DETROIT - GM announced today the launch of a new Web site designed to make a distinction between the facts and rumors surrounding the company.
The site, GMFactsandFiction.com, utilizes a conversational and direct style to help clarify many misconceptions people may have about GM. Facts and Fiction is intended to be a resource for anyone looking for more information on recent news and announcements about the company.
GMFactsandFiction.com is organized by sections containing a myth and GM's response to each one. Visitors can also e-mail information they hear about GM and request that the issue be addressed on the site.
The site can be accessed via www.gmfactsandfiction.com, or on the GM FastLane Blog (http://fastlane.gmblogs.com).
Highlights from the website:
Myth:GM vehicles are not as fuel efficient as comparable imports
Fact:A visit to the EPA fuel economy site shows that, segment for segment, GM vehicles are competitive with any vehicles in the market.
GM currently has more models with EPA highway ratings of 30 mpg or better than any other carmaker, 18 in total.
We are not resting on our success. We are working to further improve the fuel economy of every new vehicle we build. For example, we recently announced plans for a new Chevy compact car, the Cruze, which is expected to have signficantly better fuel economy than the Cobalt, which is already among the most fuel efficient vehicles in its segment.
Myth: GM can’t compete
Fact: GM competes head to head with the best global carmakers in every major market except Japan, which is effectively closed to non-Japanese companies. And we do quite well, thank you. We are on track to sell more than 9 million vehicles globally for the fourth year running, and we are setting sales records in our three regions outside of North America.
In North America, our new vehicles have been consistent award winners, and they continue to win over customers in a very tough market.
GM is one of a handful of companies with the resources to truly reinvent the automobile. Whether it is advanced internal combustion engines, biofuels, hybrids, fuel cells, or electrically driven vehicles like the Chevy Volt, GM is committed to being a global leader in advanced propulsion, which will reshape the auto industry during its second century.
Myth: GM still doesn’t make cars that people want to buy
Fact: GM cars and trucks have improved significantly over the past decade, and critics and customers are taking note.
In 2007, the Saturn Aura and Chevy Silverado won North American Car and Truck of the year.
In 2008, the Chevy Malibu was named North American Car of the Year, The Cadillac CTS was Motor Trend’s 2008 Car of the Year.
Customers have responded just as enthusiastically as the critics. Despite a very tough market, GM cars and crossovers have enjoyed significant sales increases so far this year:
* Chevy Cobalt +10%
* Pontiac G6 + 10%
* Saturn Aura +12%
* Pontiac Vibe +33%
* Cadillac CTS +36%
* Chevy Malibu +32%
* Buick Enclave +156%
Myth: GM quality is not competitive
Fact: GM quality is very competitive, and it continues to improve, according to both our internal measures and independent surveys.
For example, in the most recent J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, Chevy Malibu and Silverado were the highest ranked midsize car and large pickup in the industry.
GM’s 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty reflects our confidence in the durability of our vehicles, as does our 12 month/12,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on GM certified used vehicles.
However, we can’t rest. We know that the quality of all new vehicles continues to improve. So we are working hard every day to make our vehicles even better.
We encourage potential customers to research third-party resources and websites, and to try our new vehicles for themselves. We think they will be pleasantly surprised.
Myth: GM no longer matters to the U.S. or its economy
Fact: The U.S. auto industry still generates more employment, annual economic output, exports, and retail business than any other industry. It directly employs a quarter of a million people, and supports another 5 million Americans at dealerships, suppliers and service providers.
U.S. based carmakers spend more on R&D than any industry – more than $12 billion annually. We also provide healthcare benefits to 2 million Americans, and support nearly 800,000 retirees and spouses with pension benefits.
There is also the matter of national pride. GM is one of a handful of U.S. based manufacturing companies that compete head-to-head with the world’s best in global markets. We are proud that we have become a truly global company, and proud that we are a leader in fast growing markets like China, Brazil and Eastern Europe. We are also proud that American brands like Chevrolet and Cadillac known and admired around the world.
Myth: GM’s biggest problem in North America is its union contracts
Fact: There is no question that the growth of imports, and of non-unionized U.S. factories owned by overseas competitors, posed a tough challenge for GM and its unions. The only realistic solution was to do what we did — negotiate agreements that narrow this gap.
The most recent GM-UAW agreement, signed in 2007, helps close fundamental competitive gaps with our import competitors, and we anticipate significant savings as we implement the key provisions of the agreement between now and 2010.
GM’s unionized North American factories compete with the best in terms of quality and productivity.
We are confident that a collaborative relationship with our unions continues to be in everyone’s best interest.
Myth: GM is not moving fast enough
Fact: Global automakers like GM are among the largest manufacturing companies ever created. GM, for example, builds more than 9 million cars a year in 35 countries, and employs 266,000 people around the world.
Despite its size, GM has made substantial changes in just the past eight years. We now design and develop most of our vehicles globally, and this global expertise has helped create award winning products like the Cadillac CTS, Chevy Malibu, Saturn Aura and Buick Enclave. Our global engineers have also helped GM reclaim its place as a leader in energy saving technologies.
And we have grown rapidly in new markets like China, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
In 2000, just 42% of GM sales were outside the U.S. By 2008, nearly 60% of GM sales were in these fast growing international markets.
Also, keep in mind that the auto business is cyclical. The down cycle in the U.S. market that began in 2006 and sharpened last spring is posing short-term challenges for everyone. Weathering these down cycles and continuing to build for the future is simply part of the business
GM’s strategy is straightforward: Continue to build toward sustainable success, in the U.S. and around the world.
Myth: GM opposes higher fuel economy standards
Fact: GM fully supports new national corporate average fuel economy (CAFÉ) standards of 35 mpg by 2020, a dramatic increase of 40% over previous standards. Along with other interested parties, we will work with the government throughout the rulemaking process on details of the new regulation.
GM continues to believe that a single set of tough national fuel economy standards is the best way to focus the industry’s efforts and to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions nationwide.
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