RSS RSS Twitter Twitter
Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry
 
 

GM board in favor of Wagoner despite second quarter losses

08/05/2008, 6:14 PM

By Drew Johnson

Despite General Motors’ $15.5 billion second quarter loss, GM’s board of directors is still in favor of Rick Wagoner as the company’s chairman and CEO. GM’s 13 member board was in Detroit on Monday and Tuesday for a previously scheduled meeting.

“The board has expressed support for Rick Wagoner and the GM management team on several occasions and that has not changed,” GM spokesman Steve Harris told The Detroit News.

Although Wagoner has been at the General’s helm since 2000, most industry analysts agree that now is not the ideal time to make a change at the top. “I can understand the pressure, but from where I sit, it’s hard to see anybody else coping any better than what they have done,” David Healy, an auto analyst with Burnham Investment Securities, said. “I’m not sure changing horses mid-stream is a good idea.”

Wagoner announced a plan last month to ramp up GM’s North American turnaround, which included a $15 billion infusion of cash and further vehicle and job cuts.

    Print This Post

New car price quote

Zero obligation price quote from a trusted local dealer.
 
 

08/05, 6:18 PM

posted by:

howsmydriving

What a great Camaro story. You just have to know how to read the code.

08/05, 6:48 PM

posted by:

megeebee

I wish my bosses were as understanding and supportive….

08/05, 7:29 PM

posted by:

ktulu

this is a joke. the boards R always patting eac b ither on the back. Scratching each others backsm as they all isit inb 1 anothers compensatytion committees.

08/05, 7:48 PM

posted by:

F451

I agree it is a joke, but the board does not want to upset that which is already upside-down through showing a lack of confidence vote and removing Wagoner at his time as the financial markets would drop GM’s stock value lower than it already is. The problem is that the financial community commonly overlooks (as they are a narcissistic bunch) the fact that it is the consumer who has a lack of confidence with GM these days. Most consumers are looking at the executive management of GM and wondering how they lasted this long as most would have been fired eons ago. Wagoner, Lutz, and the other highest paid and perked at GM, have clearly demonstrated that they do not have what it takes or GM would not be in the position it is today. I would not miss nary a one of these bastards if they were let-go in the next hour.

08/05, 8:06 PM

posted by:

global_lightning

1. Get elected to the GM board
2. Select an incompetent for the CEO
3. Short-sell GM stock
4. Profit!!!

08/05, 10:24 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

Boards are usually not comprised of stupid people or those who panic. Everything hinges on the Volt and, like it or not, until it makes its debut they’re all safe.

08/06, 12:00 AM

posted by:

F451

If GM’s future is contingent the Volt, as well as the safe employ of GM’s top execs, then GM may as well call it quits today.

08/06, 8:05 AM

posted by:

Fletch

If they are able to nail this new 1.4L turbo 4cyl, that would be a good move. Sounds like the Cruise small car is going to be expensive though, not good.

08/06, 9:58 AM

posted by:

carstuff

1. Get elected to the GM board
2. Select an incompetent for the CEO
3. Short-sell GM stock
4. Profit!!!

5. go to jail.

08/06, 10:03 AM

posted by:

xyunya

johnnycanuck, boards are comprised of people hand picked by CEO. F451 nailed it pretty much right.
First board members elected Wagoner. Those who were opposed initially (if they existed) were quietly let go in consequential elections. Just 2 years ago Kerkorian was engineering merger with Renault/Nissan expecting Ghosn to stimulate and shake sleeping giant. Of course I am playing Monday night quarterback, but the merger would strengthen GM hand: access to Nissan technology of ringing profit out of small efficient cars. Wagoner showed great craftsmanship by avoiding merger, splitting the board and ejecting York (Kerkorian’s lackey) from the board. It was the same Wagoner who paid FIAT 2 billion not to buy the company outright. FIAT is doing well – they are planing re-entry into US market and selling their superior small diesel technology to BMW and Ford in Europe. How many failures will it take for board to react? At this point it never will.

08/06, 1:31 PM

posted by:

400horseSS

Good thats great, they all support him, we at locals across the US do not, how about investing $$ in plants here instead of building plants in a rainforest in Guadamala.

08/06, 1:32 PM

posted by:

400horseSS

Close 3 here build 3 in some 3rd world country.

08/06, 2:06 PM

posted by:

t-ak-box

To bad we don’t have the same Integrity factors as in other countries. In some countries if CEO is ruin a company that person would be shamed out of position but not in the good ole’ US. A Fail CEO gets to go on and ruin the company some more; maybe add in some lackey buddies. Good for Wagoner, Good for Japanese and European Automakers, Bad for GM Workers, Bad for US economy.

08/06, 3:52 PM

posted by:

xyunya

Very true, t-ak-box. If we would, we would not read this post and GM would be in a better shape.

08/06, 5:30 PM

posted by:

AmericanIdiot

This situation reminds me of something….what was it now…if I could only remember

oh yea..

4 more years!!
4 more years!!!

…laughtastic.

 
 
You need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.

    

Forgot your Password?

Don't have a user name yet? Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the
confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
 
 
 
 
  • Login
  • About
  • Contact
Please note that you need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.
  

login
cancel
Forgot your Password?
Don't have a user name yet? Click here to register now.

Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
submit
cancel
Leftlane is the leading source for automotive industry and vehicle news, new car research, future vehicle information, and reviews. Read by car shoppers, driving enthusiasts, autoworkers, executives, and investors, the website is updated throughout the day with the very latest auto news - as it happens.

Leftlane also provides consumers with accurate and media-rich information on every car currently on the market. In-market shoppers can review specs, read overviews, view high-resolution images, watch videos, and estimate pricing. No other automotive publication brings together the same degree of timeliness, thoroughness and accuracy as Leftlane.
 
submit
cancel