GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive
12-29-2002, 08:42 PM
#1
GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive March, 2003 issue of GMHTP
Pages 20-26
Page 23 ...
GMHTP:
Tops on our reader's list of questions is affordable rear wheel drive performance. There is the fear that GM will do rear wheel drive performance, but it will be financially out of reach. Can you address the sticker price issue?
Mr. Reuss:
Yes I can. First, GM is probably one of the only companies in the world that truly is going to offer performance up in the Cadillac range with the V series but also has some pretty fun entry level vehicles that deliver a lot of performance for the money in the future. Our company is strong because we offer a broad lineup of very attractive products and we're going to continue to do that. Abandoning things and going up market is not the strategy. The strategy is having very good products at every price point. We are not abandoning them.
GMHTP:
Right now the Cavalier is percieved by young performance enthusiasts as uncool and underpowered compared to cars like the Focus SVT, the Neon SRT-4, Nissan Sentra SE-R, MaxdaSpeed Protege and Honda Civic Si. Do you think now is a good time for a Cavalier SS - or some other entry level vehicle - with a little more power?
Mr. Reuss:
I think this is a great time for heavy concentration on entry level performance and we are completing some of this work now. etc., etc., etc.
=============================================
Does this disturb anyone else?
Going UP market with the Cadillac performance and then discussing ENTRY LEVEL performance, equating to Foci, Neon, Nissan, Mazda, Honda, etc. etc. etc.
I see nothing here that gives me a warm fuzzy that GM is even gonna try and compete with a Mustang at a mid-level.
It's either SuperCar or WizCar ... definitely no PonyCar ...
Pages 20-26
Page 23 ...
GMHTP:
Tops on our reader's list of questions is affordable rear wheel drive performance. There is the fear that GM will do rear wheel drive performance, but it will be financially out of reach. Can you address the sticker price issue?
Mr. Reuss:
Yes I can. First, GM is probably one of the only companies in the world that truly is going to offer performance up in the Cadillac range with the V series but also has some pretty fun entry level vehicles that deliver a lot of performance for the money in the future. Our company is strong because we offer a broad lineup of very attractive products and we're going to continue to do that. Abandoning things and going up market is not the strategy. The strategy is having very good products at every price point. We are not abandoning them.
GMHTP:
Right now the Cavalier is percieved by young performance enthusiasts as uncool and underpowered compared to cars like the Focus SVT, the Neon SRT-4, Nissan Sentra SE-R, MaxdaSpeed Protege and Honda Civic Si. Do you think now is a good time for a Cavalier SS - or some other entry level vehicle - with a little more power?
Mr. Reuss:
I think this is a great time for heavy concentration on entry level performance and we are completing some of this work now. etc., etc., etc.
=============================================
Does this disturb anyone else?
Going UP market with the Cadillac performance and then discussing ENTRY LEVEL performance, equating to Foci, Neon, Nissan, Mazda, Honda, etc. etc. etc.
I see nothing here that gives me a warm fuzzy that GM is even gonna try and compete with a Mustang at a mid-level.
It's either SuperCar or WizCar ... definitely no PonyCar ...
12-29-2002, 09:01 PM
#2
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Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive Well, at least insurance will be cheaper. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[shoot]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_guns.gif" /> GM
I think we need to all start buying up GM stock and take over the company. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[judgement]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" />
John
<img border="0" alt="[shoot]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_guns.gif" /> GM
I think we need to all start buying up GM stock and take over the company. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[judgement]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" />
John
12-30-2002, 12:23 AM
#3
Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive Home grown rice. <img border="0" alt="[shoot]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_guns.gif" /> GM won't be selling any of that crap to me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" /> Looks like I'll have to take extra good care of my car, because it doesn't sound like GM is going to make anything that makes me want to trade it in. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
Bruce
Bruce
12-30-2002, 12:33 AM
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Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive I have already come to the conclusion that I'm gonna have to buy a few more F-bodies now cause there is nothing new from GM that I want. Looks like we will have to start stock piling Camaros and Firebirds...
12-30-2002, 09:03 AM
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Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive My exact reason for gearing up to buy a 03 Cobra next year or hell maybe an 04! I surely won't be getting rid of my LS1s though.
12-30-2002, 09:27 AM
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Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive What would be the best way to wipe out all of the upper management at GM?
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12-30-2002, 11:22 AM
#8
Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by J-Rod:
<strong> Don't forget the Holden, aka GTO... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's really the only hope, Holden. The problem is they may be more expensive than many can afford. <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
Bruce
<strong> Don't forget the Holden, aka GTO... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's really the only hope, Holden. The problem is they may be more expensive than many can afford. <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
Bruce
12-30-2002, 08:20 PM
#9
Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Hardtop:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by J-Rod:
<strong> Don't forget the Holden, aka GTO... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's really the only hope, Holden. The problem is they may be more expensive than many can afford. <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
Bruce </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">My guess is dealers will mark them up significantly because they are new, rare and exclusive.
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by J-Rod:
<strong> Don't forget the Holden, aka GTO... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's really the only hope, Holden. The problem is they may be more expensive than many can afford. <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
Bruce </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">My guess is dealers will mark them up significantly because they are new, rare and exclusive.
12-30-2002, 08:48 PM
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Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive Makes me glad I decided to keep my Z.
I'm curious about the price tag on the GTO, if it ever arrives. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> Anybody heard anything?
I'm curious about the price tag on the GTO, if it ever arrives. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> Anybody heard anything?
12-31-2002, 12:25 AM
#12
TECH Fanatic
Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 99MONGOOSE:
<strong> My exact reason for gearing up to buy a 03 Cobra next year or hell maybe an 04! I surely won't be getting rid of my LS1s though. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Think I might abandon GM also for doing this. That interview left a bad taste in my mouth. Not sure what else I would go to . . . maybe a Viper (ughh), maybe a Cobra, who knows. But not a f*cking Cavalier or similar ilk.
<strong> My exact reason for gearing up to buy a 03 Cobra next year or hell maybe an 04! I surely won't be getting rid of my LS1s though. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Think I might abandon GM also for doing this. That interview left a bad taste in my mouth. Not sure what else I would go to . . . maybe a Viper (ughh), maybe a Cobra, who knows. But not a f*cking Cavalier or similar ilk.
12-31-2002, 05:07 AM
#14
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Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive A. Look at what is HOT right now. Why not take advantage of it?
B. GM Peformance Division, yea high dollar(relativly speaking) RWD and a few FWD cars are coming.
C. SIGMA. If you don't know what that is, you need to educate yourself.
B. GM Peformance Division, yea high dollar(relativly speaking) RWD and a few FWD cars are coming.
C. SIGMA. If you don't know what that is, you need to educate yourself.
12-31-2002, 06:57 AM
#15
Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive I'm keeping my TA forever, and will always be a GM guy, but nowadays Ford is the only company on our side. GM wants to sell a Cavalier SS (freaking funny) so kids can put a fart pipe, big wing and Japanese decals on it to look cool, and Ford is selling V8 supercharged Mustangs and trucks. Bob Lutz is the only GM employee I respect. The rest of them have turned on us.
12-31-2002, 09:43 PM
#16
Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive The GTO is probably gonna be a $30,000-$35,000 car BEFORE dealerships start jacking them up. I am sure glad I was able to order my Formula when I did. <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />
01-01-2003, 12:03 AM
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Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive Is there any hope on bringing the f-body back in the near future like 2005 or 2006. That would be a dream come true.
01-01-2003, 12:49 AM
#18
Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by ZR2877:
<strong> Is there any hope on bringing the f-body back in the near future like 2005 or 2006. That would be a dream come true. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Page 22:
GMHTP:
Can we ask about teh "C" word or the "F" word here? We have to or our readers will revolt.
Mr. Reuss:
Okay.
GMHTP:
Well, what about the "C" word - the Camaro or the Firebird?
Mr. Reuss:
What do you mean, "what about'em"?I mean, what do you want to know? (laughs)
GMHTP:
Is there a future?
Mr. Reuss:
Is there a future? You don't go out there and say "never". That's very dangerous. But if you say "well, we're looking at it." then everybody says, "Alright, we're doing it!"So, I'm not gonna say either of those, because right now, we are not actively working on it.
GMHTP:
It's not closer to one or the other?
Mr. Reuss:
No, it's not.We are just not studying it. and we're not working on it. That's where we're at right now.
=======================
Is this guy a piece of work, or what?
As soon as he gets through burying GM in mediocre-land, he should have a great future in politics ...
<strong> Is there any hope on bringing the f-body back in the near future like 2005 or 2006. That would be a dream come true. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Page 22:
GMHTP:
Can we ask about teh "C" word or the "F" word here? We have to or our readers will revolt.
Mr. Reuss:
Okay.
GMHTP:
Well, what about the "C" word - the Camaro or the Firebird?
Mr. Reuss:
What do you mean, "what about'em"?I mean, what do you want to know? (laughs)
GMHTP:
Is there a future?
Mr. Reuss:
Is there a future? You don't go out there and say "never". That's very dangerous. But if you say "well, we're looking at it." then everybody says, "Alright, we're doing it!"So, I'm not gonna say either of those, because right now, we are not actively working on it.
GMHTP:
It's not closer to one or the other?
Mr. Reuss:
No, it's not.We are just not studying it. and we're not working on it. That's where we're at right now.
=======================
Is this guy a piece of work, or what?
As soon as he gets through burying GM in mediocre-land, he should have a great future in politics ...
01-02-2003, 02:01 PM
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Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by mitchntx:
Is this guy a piece of work, or what?
As soon as he gets through burying GM in mediocre-land, he should have a great future in politics ...</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm right with ya' Mitch. That's the same feeling I got when reading that article. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> Why do they need to do so much "dancing" around the issues?
Is this guy a piece of work, or what?
As soon as he gets through burying GM in mediocre-land, he should have a great future in politics ...</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm right with ya' Mitch. That's the same feeling I got when reading that article. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> Why do they need to do so much "dancing" around the issues?
01-02-2003, 02:04 PM
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Re: GMHTP interview of Mark Ruess, GM Performance Executive Mr. Ruess sounds pretty full of himself based on this interview.
This is my favorite quote:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> First, GM is probably one of the only companies in the world that truly is going to offer performance up in the Cadillac range with the V series but also has some pretty fun entry level vehicles that deliver a lot of performance for the money in the future. Our company is strong because we offer a broad lineup of very attractive products and we're going to continue to do that. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It makes me laugh when a company feels the need to TELL you, the consumer, what's fun and what's cool. Do they really think you need their help in figuring it out? Maybe they ought to listen a little instead of spending all that time preaching and patting themselves on the back.
When I look at GM's "broad lineup of very attractive products" I see something like this:
1) Refrigerator white Lumina/Impala/Grand Prix/Grand Am and other assorted rental cars.
2) Ricer/schoolgirl cavalier/sunfire, etc
3) Corvette
4) A wide array of SUV's and trucks that all cost close to $40k, but come with OnStar and heated leather seats <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
5) A few minivans and Aztec things that appeal to nobody.
6) One or two overpriced carrots dangling out there (GTO, Chev SS, etc)
Pretty exciting, huh? <img border="0" alt="[boring]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_zzz.gif" />
Last time I was looking for a car I ended up with an import because there was nothing of interest available domestically at my "price point". Note that I've owned nothing but GM products since I was 16 years old.
I have a feeling that Mr. Ruess is the typical out-of-touch exec - more reactive than proactive. Of course, as far as I can remember, its been many years since GM took a risk beyond retooling their cookie-cutter anyway.
This is my favorite quote:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> First, GM is probably one of the only companies in the world that truly is going to offer performance up in the Cadillac range with the V series but also has some pretty fun entry level vehicles that deliver a lot of performance for the money in the future. Our company is strong because we offer a broad lineup of very attractive products and we're going to continue to do that. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It makes me laugh when a company feels the need to TELL you, the consumer, what's fun and what's cool. Do they really think you need their help in figuring it out? Maybe they ought to listen a little instead of spending all that time preaching and patting themselves on the back.
When I look at GM's "broad lineup of very attractive products" I see something like this:
1) Refrigerator white Lumina/Impala/Grand Prix/Grand Am and other assorted rental cars.
2) Ricer/schoolgirl cavalier/sunfire, etc
3) Corvette
4) A wide array of SUV's and trucks that all cost close to $40k, but come with OnStar and heated leather seats <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
5) A few minivans and Aztec things that appeal to nobody.
6) One or two overpriced carrots dangling out there (GTO, Chev SS, etc)
Pretty exciting, huh? <img border="0" alt="[boring]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_zzz.gif" />
Last time I was looking for a car I ended up with an import because there was nothing of interest available domestically at my "price point". Note that I've owned nothing but GM products since I was 16 years old.
I have a feeling that Mr. Ruess is the typical out-of-touch exec - more reactive than proactive. Of course, as far as I can remember, its been many years since GM took a risk beyond retooling their cookie-cutter anyway.