 3, 2006
G.M. said its 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks would begin arriving at dealerships in October, 13 weeks ahead of schedule. MILFORD, Mich., Aug. 2 ? Even as surging gasoline prices deflate sales of trucks and sport utility vehicles, General Motors is rushing a new line of full-size pickups to showrooms in the hopes of strengthening its turnaround effort.G.M. introduced its 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra at its testing facility here on Wednesday and said the trucks would begin arriving at dealerships in October, 13 weeks ahead of the original schedule. G.M.?s chief executive, Rick Wagoner, called the …
G.M. Restates Loss and Sees Possible Delay in Deal for Finance Arm August 2, 2006
The General Motors Corporation increased its second-quarter loss by $200 million on Tuesday, the third time the company has adjusted results after announcing them. DETROIT, Aug. 1 ? The General Motors Corporation said Tuesday that its deal to sell a controlling interest in its financing subsidiary could be delayed until next year and said it had increased its second-quarter loss by $200 million.The restatement is the third time this year that G.M. has adjusted its results after announcing them. Further, G.M. said it might make further adjustments until it closes its agreement to sell a stake in its finance arm, …
G.M. Bows to Request by Biggest Shareholder July 7, 2006
The company was authorized to begin “exploratory talks” with Renault and Nissan on a possible three-way alliance. DETROIT, July 7 ? Bowing to a request by its biggest shareholder, Kirk Kerkorian, the board of General Motors today authorized the company to begin “exploratory talks” with Renault and Nissan on a possible three-way alliance.Statement from G.M. Audio Report Automakers Begin a Difficult Dance The Times’s Micheline Maynard reports from Detroit on the next step in negotiations for an alliance between General Motors and Nissan and Renault. Go to Report ? (mp3) But in a show of support for G.M.’s top management, …
Jump-Start or New Battery for G.M.?
Directors of General Motors are scheduled to meet Friday to discuss whether to open talks on a three-way alliance involving G.M., Renault and Nissan. DETROIT, July 6 ? What would Carlos Ghosn bring to the table? It is a top-of-mind question for directors of General Motors, who are scheduled to meet Friday to discuss whether to open talks on a three-way alliance involving G.M. and the two companies that Mr. Ghosn runs, Renault and Nissan.Arguably the most famous executive in the global auto industry, Mr. Ghosn earned his reputation for quick restructurings at Renault in the 1990’s and at Nissan …
Investor Presses G.M. Board on Alliance Decision July 6, 2006
G.M.’s board should consider the proposal no matter what management recommends, a representative of Kirk Kerkorian said today. DETROIT, July 6 ? General Motors’ board must make its own decision on a proposed three-way alliance among G.M., Renault of France and Nissan of Japan, no matter what G.M.’s management recommends, officials representing Kirk Kerkorian, the company’s largest shareholder, said today. News reports in Detroit and elsewhere this week contended that Rick Wagoner, the chairman and chief executive of General Motors, and other managers at the company were opposed to the idea of an alliance, which Mr. Kerkorian proposed last week …
2 Rivals Authorize G.M. Talks July 4, 2006
The boards of Nissan and Renault voted Monday to explore a historic three-way alliance with General Motors. DETROIT, July 3 ?The boards of Nissan and Renault voted Monday to explore a historic three-way alliance with General Motors, putting pressure on the embattled automotive giant to decide whether it wants two foreign companies, and their charismatic chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, to play a role in its revamping. Carlos Ghosn oversees both Nissan and Renault and is known for his turnaround success at the companies. An alliance of Renault, Nissan and G.M. would probably include a role for him in the …
Vector trumpets success of auto visibility solution May 18, 2006
Vector SCM, the global logistics management joint venture between Con-way and General Motors, said it has successfully rolled out its European Vehicle Visibility (EUVV) program for General Motors Europe (GME), providing outbound logistics visibility and exception management of finished vehicles to all GME dealers across Europe covering all modes. In directing a network of more than 70 outbound service providers moving some 1.7 million GM vehicles to 54 countries annually, Vector provides visibility to some 11 million shipments per year, supporting finished vehicle delivery for two GM brands. Vector said its management program, which leverages the company’s process-driven …
G.M. Shakes Up Its Accounting Division
DETROIT, May 17 (Reuters) ? In response to a series of accounting errors, General Motors said on Wednesday that it would overhaul its corporate controller’s office and hire a financial advisory firm. Paul W. Schmidt, the current controller, will retire later this year and Peter R. Bible, the chief accounting officer, will resign effective June 1, G.M. said in a statement. The company said it would combine the two positions and search for a successor outside the company.G.M. also said it had retained AlixPartners, an advisory firm, to help with accounting, financial reporting and related matters.Fritz Henderson, the company’s chief …
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