A few ideas for putting the brakes on GM’s skid
Re “GM Closures to Hit 12 Plants, 30,000 Jobs,” Nov. 22
I have a solution to GM’s fiscal woes -- and it doesn’t even have to put me on the payroll to get it. It’s simple: Cut the advertising budget in half. If it did, instead of seeing a Hummer or GM truck commercial every five minutes on television, we might be subjected only one every 10 minutes. No one will even notice, with the possible exception of 30,000 employees who just might be able to hold on to their jobs.
WILLIAM WINKLER
Sunland
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The proposed GM plant closings may point out a potentially larger problem in mega-corporate America: There aren’t enough executives qualified to provide the management skills, passion and vision to run such huge companies. And with the Japanese and Korean automakers offering better warranties than their American counterparts, guess where Americans go for car-buying value. GM must consider three fundamental changes to save current jobs and create new ones:
* Sell off each car division into separate, more nimble companies run by people who want to build quality automobiles.
* Recognize the successful management/employee relations at Toyota and Honda and replicate their model of mutual respect and employee growth.
* Invest in innovation and quality control at each of these new companies.
DAVID OHMAN
Irvine
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Re “Toyota in the Driver’s Seat,” Nov. 22
Why attribute Toyota’s advantage over GM and American carmakers to a younger, nonunion population when the problem is not with the workers? Your article admits that Toyota’s pay and benefits package is similar to GM’s, so that’s not the problem.
Toyota’s solutions -- ranging from a lower CEO-to-worker pay and benefits ratio to innovative design -- are the real reason Toyota is succeeding. Stop blaming the victims and put the responsibility squarely on the shoulders where it belongs: the leadership of GM and this nation.
Demand leading edge, energy-saving designs and you’ll see things shift very quickly. When leadership is willing to demonstrate personal sacrifice and determination and confidence that it can turn things around, you’ll see GM skyrocket once again to the top.
DIANE RABINOWITZ
Los Angeles
