The Chicago Blog: The man who built GM

jacket image Reuters reported Monday evening that "after 100 years in business and 10 months of frenzied but failed restructuring," General Motors is "weeks from the bankruptcy filing experts say will be required to complete the Obama administration's bid to reshape a fallen icon of American industry."

Understandably, the uncertain climate has given rise to nostalgia for the man who made the company such an icon. Alfred P. Sloan Jr. became the president of General Motors in 1923 and stepped down as its CEO in 1946. During this time, he led GM past the Ford Motor Company and on to international business triumph by virtue of his brilliant managerial practices and his insights into the new consumer economy he and GM helped to produce.

With that economy—and GM itself—now on shakier footing, David Farber's Sloan Rules: Alfred P. Sloan and the Triumph of General Motors offers an instructive explanation of the strengths of our corporate-based economic system and the weaknesses of our corporate-influenced politics.

And in this interview, Farber offers a taste of the many ways in which Sloan's life can help us think about not only the economy, but also "about American public life and the shape of democracy in the United States."

Comments

LEHMAN down, GM down, Citi, Chrysler ... Is AMERICA really hurt ?

PONTIAC, BUICK, CHEVROLET... the "American dreamt" brands, the symbol of an era in America.
The wish of many teenagers that then became great personalities around the globe.

But, this was a forecasted end. TOYOTA has been for many years, the real revolution in the american auto industry. Together with NISSAN, both japanese manufacturers, leaded the auto sales market for many years in a row.

Afterwards, came the korean cars... the asian conquer of the american auto corporations.

Is this the sign of an hegemony change ?... Is AMERICA really that hurt ?
Is competitiveness the key crack-down factor for this consequences ?

The US will always mean marketing, show, branding, globality, with its own values and essence. But, is this enough to keep US sovereignity in the planet ??

AMERICA has voted for a change. Barack Obama, the first black president, meant a new change era and a barn of hopes for many americans. But is it enough with a good carisma and beautiful words ??

USA is now playing a tough game. The game of competitiveness, the game of innovation, the new rules of capitalism...

Can AMERICA workers compete with the 24-hour turns of japanese or chinese workers ?
Can AMERICA export more than import ?
Can AMERICA reissue the huge external debt owned by CHINA now ?

Does anyone know that the main owner of the USA is CHINA ?

Yes, the main owners of US debt is CHINA. If CHINA decides to do it, US Dollar can dissapear.

Nowadays, CHINA has lived of US imports. Therefore, CHINA has accumulated vast deposits of T-bonds and US Dollars. This has been the reason for the dollar stability.
Once CHINA develops their internal consumer rates, or begin diversifying their exports, CHINA will be in position to change US dollars for other currencies. Then, US Dollar will be dead.

Is AMERICA ready for this era ?
Does Barack Obama has a real plan to put a brake on this dynamic ?

Huge challenges ahead. But, for sure, the only opportunity for AMERICA is not to lose their essence. The AMERICAN DREAMT must be on, but politicians and decisions makers must also help on this.

One advice for Mr Obama:
Capitalism has not failed, it has been the lack of regulation in the financial markets.

It is very important to keep this clear, because around this point, the US must build their next future generations.

Jose Luis Revilla Escudero
Chairman&CEO
WWShares, Inc
-Global Wealth Management-
www.worldwideshares.blogspot.com

Posted by: JOSE LUIS REVILLA ESCUDERO | July 27, 2009 06:19 AM

thanks for the post! it was a good history, indeed.

Posted by: Jedd Sullivan | October 1, 2009 01:29 PM

The man who built GM

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