With feedback, please contact Sue Rehmus at 04 314 3960 or email at sue.rehmus@gm.com. Better yet, come see me on the 31st Floor.
Issue 20 For Employees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007
In this issue...
01	Chairman’s Honors Award winners
02	Dubai Men’s College Training Facility
02	GM Information Security
03 Corporate Corner
03	Corvette - Total Quality Index Leader
04 JD Power APEAL Leaders
04	 Coming Soon - Employee Survey
05 Marketing Team Recognition
06 Middle East Car Awards
07	Saab Test Drive
07	Important Dates
Middle East
GM Africa & Middle East
Employees Recognized by
GM Chairman
The GM AMO team of Samama Anas, Joe Elenz and Doug
Munro received the top employee recognition award
possible in General Motors, the Chairman’s Honor Award,
for the outstanding execution of entering the Libyan
market. They were part of a larger team of 18 who worked
on the project.
The team’s plan enabled GM to move from no presence to
market leadership in only the second full year of operation
in Libya. This team increased volume by 53% from 2005 to
2006 and earned a 50% share within two years.
“GM employees who receive Chairman’s Honors earn
a lifetime distinction that carries with it an ongoing
responsibility to serve as a role model for others in exhibiting
GM’sculturalpriorities-enhancingourproductandcustomer
focus,acting as one company,embracing stretch targets,and
moving with a sense of urgency,”GM Chairman and CEO Rick
Wagoner said. “Their talent, resourcefulness and leadership
inspire and encourage all of us.”
Congratulations Samama, Joe and Doug!!
Joe and Samama with their distinguished awards from Rick
Wagoner. Not pictured: Doug Munro
Page 2 For Employees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007
GMMEO Opens Dubai Men’s College Training Facility
GMMEO’s purpose-built technical and business and sales
training facility at Dubai Men’s College is now open. The
facility includes two large rooms where half serves as a
classroom learning experience and the other half provides
students a hands-on learning experience. There is also a
room dedicated to preparing vehicles for learning which
can also be used for doing product walk-arounds.
“The beauty of this facility is that everything about it creates
an atmosphere for learning,” Business and Sales Training
Manger Pierre Gruwez said. “Even when students exit the
training rooms, they are entering an environment conducive
to learning, given we are part of the college,” he continued.
Pierre explained that before this training center was open,
students would often times feel as if they were intruding
or interrupting regular business because they had to go the
Pierre outside the all-new GMMEO training facility at
Dubai Men’s College
showroom floor to look at
the products first-hand.
With 24 trainers on staff,
the new facility also allows
for multiple courses to be
taught at the same time in
the same place which fosters
networking and professional
development. There is also
proper storage space too for
training manuals as well as
vehicle parts for the hands-
on learning.
The new rooms allow for both classroom and hands-on
learning in the same space
GM Information Security: It’s Your Responsibility
Are you aware of your responsibilities
to protect GM Information and Keep
GM Secure? Do you understand the
importance of Information Security at GM
and to our business?
If the answer is no, you should consider
taking the GM Information Security GMU
one-hour web-based training course to do
your part to Keep GM Secure.
All employees and contractors are strongly
encouraged to take the course to gain a
better understanding of basic information
security concepts and mechanisms at GM
including:
•GM Information Security Policy & 		
Practices (ISP&P)
•Information LifeCycle Management (ILM)
	 •Acceptable Use Practices (AUPs)
	 •‘Winning With Integrity’ series section, entitled Integrity 	
	 of Our Information & Property.
The course also provides an overview of GM Information
Security, GM Information Classification, copyright and
software licensing,and preventing and handling of malicious
IT viruses.
The training is designed so that you are enabled to make
effective decisions related to Information Security issues
so that risk is mitigated for GM. In addition, you will be
familiar with the GM IS&S Information Security web site
as a valuable resource tool and able to identify Information
Security incidents that should be reported.
Do your part to Keep GM Secure. Click on the URL to enroll
in the GM Information Security GMU Training #28275:
http://www2.learningestore.com/GMU
Still unpacking – the facility
allows for on-site storage of
training materials
Page 3 For Employees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007
GM Sells Allison Transmission
GM announced recently it
reached an agreement to
sell the Allison Transmission
commercial and military
business to The Carlyle Group and Onex Corporation for
approximately $5.6 billion.
The agreement includes most Allison Transmission
activities, including seven manufacturing facilities in
Indianapolis and its worldwide distribution network and
sales offices. The Allison Transmission production facility
in Baltimore, dedicated to the production of conventional
and hybrid 2MODE transmissions used in GM’s retail
pick-up trucks and SUVs, will remain with GM.
The transaction is structured to preserve GM’s and Allison’s
competitive strengths in their respective product lines.
It is expected to close as early as the third quarter pending
union and regulatory approval.
Corvette Named Segment Leader
In Total Quality Index
The Chevrolet Corvette led
its segment in the recently
released Strategic Vision’s
TotalQualityIndex,recently
released. This perennial
winner was recognized
in the Convertible over
$30,000 segment. GM’s Saturn Aura won in its segment -
the highly competitive Medium Car segment, beating out
the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima.
Toyota had just one segment winner – the Lexus RX 350
in the near-luxury SUV category, although their TQI scores
improvedoverall. GMtiedwithToyotaforfourthplaceamong
manufacturers. Last year, GM came in fifth, underscoring
GM’s continued gains in quality. Volkswagen, Nissan and
Honda took spots one, two and three.
The Total Quality Index, a leading measure of new vehicle
owner satisfaction, asks buyers to rate all aspects of the
ownership experience, from buying and owning to driving.
About 27,000 U.S. car buyers were surveyed for the report,
which gauges both tangible
defects and emotional
factors, such as overall
perception of the vehicle.
The report comes out two
days before J.D. Power and
Associates releases its Initial
Quality Study, a widely used
measure that tracks the
number of problems per
vehicle.
“With the gap narrowing in objective quality – the number
of mechanical defects per vehicle – subjective quality cues,
such as the look and feel of the interior, are becoming more
important,” said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic
Vision.
Corporate Corner
GM Statement Regarding Tentative Labor
Agreement Between The UAW,
Delphi And GM
Delphi, the United Auto
Workers (UAW) and GM
have reached a tentative
agreement on a new UAW/
Delphi national labor contract, covering approximately
17,000 UAW-represented Delphi employees.
The agreement was reached on Friday, June 22, 2007,
after months of negotiations between the parties. While
subject to ratification by UAW membership and U.S.
Bankruptcy Court approval, this tentative agreement is
another critical step in Delphi’s restructuring efforts.
GM is encouraged by the continued progress, and remains
committed to working with the UAW, Delphi and other
parties to reach a final resolution that will allow Delphi to
emerge as a more competitive strategic supplier.
Page 4 For Employees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007
Study Illustrates APEAL Of GM Vehicles
GM had two segment
award-winners – the
Cadillac Escalade
EXT and GMC Sierra
– in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Automotive
Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, recently
released. What’s more, a total of 11 GM vehicles placed in
the top three of their segment, up from nine last year. The
study, now in its 12th year, measures owner delight with
the design, content layout and performance of their new
vehicles. GM’s2007modelyearlaunchproductsrankedhigh
in their respective segments,mirroring other measures that
indicate that our launch capabilities are improving and our
new launch products are creating customer enthusiasm.
GM vehicles that ranked second or third in their category
included the Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Tahoe,
Suburban, Corvette and Monte Carlo; GMC Acadia; and
Saturn OUTLOOK and AURA.
With a total of 11 vehicles in the top three of their segment,
GM had more segment leaders than any other manufacturer,
followed by Toyota with eight models. Honda, however,
received the largest number of segment awards (four).
Other highlights:
•GM swept the Large Pickup
	 segment, with Sierra,
	 Avalanche and Silverado
	 taking the top three spots,
	 respectively.
•Cadillac improved 15 index
	 points and ranked eighth
	 overall, up from 12th in
	 2006. Other GM brands that
	 performed above industry
	 average were Saab and 		
	 HUMMER.
•The vast majority of GM divisional brands ranked above 		
Toyota.
•Corvette was the highest ranked non-premium model for 	
	 the third consecutive year.
•One of our segment award-winners, the Escalade EXT, is a 	
	 five-time APEAL award-winner.
The 2007 APEAL Study is based on responses gathered
between February and May 2007 from more than 91,000
purchasers and lessees of new 2007 model-year cars
and trucks who were surveyed after the first 90-days of
ownership.
For the full study, go to www.jdpower.com.
COMING SOON:
Global Salaried Employee Census Survey
GM is conducting a Global Salaried Employee Census survey. All GM Salaried employees will receive an invitation through
Lotus Notes to complete the survey. It is online, confidential and should take only about 30 minutes to complete. Your open
and honest answers give the GM global leadership team a better understanding of the progress GM is making and what is
needed to help our employees and the company achieve long term success.
Page 5 For Employees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007
GMMEO Marketing Team Recognized by LAAM Peers
GMMEO participated in the 2006 LAAM Creative Evaluation and walked away with four of the top 10 spots as voted by our
LAAM peers including the top spot in each category – Brand and Retail.
The Creative Evaluation is an internal exercise for regional teams to get a sense for the range of creative ideas that exists
within our region and to help inspire each other to have healthy internal debates about how far we want to stretch our own
local creative concepts.
The following GMMEO creative was voted among the best of the best:
GMC “Robots” – Best Brand Creative
Chevrolet “It’s Within You”
Chevrolet “Own the City” – Best Retail Creative
Chevrolet “Bold New Era”
Page 6 For Employees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007
GM Dominates Middle East Car Awards!
GM dominates the first Car of the Year awards of the Middle East Car magazine. GM Middle East earned three car of the
year awards and one Lifetime Achievement award.
The GMC Acadia won “Best Crossover
SUV award”. The magazine wrote that
the Acadia intelligently melds the best
in the category, with some style.
The Chevrolet Caprice also secured
the winning spot as the Best “LWB
Executive Sedan”. The Corvette won the “Best Muscle
Car”,“pretty obvious” in ME Car’s
own words.
GMC/Chevrolet Suburban received a Lifetime Achievement Award due to how its “near legendary presence has helped the
Middle Eastern automotive world”.
Page 7 For Employees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007
Middle East Journalists Test Drive New
Saab 9-3 Range
Journalists from the Middle East’s leading motor
publications were given the opportunity to test drive the
new Saab 9-3 portfolio at the Saab debut in Gothenburg,
Sweden from June 27-29.
Inspired by the award-winning Aero X concept car, the
new Saab 9-3 range features bold styling and cutting edge
technology for greater driving appeal.
Saada Hammad GMMEO regional communications and
public relations manager commented that the journalists
thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to see for themselves
the significant developments in the new Saab 9-3 range
across three key areas: design, performance and handling.
Don’t forget to mark these dates on your calendar:
July 29 - 30 	 Dealership Marketing Manager Workshop
August 2	 All-Staff Meeting
August 12	 Isra Wel’Miraj - MEO Holiday
August 19 - 22	 ME Cadillac Dealers Visit to Shanghai
With all-new front bodywork, ‘signature’ lighting, new door
panels and rear styling features,the latest generation 9-3 has
a more focused, assertive stance, reflecting the introduction
of technical advances aimed at delivering an even more
rewarding experience behind the wheel.
The new 9-3’s are also immediately recognizable by the
sharper frontal styling, which adopts grille and surfacing
themes first seen on the Aero X concept, together with a
return of Saab’s classic ‘clamshell’ hood design – first seen in
the iconic 1967 Saab 99. The 9-3’s new ‘face’ is reinforced by
other exterior changes that all combine to give the range a
clearer, more distinctive Saab identity.
The new Saab 9-3 portfolio continues to include the Sport
Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible models.
The Saab 9-3 portfolio accounts for two-thirds of Saab’s
global sales.
Sharper Looks Showcase Enhanced Performance

23-JUL-07 TheExcelerator

  • 1.
    With feedback, pleasecontact Sue Rehmus at 04 314 3960 or email at sue.rehmus@gm.com. Better yet, come see me on the 31st Floor. Issue 20 For Employees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007 In this issue... 01 Chairman’s Honors Award winners 02 Dubai Men’s College Training Facility 02 GM Information Security 03 Corporate Corner 03 Corvette - Total Quality Index Leader 04 JD Power APEAL Leaders 04 Coming Soon - Employee Survey 05 Marketing Team Recognition 06 Middle East Car Awards 07 Saab Test Drive 07 Important Dates Middle East GM Africa & Middle East Employees Recognized by GM Chairman The GM AMO team of Samama Anas, Joe Elenz and Doug Munro received the top employee recognition award possible in General Motors, the Chairman’s Honor Award, for the outstanding execution of entering the Libyan market. They were part of a larger team of 18 who worked on the project. The team’s plan enabled GM to move from no presence to market leadership in only the second full year of operation in Libya. This team increased volume by 53% from 2005 to 2006 and earned a 50% share within two years. “GM employees who receive Chairman’s Honors earn a lifetime distinction that carries with it an ongoing responsibility to serve as a role model for others in exhibiting GM’sculturalpriorities-enhancingourproductandcustomer focus,acting as one company,embracing stretch targets,and moving with a sense of urgency,”GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said. “Their talent, resourcefulness and leadership inspire and encourage all of us.” Congratulations Samama, Joe and Doug!! Joe and Samama with their distinguished awards from Rick Wagoner. Not pictured: Doug Munro
  • 2.
    Page 2 ForEmployees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007 GMMEO Opens Dubai Men’s College Training Facility GMMEO’s purpose-built technical and business and sales training facility at Dubai Men’s College is now open. The facility includes two large rooms where half serves as a classroom learning experience and the other half provides students a hands-on learning experience. There is also a room dedicated to preparing vehicles for learning which can also be used for doing product walk-arounds. “The beauty of this facility is that everything about it creates an atmosphere for learning,” Business and Sales Training Manger Pierre Gruwez said. “Even when students exit the training rooms, they are entering an environment conducive to learning, given we are part of the college,” he continued. Pierre explained that before this training center was open, students would often times feel as if they were intruding or interrupting regular business because they had to go the Pierre outside the all-new GMMEO training facility at Dubai Men’s College showroom floor to look at the products first-hand. With 24 trainers on staff, the new facility also allows for multiple courses to be taught at the same time in the same place which fosters networking and professional development. There is also proper storage space too for training manuals as well as vehicle parts for the hands- on learning. The new rooms allow for both classroom and hands-on learning in the same space GM Information Security: It’s Your Responsibility Are you aware of your responsibilities to protect GM Information and Keep GM Secure? Do you understand the importance of Information Security at GM and to our business? If the answer is no, you should consider taking the GM Information Security GMU one-hour web-based training course to do your part to Keep GM Secure. All employees and contractors are strongly encouraged to take the course to gain a better understanding of basic information security concepts and mechanisms at GM including: •GM Information Security Policy & Practices (ISP&P) •Information LifeCycle Management (ILM) •Acceptable Use Practices (AUPs) •‘Winning With Integrity’ series section, entitled Integrity of Our Information & Property. The course also provides an overview of GM Information Security, GM Information Classification, copyright and software licensing,and preventing and handling of malicious IT viruses. The training is designed so that you are enabled to make effective decisions related to Information Security issues so that risk is mitigated for GM. In addition, you will be familiar with the GM IS&S Information Security web site as a valuable resource tool and able to identify Information Security incidents that should be reported. Do your part to Keep GM Secure. Click on the URL to enroll in the GM Information Security GMU Training #28275: http://www2.learningestore.com/GMU Still unpacking – the facility allows for on-site storage of training materials
  • 3.
    Page 3 ForEmployees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007 GM Sells Allison Transmission GM announced recently it reached an agreement to sell the Allison Transmission commercial and military business to The Carlyle Group and Onex Corporation for approximately $5.6 billion. The agreement includes most Allison Transmission activities, including seven manufacturing facilities in Indianapolis and its worldwide distribution network and sales offices. The Allison Transmission production facility in Baltimore, dedicated to the production of conventional and hybrid 2MODE transmissions used in GM’s retail pick-up trucks and SUVs, will remain with GM. The transaction is structured to preserve GM’s and Allison’s competitive strengths in their respective product lines. It is expected to close as early as the third quarter pending union and regulatory approval. Corvette Named Segment Leader In Total Quality Index The Chevrolet Corvette led its segment in the recently released Strategic Vision’s TotalQualityIndex,recently released. This perennial winner was recognized in the Convertible over $30,000 segment. GM’s Saturn Aura won in its segment - the highly competitive Medium Car segment, beating out the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. Toyota had just one segment winner – the Lexus RX 350 in the near-luxury SUV category, although their TQI scores improvedoverall. GMtiedwithToyotaforfourthplaceamong manufacturers. Last year, GM came in fifth, underscoring GM’s continued gains in quality. Volkswagen, Nissan and Honda took spots one, two and three. The Total Quality Index, a leading measure of new vehicle owner satisfaction, asks buyers to rate all aspects of the ownership experience, from buying and owning to driving. About 27,000 U.S. car buyers were surveyed for the report, which gauges both tangible defects and emotional factors, such as overall perception of the vehicle. The report comes out two days before J.D. Power and Associates releases its Initial Quality Study, a widely used measure that tracks the number of problems per vehicle. “With the gap narrowing in objective quality – the number of mechanical defects per vehicle – subjective quality cues, such as the look and feel of the interior, are becoming more important,” said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision. Corporate Corner GM Statement Regarding Tentative Labor Agreement Between The UAW, Delphi And GM Delphi, the United Auto Workers (UAW) and GM have reached a tentative agreement on a new UAW/ Delphi national labor contract, covering approximately 17,000 UAW-represented Delphi employees. The agreement was reached on Friday, June 22, 2007, after months of negotiations between the parties. While subject to ratification by UAW membership and U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval, this tentative agreement is another critical step in Delphi’s restructuring efforts. GM is encouraged by the continued progress, and remains committed to working with the UAW, Delphi and other parties to reach a final resolution that will allow Delphi to emerge as a more competitive strategic supplier.
  • 4.
    Page 4 ForEmployees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007 Study Illustrates APEAL Of GM Vehicles GM had two segment award-winners – the Cadillac Escalade EXT and GMC Sierra – in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, recently released. What’s more, a total of 11 GM vehicles placed in the top three of their segment, up from nine last year. The study, now in its 12th year, measures owner delight with the design, content layout and performance of their new vehicles. GM’s2007modelyearlaunchproductsrankedhigh in their respective segments,mirroring other measures that indicate that our launch capabilities are improving and our new launch products are creating customer enthusiasm. GM vehicles that ranked second or third in their category included the Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Corvette and Monte Carlo; GMC Acadia; and Saturn OUTLOOK and AURA. With a total of 11 vehicles in the top three of their segment, GM had more segment leaders than any other manufacturer, followed by Toyota with eight models. Honda, however, received the largest number of segment awards (four). Other highlights: •GM swept the Large Pickup segment, with Sierra, Avalanche and Silverado taking the top three spots, respectively. •Cadillac improved 15 index points and ranked eighth overall, up from 12th in 2006. Other GM brands that performed above industry average were Saab and HUMMER. •The vast majority of GM divisional brands ranked above Toyota. •Corvette was the highest ranked non-premium model for the third consecutive year. •One of our segment award-winners, the Escalade EXT, is a five-time APEAL award-winner. The 2007 APEAL Study is based on responses gathered between February and May 2007 from more than 91,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2007 model-year cars and trucks who were surveyed after the first 90-days of ownership. For the full study, go to www.jdpower.com. COMING SOON: Global Salaried Employee Census Survey GM is conducting a Global Salaried Employee Census survey. All GM Salaried employees will receive an invitation through Lotus Notes to complete the survey. It is online, confidential and should take only about 30 minutes to complete. Your open and honest answers give the GM global leadership team a better understanding of the progress GM is making and what is needed to help our employees and the company achieve long term success.
  • 5.
    Page 5 ForEmployees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007 GMMEO Marketing Team Recognized by LAAM Peers GMMEO participated in the 2006 LAAM Creative Evaluation and walked away with four of the top 10 spots as voted by our LAAM peers including the top spot in each category – Brand and Retail. The Creative Evaluation is an internal exercise for regional teams to get a sense for the range of creative ideas that exists within our region and to help inspire each other to have healthy internal debates about how far we want to stretch our own local creative concepts. The following GMMEO creative was voted among the best of the best: GMC “Robots” – Best Brand Creative Chevrolet “It’s Within You” Chevrolet “Own the City” – Best Retail Creative Chevrolet “Bold New Era”
  • 6.
    Page 6 ForEmployees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007 GM Dominates Middle East Car Awards! GM dominates the first Car of the Year awards of the Middle East Car magazine. GM Middle East earned three car of the year awards and one Lifetime Achievement award. The GMC Acadia won “Best Crossover SUV award”. The magazine wrote that the Acadia intelligently melds the best in the category, with some style. The Chevrolet Caprice also secured the winning spot as the Best “LWB Executive Sedan”. The Corvette won the “Best Muscle Car”,“pretty obvious” in ME Car’s own words. GMC/Chevrolet Suburban received a Lifetime Achievement Award due to how its “near legendary presence has helped the Middle Eastern automotive world”.
  • 7.
    Page 7 ForEmployees of General Motors In The Middle East23rd July 2007 Middle East Journalists Test Drive New Saab 9-3 Range Journalists from the Middle East’s leading motor publications were given the opportunity to test drive the new Saab 9-3 portfolio at the Saab debut in Gothenburg, Sweden from June 27-29. Inspired by the award-winning Aero X concept car, the new Saab 9-3 range features bold styling and cutting edge technology for greater driving appeal. Saada Hammad GMMEO regional communications and public relations manager commented that the journalists thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to see for themselves the significant developments in the new Saab 9-3 range across three key areas: design, performance and handling. Don’t forget to mark these dates on your calendar: July 29 - 30 Dealership Marketing Manager Workshop August 2 All-Staff Meeting August 12 Isra Wel’Miraj - MEO Holiday August 19 - 22 ME Cadillac Dealers Visit to Shanghai With all-new front bodywork, ‘signature’ lighting, new door panels and rear styling features,the latest generation 9-3 has a more focused, assertive stance, reflecting the introduction of technical advances aimed at delivering an even more rewarding experience behind the wheel. The new 9-3’s are also immediately recognizable by the sharper frontal styling, which adopts grille and surfacing themes first seen on the Aero X concept, together with a return of Saab’s classic ‘clamshell’ hood design – first seen in the iconic 1967 Saab 99. The 9-3’s new ‘face’ is reinforced by other exterior changes that all combine to give the range a clearer, more distinctive Saab identity. The new Saab 9-3 portfolio continues to include the Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible models. The Saab 9-3 portfolio accounts for two-thirds of Saab’s global sales. Sharper Looks Showcase Enhanced Performance