[Dennis Kalma]

I think Wagoner was probably a reasonable, capable GM guy....but if 30 years in the change business has taught me anything it is that almost anyone who has been steeped in the same company culture, with the same norms, rules and approaches for 30+ years cannot bring meaningful, radical change to the organization. While I am willing to suppose there is the rare individual that can manage it, I don't think Wagoner was one of those very unique people.

I don't like the government stepping in, but I don't think that Mohammed....er...Obama... had any choice. The question is now whether he can find a capable car guy to whom he can give carte blanche and allow them to make the change. I think GM's only possibility of survival is to go into bankruptcy, give the UAW the average of the labour contracts that the US plants of Nissan, Honda and Toyota have, pare the product line down and focus the engineering teams to bring the best of what is in the pipeline....or create if the pipeline is down to a dribble as fast as possible. Just build a good, midsized family car with Toyota quality and American feel, plus keep building them pickups for the farmers and farmer wannabees.

Too simplistic on the solution I know, but the key is bringing in the whiz kids and let them do their thing.

Dennis