Joann Muller, Forbes Staff
It’s been a busy year for General Motors, which has launched 13 models in quick-fire succession, including the tiny Chevrolet Spark, a revamped Chevy Impala sedan, the seventh generation of the iconic Corvette, a more athletic Cadillac and the brawny Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. Even with all those new products, however, GM’s flank is undefended in certain product categories, says North American President Mark Reuss.
He talked about the holes in GM’s lineup over lunch Monday in Detroit, hinting at what might be next in GM’s showrooms.
- a “black hole” truck, positioned somewhere between a heavy-duty pickup and a medium-duty commercial truck. (Think Ford F-350.)
- a compact utility van, or Ford “Transit Connect-fighter” that could be sold globally. (GM has a short-term deal to sell a Nissan-built van until it can plug the hole with its own global van.)
- a five-door hatchback version of the Chevrolet Cruze. “That was a pre-bankruptcy planning mistake,” says Reuss. The compact Cruze is selling extremely well “and the next-generation will blow you away,” he says.
- a flagship model for Buick — “a much more beautiful Panamera,” he says, referring to Porsche’s four-door luxury saloon.
- a contemporary wagon for mainstream America. More affordable than today’s wagons from BMW, Audi and even Cadillac’s own CTS wagon. And no wood paneling.
If and when these products come to market is anyone’s guess. Reuss will have to prove a business case, which shouldn’t be too difficult for most of them. But first, GM has to finish rolling out models that are already in the pipeline.
Next year looks to be just as busy, with new versions of the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban SUVs on the way, along with a new Cadillac Escalade SUV, the mid-sized Chevy Colorado pickup, heavy-duty versions of the Silverado and Sierra, coupe and performance versions of the compact Cadillac ATS, as well as the extended range plug-in Cadillac ELR.
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario