Summer classics signal a shift at GM

WARREN, Mich., July 29 (UPI) -- Classic Camaros, Pontiac Trans Ams and Corvettes took center stage at General Motors Thursday, as a sign of recovery for the U.S. automaker.

GM reinstated an annual summer ritual of inviting workers to bring in their classic cars and put them on display at the Warren Tech Center in Warren, Mich., the Detroit Free Press reported.

The annual day of company pride was canceled a year ago, when GM was in the midst of a bankruptcy proceeding.

Employee and 1968 Chevy Chevelle owner Tom Hipple said, "We're as good as or better than the imports."

Tom Stephens, vice chairman of global product operations, said, "They don't write songs about washing machines and Apple computers. We're trying to get that pride back into the organization.

"I try to get myself out of the building and in the seat of a car as often as possible," he said.

The newspaper said nearly 700 classic GM cars were put on display.

A year away from bankruptcy, although pared down considerably, GM posted a profit of $865 million in the first quarter and is expected to be in the black for the second quarter as well.