Word: gm
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...GM is taking design lessons from its glory days. The latest versions of Cadillac's Fleetwood and De Ville sedans mark the return of the fins that were the brand's trademark until 1965. "They are voluptuous and sexy," says Christopher Cedergren, an analyst for J.D. Power & Associates. Seductive too: in October GM sold to retail customers 11,443 of the 1989-model Fleetwoods (base price: $30,300) and De Villes ($25,435), 54% more than it sold in the same month in 1987. To lure younger buyers, GM has its Geo line of small cars. Priced from...
Stempel is bringing to market a line known as the GM-10 series, which is designed to compete with Ford's cars for young families: the Taurus, best- selling midsize car in the U.S., and the Sable. The sporty GM-10s have debuted as two-door versions of the Olds Cutlass Supreme, Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix; the four-door models are expected next fall. Already, one of them, the Chevrolet Lumina, is known inside GM as a "Taurus killer." But inasmuch as four-door cars make up 75% of U.S. auto sales, analysts wonder why GM first came...
...GM is taking the blame, but marketing strategy may be one of Stempel's weak spots. Both the Chevrolet and Pontiac divisions lost market share during and after his stints as their general manager. Stempel has yet to kill off the Cadillac Allante, a mere 1,893 of which sold last year (base price: $56,533), far below the 9,000 projected. Since becoming president, suggests one analyst, Stempel "has yet to take charge...
Perhaps so, but Stempel's presence alone -- his booming voice and avuncular manner -- motivates workers and soothes many Wall Street analysts. When Stempel left as head of GM's European operations in 1982 after a 17-month stint, union delegates at West Germany's Russelsheim plant gave him a ceramic wine pitcher as a symbol of the warm relations he fostered with the rank and file. Detroit's unions appreciate him too. Donald Ephlin, head of the United Auto Workers' GM unit, prizes the president's accessibility. Says Ephlin: "If I have things to bring to his attention...
...considered an absolute shoo-in. Among the other executives, all financially oriented, said to be in the running: F. Alan Smith, 57, an executive vice president; Robert O'Connell, 50, chief financial officer; and William Hoglund, 54, who oversees components operations. At an October meeting of GM's top executives in Traverse City, Mich., the forward-thinking speeches by Smith (no relation to the current chairman) made him the star performer, outshining even Stempel, says an insider...