Archive for the ‘dealers’ Category

Here at TheCarConnection.com, we read a lot of automaker press releases. A week ago today, a pretty unusual one landed on our desks: GM was touting the text of a letter from a "disgruntled owner" of its new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

Surprise, surprise, the owner wasn't actually unhappy. Instead, it was a mock complaint citing all the wonderful aspects of the 2010 Camaro in the guise of problems.

For instance, "it's too sexy." And, "they gave me the wrong motor" because "this thing is way too fast for a V6. It practically LEAPS when I step on the gas." And so forth.

It was so in line with GM's talking points that we figured it had been written...

With the recent restructuring of Chrysler and General Motors, there's been a lot of focus on auto dealers -- particularly those who were axed from the two companies' networks. Considerable time and energy on Capitol Hill has been dedicated to protecting dealers during the bankruptcy process, but now, new legislation is being developed to scrutinize them. And it has nothing to do with the auto industry bailout.

Indeed, this new legislation is related to a different bailout altogether: that of the financial industry. Pushed by an array of consumer groups, including the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, and the National Council...

And now comes the unpleasantness: in the aftermath of its failed sale of Saturn to Roger Penske, General Motors has begun winding down the Saturn network. The brand will close for good just over a year from now.

GM executives held a conference call with Saturn dealers yesterday to talk through the shutdown process. Each of Saturn's 350 dealerships will be offered between $100,000 and $1 million to remain open and sell down inventory. That could take very little time, considering that there are only 12,000 vehicles on Saturn lots at the moment, or roughly a four-month supply. If sales continue as they have -- which is not entirely likely,...