This month has been a very difficult month for GM with its declining sales and plans to reduce costs by $15 billion by the end of 2009.
Earlier this week GM gave a presentation to employees and the few images you see here of future models have now leaked onto the web. Bob Lutz spoke with the media after GM’s CEO Rick Wagoner laid out the automaker's plans to reduce its workforce and focus on more fuel-efficient models. Lutz revealed that the small Chevy Beat is not going to make it to North America initially and that the fuel-efficient Chevy Cruze also wont be available here right away after it debuts this fall.
These slides reveal the Chevy Cruze, which will eventually be the Cobalt replacement features styling that is very reminiscent of the larger Malibu; the Cadillac CTS Sportwagon that will be on sale in early 2009; the Cadillac SRX replacement which draws a lot of cues from the BRX concept from earlier this year; the Buick sedan (Invicta) that will arrive in dealerships early next year; and the new Saab 9-4x crossover which looks kinda boring.
Do you think these models will help turn GM around?
Full Story: AutoObserver
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GM Announces Plans to Cut Workers and Truck Production to Boost its Cash Flow
Comments (23)
Too little too late. It'll take GM a decade to compete with the Japs in small, fuel efficient, reliable cars and by then the Japs will have come up with something even better.
Posted by Brian | July 18, 2008 9:20 AM
Posted on July 18, 2008 09:20
The word "competition" no longer exists my friends - The land of the rising sun is taking over the auto industry - everyday more and more domestic market consumers, even the hardcore ones, are converting - Domestic auto companies just dont have any game. As the East becomes more sophiscated and smart with auto design and engineering, the West continues to stand around picking their noses while dabbling with out of date blueprints. The market belongs the Europeans and and the far east - america's forte belongs to burgers and hot dogs.
Posted by Lynx1 | July 18, 2008 9:43 AM
Posted on July 18, 2008 09:43
The Cruze looks like the new Accord.
Posted by Jason H. | July 18, 2008 10:02 AM
Posted on July 18, 2008 10:02
looks like the previously posted mazda 6 pictures...
Posted by Dan | July 18, 2008 10:29 AM
Posted on July 18, 2008 10:29
Why are they making a Saab anything?
Posted by gilly | July 18, 2008 10:40 AM
Posted on July 18, 2008 10:40
Because Saabs are still better than GM anything.
Posted by Noya | July 18, 2008 11:34 AM
Posted on July 18, 2008 11:34
Cobalt replacement? Dammit, I'm making payments on an obsolete car!!!
Posted by cobaltssman | July 18, 2008 11:58 AM
Posted on July 18, 2008 11:58
That Buick really looks like the current Lexus GS, I guess if you can't innovate, imitate...
Posted by Brad | July 18, 2008 12:55 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 12:55
I like that CTS wagon...but there is a massive blindspot at the D-pillar.
Posted by ws | July 18, 2008 12:58 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 12:58
I really like the lines of the Cruze and hopefully they retain the turbo 1.4 liter engine. Chevy needs to bring the Beat to the States asap, as the current Aveo is a second tier player in the B segment.
Posted by longdxcommuter | July 18, 2008 1:33 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 13:33
I'm a recent convert to Acura, Honda and Toyota. I owned Fords all of my life, but gave up on the US makers when I had much trouble with our Ford Explorer. However, I think many of you guys are just losing it. The new Cruze is on the mark. I still think the US makers can compete, but they have a ways to go on design, engineering and most of all - quality. If they don't get on it in the next three years all will be lost. Japan is still the king as far as quality, but the Korean makers are coming on fast. Soon, Southeast Asia will be competing with Japan and Korea for great quality vehicles.
Posted by John C | July 18, 2008 6:38 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 18:38
@ckv
haha sorry babe, my car is paid for. i had 18k down, just had to pay of about 3k.
Posted by cobaltssman | July 18, 2008 6:41 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 18:41
GM's future....
I remember and article about PANAM's future...
When GM disappears, Opel will be an independent European car maker with Opel, Saab and possibly Cadillac as brands.
Buick would do well in China. Maybe Geely can buy the moulds and run it there. The rest of the world doesnt need Buick.
Would entrust Tata with Chevrolet-brand. Pontiac, Saturn etc directly to the dustbin.
GMC and Hummer will be an US outfit. They'll slowly run out-off money and die. Sloan will turn in his grave.
Posted by Lowest IQ | July 19, 2008 2:57 AM
Posted on July 19, 2008 02:57
I agree with the above, except that Pontiac will do just fine when the Aztek II comes out.
Posted by Jim | July 19, 2008 7:42 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 19:42
Jim:
I agree with the above, except that Pontiac will do just fine when the Aztek II comes out.
ROFLMAO..!!!!! thats a good one!
Posted by jettto | July 19, 2008 11:45 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 23:45
Hate, hate, hate. Repeat the same tired crap. Pretend I have a clue what style is. Ignore all statistics and real world data. Showoff my complete misunderstanding of finance. Become a torque report poster.
Posted by angry | July 20, 2008 2:24 PM
Posted on July 20, 2008 14:24
Chevy Cruze: A Malibu. Good looks, old news.
CTS Wagon: wagon's aren't exactly the #1 seller, but better than gas-guzzle SUV's, but same old CTS.
SRX: CTS wagon...SUV/ CUV form?
Saab 9-4X: A SRX with Saab Badging. Classic GM.
Buick Sedan: isn't the Lucerne already out?
Boring cars for the future of GM. Awesome. I probably can bet that I know which of the Big 3 will die first.
Posted by SANDMAN | July 20, 2008 3:08 PM
Posted on July 20, 2008 15:08
Well the whole western world (Europe and amerika) is in bad shape for competing with Asia.
In my mind this is because we haven't protected our patent rights!
You know, there isen't even an 'Europatent' !
This makes it almost impossible for the little guy to invent anything, the costs are enourmous.
And even if he manages to get an idea somewhat protected, he/she needs help to prosecute the copy-ppl in some remote area of China!
The reason for this bad situation is that mega-corps like GM block simplifing the patent process, in fear of upstart competition.
It used to be innovation that fueled our civilisation, but I guess the long arms of the megacorps and the big pockets of politicians that killed it.
/Greetings from Per in Sweden
Posted by Perzyfied | July 21, 2008 2:28 AM
Posted on July 21, 2008 02:28
You know the day I can get a Clio 197 over here I'd be a happy guy. It's the only hatch I even remotely find attractive. Come on GM, import me some French crap.
Posted by Brian | July 21, 2008 7:40 AM
Posted on July 21, 2008 07:40
This is the american way, destroy and restart, never improve what is already built. this is because our older cars like the Cobalt are complete junk, we knew they where junk and now when we looked at the cobalt and thaught should we make it better? omg my engeneers laughed and said no its beyond hope...
so we went back to the drawing board where we came up with a revolutionary set of models. The new cars have the same build quality as before but they look alot cooler and we think this is also the american way... "if you build it they will come and if its cool they will come in their pants." in this economy we need to stop buying cars just lease them and after a 3 year lease is over you shouldent have to worry about things like will my car start today? or will i get into an accident because my car uses technology revolutionized in the roaring 20's to stop.
we at GM want to thank all the honest hard working american blue collar and some white collars for sticking with us and giving us another chance, and then another chance.... and then another another chance..and then another another another chance to show how good we truly could be..... but arent.
BOBBY L.
Posted by Bob Lutz | July 21, 2008 7:50 AM
Posted on July 21, 2008 07:50
Blah blah blah
[Insert 'wanna be' intellectual statement here]
[Insert Fake stats here]
[Get an 'I <3 Japan tattoo here]
[Insert Bob Lutz Imitation here]
[Begin crying here]
Grow up.......
Posted by Average TR poster | July 21, 2008 1:43 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 13:43
Blah Blah Blah
[Insert breif synopsis of last post with the liberal use of sarcasim]
[Get an "I am an American_car_fan_boi" tatoo here]
[Insert lots of BLAH BLAH BLAH]
[Insert foot up your ass]
[Insert Grow UP!!! statement]
this shit is getting old your a boner.
Posted by Average TR Reply | July 21, 2008 3:29 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 15:29
is america really looking for for station wagons to buy? and the cruze will just compete with the malibu,so why bother?
Posted by Patrick | August 6, 2008 3:36 PM
Posted on August 6, 2008 15:36