GM's Next Possible CEO Says "No More Crappy Cars," BUT Has She Driven The New Malibu?

Now while we may give General Motors a lot of trouble about its products, there's one thing that seems to be an ongoing trend at the huge automaker. Its products tend to be substandard.

Rarely does one of its new products come out and blow folks away. This even includes the pro-Detroit press that are already "in the bag." Though it seems there's been a BIG step of improvement with all-new products like the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Impala — both of which got some great feedback from independent authority, Consumer Reports — it seems that mediocre cars are still being made. Cue the next-gen Escalade with its carryover powertrain and Chevrolet Malibu that was a disaster from the start.

If you've driven the Chevrolet Malibu then go get behind the wheel of a Ford Fusion, there's no doubt you'll be riding home in the Fusion and Ford will be getting your hard-earned dollars.

In a recent interview the potential CEO candidate, Mary Barra, notes that she's wanted to drive a "cultural change" within GM and even has a directive for her employees post bankruptcy: "No more crappy cars."

So, has it delivered?

Post bankruptcy has GM been producing products that are an indication of a culture change or, in reality, has it just been masking subpar products with better packaging? What say you, Spies?


Mary Barra has one directive for her employees: "The simple thing I say to them is, No more crappy cars, and that resonates."

The phrase is part of a broader approach GM's EVP of global product development and global purchasing and supply chain has taken in empowering her employees. Before "boundaries were put on them, and we didn't give them the recipe for success," she said during Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit on Wednesday. "Now we're saying no excuses." The results, she says, are visible on the road today for GM.

Barra, who is a top contender to eventually run the company, is considered to have one of the hardest jobs in the global auto industry. "You have to slash development costs and still build exciting cars," noted interviewer Becky Quick, co-anchor of CNBC's Squawk Box.
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TheSteve - 10/19/2013 2:36:46 AM

+3 Boost

Good luck with that! When a fish rots, it always starts at the head. If GM has problems, don't complain to employees. Look to execs for what they're created. Maybe it's time to sell that private jet and focus on building good cars.

randy3023 - 10/22/2013 1:08:06 PM

+1 Boost

^^+1. Perfectly said.

MattDarringer - 10/19/2013 11:37:25 AM

+2 Boost

GM is still the old GM. It has Holden,Korea, USA, Opel and by extension Peugeot and Citroen's woes. The sooner GM ditches the Peugeot and Citroen alliance and replaces the small Opels with GM Korea models the better. The Cruze and Sonic are good cars and the Spark is surprisingly good for a quick, get it ready for the USA approach. They owe GM Korea big time for that trio. The Traverse and company is desperately old because they are based on an evolution of the platform that began as the Chevy Venture! The "all new" trucks are pretty much the old trucks restyled. The Malibu and Impala are OK at best if your expectation is that the Chrysler 200 is the competition. The Camaro is based on a platform that is as old as dirt. The Chevy SS is a Pontiac G8 with a Chevy badge. Buick and Cadillac seem to have a clue, but much of GM is clueless and rudderless.

randy3023 - 10/21/2013 12:21:12 AM

+1 Boost

A 10-page dress code? I can't believe we bailed out these idiots.

SuperTurtlePlus - 10/21/2013 10:02:42 PM

+1 Boost

I actually don't see how valid some of your complaints are. For instance, the new Escalade is complained about (a vehicle I am willing to bet money no one at AutoSpies has yet driven in any capacity) when it hasn't been teste based squarely upon it's chassis.

You call the latest Malibu "a disaster," but somehow forget to mention why.

And while I haven't rented the most recent version of Fusion, I did drive the prior generation. It felt heavy, and more massive that it was, though I won't comment on the most recent one till I drive it.

The Malibu -- the most recent version, not the earlier 'soapy-looking' one looks bold and self-assured, and a vehicle I cannot wait to rent.

And by the way, let's say your point about the Malibu vs the Fusion is accurate. Does at necessarily mean that the Malibu is a bad car, or that you prefer the Fusion?

Though in my area of Washington, DC I see quite a bit more new Malibus than Fusions. Hardly scientific, but I believe what I see.

dodgedart - 10/21/2013 10:42:19 PM

+1 Boost

Where are they going to hide the new crappy cars? The rentals and leases are still a good place. Crappy cars are their proud legacy. GM is just busy transferring the government bailout preserved intellectual property to China while they distract about crappy cars and market the volt. The decent models are based on Korean platforms.