General Motors Honors Top Dealers in New York City

[pupp1]

FOR RELEASE: 2005-06-09 General Motors Honors Top Dealers in New York City

New York, N.Y. -- June 9, 2005 - General Motors' senior executives were in New York City this week to present this year's 'GM Dealer Of The Year' winners with the 2004 Jack Smith Leadership Award. Only 110 GM dealers nationwide earned this distinguished recognition for their dedication to customer satisfaction and sales excellence.

"GM 'Dealer of the Year' winners are those great dealers that consistently deliver strong sales performance, exceptional customer service, and play an active role in the communities they serve," said Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The value they deliver to GM and our customers is immeasurable, and truly deserves to be celebrated."

Each recipient received the 2004 Jack Smith Leadership Award, named after Jack Smith, retired GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and founder of the honorary program.

The prestigious award is a Steuben crystal obelisk, which symbolizes the ultimate dealer achievement at General Motors. GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner, along with senior company officers Bob Lutz, John Devine and Gary Cowger presented the awards at ceremony held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York.

"The GM 'Dealer Of The Year' honor recognizes our dealers who lead by example in superior customer service, vehicle sales and community leadership," said Mark LaNeve, Group Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing, General Motors North America. "These individuals exemplify the commitment, leadership and performance that 'Only GM' can provide."

About General Motors

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 321,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit.
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[Buickman]

They just had such an event in California at LaQuinta in April. More money wasted. Top dealers can afford their own trips. Keep playing the fiddle while she burns.

[Mr. Corporate Events]

Originally Posted by Buickman

They just had such an event in California at LaQuinta in April. More money wasted. Top dealers can afford their own trips. Keep playing the fiddle while she burns.

Actually, having attended a few of these dealer events myself, the dealers usually DO pay for their own airfare. Remember, keeping the network of GM dealers motivated and happy is almost as important as designing and building great cars, and with the changes slated for Buick-GMC-Pontiac, it's even more so. Dealers usually love to get some face time with the auto bosses, and it's also a good opportunity for them to give them input about what's happening in the field. Can't say it's a waste, since they're the ones moving the iron day in and day out. No different than recognizing the folks who design or put them together.

[espo19047]

Originally Posted by Buickman

They just had such an event in California at LaQuinta in April. More money wasted. Top dealers can afford their own trips. Keep playing the fiddle while she burns.

How ignorant..

[dlr]

Remember, the dealer is GM's customer. GM sells directly to them and without enthusiastic dealers ordering vehicles, GM doesn't move the iron.

[johnny smallblock]

Originally Posted by Buickman

They just had such an event in California at LaQuinta in April. More money wasted. Top dealers can afford their own trips. Keep playing the fiddle while she burns.

I'm with espo. Does Buickman really think it's a good idea to ignore the dealers, or not thank them for selling a lot of cars. Yes, I know they should make better products, we all know that. But while doing so, you don't ignore the salesmen.

[moman]

Originally Posted by johnny smallblock

I'm with espo. Does Buickman really think it's a good idea to ignore the dealers, or not thank them for selling a lot of cars. Yes, I know they should make better products, we all know that. But while doing so, you don't ignore the salesmen.

Dealers can certainly afford their own airfares and trips. If not, they wouldn't have massive showrooms.

GM really should focus on an independent sales model. The current model is broken but with the public desire to buy new cars every couple years there is little incentrive to improve upon it.

I say GM could sell an extra million cars a year if they would get rid of the 'high pressure, who can rip off who the most' sales game.

[johnny smallblock]

Originally Posted by moman

Dealers can certainly afford their own airfares and trips. If not, they wouldn't have massive showrooms.

GM really should focus on an independent sales model. The current model is broken but with the public desire to buy new cars every couple years there is little incentrive to improve upon it.

I say GM could sell an extra million cars a year if they would get rid of the 'high pressure, who can rip off who the most' sales game.

It's fine to change models. It might sell a lot more cars. But until you do, why not thank the people who sell your cars for you? Because they make money? Like Lutz and Wagoner don't?

[bandd]

Come on guys. It's really easy to blast the dealers if your not one. Who do you think is footing the bill for these showrooms? And how stupid can you be assuming that every dealer is cut throat. You sound like the media...find a bad story and run with it even though it's an isolated case. There is an old saying 'don't bite off the hand that feeds you". You also have to remember that a dealers margin on new cars sucks and you should also be aware of how many jobs are created by these "filthy rich" dealers. It just chaps me when someone bashes the dealers because with out them and every other business person in the world we would not be where we are!

[timman]

It just chaps me when someone bashes the dealers because with out them and every other business person in the world we would not be where we are!

Try to be in a union for a day to feel the bashing on these posts.

[JG1115]

GM dealers deserve to be rewared for their excellence because it makes sense to reward the people selling your product.......keep it going GM!

[espo19047]

Originally Posted by moman

Dealers can certainly afford their own airfares and trips. If not, they wouldn't have massive showrooms.

GM really should focus on an independent sales model. The current model is broken but with the public desire to buy new cars every couple years there is little incentrive to improve upon it.

I say GM could sell an extra million cars a year if they would get rid of the 'high pressure, who can rip off who the most' sales game.

As computer savvy as most of you are you already know the invoice so lets stop it with the tired stereotypes. Its not broke.

[Buickman]

We want concessions from employees and retirees and still party? Bad karma. Dealers would understand. Let it go and save the dough.

[asim]

who cares about awarding top dealers, better cars are more important. Also I don't care haw many awards a dealer gets, as long as they give me the right price.

[SSrevolution]

Originally Posted by asim

who cares about awarding top dealers, better cars are more important. Also I don't care haw many awards a dealer gets, as long as they give me the right price.

There would be alot more top dealers if GM would have been making good cars starting 10 years ago.