Industry Report: GM's Bob Lutz Considers Dumping One Brand to Curb Losses

But if Mark LaNeve, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for GM, has anything to say about it, Lutz's words are all

Mark LaNeve, Vice President of Sales and Marketing said that GM is investing heavily in all eight brands, and that phasing out a particular division is not under consideration. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

hogwash. Reports state that LaNeve, commenting the day after Lutz's statement, said that GM is investing heavily in all eight brands, and that phasing out a particular division is not under consideration.

"We have no plans, or even discussions, of killing any brands," LaNeve avered. "We're investing more heavily than ever in product and marketing programs."

Of course, LaNeve needed to say that the various brands were safe in order to appease dealers. If there had been no "discussion" of killing a GM nameplate, it would be highly unlikely Lutz would have made up the comment our of thin air.

LaNeve went on, however, to comment on a new plan for Buick, Pontiac, and interestingly, GMC. The automaker is looking at

"I'd rather have four or five great Pontiacs or Buicks than eight undistinguishable products," said LaNeve. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

these three brands as one channel, which would sell different types of products and not just rebadged duplicates, in order "to service that channel and to focus " the lineup.

"These portfolios we're going to deliver we don't have to deliver an A to Z portfolio for those three brands," he said. "We can tighten and focus them. I'd rather have four or five great Pontiacs or Buicks than eight undistinguishable products. That business model makes a lot of sense."