Astonishing Image improvements at General Motors, change
that’s more than skin deep, from a staid, conservative company that has historically resisted change at all costs. Proof that the most stagnant of businesses can manage a radical culture change and an Image turn-a-round.
After an image and esteem souring bankruptcy, the early
eighties to the early nineties - a decade of mediocre (at best) vehicles, and dismal
customer service, wholesale changes are underway at GM. It’s apparent in the
quality of the vehicles, the customer Experience when dealing with General
Motors and its divisions, and the attitude of its designers, engineers, and builders.
All is not perfected, and it never will be, it is a long difficult road, new
challenges everyday, customer expectation changes, and a dealer network that’s
slow to get on the bandwagon. That said the advancements are remarkable!
The standard bearer for this sea change; The Chevrolet Volt,
overcame what seemed insurmountable odds to garner well-deserved respect and
admiration from those in the know. The Volt has created an incredibly passionate
following amongst its owners, and indeed is the most recommended vehicle in
America. Chevrolet Volt led the charge of totally new and world class vehicles,
including: Chevrolet; Cruze, New Impala, New Silverado, and Corvette Stingray,
Buick; Encore, LaCrosse, Regal, and Enclave, GMC; New Sierra, New Yukon, and Acadia,
Cadillac; SRX, ATS, XTS, New CTS, New Escalade, and the
culmination of countless hours of R&D and bean counter arm-twisting within
GM, The Cadillac ELR. This limited production EREV changed the way America, and the World
imagined the Environmentally conscious vehicle, for good. Certainly Image
lessons from which we can all glean a thing or two.
The Chevrolet Volt, is bank vault solid, incredibly
reliable, drives well, and offers stylish transport to the Environmentally
conscious driver. The average Volt owners’ 150 (lifetime) mpg is in a word,
awesome. It's a great car; it is not a luxury car. The average Volt owner has a
six figure income, is 46-56yo, and typically spends $70-80K on a luxury vehicle,
the Volt until recently has been (in practice) a $40,000.00 car. This makes the
current Volt owner, the perfect customer for Cadillac. The Volt moved down
in price to be more attainable to the 30 something customer, and to allow GM a
slot for a $44K (or thereabouts) Chevrolet all-electric long-range CUV,
at the top sits the Cadillac ELR with room in between for as many variations
of exceptional EV’s, EREV’s, and Hybrid’s as the market desires.
The Cadillac ELR is a limited production, exclusive, halo
vehicle for Cadillac. The ELR stands apart with a remarkable, proven EREV
drive-system, incredible driving dynamics, one of the finest interiors in
autodom, and styling that is uniquely sexy, modern, and timeless. It's not for everyone, and it shouldn't be, the purpose here
is to set the standard for all luxury EREV's. The ELR was sold to
well-heeled customers mostly over 45 years of age. Bully for Cadillac, as the ELR has shown up in the right driveways, motor-courts, valet lines, and parking lots, where it instantly becomes the topic of conversation between the right people: owners of import luxury cars. This is
how you succeed in creating an enviable Image!
Empowering those at every step: design, engineering, and
manufacturing, has created a renewed passion at GM and its divisions. New
products continue to impress, and with those new positive impressions, the
Image of Cadillac, GM, and all its divisions improves every moment.
Until next time,
Sean Lane Dennison - Lane-Anthony & Co. Ltd.
