GM, In Their Own Words

So many have stopped listening, long ago, perhaps, but that doesn't mean it isn't still important.

I've pulled some stuff from their 2007 Annual Report, to outline what the company thinks is going on. The details on the VEBA cash funding ... well, it appears that is down the road, truly (as of this writing). At least, it's doesn't look as though it was pre-funded in 2007 or that they are doing more than accrual for it, presently. At least in the current period, the UAW has agreed to them deferring $1.7B of interim cash payments to the VEBA.

Still, you get the general direction, and maybe some inklings on how to assess their own assessment.

Among noteworthy items:

• They are formally committed, via settlement with the UAW, to helping with health care reform ideas.
• At the end of the year (2007), the pension obligation was over-funded. Not sure how that stands, currently.
• They finally suspended dividends to common in July, 2008...[no comment]
  

The Bush Administration was ... AWOL in 2005 on issues of national health care.

Long - very long - snippet after the jump.

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p. 73

Accelerate Cost Reductions and Quality Improvements.

Since the November 2005 announcement of our strategy to reduce structural costs in the manufacturing area, we have introduced a variety of initiatives to accomplish that strategy. In 2007, we achieved our announced target of reducing certain annual structural costs primarily related to labor, pension and other post retirement costs in GMNA and Corporate and other by $9 billion, on average, less than those costs in 2005. This improvement is due largely to the success of attrition programs which reduced the number of our hourly employees by 34,400, the effect of the resulting pension remeasurement, as well as a number of other items including the 2005 Health Care Settlement Agreement with the UAW, reductions in pensions for salaried employees and caps on healthcare costs for salaried retirees. In 2008, we have implemented an additional voluntary special attrition program, for which all 74,000 UAW-represented employees are eligible to participate, including 46,000 employees who are currently eligible for retirement. We continue to focus on our long-term goal of reducing our global automotive structural costs of revenues as a percentage of 2005 revenues to less than 25% by 2010. For 2007, global automotive structural costs were less than 30% of revenue. We believe that the new collective bargaining agreement entered into in October 2007 (2007 National Agreement) provides additional cost reduction opportunities, particularly in the areas of healthcare costs and savings from the implementation of the Tier II wage structure and, accordingly, have revised our previously announced target for further reductions in structural costs as a percent of revenues from 25% in 2010 to 23% by 2012.

...Looking forward, we expect that commodity pricing pressures will remain flat or improve modestly. We also expect to reduce a substantial portion of the cost premiums we have historically paid to Delphi for systems and components over the next three to five years....
... We have seen significant improvements in both warranty and other quality related costs over the past several years, which have enabled the implementation of the extended powertrain warranty. ...

Vehicle quality demonstrates continued improvements in 2007. Our recent vehicle launches are performing at record warranty levels, and our Buick and Cadillac brands were first and third, respectively, in the most recent JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study. We have also experienced an 89% decrease in the number of vehicles included in safety and non-compliance recall campaigns since 2005. In 2008, we will maintain our focus on improving our vehicle quality.


Address Health Care/Legacy Cost Burden.

Addressing the legacy cost burden of health care for employees and retirees in the United States is one of the critical challenges we face. For the past three years we have worked with the UAW and our other U.S. labor unions to find solutions to this challenge. In October 2005, we announced the 2005 UAW Health Care Settlement Agreement, which modified postretirement healthcare benefits for UAW active employees, retirees and their eligible dependents to require monthly contributions, deductibles and co-pay obligations for the first time. In October 2007, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding — Post-Retirement Medical Care (Retiree MOU) with the UAW, now superseded by the Settlement Agreement currently pending for court approval (Settlement Agreement). The Settlement Agreement executed in connection with the 2007 National Agreement will incorporate and supersede the 2005 UAW Health Care Settlement Agreement when it is implemented on the later of January 1, 2010 or the date when all appeals or challenges to court approval of the Settlement Agreement have been exhausted (Implementation Date).

We began recognizing benefits from the 2005 UAW Health Care Settlement Agreement during the three months ended September 30, 2006. The remeasurement of the U.S. hourly OPEB plans as of March 31, 2006 generated a $1.3 billion in OPEB expense and $14.5 billion reduction in the OPEB obligation, including the Mitigation Plan as described in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements. In April 2006, we reached a tentative agreement with the International Union of Electrical Workers Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) to reduce healthcare costs that is similar to the 2005 UAW Health Care Settlement Agreement. This agreement was ratified by the IUE-CWA membership in April 2006 and received court approval in November 2006. The IUE-CWA healthcare agreement reduced our 2007 OPEB expense by $.1 billion and OPEB obligation by $.5 billion. The IUE-CWA collective bargaining agreement expired in the fourth quarter of 2007, and we anticipate that our new collective bargaining agreement with the IUE-CWA will include arrangements similar to those contemplated by the Settlement Agreement.

We also increased our U.S. salaried workforce’s participation in the cost of healthcare. In January 2007 we established a cap on our contributions to salaried retiree healthcare at the level of our 2006 expenditures. In the future, when average costs exceed established limits, we will make additional plan changes that affect cost-sharing features of program coverage, effective with the start of the following calendar year. Program changes may include, but are not limited to, higher monthly contributions, deductibles, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums and prescription drug payments. We have also reduced the levels of coverage for corporate-paid life insurance for salaried retirees.

The 2007 National Agreement provides for a permanent shift in responsibility for retiree healthcare liabilities of $47 billion to a new benefit plan to be established and funded by the New VEBA, promptly after the Implementation Date. We believe that our initiatives in this area will reduce our U.S. healthcare related cash payments to $2 billion per year, beginning in 2010, reduced from $4.6 billion in 2007.

We will continue to work with our employees, healthcare providers and the U.S. government to find solutions to the critical issues posed by the rising cost of healthcare. The Settlement Agreement provides that we will publicly support federal policies to improve the quality and affordability of healthcare and work cooperatively with the UAW toward that goal. We have agreed with the UAW to form a National Institute for Health Care Reform, which will conduct research and analyze the current medical delivery system in the United States, develop targeted and broad-based reform proposals to improve the quality, affordability and accountability of the system and educate the public, policymakers and others about how these reforms could address the deficiencies of the current system. Our initiatives to reduce healthcare costs during 2007 also included using the global purchasing process to identify more cost-effective suppliers and auditing the eligibility of plan participants as well as working with the UAW and other vehicle manufacturers to support a variety of federal legislation that would reduce employer healthcare costs.

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From the 10-Q

In our 2007 10-K, we reported minimum commitments under contractual obligations, which included obligations under our then current contractual labor agreements in North America. Before the Settlement Agreement could become effective, the Settlement Agreement was subject to the exhaustion of any appeals of the July 31, 2008 approval by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the completion of discussions between us and the staff of the SEC regarding the accounting treatment for the transactions contemplated by the Settlement Agreement on a basis we believed to be reasonably satisfactory. The Settlement Agreement became effective in September 2008.

The following table summarizes the decreases, by period, in our contractual obligations as a result of the Settlement Agreement:

		2008				2009-2010				2011-2012				2013 and after				Total
		(Dollars in millions)
Postretirement benefits (a)(b)		$	3,338			$	6,802			$	4,814			$	—			$	14,954
Less: VEBA assets (a)			(3,338	)			(6,802	)			(4,814	)			—				(14,954	)
Net postretirement benefits			—				—				—				—				—
Net increases due to finalization of the Settlement Agreement			—				—				7,590				12,015				19,605
Total		$	—			$	—			$	7,590			$	12,015			$	19,605
Remaining balance postretirement benefits (a)		$	728			$	1,772			$	5,248			$	41,311			$	49,059
Less: VEBA assets (a)			(728	)			(621	)			—				—				(1,349	)
Net			—				1,151				5,248				41,311				47,710
Net increases (decreases) due to finalization of the Settlement Agreement			165				(246	)			(3,636	)			(29,286	)			(33,003	)
Total		$	165			$	905			$	1,612			$	12,025			$	14,707

(a)		As reported in our 2007 10-K prior to the finalization of the Settlement Agreement.
(b)		Amounts include postretirement benefits under the current contractual labor agreements in North America. The remainder of the estimated liability for benefits beyond the current labor agreement and for essentially all salaried employees, is classified under remaining balance of postretirement benefits. These obligations are not contractual.

EMERGENCY ACTIONS - 10-Q THIS PAST WEEK

On July 15, 2008, we announced new planning assumptions based on a U.S. total vehicle market of 14.3 million units in 2008 and 2009, which was at or below industry analysts’ consensus, and a U.S. market share of 21% in those years. Accordingly, we undertook a number of initiatives aimed at conserving or generating approximately $15.0 billion of cash on an incremental basis through the end of 2009. These initiatives included approximately $10 billion of operating actions that are substantially within our control, including structural cost reductions, reducing capital spending, improving working capital, reaching agreement to defer approximately $1.7 billion of scheduled payments to the UAW VEBA, and eliminating the dividend paid on our common stock. Further information about these actions follows:

	•	Salaried employment savings (estimated $1.5 billion effect) — We are executing salaried headcount reductions in the U.S. and Canada through normal attrition, early retirements, mutual separation programs and other tools. In September 2008, we extended voluntary early retirement offers under our Salaried Retirement Window Program (Salaried Window Program) to certain of our U.S. salaried employees. Employees accepting the Salaried Retirement Window Program were required to do so no later than October 24, 2008, with the majority of retirements taking place on November 1, 2008. As of October 31, 2008, 3,460 employees had irrevocably accepted the Salaried Retirement Window Program, which was in excess of the 3,000 needed to achieve our financial target. In addition, health care coverage for U.S. salaried retirees over 65 has been eliminated, effective January 1, 2009. Furthermore, there will be no new base compensation increases for U.S. and Canadian salaried employees for the remainder of 2008 and 2009. We are also eliminating discretionary cash bonuses for the executive group in 2008.
	•	GMNA structural cost reductions (estimated $2.5 billion effect) — Significant progress has been made towards achieving GMNA’s structural cost reduction target. We have accelerated cessation of production at two assembly facilities in addition to shift and line-rate reductions at other facilities. Truck capacity is expected to be reduced by 300,000 vehicles by the end of 2009. Promotional and advertising spending is being reduced by 25% and 20%, respectively, and engineering spending is being curtailed as well. In addition, we are implementing significant reductions in discretionary spending (e.g., travel, non-core information technology projects and consulting services).
	•	Capital expenditure reductions (estimated $1.5 billion effect) — The major components of this reduction are related to a delay in the next generation large pick-up truck and sport utility vehicle programs, as well as V-8 engine development. There will also be reductions in non-product capital spending. These reductions will be partially offset by increases in powertrain spending related to alternative propulsion, small displacement engines and fuel economy technologies.
	•	Working capital improvements (estimated $2.0 billion effect) — Actions are being taken to improve working capital by approximately $1.5 billion in North America and $0.5 billion in Europe by December 31, 2009, primarily by reducing raw material, work-in-progress and finished goods inventory levels as well as implementing lean inventory practices at parts warehouses. All these initiatives are on track for completion prior to December 31, 2009.
	•	UAW VEBA payment deferrals (estimated $1.7 billion effect) — Approximately $1.7 billion of payments that had been scheduled to be made to a temporary asset account in 2008 and 2009 for the establishment of the New VEBA has been deferred until 2010. The outstanding payable resulting from this deferral will accrue interest at 9% per annum. The UAW and Class Counsel have agreed that this deferral will not constitute a change in or breach of the Settlement Agreement. Within 20 business days of the Implementation Date, approximately $7.0 billion of deferred payments, plus interest plus additional contractual amounts will be due to the New VEBA.

The remaining $5 billion of our July liquidity plan included $2 billion to $4 billion of planned asset sales and $2 billion to $3 billion of fundraising in capital markets. We believed that these actions, together with the availability of $4.5 billion under our secured credit line, would provide sufficient liquidity for the balance of 2008 and 2009 as well. The status of these previously-announced activities as of November 7, 2008, is as follows:

	•	Asset sales — We are exploring the sale of the HUMMER business, Strasbourg transmission plant and the AC Delco business. We expect to shortly commence providing offering materials to potential buyers for the HUMMER and AC Delco businesses pursuant to appropriate confidentiality agreements and have already commenced providing confidential offering materials for the Strasbourg transmission plant to interested parties. We are also in the process of monetizing idle or excess real estate and several individual transactions are in various stages of execution.
	•	Capital market activities — Our plan targeted at least $2.0 billion to $3.0 billion of financing during 2008 and 2009. However, due to the prevailing global economic conditions and our current financial condition and near-term outlook, we currently do not have access to the capital markets on acceptable terms. In the three months ended September 30, 2008, we executed $0.5 billion of debt-for-equity exchanges of our Series D convertible bonds due in June 2009. In addition, we have gross unencumbered assets of over $20 billion, which could support a secured debt offering, or multiple offerings, in excess of the initially targeted $2.0 billion to $3.0 billion, if market conditions recover. These assets include stock of foreign subsidiaries, brands, our investment in GMAC and real estate.

MORE EMERGENCY ACTIONS

which combined with previous initiatives announced on July 15, 2008, would conserve or generate cash of up to $20.0 billion. These additional actions include:

	•	Salaried employment savings (estimated $0.5 billion effect) — Additional salaried employment savings will be achieved through incremental workforce reductions in U.S. and Canada, including involuntary separation initiatives. In addition, we have announced the suspension of our matching contribution to certain defined contribution plans starting November 1, 2008 as well as suspension of other reimbursement programs for U.S. and Canadian salaried employees. We also expect to realize salaried employment savings in Western Europe in 2009 through a wage/salary freeze and other cost reduction initiatives.
	•	Additional GMNA structural cost reductions (estimated $1.5 billion effect) — We expect to reduce GMNA structural cost by an additional $1.5 billion in 2009. These additional reductions would result from the recently announced acceleration of previously planned capacity actions and other plant operating plan changes, additional efficiencies in engineering resources aligned with further product plan changes, continued marketing spending reductions aligned with expected automotive industry conditions and intensified focus on discretionary spending reductions.
	•	Additional working capital reductions (estimated $0.5 billion effect) — GMNA is targeting approximately $0.5 billion of additional working capital reductions beyond the original 2008 target reduction level of $1.5 billion. This additional target reduction is expected to be achieved by continuing to focus on inventory reductions and initiatives related to accounts payable.
	•	Additional capital expenditure reductions (estimated $2.5 billion effect) — In the absence of federal funding support, 2009 capital spending will be reduced from the revised target of $7.2 billion announced on July 15 to $4.8 billion. This reduction will be achieved primarily through deferrals of selected programs (e.g., the Cadillac CTS coupe and the next generation Chevy Aveo for the global market) and related capacity reduction projects. However, we are still planning to increase global spending for fuel economy improvements, and spending related to the Chevy Volt will continue. Beyond 2009, capital expenditures will stabilize in the $6.5 billion to $7.0 billion range (excluding China, which is self funded with our joint venture partner).

These actions are intended to conserve or generate cash of up to $20.0 billion in response to deterioration in the global economy, particularly the automotive industry, so that we can preserve adequate liquidity throughout the period from September 30, 2008 to December 31, 2009. However, the full effect of many of these actions will not be realized until later in 2009, even if they are successfully implemented. We are committed to exploring all of the initiatives discussed above because there is no assurance that industry or capital markets conditions will improve within that time frame. Our ability to continue as a going concern is substantially dependent on the successful execution of many of the actions referred to above, on the timeline contemplated by our plans.

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