Cadillac manager appointed HUMMER CEO
General Motors seems pretty anxious to see its HUMMER division go away. In fact, it's called the sale "urgent," and recent actions appear to bolster that claim.James E. Taylor, the man who had formerly been helping lead Cadillac back to its "standard of the world" past-glory, has just been appointed the new CEO of the HUMMER brand. GM says that this upper-management move "marks a progression in the ongoing strategic review process." We read that to mean Taylor will help ready the brand for a quick sale. It also sounds like HUMMER's general manager, Martin Walsh, will attempt to smooth over any issues that the brand's sale will have with its current dealerships. Mark McNabb will oversee Taylor on his new assignment and will also shoulder the burden that's left at Caddy now that the brand has lost the man who had been at the helm. We've pasted the press release after the break if you'd like to try and decipher it for yourself.
[Source General Motors]
PRESS RELEASE:
Taylor Named New Chief Executive Officer of HUMMER
DETROIT – As part of the ongoing business and strategic review of the HUMMER brand, General Motors is revising its HUMMER leadership structure. Effective immediately, James E. Taylor is appointed to the new position of chief executive officer, HUMMER.
Taylor, 52, formerly Cadillac general manager, is responsible for the future strategy and current business of HUMMER worldwide. This move marks a progression in the ongoing strategic review process and establishes the lead management structure for HUMMER going forward. Martin Walsh, currently general manager of HUMMER, will team with Taylor on the transition and ongoing dealer relations, and then will move to another assignment that will be announced soon.
Taylor has been Cadillac general manager since 2004, and even prior to that he was a key architect in Cadillac's design and technology resurgence. As the global Vehicle Line Executive for Cadillac, Taylor led the development of a series of new models – beginning with the Cadillac CTS -- that ushered in a new and distinctive generation of dramatically designed, high performing vehicles. Taylor joined GM in 1980 and since has held a number of business and marketing leadership roles, including those at Saturn, Adam Opel, Worldwide Purchasing and GM Truck.
Taylor reports to Mark C. McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel. McNabb, 46, joined GM in 2008 to assume leadership of GM's premium brands, Cadillac, HUMMER and Saab USA.
"By creating a new and more comprehensive leadership position for HUMMER with Jim Taylor as the top executive, we are bolstering the strategic review process and the brand," said Mark LaNeve, GMNA vice president of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "At the same time, we're sharpening our focus on Cadillac as GM's flagship brand in the global luxury marketplace under Mark McNabb's leadership."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew L 8:03AM (10/16/2008)
ouch...
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Gabagool 9:59AM (10/16/2008)
Why ouch, this is what real professionals want. MORE challenge. It will be tough, but it is doable.
I read somewhere that name Hummer has nearly 100% market penetration is USA, people all over the world know it. Once we are out of this mess we are in Hummer will be back on track. Look how cheap oil is now.
Bill 8:06AM (10/16/2008)
kiss of death.
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Gstill 8:25AM (10/16/2008)
Appointing a new captain for a sinking ship.
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Ted 8:30AM (10/17/2008)
Is this a promotion or a demotion?
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Tarditi 8:50AM (10/16/2008)
"That which should NOT have been done" is proving tough to un-do.
GM never should have gotten involved - the first thing they did with the brand was try to drop the REAL hummer (which they mandated referred to as the "H1") from the lineup... sure they were expensive - they were on the same assembly line with HMMWVs for about 1/2 the process, then split off to get interiors, diff engine/trans, electricals, paint, etc. for the civilian versions. When GM acquired the Hummer brand, Hummer (civilian sales/marketing division of Am General) was producing and selling between 1000 and 2000 units per year. There are just so many people that can afford a $120K truck. GM bossing them around and trying to sell them like Cadillacs is not the answer.
GM just wanted the associated rugged branding, but didn't care about the actual vehicle - they should have just bought Land Rover (or cut to the chase and buy Jeep) instead.
The H3 is actually a capable off-roader... the H2 is way too heavy for its Tahoe drivetrain off-road.
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MajorGeek 8:51AM (10/16/2008)
I think promotion. In this economy so far no one has wanted the Hummer brand. They need someone to pump the H3, get the HX to market and hope it sells.
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Gabagool 10:01AM (10/16/2008)
I got it, how about an Aveo based Hummer, they can call it H3.
Ethan 9:04AM (10/16/2008)
If they get rid of the H2, pick better engines (the DI V6, the small-block diesel, maybe even a turbo Ecotec) in the H3 and H3T, make the H4/HX/Warthog (and offer a pickup variant), and make a couple thousand incredibly loudly branded H3 hybrids ... they'd have at the very least a chance. Oh, and make sure at least one of the models has best-in-class fuel economy.
Eventually, they can bring back a redesigned H2 as a $90,000 diesel-hybrid-only flagship if things go well.
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Mobius_1 9:05AM (10/16/2008)
I wonder if he can smile like that posing with a Hummer?
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Torrent 10:38AM (10/16/2008)
Nope he'll look evil. Or just retarded.....
Like, "Ha I'm broke and everyone hates me."
Carlos 9:08AM (10/16/2008)
Anyone else think his smile is creepy?
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SOhp101 9:32AM (10/16/2008)
If you're in charge of a momentous task like him, you can't help but smile like that... otherwise everyone would see the panic in your face.
Tool 10:06AM (10/16/2008)
Another bone-headed move by GM to take an excellent manager who has produced results at Cadillac and has a plan in-place to take the brand to the next level . . . and then make him in charge of a dying brand that GM is hoping to sell.
And GM wants to borrow $50 billion from US taxpayers? If we are their creditors, why should we support such idiotic moves?
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Chad 9:48PM (10/19/2008)
You do realize it was Martin Walsh who turned things around at Cadillac and he's the guy Taylor is replacing at HUMMER right?
Douglas 10:22AM (10/16/2008)
I'll buy HUMMER! If GM will carry the note! I dont see how it can fail. The name alone is worth a billion. I'll take 49% and keep Mr.Taylor.
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Stratojet 10:47AM (10/16/2008)
The reason they made this move is this: Martin Walsh is a total nullity, yes-man and a pure example of what kind of employees get promoted within GM. When you listen to him, it is always politically correct, and he is just the loudspeaker. In fact the reason he is displaced is because he has no substance. He was at Cadillac for a moment until they realize how empty he is. I know the man and talking to him is like trying to nail Jello on the wall, believe me. I hope he retires from GM; it will be a + for them.
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JZeke 11:10AM (10/16/2008)
Ooooh an insider. So what sort of man is Jim Taylor? Is he also a yes man?