DETROIT — General Motors announced sweeping cost cuts and cash-generation efforts to get through the next 18 months, but the automaker's product czar Bob Lutz insisted the future product plan for cars and crossovers has been spared and even enhanced.
"While deferring and reducing the scope of our future full-size truck programs, we've safeguarded all car and crossover programs — and even pulled some of them ahead," GM's vice chairman in charge of product development said in a conference call with the media and in a separated call with bloggers, including AutoObserver.com. GM recently announced it was delaying the redesign of its current Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.
Among GM's safeguarded vehicle programs is the Chevrolet Cruze, with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, that will achieve 40 miles per gallon, 9 more mpg in fuel economy than the Cobalt it replaces in the U.S. in 2010, Lutz said. The Chevrolet Equinox will be revamped and equipped with a new 2.3-liter, four-cylinder direct-injection engine.
Lutz further hinted that more alternative-fuel vehicles were planned.
GM CEO Rick Wagoner reiterated that the only GM brand under strategic review continues to be Hummer, which he said has lots of interest from outside of GM. General Motors will focus on profit improvement for its other brands.
"All of our product franchises will be abundantly provided for with passenger cars and crossovers of various sizes," he said. He added that the Buick-Pontiac-GMC group will get smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, with GMC emphasizing crossovers, including a version of the Chevrolet Equinox. Buick will sell a new yet-to-be-named car based on the Invicta concept unveiled at the Beijing motor show in April.
Cadillac, despite some "modifications" in its future product portfolio, will be "very, very, very" well positioned with the CTS station wagon making its debut in spring 2009, the CTS coupe going on sale in summer 2009 and the new SRX crossover, based on the Provoq concept, being introduced in the second quarter of 2009.
"Our stated goal is to adopt the technology that makes us the fuel economy leader in every segment in which we compete, with our overall goal being the world's best in overall product excellence," Lutz said. "Nothing about this plan touches that."
What this means to you: Fewer, older trucks and SUVs for you to buy from GM dealerships; more cars and crossovers. — Michelle Krebs, editor, AutoObserver.com
"While deferring and reducing the scope of our future full-size truck programs, we've safeguarded all car and crossover programs — and even pulled some of them ahead," GM's vice chairman in charge of product development said in a conference call with the media and in a separated call with bloggers, including AutoObserver.com. GM recently announced it was delaying the redesign of its current Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.
Among GM's safeguarded vehicle programs is the Chevrolet Cruze, with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, that will achieve 40 miles per gallon, 9 more mpg in fuel economy than the Cobalt it replaces in the U.S. in 2010, Lutz said. The Chevrolet Equinox will be revamped and equipped with a new 2.3-liter, four-cylinder direct-injection engine.
Lutz further hinted that more alternative-fuel vehicles were planned.
GM CEO Rick Wagoner reiterated that the only GM brand under strategic review continues to be Hummer, which he said has lots of interest from outside of GM. General Motors will focus on profit improvement for its other brands.
"All of our product franchises will be abundantly provided for with passenger cars and crossovers of various sizes," he said. He added that the Buick-Pontiac-GMC group will get smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, with GMC emphasizing crossovers, including a version of the Chevrolet Equinox. Buick will sell a new yet-to-be-named car based on the Invicta concept unveiled at the Beijing motor show in April.
Cadillac, despite some "modifications" in its future product portfolio, will be "very, very, very" well positioned with the CTS station wagon making its debut in spring 2009, the CTS coupe going on sale in summer 2009 and the new SRX crossover, based on the Provoq concept, being introduced in the second quarter of 2009.
"Our stated goal is to adopt the technology that makes us the fuel economy leader in every segment in which we compete, with our overall goal being the world's best in overall product excellence," Lutz said. "Nothing about this plan touches that."
What this means to you: Fewer, older trucks and SUVs for you to buy from GM dealerships; more cars and crossovers. — Michelle Krebs, editor, AutoObserver.com
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