Currently reading: Geneva motor show 2010: Lutz says 'GM is leaner now'

GM vice chairman says company makes quicker decisions, admits brand damage

GM vice chairman Bob Lutz says the company is far more streamlined since its restructuring following its emergence from the bankruptcy process in the US.

Talking at the Geneva motor show, Lutz said: "Post-crisis, GM has had a radical simplification of the decision-making processes. It was very 'procedural' but now decisions on new products do not always go to board level. Once the board sets the capital budget, the management is much more free to make decisions."

Lutz also conceded that GM's bankruptcy filing and subsequent government assistance has damaged the brand.

"There was damage done to the GM brand in the home market because it is partially government owned," said Lutz. "So now we're dropping GM branding from individual brand adverts - for instance, Chevy, Caddy and Buick ads don't have corporate GM branding on any more."

Lutz also stressed that GM's 'global manufacturing system' of sharing platforms remains in place following the company's restructuring, but added that there is space for a greater degree of independence for Opel?vauxhall in the future.

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