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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: jimmy olsen on June 14, 2009, 12:35:05 PM

Title: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: jimmy olsen on June 14, 2009, 12:35:05 PM
Here's something I'm sure Languish can have fun with, what would you rename General Motors?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31354374/ns/business-autos/
QuoteShould the new GM start with a new name?

As long it isn't something like Glaring Mistake
GM brand is tainted with bailouts, bankruptcy, so is it time for a new name?

AP
updated 1 hour, 18 minutes ago

ValuJet was reborn as AirTran. Philip Morris rechristened itself Altria. Blackwater became Xe.

Would a name change work for beleaguered General Motors?

It would mean casting aside a brand that stood for almost a century as a symbol of American industrial might, but some marketing experts say it might be just the thing to help the once-mighty automaker make a fresh start.

"If the goal is to try and put this company on a massive diet and just turn it into a smaller car manufacturing operation, I'm not sure there'd be that much harm in rebranding," said Jean-Pierre Dube, a University of Chicago marketing professor.

"The brand isn't in good shape," he said, "so they have little to lose."

With GM tarnished by its bankruptcy and its reputation for building cars no one wants, wiseacres have had no trouble coming up with new names.

There's Groveling Motors, after GM's appetite for federal bailouts. And General Moneypit. And, perhaps most popular, Government Motors — after the taxpayers' major ownership stake.

With GM still righting itself, "it's just too soon" to think about a name change, company spokeswoman Susan Garontakos said. But she acknowledged the idea is part of discussions within the company.

"We know we want to reinvent the company and want to build it so that it's something that will show that GM is going to be the company of choice," she said...
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Slargos on June 14, 2009, 12:40:21 PM
General Mishap.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: HVC on June 14, 2009, 12:52:50 PM
Yeah, because changing its name will make people forget :lol:
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Barrister on June 14, 2009, 01:08:04 PM
That's ridiculous.  Completely throwing out your corporate name is only useful when that name is so utterly beyond contempt it has no value left.  There are still plenty of people who are "GM" people out there.

The only thing I could imagine that would make sense is if they throw out the GM name (which was never really used on any product) in favour of one of their car brands - perhaps Chevrolet Corp, or Cadillac Inc.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Warspite on June 14, 2009, 01:33:00 PM
Yes: Specific Engines, perhaps.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Zanza on June 14, 2009, 01:42:34 PM
I like "US Auto", ticker symbol at Wall Street would be "USA". :P It signifies both the origin of GM and who owns it. ;)
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Josquius on June 14, 2009, 02:03:56 PM
Motherfucking-AMERICAN-Cars.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Viking on June 14, 2009, 02:22:24 PM
Government Motors, they won't need to change any of their stationary.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 14, 2009, 02:40:39 PM
I wonder what the plan is for unloading the government's stake.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Scipio on June 14, 2009, 03:11:04 PM
Gorgeous Malevolence.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Viking on June 14, 2009, 03:20:28 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 14, 2009, 02:40:39 PM
I wonder what the plan is for unloading the government's stake.

1. Use Government's ability to print money in time of near deflation to buy GM
2. Sell off non-american assets to gullible foreigners.
3. Negotiate with creditors for shares.
4. Use Government's AAAA credit rating to reorganize debt.
5. Wait until economy recovers and GM share price rises.
6. Sell at profit.
7. Fund Medicare in perpetuity with profit.

Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Caliga on June 14, 2009, 03:49:20 PM
Giant Mammaries :)
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Strix on June 14, 2009, 04:28:19 PM
It sounds like a great idea. If it works out than the government can adopt the same thing.

First Obama Dynasty followed by the Giuliani Empire....
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Viking on June 14, 2009, 04:51:01 PM
Quote from: Caliga on June 14, 2009, 03:49:20 PM
Giant Mammaries :)

meh, that's your answer for everything!  :hug:

mine is more beer....
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Grey Fox on June 14, 2009, 07:29:13 PM
Bring back Pontiac!
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: KRonn on June 14, 2009, 07:50:34 PM
Nah, GM is fine, and still very appropriate "Government Motors".
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: alfred russel on June 14, 2009, 07:59:47 PM
Quote from: Caliga on June 14, 2009, 03:49:20 PM
Giant Mammaries :)

:D

Maybe they should brand more like successful competitors. I suggest Toyoto.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:20:48 PM
They should rename themselves 'Barackmobiles'
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Berkut on June 15, 2009, 02:21:16 PM
In keeping with their new ideology, they should go by

Union of General Republics Social Democratic Auto Company.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: KRonn on June 15, 2009, 02:29:33 PM
Quote from: Berkut on June 15, 2009, 02:21:16 PM
In keeping with their new ideology, they should go by

Union of General Republics Social Democratic Auto Company.
Hehe...
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 02:55:58 PM
Quote from: Berkut on June 15, 2009, 02:21:16 PM
In keeping with their new ideology, they should go by

Union of General Republics Social Democratic Auto Company.

:rolleyes:
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Scipio on June 15, 2009, 06:48:58 PM
United Auto Makers- a division of United Auto Workers.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 17, 2009, 06:58:15 PM
Just saw on MSNBC that 39% of Americans approve of Obama's handling of the auto industry, 53% disapprove.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: JacobL on June 17, 2009, 07:42:02 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 17, 2009, 06:58:15 PM
Just saw on MSNBC that 39% of Americans approve of Obama's handling of the auto industry, 53% disapprove.
I 150% approve of helping out GM in any way they need.  Chrysler should have been liquidated.   :whistle:
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Palisadoes on June 17, 2009, 07:46:37 PM
Yeah GM should get a new name. What a crap name they have!
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Caliga on June 18, 2009, 05:39:50 AM
Quote from: JacobL on June 17, 2009, 07:42:02 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 17, 2009, 06:58:15 PM
Just saw on MSNBC that 39% of Americans approve of Obama's handling of the auto industry, 53% disapprove.
I 150% approve of helping out GM in any way they need.  Chrysler should have been liquidated.   :whistle:
I agree with 50% of your statement.  :)
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: katmai on June 18, 2009, 05:40:43 AM
Quote from: Caliga on June 18, 2009, 05:39:50 AM
Quote from: JacobL on June 17, 2009, 07:42:02 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 17, 2009, 06:58:15 PM
Just saw on MSNBC that 39% of Americans approve of Obama's handling of the auto industry, 53% disapprove.
I 150% approve of helping out GM in any way they need.  Chrysler should have been liquidated.   :whistle:
I agree with 50% of your statement.  :)

Can we liquidate Caliga?
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Caliga on June 18, 2009, 05:43:12 AM
Quote from: katmai on June 18, 2009, 05:40:43 AM
Can we liquidate Caliga?
:grr:
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: HisMajestyBOB on June 18, 2009, 09:30:26 AM
QuotePhilip Morris rechristened itself Altria. Blackwater became Xe

Wow, those names are completely full of suck.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: The Brain on June 18, 2009, 09:50:11 AM
Freedom Cars
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: DGuller on June 18, 2009, 10:34:27 AM
Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on June 18, 2009, 09:30:26 AM
QuotePhilip Morris rechristened itself Altria. Blackwater became Xe

Wow, those names are completely full of suck.
All the good ones have been taken decades ago.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: alfred russel on June 18, 2009, 10:36:14 AM
Quote from: DGuller on June 18, 2009, 10:34:27 AM
Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on June 18, 2009, 09:30:26 AM
QuotePhilip Morris rechristened itself Altria. Blackwater became Xe

Wow, those names are completely full of suck.
All the good ones have been taken decades ago.

But on the bright side, Phillip Morris and Blackwater are available at bargain prices if GM wants to go for a name change.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Admiral Yi on June 21, 2009, 12:55:24 AM
According to Newsweek GM management wanted to close a parts distribution center in Massachussets but Barney Frank (D-Mass) vetoed it.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Brazen on June 21, 2009, 02:41:30 AM
Vauxhall has a nice ring to it.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: PDH on June 21, 2009, 03:09:10 AM
Since labor is so important in this, perhaps Studebaker would be a good choice.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: DGuller on June 21, 2009, 08:49:38 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 21, 2009, 12:55:24 AM
According to Newsweek GM management wanted to close a parts distribution center in Massachussets but Barney Frank (D-Mass) vetoed it.
:bleeding: It looks like the Democrats are bent on setting a textbook example.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Caliga on June 24, 2009, 07:59:33 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 21, 2009, 12:55:24 AM
According to Newsweek GM management wanted to close a parts distribution center in Massachussets but Barney Frank (D-Mass) vetoed it.
I'm amazed they'd have a facility in Massachusetts at all.  They probably have to pay the grunts there like $60 an hour for completely unskilled labor.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: alfred russel on June 24, 2009, 08:19:22 AM
Quote from: DGuller on June 21, 2009, 08:49:38 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 21, 2009, 12:55:24 AM
According to Newsweek GM management wanted to close a parts distribution center in Massachussets but Barney Frank (D-Mass) vetoed it.
:bleeding: It looks like the Democrats are bent on setting a textbook example.

In December I was in favor of ideas like nationalizing failing banks and car companies, but crap like this changed my mind. It is as though congress is trying to prove it is inefficient and corrupt.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Valmy on June 24, 2009, 08:41:49 AM
Quote from: The Brain on June 18, 2009, 09:50:11 AM
Freedom Cars

Either this or Patriot Motors.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: KRonn on June 24, 2009, 09:09:22 AM
GM has new ads, saying how they're new, reinvented, and the only Chapter they're interested in is Chapter one, starting new (I assume as opposed to Chapter 11 or which ever one Bankruptcy is called).

So that gives another idea for a  new name - Chapter One Motors.   :cool:

;)
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Caliga on June 24, 2009, 09:26:28 AM
If you believe GM is really "new and reinvented" I have some beachfront real estate in North Dakota I'd like to sell you.  :)
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: alfred russel on June 24, 2009, 09:31:36 AM
Quote from: KRonn on June 24, 2009, 09:09:22 AM
GM has new ads, saying how they're new, reinvented, and the only Chapter they're interested in is Chapter one, starting new (I assume as opposed to Chapter 11 or which ever one Bankruptcy is called).

So that gives another idea for a  new name - Chapter One Motors.   :cool:

;)

Since they are going through chapter 11 they should start as chapter 12. And since that is another form of bankruptcy it is also fitting since they will probably end up bankrupt again.
Title: Re: Should the new GM start with a new name?
Post by: Caliga on June 24, 2009, 09:33:50 AM
 :lol: