Re: Hello

[farna@xxxxxxx]

I have to admit, I don't recognize the significance of more than a few of the names! I don't recognize a few at all. If you hadn't put them with the companies I'd not have had a clue on a half dozen or so. 

Out of the bunch, I'd have to say William C. Durant, Durant Dort Carriage Co/ General Motors had the most influence on the US auto industry. Not necessarily the BEST influence, but the most. He made GM, and ran a lot of small companies out of business in the process. But he was also willing to let the various subsidiaries innovate, even encouraged them to do things different and new. He also had a vision for GM that later managers tore apart -- a progressive structure. Chevy was the cheap, mass produced car. When one could afford/wanted something nicer they moved up to a Pontiac (or Oakland at the time, I believe). A little more? Buick or Olds. You're an executive now? Well, we have the cream of the crop right over here -- Cadillac! GM later got confusing, and still is, though to a bit lesser degree. Chevys can be bought that rival Buicks, Pontiacs that aren't to far from Caddys. With the dropping of Olds at least the equal status of Buick/Olds is gone. GM is trying to get b!
 ack to that tier structure, but the execs of each branch seem to be fighting, especially Chevy. They're more interested in their personal legacy, not that of the company. Yes, if Chevy didn't make semi-luxury cars, it would loose some market share and production levels. But Buick would (theoretically) pick it up, and Pontiac would gain the sport/luxury slack. And Caddy is positioned well where it's at now. Seems like GM is working it's way down in the hierarchy structure. Maybe they figured out Durant had the right idea for a large corporation? Right now there's to much in-house competition! 



On September 29, 2005 Mahoney, John wrote:

> Time to go; hardly said anything useful.  So I'll leave you with a job.
> 
> Pick one name from those below that you think had the greatest influence on the American auto industry.  Henry Ford is purposely not included.  I will tell you what you could win --- hopefully, tomorrow.
> 


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