GM Retiree eNews - May 3, 2010 |
This Issue |
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New GM Retiree Website to Launch May 3 |
The new GM Retiree Socrates website, www.gmretiree.com, will go live May 3, offering additional functionality and additional features not open for public consumption. This website will allow retirees to access enhanced benefit information, announcements and notices, exclusive GM Marketplace offers/discounts, club information, GM news, and product information. The new GM Retiree Socrates website is a secure site that is password protected. During the registration process, you will be asked to provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number, zip code, birth month and birth day to confirm your identity as a GM retiree. In addition, you will be required to provide us with an email address so we may provide you with retiree eNews, as well as local GM events and activities. To access GM Retiree Socrates, go to www.gmretiree.com. Be sure to bookmark the website today. |
GM Pays Back Government Loans in Full, Announces Investment in Fairfax, Detroit Hamtramck |
2010-04-21
General Motors Company Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre today announced that GM has made its final payment of $5.8 billion to the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada, paying back its government loans in full, ahead of schedule. The announcement came at a ceremony here to highlight an investment of $257 million at GM's Fairfax, Kansas, and Detroit Hamtramck assembly centers. The investment will prepare Fairfax to build the next generation of Chevrolet's award-winning Malibu, and make Detroit Hamtramck a second source for Malibu, ensuring that Chevrolet can meet market demand for this popular mid-size sedan. Read More>> |
The GM Bailout: Paid Back in Full (Commentary) |
The Wall Street Journal
Our ability to pay back these loans less than a year after emerging from bankruptcy is a sign that our plan for building a new GM is working. It is also an important step toward eventually reducing the amount of equity the governments of the U.S., Canada and Ontario hold in our company. Combined, these governments hold a majority of GM's equity, and we want citizens to know how their governments' money is being put to work. Read More>> |
Chevrolet Joins Oprah's "No Phone Zone" Campaign to Combat Distracted Driving |
The campaign is dedicated to honoring the lives lost due to distracted driving, educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving and activating people to make a difference in their communities. As part of the campaign, drivers are encouraged to take the "No Phone Zone" pledge. The pledge, available at www.oprah.com, asks motorists to commit to:
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Take the "No Phone Zone" Pledge |
Safe driving is a top priority at General Motors, and we are proud to join Oprah Winfrey in her effort to eliminate distracted driving. Chevrolet is the exclusive automotive sponsor of Oprah's "No Phone Zone" campaign. Please remember that safety is everyone's responsibility. GM's safe driving policy doesn't allow texting and driving. It also requires that if we need to make a call, we use hands-free technology, or pull over in a safe area to place a call. And, as you know, OnStar's hands-free calling and turn-by-turn directions can help minimize distractions. Take the "No Phone Zone" pledge, and ask your kids and grandchildren to as well. For more information, visit The Oprah Show website. |
GM to Invest $890 Million to Build Cleaner, More Fuel-Efficient Engines |
2010-04-27
General Motors will invest more than $890 million which will create or retain more than 1,600 jobs in five North American plants to produce a new generation of fuel efficient small block truck and car engines. The investment consists of the following:
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Let The Sun Shine |
GM also has two of the largest solar power installations in the United States on the roofs of parts warehouse facilities in Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, California. The solar array in Rancho Cucamonga was the first public solar project in the U.S. over 1 MW when it began operating in the fall of 2007. Since the inception of each Solar energy project, Rancho, Fontana, and Zaragoza, the systems have generated the equivalent of power consumed by 1,887 homes annually. GM's solar direction remains strong, driving to increase the use of renewable solar energy with over a dozen prospective installations currently under investigation globally. Three projects are currently under way that will total nearly 18MW of solar power between the Volt Assembly plant in Detroit, Mich., and 2 facilities in Ruesselsheim and Kaiserslautern, Germany. |
Brand Buzz |
Wired.com Volt Challenge |
Employees of GM and our suppliers are not eligible for the contest. However, if you have friends who are interested, send them to http://www.wired.com/autopia/voltcontest/ for all the rules and details on how to enter. |
Yep, It's That Good |
"More than the chic new LaCrosse or the glittery Enclave, the 2011 Buick Regal takes all your preconceptions about GM's old-fogey brand and drives them straight into the nearest dumpster. The $26,995 Regal CXL is sleek, stylish and comprehensively equipped, with suavely European road manners. The $29,495 Regal Turbo is a wonderfully subversive sport sedan whose punchy, 220-horsepower blown Ecotec four and supple, yet buttoned-down, chassis puts Acura's homely TSX on notice, and seriously makes you wonder whether an Audi A4 is really worth the money." "Yep, it's that good," he concludes. The entire review is here. |
Not Your Father's Buick: 2011 Regal |
Hong drove the Regal on the Nordschleife circuit in Germany and said: "The Regal was balanced, confidence-inspiring and fun to drive. And this was done on standard brakes and all-season tires, no special tweaks. Who would of thought that I would be driving a Buick—my father has owned a few of these floaty appliances—on the very track that only high performance cars would dare to challenge." The news report is here. |
In the News |
Hresko Says Current Vehicle Reliability Best Ever |
Initial vehicle quality at GM has reached a new peak, according to Jamie Hresko, vice president, Global Quality. "We've never launched vehicles with as high quality as this year," Hresko told Ward'sAuto.com. "We used to validate our vehicles to 100,000 miles (162,000 km) in the old GM. In the new GM, we validate not to fail." The improved quality is making it possible for GM to offer its current 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. He also believes customer perception of GM quality is changing. A survey released last week by the Associated Press and GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media concludes more consumers now think Detroit auto makers produce higher quality vehicles than their foreign competitors. Warranty claims on GM vehicles overall have plummeted 45 percent since 2007, Hresko says, resulting in higher residual values. Read the article at the Ward's website here (Ward's subscription required). |
Treasury Defends GM Loan Payback |
The Obama administration rebutted complaints today from Republicans over GM's use of a government-funded escrow to pay off $5.8 billion in federal loans last week, saying the move was a good deal for taxpayers, reports the Detroit Free Press. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, had asked the U.S. Treasury to explain the transaction, saying it appeared GM was simply shuffling bailout money. Under the bankruptcy arranged by Obama administration for GM last year, the automaker received $16.1 billion in an escrow account that it could spend only with approval of the Obama auto task force, along with loans from the U.S. and Canadian governments totaling $7.1 billion. The escrow rules required GM to use any money left in the account by June 30 toward the government loans; if they were paid off, the remainder would be GM's to use without restriction. GM had used about $3 billion of the escrow money, and said Thursday that the payback of $4.7 billion in loans to the U.S. government and $1.1 billion to Canada allowed it unlimited access to $6.6 billion. "The fact that GM made the determination and repaid the remaining $4.7 billion to the U.S. government now is good news for the company, our investment and the American people," said Herbert Allison, assistant Treasury secretary for financial stability. Read more here. |
Business Week Looks at Ed Whitacre's Work at GM |
Read the article online here. |
Competitive Connection |
Ford Says It Cut Supplier Ranks to 1,600 From 2,500 Last Year |
Ford said it trimmed its number of auto-parts suppliers to about 1,600 from 2,500 last year as sales of cars and trucks declined. |
Hyundai Profit Jumps Fivefold to Record on New Models |
Hyundai, South Korea's largest automaker, said quarterly profit jumped fivefold to a record after an economic recovery and new models spurred demand. The automaker said revamped Sonata sedans and Tucson sport-utility vehicles lured buyers, helping raise first-quarter vehicle sales 26 percent from a year earlier to 825,100 units. |
Toyota on track to catch GM in sales |
Despite six months of recalls, congressional inquiries and serving as the butt of late-night jokes, sales at Toyota have been booming — but at a price. As other automakers tried to keep pace, 22 percent of all U.S. vehicle sales last month were transacted with no-interest financing, the highest level on record. |
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On the Internet |
UAW-GM Facebook page hosts "virtual" car show |
Everyone has a favorite ride -- whether it's a GTO... a Sierra with 289,000 miles... or even a concept car you hope comes to reality. People everywhere have strong opinions about why they love their ride or why the car of their dreams is the right one for them. The UAW-GM Facebook page now provides you with a forum to make your case thanks to a new feature called "Post My Ride." From classics to concepts, it only takes a few minutes to share the story of your favorite ride by clicking here. Be sure to submit a photo or two and visit the page each week to see what vehicles are featured. And, if you know anyone who loves to debate the virtue of any given vehicle, be sure to invite the person to become a fan of the UAW-GM Facebook page by clicking http://www.facebook.com/uawgm.org and selecting the "Like " button at the top of the page. |
Faces of GM |
Former Pro Baseball Player Still Pitching at GM |
The number one pick of the First-Year Player Draft in 1972, Eric played for the Cleveland Indians and the Baltimore Orioles. He joined GM in 1978. Eric said this recently after a recent sale to an important fleet customer: "It feels good to know we've matched them with a great cargo van that meets their special needs and also comes with an excellent powertrain warranty. It really was the 100,000/5-year transferable Powertrain Limited Warranty that synched the deal. That was definitely another career highlight and there's more to come – I'm not quite ready to hang up my spikes with this team." Read his story on Faces of GM: http://www.facesofgm.com/?p=845 |
Did You Know? |
Goodwrench Experts Offer Expert Care |
Customer Care and Aftersales is pleased to announce that starting May 1 - July 3, participating Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers nationwide will be offering ACDelco DuraStop ceramic front brake pads installed for just $74.95 or less after a $25 mail-in debit card rebate.
With great offers like these, there has never been a better time to visit the Goodwrench experts for expert care at your local Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers. |
Research Today for a Cancer Free Tomorrow! |
We all want to know we have made a difference in the life of another. Now, you have a unique opportunity to make an impact on the lives of many. |
Today, General Motors is announcing that it has made a payment of $5.8 billion to the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada. We're paying back-in full, with interest, years ahead of schedule-loans made to help fund the new GM.
Today, Chevrolet joined the "No Phone Zone" campaign, created by Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Studios, to combat distracted driving. General Motors Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre, along with UAW employees from GM's Lansing Delta Township assembly plant, announced Chevrolet's support of the campaign in a taped segment during "The Oprah Winfrey Show" dedicated to the first national "No Phone Zone" Day.
GM has the world's largest rooftop solar photovoltaic power installation at its Zaragoza, Spain car assembly plant. The Zaragoza installation covers about 2 million square feet of roof with 85,000 solar panels capable of generating 12 megawatt (MW) of power and has been on line since late 2008.
Yesterday, Wired.com kicked off a contest offering the chance for four lucky readers to travel to the Motor City and get a test drive in the Volt. To enter, readers need to shoot a video – no longer than two minutes – focusing on how they are using technology to minimize their carbon footprint. Entries will be accepted until May 15. Three winners will be announced on May 31 and a fourth winner will be selected by the readers of Wired.com,and announced June 7. The four readers will travel to Detroit on July 14 for a backstage tour of Volt development facilities, and get their turn behind the wheel.
Recently, the news media got the chance to drive the 2011 Buick Regal on the legendary Nurburgring Nordschliefe ring. Check out what Motor Trend's Angus MacKenzie had to say about his time driving the Regal:
"Watch out America, the new Regal is going to change how you see Buicks in the future, " wrote Patrick Hong of Road & Track.
Business Week takes a look at Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre's work at GM, noting that "GM's sales are bouncing back, but Whitacre's redesign is just beginning."
Eric Raich, fleet account executive, Fleet and Commercial Operations, GMC, started at his GM career at the end of his baseball career.