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Smart Shopper Stories from the Sales Frontlines
48099 messages, Last post on Dec 06, 2009 at 4:22 PM
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Replying to: graphicguy (Dec 03, 2008 7:16 am) CUTTING BRANDS, MODELS, DEALERS GM will look to drop its Pontiac, Saab and Saturn brands in addition to Hummer, now being shopped to potential bidders. GM will focus on Chevy, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. Those four brands represent about 83 pct of current sales. Pontiac will become a specialty niche brand with few vehicles on offer. Saab will be shopped globally to potential bidders. GM will meet with Saturn dealers to consider options for the failed brand. The number of GM models on offer will drop from 48 in 2008 to 40 by 2012. GM will look to cut dealers from about 6,450 in 2008 to 4,700 by 2012, mostly by reducing showrooms in major U.S. cities and suburbs. I was surprised the number of models will drop from 48 in 08 to 40 in 2012. Doesn't seem like a big enough drop. 20 models should be enough. Concessions from UAW would really help. MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION CUTS CEO Rick Wagoner will work for a $1 salary in 2009 and will not receive a bonus for 2008 or 2009. GM directors will receive only a $1 retainer in 2009. GM President and COO Fritz Henderson will have his compensation cut by 30 pct. Other senior executives will take 20 percent pay cuts. Well, at least they are trying. Why only 30% and 20% cut......these guys won't get jobs somewhere else! I miss Mac too! 
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In my town dealer has a Kia Sedona at full MSRP and if you buy it you get a stripped down Accent. Dealer admits it is just a way to get people in. With discounts you are better off just buying one new car with all the discounts. This makes me wonder what is so great about 0% financing. It sounds good in theory, but customer is paying for it somewhere....I'll call it built into the price of the car. The car has to be less if the manufacturer isn't borrowing the money. This is a big factor in the credit crunch crisis today....people think they are borrowing money for free. |
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Replying to: graphicguy (Dec 02, 2008 10:25 am) I think (nothing to back this up just an observation on my part) that allot of it will have to do with if the terms of the Bridge Loan are better then the untapped line of credit we already have in place. Just for an example if I have a LOC in place at 6% and some one offers me a loan at 5% then I would be crazy not to take it. Now granted you make payments on a LOC if you use it and the Bridge Loan will require payment if it is needed or not. Unless they let the Feds hold the money till needed. I don't know the details.
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Replying to: driver100 (Dec 03, 2008 6:25 pm) Torque was there "RIGHT NOW" in it. Got to hear the supercharger whine. This was 14-15 years ago, but I do remember it being able to embarrass some much more expensive machinery....and do so in relative comfort. She used to complain that it got mediocre MPG, but that was to be expected as she was a driver who was herky jerky on the road, and kept her foot in it most of the time. I remember reading quite some time ago that the supercharged 3.8L GM motor was too expensive to produce, so they dropped it. As I mentioned, they must be pretty stout as I still see quite a few of both the Buick and Pontiac versions on the road. |
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Replying to: joel0622 (Dec 04, 2008 5:58 am) Cerebus/Chrysler/Nardelli.......I've yet to see who they're turning their business around. I think the original intent of Cerebus (and Daimler) when Chrysler was sold, to break up the company into pieces. Well, as the economy soured, they can't. The Chinese have looked at it. I believe Ghosn looked at it. Both took a pass. As much as it pains me to say this, Cerebus/Daimler shouldn't get out of this with a free pass. Daimler built the coffin for Chrysler. Cerebus wanted to hammer the nails into the lid. Let Chrysler file for Chapter 11 and see how they come out of it. Force both companies to find a way to keep Chrysler a going concern. If not, they need to shoulder all the losses. GM....they're getting there. But, I think any bailout money should come with the caveat that Wagoner isn't the man for this job. Maybe elevate Lutz, at least temporarily. He's the only person who seems to be focused on putting out products that people actually want to buy. Clearly, GM plans on trimming, probably eliminating Saturn and Pontiac. Saab is gone. Hummer....I haven't heard what exactly will happen to that brand. That's a start. I still think GMC is redundant. Is Buick really selling that many vehicles for them to pull their own weight? If not, they can go, too. That means all the Pontiac/Buick/GMC dealerships will fold. Maybe do that by attrition since we're hearing of dealership closings every day. Ford, as you mention, is in the "best" shape....if you want to call it that. But, I'd demand to know what Ford plans on doing with Mercury. Again, another redundant brand before any "lines of credit or bailout money" are established. All of that should "right size" the Detroit automakers. Then, we can go from there.
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Replying to: graphicguy (Dec 04, 2008 7:31 am) With the baby boomers and the general population aging, I wouldn't count out Buicks and Mercurys yet. Old bones need a comfortable ride.  Richard |
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Replying to: joel0622 (Dec 04, 2008 5:58 am) The second commercial about the four trucks and their hauling capacity is really good. The F150 can out haul the others hands down. GO FORD! Richard
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Replying to: graphicguy (Dec 04, 2008 7:14 am) I've go the 3.8 non-supercharger in my 99 Regal. At 200 hp it is quick off the line (torque) and has the power to pass at any speed. The 3.8 has been around for a long time because it is a great engine. Secure and confident handling, comfort and power, reliability... the perfect family sedan. I believe Buick considers the Regal their "sporty sedan", so let's make that clear so there ain't no more old people jokes about the Buick Regal.
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Yesterday I got a price from a Toyota dealer over the internet for a 2009 Tacoma 4 cylinder, automatic, SR5 package, for 19,515 (MSRP was 22,500) including 2.9 percent financing for 60 months. I checked my prices, and it is under invoice and under Edmunds TMV. I went to the dealer, test drove the truck, and agreed to the deal and bought the truck. The only other fees were a 298 Doc fee (standard in Massachusetts) and a 75 registration fee, and sales tax (5%). According to my research, the price seems great. How is the commission on a deal like that split up. I talked with the internet manager via email, then was set up with a salesman when I got there.
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Replying to: richard64 (Dec 04, 2008 8:12 am) The mpg rating for a F150 is 14mpg (smallest engine 4x2), according to fords website. No full size truck gets anywhere near 24mpg, the 2.3 L fusion gets only 20mpg. Now maybe if you have a jockey driving an empty polished F150 downwind, down a hill with a warmed up engine with an near empty tank with the radio and A/C turned off you can get the highway rating 20mpg. 
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