More GM News

We've been following the GM story here for a while now. To make their case for a government loan, GM ran this ad in today's Wall Street Journal: There's a Belief that GM is Not Doing Enough. They also launched a new website called: gmfactsandfiction.com.



Some of the key support points to why GM is future-ready: The Chevy Volt, a reduced manufacturing footprint, a shift from truck and SUV lines to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.

Now you may be thinking that if they already had done these things, they wouldn't need the helping hand. And you might just be right.

Too Little, Too Late?

This week, the NY Times reported that GM will struggle to make it through 2009 without an economic bailout from the government. Over the past few months we have talked a bit about GM's entry and promising growth into the sustainability discussion. Just over two months ago, J.D. Powers and Associates reported that GM's ranking as the most sustainable car brand in the blogosphere was just narrowly behind Toyota, a huge win for GM. Or so we thought... (Read the post: GM Makes Green Strides)

It is one of our core beliefs that brands who are the first to enter into the sustainability discussion in their industry will reap the greatest reward. Brands that demonstrate leadership and dynamism and share a true vision have always risen to the top. Think of BP versus ExxonMobil or Walmart versus Target.

That's why it is hard, given the recent news, not to think about Toyota's vision versus GM's. One can't help but wonder: what would GM look like today if they had embraced the changing energy and automobile landscape sooner, instead of ignoring it for so long. What if they had been the first (or even the second or third) to enter into the hybrid market? Does vision matter? Only if you want to survive.

GM Makes Green Strides

Back in August, we shared some of GM's sustainability advertising on this blog. We were encouraged by GM's willingness to finally change and asked the question:

Will [the consumer] be willing to change along with GM?

Looks like we got our answer. Check out a recent study by J.D. Power and Associates Web intelligence division.

GM Makes Green Strides

It goes to show the merit to communicating in this space. Just a year ago Toyota and Honda dominated this discussion, and today, the playing field has been leveled-- at least in terms of awareness. It took some courage and leadership (not to mention some real investment) for GM to change. But will it be in time?

Having the GM brand rank amongst long-time eco-forward thinking brands such as Whole Foods, Wal-Mart and eBay is just the beginning. Let's see if their sales numbers match.

The Dem's Convention and Beer

You may have heard that the DNC offset the carbon footprint of its jet-setting delegates. But exactly how?

They composted the food waste from all 8,000+ meals. Used biodegradable trash bags for the garbage hauled to landfills. Powered both the Pepsi Center and Hyatt (the DNC HQ) by 100% wind energy.

And our favorite: used only hybrid or "alternative fuel" cars and trucks to transport delegates and the media. Alternative fuel. You must be thinking biodiesel, right?

Not exactly. Beer.

I know what you're thinking now: "Is there nothing beer can't do?" But before you throw a six-pack into the gas tank, the fuel is really ethanol made from waste materials created in the brewing process.

And that waste adds up. Molson Coors (based in Denver) donated enough clean burning ethanol fuel to the DNC for all 400 General Motors flex-fuel vehicles used throughout the convention. Nice PR move. Who can resist the irony? After all, next to nominating an historic candidate, what is the convention besides one big party?

So kick back this election season, crack open a cold one and save the world.

An Olympic Effort by GM

Have you seen the new GM ad running during the Games? It aims to set GM apart as a "company that gets it," by showing off all the "green" bells and whistles they've got coming out of the R&D lab. It reminds us that GM is an innovator and is bigger than any one of its brands.

Of course, it's hard not to smile a bit smugly as the US car giant tried to unload the albatross formerly known as The Hummer. Maybe they should have left that brand's badge out of the spot...? But you have to applaud GM's willingness to change. But what about the U.S. car buyer? Will they be willing to change along with GM? Will they support a hybrid that doesn't come in the shape of a giant Chevy Tahoe? Will they "pay forward" a few dollars more to make a fuel cell a reality sooner?

Dunno. But times have changed and smart companies—like GM—should lead the mass revolution. Commit to technologies and products it knows people will want. And that only happens from the top. Afterall, it was another car company's founder, Henry Ford, who said, "If I'd asked my customers what they wanted, they'd have said a faster horse."

What do you think?