GM asks ex-execs to aid sales

[pupp1]

Tuesday, May 24, 2005



GM asks ex-execs to aid sales

They're encouraged by automaker to give employee discounts to help the cause.

By Ed Garsten / The Detroit News
General Motors Corp., in its latest bid to boost flagging sales, is asking its retired U.S. executives to give away employee vehicle discounts to anyone who wants them.

The program began last month and runs through the end of May, according to a letter sent by Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president of vehicle sales, service and marketing.

Retired GM executives were told that they could offer employee discounts to two people a month in April and May.

"It's your chance to help contribute to GM's success, like you've done so often in the past," LaNeve said.

A GM spokeswoman would not comment on the program so it's unclear how many sales it could generate.

The GM Employee Purchase Plan is generally available to eligible GM employees, retirees and their family members.

Dealership employees and workers at suppliers for GM are eligible for discounts, too.

Savings can range from a few hundred dollars for the least expensive vehicles to several thousand dollars for high-end models.

GM, Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG all have widened employee and other discount programs in recent years to bolster sales.

Through April, GM sales are down 4.9 percent and U.S. market share has slipped to 25.4 percent from 27 percent last year.

Information from dealers gathered by CNW Marketing/Research in Bandon, Ore., indicates May has been a slow sales month for GM.

"It's desperation," CNW President Art Spinella said of GM's move to allow retirees to give away discounts.

"It's unfortunate, though, because GM keeps showing up as doing better in so many ways."

Jim Sanfilippo, an analyst with consultants AMCI Inc. in Bloomfield Hills, said LaNeve is taking advantage of a simple sales tool at his disposal.

"He wants to sell a car any way that makes sense," said Sanfilippo. "Getting a letter from the chief asking can you help us, may work."
Source

[ronus20]

Someone want to send me an invitation so I can buy my 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Sedan?

[gmmerc5]

Originally Posted by ronus20

Someone want to send me an invitation so I can buy my 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Sedan?

If you are serious about buying the Cobalt SS with GM discount, drop me a line, gmmerc5@aol.com. Take care.

[tgagneguam]

Shortterm giveaways are not solutions for longterm problems. Mark, you're starting to sound like a regular exec with this plan.

[dav305z]

Why not do this? Sure, it's not going to save the company, but LaNeve isn't saying it will. It's just one of those little things a company can do to improve business. When you look at successful companies, you see that beyond having terrific business strategies, they also take advantage of any little thing that can help the bottom line.

[rayce08]

its sounds like the media is running out of bad stories about GM and they dug this crap up , come on , who cares . this is not even newsworthy and is scrapin the bottom if you ask me !!!

[SSrevolution]

Originally Posted by rayce08

its sounds like the media is running out of bad stories about GM and they dug this crap up , come on , who cares . this is not even newsworthy and is scrapin the bottom if you ask me !!!

Yup nuff said.

[MMS]

Hi, does anyone here have one of these available for the month of May? I am interested in purchasing a vehicle.
Thanks.