Why GM Matters: Inside the Race to Transform an American Icon - Hardcover

"At a time when GM and the domestic auto industry are in acute crisis, this book makes sense of what has happened--and what should happen next. Bill Holstein is an extremely knowledgeable and perceptive journalist, and his book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of the American auto industry." - Alex Taylor, Fortune magazine At a time when GM and the domestic auto industry are in acute crisis, this book makes sense of what has happened--and what should happen next. Bill Holstein is an extremely knowledgeable and perceptive journalist, and his book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of the American auto industry.--Alex Taylor, Fortune "General Motors once dominated the auto industry, garnering more than 50 percent of the U.S. market share, but complacency, health-care costs, and competition from more efficient Japanese companies have all contributed to a dramatic decline. When GM CEO Rick Wagoner asked for a federal "bridge loan" of $25 billion for the big three automakers, the reception was anything but warm. Holstein, author of Manage the Media (2008), takes a look beyond the sound bites to reveal a car company struggling to meet high-tech standards while fighting for its very existence. Holstein argues that GM is worth saving because for every manufacturing job, there are 10 jobs throughout the whole chain of suppliers that also serve Ford and Chrysler; thus a GM failure could mean the collapse of the entire auto industry. Holstein's defense of GM makes sense at a time when the company is about to begin production of a fuel-efficient, plug-in hybrid, a critical bridge to U.S. energy independence." --Booklist "At a time when GM and the domestic auto industry are in acute crisis, this book makes sense of what has happened--and what should happen next. Bill Holstein is an extremely knowledgeable and perceptive journalist, and his book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of the American auto industry." --Alex Taylor, Fortune "Holstein makes a compelling argument that the business model has changed dramatically - that Wagoner and other GM executives do get it - but by his own account the changes came far too late, and took far too long to implement." --Dan Calabrese, New York Post General Motors once dominated the auto industry, garnering more than 50 percent of the U.S. market share, but complacency, health-care costs, and competition from more efficient Japanese companies have all contributed to a dramatic decline. When GM CEO Rick Wagoner asked for a federal "bridge loan" of $25 billion for the big three automakers, the reception was anything but warm. Holstein, author of Manage the Media (2008), takes a look beyond the sound bites to reveal a car company struggling to meet high-tech standards while fighting for its very existence. Holstein argues that GM is worth saving because for every manufacturing job, there are 10 jobs throughout the whole chain of suppliers that also serve Ford and Chrysler; thus a GM failure could mean the collapse of the entire auto industry. Holstein's defense of GM makes sense at a time when the company is about to begin production of a fuel-efficient, plug-in hybrid, a critical bridge to U.S. energy independence. "Booklist" At a time when GM and the domestic auto industry are in acute crisis, this book makes sense of what has happened--and what should happen next. Bill Holstein is an extremely knowledgeable and perceptive journalist, and his book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of the American auto industry. Alex Taylor, Fortune Holstein makes a compelling argument that the business model has changed dramatically - that Wagoner and other GM executives do get it - but by his own account the changes came far too late, and took far too long to implement. "Dan Calabrese, New York Post"" "General Motors once dominated the auto industry, garnering more than 50 percent of the U.S. market share, but complacency, health-care costs, and competition from more efficient Japanese companies have all contributed to a dramatic decline. When GM CEO Rick Wagoner asked for a federal "bridge loan" of $25 billion for the big three automakers, the reception was anything but warm. Holstein, author of Manage the Media (2008), takes a look beyond the sound bites to reveal a car company struggling to meet high-tech standards while fighting for its very existence. Holstein argues that GM is worth saving because for every manufacturing job, there are 10 jobs throughout the whole chain of suppliers that also serve Ford and Chrysler; thus a GM failure could mean the collapse of the entire auto industry. Holstein's defense of GM makes sense at a time when the company is about to begin production of a fuel-efficient, plug-in hybrid, a critical bridge to U.S. energy independence." "-- Booklist " "At a time when GM and the domestic auto industry are in acute crisis, this book makes sense of what has happened--and what should happen next. Bill Holstein is an extremely knowledgeable and perceptive journalist, and his book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of the American auto industry." -- Alex Taylor, "Fortune" "" "Holstein makes a compelling argument that the business model has changed dramatically - that Wagoner and other GM executives do get it - but by his own account the changes came far too late, and took far too long to implement." -- Dan Calabrese, "New York"" Post" "General Motors once dominated the auto industry, garnering more than 50 percent of the U.S. market share, but complacency, health-care costs, and competition from more efficient Japanese companies have all contributed to a dramatic decline. When GM CEO Rick Wagoner asked for a federal "bridge loan" of $25 billion for the big three automakers, the reception was anything but warm. Holstein, author of Manage the Media (2008), takes a look beyond the sound bites to reveal a car company struggling to meet high-tech standards while fighting for its very existence. Holstein argues that GM is worth saving because for every manufacturing job, there are 10 jobs throughout the whole chain of suppliers that also serve Ford and Chrysler; thus a GM failure could mean the collapse of the entire auto industry. Holstein's defense of GM makes sense at a time when the company is about to begin production of a fuel-efficient, plug-in hybrid, a critical bridge to U.S. energy ind