Case Study, General Motors

Arslan Ali Ayesha Anwar 

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Under Billy Durant¶s leadership, General Motors Company was founded on September  16, 1908 Today, GM is recognized as the world¶s second largest automaker  Global automotive sales leader since 1931 Has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries Currently, GM Dealers in the United States have sold 257,623 new cars and trucks as of October and 445,555 of pre-owned cars

Richard

Wagoner

John M. Devine

Robert A.

Lutz

GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 

GM Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer 

GM Vice Chairman, Global Product Development

International Operations at General Motors Few years back, GM was predominantly a North American brand where 80% of its vehicles were manufactured. It has become a global automaker in recent years. The goal is to manufacture 50% of its vehicles outside of North America. GM is now using Toyota¶s strategies of plant standardization and lean manufacturing.

GM now has four manufacturing plants in Argentina, Poland, China and Thailand.

All the plants are standardized and are almost identical to each other.

This helps not only in launching global products but also in sharing knowledge and modern techniques across the globe.

New factories have been designed with flexibility and efficiency in mind.

Supply chain has been improved effectively.

Despite being similar, the plants have room to make adjustments according to local demands of each country.

Standardized plants have helped reducing the costs.

Discussion

Question No.1

What are the advantages and disadvantages of General Motors¶ Strategy for  operations?

Discussion

Question No. 2

What operations management decisions are illustrated in this case?