General Motors

General Motor (GM)

General motor was founded in 1908, by William "Billy" Durant. Before the automobile boom, Durant became the leading manufacture of horse drown vehicles. In the 1920s, invention such as telephone, radio and light bulb changed the life and household of many individual. It also created an era of possibilities. Thoughts of an automobile have imaginations racing that expanded the horizon for people to dream. As the demand for automobile increased, GM becomes a trendsetter in the production, design and marketing innovation. GM paved the way for others to follow.

By diversifying the selection, GM strategy was to build "a car for every purse and purpose". Through innovation, GM has set a trend that goes beyond transportation to make a statement of his or her own aspirations. The invention of the Cadillac in 1912 by Charles Kettering, introduces the electric self-starter to the world. But it wasn't until 1927, when the Cadillac LaSalle design by Harley Earl began to set the world apart. People started seeing cars for what it is and not as a means of transportation. With curves instead of corners, the LaSalle stepped away from a high and boxy Ford model T. It creates the beginning of what true automotive design is all about.

GM is the world's largest automakers that employs about 388,000 peoples worldwide and are in partnership with about 30,000 supplier companies. GM expanded the manufacturing design and assembly operation in 30 countries. They currently have a global presence in more than 90 countries. GM vision was to be the world leader transportation product and services. To achieve vision, GM realized that there are issues needed to be addressed before achieving their goal. GM success is will depend upon the innovation of technology which allows GM to reach its goal. The creation of a global automotive was established, GM combines purchasing, manufacturing, engineering, research and development, human resources and communication across all regions of the world. GM vision and value is to conduct business with integrity, customer enthusiasm, teamwork, and continuous improvement. The essential skill of modern manager requires the ability to work with a functional team, to lead not only by authority, but as an expertise.

General Motor Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announce changes with the senior leadership due to the transformation of GM into global responsibilities. Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman will lead the product development while Cowger, the Group Vice President would be on global manufacturing and labor. Since Lutz and Cowger would relinquish their roles at GM North America, Wagoner will take leadership of GMNA and his current position. "Given the challenges we face in North America, it makes sense for me to assume control of GMNA's day to day operations and shorten the lines of communication and decision-making".

Rick Wagoner had assigned himself to fix the company's money-loosing North America operation. He is playing a three job role of an industrialist superhero. Problems at GM are mounting instead of receding. Board members are under pressure trying to figure out how to stop the flow of bad news. GM is facing a huge operating loss. According to USA Today, the losses are greater now than they were in the early 90s. A year ago GM reported 10.6 billion losses that were discovered through an accounting mistake.