BU Now » GM

GM to sell new cars on eBay

Dick Taffe — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:34:24 +0000

In a grand experiment, revived General Motors will let most of its California auto dealers haggle online with customers by selling new vehicles over eBay. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford executive, says the move is inevitable, but could have some glitches — like when a car owner is both the buyer and seller (trying to unload their used car), and the fact most buyers want a test drive.

Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu

GM clears bankruptcy hurdle

Dick Taffe — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:56:31 +0000

Saying the only alternative would be liquidation, a federal judge has okayed the sale of GM’s assets to a new government-run agency, paving the way for the automaker to emerge from bankruptcy. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford executive, can discuss the implications.

Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu

Rehabbing GM’s reputation

Dick Taffe — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:14:56 +0000

Slipping into bankruptcy reorganization at Uncle Sam’s financial gunpoint, GM has a serious reputation problem to overcome. College of Communcation public relations Professor Peter Morrissey, an expert on reputation management (helped J&J on the Tylenol case) thinks GM is capable of regaining its “fierce customer loyalty” that made it the world’s leading automaker.

Contact Peter Morrissey, 617-353-1020, pmorriss@bu.edu

GM, Citi off Dow Jones Industrials

Dick Taffe — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:11:03 +0000

General Motors and Citigroup both are being taken off the Dow Jones Industrials Average listings, to be replaced by Travelers Insurance and Cisco Systems. School of Management finance Professor Scott Stewart, a former long-time Fidelity funds manager, can discuss what the shifts in the Dow Jones composition means to investors.

Contact Scott Stewart, 617-353-2353, sstewart@bu.edu

GM files for bankruptcy

Dick Taffe — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:15:32 +0000

It’s official: Industy icon General Motors has filed for bankruptcy (as Chrysler prepares to emerge from it). Former Ford Motors executive Louis Lataif, now dean of the BU School of Management, can put the upheavals into context.

Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu

GM approaches bankruptcy

Dick Taffe — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:54:08 +0000

With bondholder interest too low, GM won’t proceed with the repurchasing of some $27 billiion of notes it sought, meaning it is on the brink of bankruptcy — which should come next week with the U.S. government winding up owning 70 percent of the automaker. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford senior executive, can offer an industry perspective

Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu

Bankruptcy for GM?

Dick Taffe — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:27:52 +0000

Speculation is rampant that the U.S. government will force General Moters into bankruptcy as early as next week. This comes as the Obama administration plans to lift Chrysler out of bankruptcy, also as soon as next week. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford senior executive, can offer a big-picture perspective on the auto industry’s woes.

Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu

Ford selling shares to avoid bankruptcy

Dick Taffe — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:05:16 +0000

Ford will offer 300 million common shares to shore up cash reserves, avoid a federal bailout, and keep it out of bankruptcy as its Detroit competitors GM and Chrysler struggle to restructure. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford executive, can offer strategic perspective on the move.

Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu