If I ran a car company...

I would run Honda. First thing would be a new CRZ/X off of the current fit. The base model would be the 1.5L from the fit. An Si would get either one of the turbo engines or a K. Maybe look into a AWD variant, as the parts exist in the corporate parts bin.

Next up would be a new Prelude. I'm sure there is some existing world platform with DWB in between the USDM Civic and Accord. The catch is the door layout. Ideally I would want a really slick coupe, but that may not be the best seller. Maybe an RX8/quad cab pick up mini suicide door layout, or even a(shudder) 4 door "coupe". Being smaller than an Accord, I want a hot Big 4 to be as fast as a V6 Accord.

Other concepts include an Accord convertible to fill the void left by the Sebring, Solara and C70. Also a small truck. A CRV based mini ridgeline with a standard or extra cab layout. Lastly, a new S car, maybe a mid engined S1000 or a a Z hunter S3500.

Alternatively, give me Dodge. I would draw from Lee Iacoca and the "New Dodge" era. Bring back a full range lineup at a good price point. I would focus on quality control and rust prevention. Specific models include an ND coupe(via the Mazda/fiat deal) with a pentastar and the 'Cuda badge. A new small truck, either badged as a D50 or something new, not a Dakota.

Give me any of them and I'd be selling big fat SUVs and trucks, because that is where the money is made. Then I'd build a few quirky high efficiency hatchbacks and a few ZEVs to meet fleet efficiency standards.

Oh wait...

I like the idea of modern mini trucks from both of these above posts.

Big luxo barge pickup and SUV.
Slightly smaller luxo barge pickup and SUV.
Some type of already turbocharged sports car with a decently strong bottom end and unlocked ECU that I can build six million variations of and sell CARB approved accessories and body panels for.
Finally, an electric ZEV because it's mandated to have one but based off the above platform.

6 car company.

Here's what I would do:

1. develop my minivan to be about 5-8 ft longer and 1-2 ft wider. Give it RV like seating that swivels, tables that fold in and out, hide-away beds, and large gas tanks. Current engines are fine power-wise, but optimize aerodynamics for fuel efficiency on the highway.
2. have the new vehicle dubbed "R-maxivan" ready at the exact same time the first autonomous driving package is ready.
3. pair the R-maxivan with the autonomous driving and a cheap copy of uber's app and literally slay the airlines because now individuals and families can order up an R-maxivan at night, hop in, play some card games, go to sleep, and wake up at the front door of their destination. No security, no waiting, no 50lb suitcase fee, no babies on the airplanes, and with true curbside service, you never even have to deal with parking. Win, win, win, win, win.

In reply to Robbie:

So basically a bomb delivery solution?

Stefan wrote: In reply to Robbie: So basically a bomb delivery solution?

sure, easy enough to tie the rental liability to the renter, so if that is how you want to use it, get er done.

In reply to Robbie:

You have me thinking a modern version of the GMC motor home. It was a great concept that was ahead of it's time but would be perfect with modern tech.

I would make vaguely prophetic and guiding statements about the state and direction of the company in between rounds of golf and track days, until a year or two later the BOD recognized I wasn't doing anything to actually improve the company and would then negotiate for an 8-figure golden handshake that I would comfortably live out the rest of my life on.

I remember when the GM executives were clueless since they rode limos everywhere. I'd dig those old Bob Lutz guys up and kick butt until I became useless like beer baron and get shown the door.

Brian wrote: In reply to Robbie: You have me thinking a modern version of the GMC motor home. It was a great concept that was ahead of it's time but would be perfect with modern tech.

Actually more like the transvans of the 80's and the Iveco. Those were not much larger than a standard Van of the day, but had standup headroom, bed and drove well. Imagine one of those old FWD Iveco's with a new TDI diesel and OD trans or a modern drop floor transvan that parks like a regular van but with room to seat and sleep many with one of hte new LSx engines and 6-spd auto instead of a 350/400 and TH400.

As for the original topic...... I'd run Kia. It would truly become the sporty Korean car brand. They would redevelop the Genesis coupe platform to be smaller, lighter and stuff in the 1.6T and a 6-spd manual in RWD form but actually tune it correctly. Upgraded options would get the 2.0T properly tuned. Be a true 2-seat sports car. The Stinger would go on sale as projected, the rest of the lineup continue on as they are really good. Collect my Serial #1 Huzzah SX (that would be it's name) and then retire with time to do whatever.

I'd make some mistakes , and force the board to buy me out at 3x pay.

Then retire on my own island.

If I ran a car company...

I'd run it like Lord Hesketh ran an F1 team. Get all the money together you can, make cars that you can have a party for and a smashing good time in and run it into the berkeleying ground. Then, like the good lord... when the hubub died down... I'd try again with motorcycles :)

Just because something fails spectacularly does not mean it can't be a good time. I think this is where a lot of people go wrong. They try to climb when they should be enjoying the slide.

alfadriver wrote: I'd make some mistakes , and force the board to buy me out at 3x pay. Then retire on my own island.

I think I'm doing it completely wrong. I spend a lot of my time fixing other's mistakes, when I'm lucky, at 1.5 × pay, but usually just regular rate. No one is offering to pay me more to stop.

If I ran a car company it would fail epicly after creating a 2000 hp supercar that only Jay Leno owned a copy of.

In reply to HappyAndy:

CEOs get paid a lot to leave. Jack almost killed us, and he got 25M for the effort

OK. I want to run a revived Datsun.

The game plan is to build simple, cheap and cheerful small and midsized cars and a smaller pick-up and SUV. Old Datsun names will be brought back, some as the Japanese market names like Fairlady and Blue Bird, and some as the alpha-numeric names like 510 and B210, I'm leaning towards having the economy models use the a-N names, and the sporty versions use the JDM names. They will bear a strong resemblance to thier 1970's counterparts.

Some will be sporty, while others will focused on economy, none will suck to drive, even if they are low powered.

I would like to have a modular inline engine design that can be configured into a 3,4,5 or 6 cylinder. Some will be available with turbo chargers, all will have GDi. The 3 and 4 bangers can be for front or rear wheel drive. I'd like to have (and probably need to have) a hybrid, and eventually a pure EV.

First up is a B210, available as a sedan or 2dr sport back. FWD. 3 cyl, GDi, available MT, or AT versions have a Prius style hybrid system. The car will be as light as possible in today's world. There will be a 4 cyl GDiT version called Honey Bee.

Next up is 200sx/Sylvia. 4cyl, RWD, 2dr, 2+2 seating, lift back body style. The top performance Sylvia version will have a turbo and mechanical LSD, along with a track day mode to put all the electronic nannies in the back seat.

Of course there is a 510/Blue Bird. Available in sedan, wagon and limited edition 2dr hard-top. 4cyl, RWD, hybrid available in AT versions. Blue Bird SSS package available in all body styles, including the wagon. Turbo 4 (or maybe 5?), Close ratio gearbox (stick or twin clutch auto), mechanical LSD, largest possible brakes behind 17" forged rims, Bilstein (or similar premium brand) damping, recaro (or similar) leather seating, switch to turn the nannies off. BMW M2 performance at a fraction of the price.

I'd like to do a Fairlady roadster, but I think that market is pretty crowded right now, so to distinguish my roadster from the Miata/Fiat 124, I'd make it as much like original Datsun roadster as possible, that is to say, tiny, practically KEI car tiny. 3cyl, RWD, but maybe it's a transverse mid/rear engine.

The SUV would be the Datsun Patrol. I6 engine, 4dr with rear barn doors, probably 4 wheel independent suspension, but aside from that, pretty rugged and simple, but not crude or uncomfortable.

Lastly, a real minitruck. Available with 4,5 or 6 cylinder engines, all available with MT or AT. Standard cab, King cab and 4dr cabs available. RWD or 4×4. Short or long bed.

If I ran a car company, all car models would be available in stripped down versions. No carpet, no radios, no nav system, no electric windows, no cupholders, nothing that wasn't absolutely necessary to drive from one point to another. I could probably sell them well under 10 grand. Work out a deal to offer up a 3 day driving school with every purchase.

...I'm pretty sure I would run it into the ground.

Interesting topic..

Where do I start?

Mazda: Bring back the Mazda 5, drop Skyengine engine in it and 6 speed manual. Also make a cargo van version of it minus the back seats ala Nissan NV200.

Stick manual transmission/awd combo in the CX-5. Yes this combo does exist. Also people who want awd like to drive stick.

Bring Mazda 6 Wagon to the States. That was a good looking vehicle.

Honda: Take ether 2 liter or 2.4 motor and put in Fit. Add LSD and suspension tweaks and make Fit SI.

Make Civic SI available without a sunroof and add in manual windows/locks.

Bring back the Element and put small diesel/manual combo into it.

Manual transmission option in Odyssey (yes you heard me )

Offer awd/manual combo in HRV.

Manual transmission option in Ridgeline.

Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon: 4 cyl/4wd/manual transmission or 4 cyl/2wd/manual transmission combos available in crew cab with fleet package (manual windows/locks/non leather seating/locking rear differential).

Toyota Tacoma: Make 4 cyl/2wd/manual transmission available with crew cab. Add small diesel. Sell like hot cakes.

Nissan Frontier: Make 4 cyl/2wd/manual transmission available with crew cab. Add small diesel. Sell like hot cakes.

Ford: bring the rwd Falcon back based on a 4 door version of the mustang. It would be a touch smaller than the charger/300c and would need to be priced just below it as its the direct competitor.

Make a truck based bronco and go directly after wrangler sales. It needs the same off road feel with washable seats, removable top, and rubber floors.

Get a factory here in the states to start producing the rest of world ranger, like yesterday.

I don't care which one, but I'll be making a small RWD pick-up with a 4cly or V6 option, and a small RWD coupe/hatch 4cyl or V6 option. Engines will be pushrods, multiport injected (no DI), no varible cam timing etc.

Flagship will be a classily styled muscle car with a max weight of 3650 lbs and 450hp V8.

I'd make a bunch of cars I like and the general public has no interest in (see many suggestions throughout this thread). Then I'd get fired.