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While I was trying to print his speech by supplying sheets to the machine, it was disrupted and replaced by hastily edited drafts. A part of them is shown in the right picture.The left one shows a formal release issued 7-8 hours later. |
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New applications of internet to motor vehicle industry are being announced by every minute.。
General Motors Corporation released to press on August 10, 1999 that they organized a new business group - called e-GM -to harness resources and technological expertise from across the global enterprise to chart its course into a new era of Internet commerce, as you may know already. And Mr. Mark Hogan was elected group vice president of GM and will lead the e-GM group. Hogan was vice president of Small Car Operations. He will report to Ron Zarella, President of North American Operation.
Rick Wagoner, GM President announced the formation of e-GM to all employee by his live message, explaining why the company needs such a new group and why he picked up Hogan to lead the group. He asked for cooperation of the whole employee. Then he unveiled e-GM to press together with Jack Smith, Chairman. At that time I was monitoring his speech to employee through internet. And as his speech touched a strategical details of company policy, I was wondering whether the direct publication of his speech was good for the company or not.
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While I was trying to print his speech by supplying sheets to the machine, it was disrupted and replaced by hastily edited drafts. A part of them is shown in the right picture.The left one shows a formal release issued 7-8 hours later. |
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| Mark Hogan was sent to NUMMI, a joint venture of Toyota and GM. He studied the Toyota production system at the plant. Later he made a success of introducing it to GM Brazil plants. He was called back to Detroit to promote renovation of plants in North America and was appointed to vice-president of Small Car Operations. But his Yellow Stone Plan that is to accerlate drastic renovation was hardly accepted by UAW. At first some people said it was a virtual demotion of him. But these days most people are to celebrate his promotion and are expecting his success at his new duty.(Although GM is making profits, the decline of its market share is not stopped. Some of analysts said the managing capability of both chairman and president was in doubt.) |
From Automotive News August 16, 1999 |
Mark Hogan is a last tramp card of the present top executives. His success or failure will affect the future of one of the world biggest corporations. After GM spinned off EDS, one of the most powerful computer software developers in U.S.A., both companies have maintained good business relations. GM owns Hughes Electronics, the superstar of space communications. Hogan has powerful technologies behind him. I know him well personally. He stands a good chance of success.
