Progress Means Moving Forward

Richard Nixon's Resignation Speech Was Merely His Attempt at Being 'Transparent' About His 'Progress' Since the Watergate Scandal
(Image Credits: www.visitingdc.com)

In a recent update of Autocar Online, GM states that the Chevrolet Volt may not be commercially viable. To any casual follower of the auto industry this should come as little of a surprise. GM has not broken new ground since it came out with badge-engineering in the 1980's; and really that just made it easier for the executives since they could refer to their product as 'car' rather than 'cars.'
I really do feel for Fritz Henderson, however. The guy will have to respond apologetically to every polemical comment levied against GM thanks to Rick Wagoner's arrogant and shameful last stand. I do think that he should have better press people, though. While I admire GM's obvious desire to spin this as a positive by being 'transparent' and trying 'to keep the public informed of our progress,' this is not the sort of thing that one wants to be transparent about. And, frankly, how can this be interpreted as progress? If Mr. Henderson means that GM has made 'progress' in that it is no longer denying that it makes inferior product and that its competitors vastly outstrip its innovative capacity, well then kudos for GM making it past step 1. However, that seems far too existential a realization for GM at this stage.
GM is hoping that something bold, brash, and brilliant like the Volt will bring it back from the brink (apologies for the alliteration). The trouble with that line of thinking is that it is too much like banking on a home run to win the game; chances are, you're going to strike out. Any student of history knows that success in war requires steady, consistent, and unwavering progress, especially in the face of adversity. Let's all hope that GM is 'transparent' about some real 'progress' in the future.