Chicago 2008: GM North America president Troy Clarke's opening keynote
If a GM representative is speaking to the public these days, you can bet heavily that biofuels (cellulosic ethanol), E-Flex and the phrase "Gas friendly to gas free" will be uttered. When GM North America president Troy Clarke gave the opening keynote presentation at the Chicago Auto Show today, he followed the script to the letter. During a half-hour talk that sets the stage for the show, Clarke rolled through the points we've come to expect over the past year or so.In one nice touch, Clarke said that, "If you ask the potential customer about the auto industry, they really don't talk about who's the global sales leader." Clarke's point was that automakers need to give customers what the customers want, not dictate to them the vehicle they will buy. The auto industry is at a crossroads, Clarke said, with energy security and climate change and cost of transportation all causing massive changes. Naturally, Clarke believes that GM has the best slate of candidates for the vote/dollar of the customer. Mandating that all automakers produce a particular approach or a particular solution (i.e., incredibly high mpg vehicles) will not result in good sales or happy drivers. "Extremely small vehicles wouldn't satisfy some customers, even if they got 100 miles per gallon," Clarke said, framing the argument so that you can't say he's wrong. In the end, it's customers who need to define what the automakers make. Of course, Clarke then told a story about a focus group he attended in LA where the members of the public basically said yes, they want a green vehicle, but they then also described that car as a 40 mpg Tahoe.
Aside from the voice of the consumer meme, Clarke once again brought up the Coskata-GM partnership and Coskata's announcement today that it has partnered with ITM to build cellulosic ethanol plants and mentioned the Chevy HHR going flex-fuel. Clarke then broke down once again the GM plan for the future, including biofuels and E-Flex and all that, and mentioned that it'd be good if the government funded more advanced battery research.
One question from the audience is worth mentioning. Asked about the Coskata ethanol process, Clarke couldn't promise that it would result in sustainable ethanol, but did say that he and GM hope and believe it will. You can hear Clarke's speech here (19 MB, 28 min).
Also - the introduction to the keynote gave us this fun trivia for the day: when President McKinley was shot in 1901, he was taken to the hospital in a battery-powered ambulance.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ug 2:57PM (2/06/2008)
"Clarke then told a story about a focus group he attended in LA where the members of the public basically said yes, they want a green vehicle, but they then also described that car as a 40 mpg Tahoe."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzz1VEN1SEk
Reply
Joseph 6:38PM (2/06/2008)
"Extremely small vehicles wouldn't satisfy some customers, even if they got 100 miles per gallon."
Unfortunately, that's true. The Honda Insight achieve outstanding fuel-economy, yet it was only a two-seater, and its sales were terrible, even despite that it was an AMAZING car.
"they want a green vehicle, but they then also described that car as a 40 mpg Tahoe"
I bet if you did a survey among car buyers, about 50% of them would be outraged that such a vehicle did not exist. The only "Tahoe" that would be able to get 40mpg would be an electric one.
Reply
Bman 8:37AM (2/07/2008)
The Honda Insight wasn't a viable solution, which is the reason for poor sales. Small cars can be viable if priced accordingly, which is evident with the Smart car- small car, small price. The car was the length of a Civic, minus the rear seat. Also, the space-age look of the Insight didn't help much, almost looked like a solar racer entry.
I really don't think I'm alone when saying I would be satisfied with a small car that could achieve 100mpg- so long as being priced like a small car should be!
Reply
Jim Sanborn 8:23PM (11/19/2008)
Mr. Clarke just doesn't understand the basics, which I have learned by owning several GM cars. The gas mileage of GM cars generally does not compare to foreign cars, such as Honda and Toyota, and the service at GM dealerships is just terrible. I rate it as being predatory.
It's interesting that Mr. Clark seems to be going around posting this "thoughts" at various website, but he doesn't leave an email address when GM buyers, such as myself, can respond to his claims. Until he really listens to when Americans need and what Americans want, GM is doomed to failure.
Reply
Ron Hunter 11:41PM (6/18/2009)
I just received a letter from Mr. Clarke with a coupon for discounts off of various Government Motors vehicles. I marked through the coupon with red x's and said I will never purchase another GM vehicle. No one will ever read it but it felt good.
He is not brave enough to have an viable comments email line. He is only a token President of GM North America.
Eric Heifetz 10:57PM (1/14/2009)
Mr. Clarke unfortunately lost me. Spent my entire life in the automobile service industry mostly as a Cadillac technician. GM was emblazened in my forehead, Would ONLY own a GM car. Since 1999 I've leased 3 Trailblazers, the latest (2005), ending 2/2009. What does GM decide to do. No longer will they be leasing vehicles. STRIKE 1. Then whether it be GM's doing or financial troubles, but the 2 local Chevrolet dealers closed. If I want to PURCHASE a new Chevrolet, which I did not want to do, I would have to drive approx 10 mi. Not a big deal, exept when are MANY, MANY other car dealers closer to me and they lease cars. Guess what, NISSAN won. Sorry GM I'm all for the USA. But you made it impossible
Reply