GM Extends 60-Day Guarantee

[XenoRad]

Could someone who fully understands this 60 Day Guarantee please answer some questions I have.

All I know it that you can only return the car between days 30-60 of ownership, if it hasn't done more than 4000 miles, and has less than $200 worth of damage. Also you need to pay for insurance and some fees, which won't be reimbursed.

So how much would they reimburse if you decide to return the car, how much paperwork and "legal hassle" is involved and would this be an easier way out rather than trying to sell the car yourself as used?

Being somewhat wary of the way big corporations handle business (and especially ones like GM), I'm wondering whether this program is of any benefit to the potential owner, or it's just some gimmick to get some positive feedback that doesn't do anything for the "consumer".

I mean it sounds good the first time you hear it, but then you find out there are imitations, then you find out not all dealers participate, etc...

[Mr. Burns]

Originally Posted by nsap

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I think the Camry looks better. That coupled with the Toyota badge on the hood and you can see how GM has its work cut out for it. Though the ads themselves are very good, and should be good for changing customer perception.

[63GrandSport001]

I wouldn't call the Camry a good looking vehicle....

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by calgaryhhr

If GM vehicles are really so good and customers like them so much I don't see why GM doesn't make this guarantee part of the GM company. Obviously it is something that no other automaker offers and it would speak volumes about GM quality.

When Hyundai's quality improved significantly, it began offering a more comprehensive warranty. It suggested that Hyundai stood behind its vehicles, even if they were now of higher quality and probably really didn't require the extra coverage. With the fineprint restrictions, it probably won't cost Hyundai too much in the future-I'm sure the actuaries gave the warranty a careful inspection-but the positive impact on sales was noticeable.

If GM's marketing-types can demonstrate that the warranty had a positive impact on sales, and if in the end it costs GM quite little (less than 500 takers despite 100's of thousands of units sold?), then extending the warranty, and perhaps making it a permanent feature of purchasing a GM vehicle, has far more upside and makes sense.

[GMDEALERGUY]

I know I will get chastised for this.....but do you guys honestly think the Malibus nose is nicer then the Camry??? I applaud GM for the malibu but I always thought the nose and the taillamp design were awful. Just not as refined as the Camry or others in it's class. Just my opinion though alot of us at our Chevy store think the same thing.

[Hunid Racks]

Originally Posted by GMDEALERGUY

I know I will get chastised for this.....but do you guys honestly think the Malibus nose is nicer then the Camry??? I applaud GM for the malibu but I always thought the nose and the taillamp design were awful. Just not as refined as the Camry or others in it's class. Just my opinion though alot of us at our Chevy store think the same thing.

Not even close. Camry IS an ugly car. Doesn't matter what trim level or options.

Then you get inside and it gets even worse for the Toyota. No other way to put it, it's cheap and it shows, Malibu colors, finish, feel are far better than the Camry.

[XenoRad]

Originally Posted by Hunid Racks

Not even close. Camry IS an ugly car. Doesn't matter what trim level or options.

Then you get inside and it gets even worse for the Toyota. No other way to put it, it's cheap and it shows, Malibu colors, finish, feel are far better than the Camry.

I believe the Camry's exterior design to be pretty good. It's neither exciting nor boring but it has a sense of flow from front to end that gives it some distinction. The XLE model in particular is rather stylish.
However I don't like the interior and especially the plastic around the center console. It does look cheap and out of place.

About the Malibu I can say I like it's profile, but the front bumper is perhaps a bit busy. I'm not convinced the narrow grille-badge-wider grille combo works very well.

[GMDEALERGUY]

Originally Posted by Hunid Racks

Not even close. Camry IS an ugly car. Doesn't matter what trim level or options.

Then you get inside and it gets even worse for the Toyota. No other way to put it, it's cheap and it shows, Malibu colors, finish, feel are far better than the Camry.

Not saying the Malibu is ugly or anything, but the Camry is a nice car as far as front end and rear end design goes. The malibu taillights look like crap as if someone didnt finish designing them. It should have taillamps that extend,wraparound, into the quarter panel. Chevys design on the grilles and rear panels are ugly, which is why I think the Traverse is ugly. The rear end on that truck is hideous.The Equinox,while an improvement over the last load,is boring looking.....to me... Camrys interior maybe cheap and thats where the Malibu shines. Nice interior...except for that two tone thing. My 09 HHR SS looks great outside but GM's use of horrible,cheap plastic is everywhere inside. I hate that. It looks cheap. But back to topic, I am a GM guy but wont kiss their ass if I dont like a particular design. Not that I would ever drive a Camry,but the car is not ugly. On that note I would never drive a Malibu as well.Not my style.Besides the Camaro, nothing Chevy has right now makes me get excited.......and I had a lot of Chevys and GM in the past. I should be ready in 4 years for a new ride and who knows what will be available then? I think the Orlando looks cool though the name is the absolute worst!I like that style of little suv/crossover type thing. Not spending $40,000 plus for a Camaro or any GM for that matter so thats out. The HHR/SS is killed.

[gagt02]

The Camry is not ugly. I do prefer the looks of the Malibu though. I like the front end of the Malibu and its profile, but the rear lights are ugly, looks cheap.

[CorsaTurboC]

Originally Posted by GMDEALERGUY

I know I will get chastised for this.....but do you guys honestly think the Malibus nose is nicer then the Camry??? I applaud GM for the malibu but I always thought the nose and the taillamp design were awful. Just not as refined as the Camry or others in it's class. Just my opinion though alot of us at our Chevy store think the same thing.

In a Consumer Reports sort of way, yes. It reminds me of a white Black and Decker toaster oven. It doesn't offend, appears easy on the eye and easy to clean.

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by 377Z

...So how many people actually opted for the guarantee, versus the extra $500 rebate?

Per the article here http://www.detnews.com/article/20091...back-guarantee

"The comparison campaign, scheduled to start in December, is the second phase of a national advertising barrage initiated last month that offers buyers a 60-day, money-back guarantee. Under the campaign, GM has sold approximately 142,000 vehicles and 449 people took the guarantee in lieu of a $500 vehicle discount. Only four people have returned the vehicles so far though another 49 people have filed paperwork indicating they likely will return the vehicle."

So 449 out of 142,000 took the deal indicating that this is more of a $500 Rebate program than a guarantee, and when 53 out of 449 are looking to return the vehicle (over 10%), that thought is reinforced.

Don't like the fact that GM shows a Camry LE against the Malibu LTZ in a direct comparasion ad, its one thing to do this when advertising the Malibu vs the Camry in general but when they are stacked against each other savvy buyers are going to compare and find the Camry LE is a better buy.

Sad thing is that it is not necessary since GM could easily add Fog Lights and other features to the Malibu LT trim and make it a better value than the Camry LE, but they refuse.

When will GM understand the only way the Malibu is going to be considered as successful as the Camry is when it outsells it?

GM can make the Malibu the best selling car in the segment, but has not made a single change to the 2010 Malibu to make it more desirable.

[Ambalanche]

I just bought a 2010 Camaro SS Friday and opted for the $500.00. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for the extra discount, but I don't feel it's necessary. Is GM trying to bribe people from the money back guarantee? The quality of this latest car is a testament to how GM is improving. Everything fits extremely well with tight tollerances and the design, well, I don't have to tell you...

[377Z]

Originally Posted by joemac

Occurs all the time. Why would Ford use an upper trim level and then bring in competitors of lower trims. It's not a crime. It's called marketing. Ford is setting the best light of which to market and sell it's product. Easy finds are pickup truck commercials that pull in competitor trucks. You'll never see Ford pull in a Tundra SR5, Ram Lamamie, or Silverado LTZ into any ad. It's always a dull base or lesser model trim. There's nothing wrong with promoting a product over the competition and no it doesn't have to be and isn't fair. It isn't meant to be.

Just the facts. The real world. This is not an uncommon occurrence. Competition is not fair, nor is it meant to be. Sales has an initiative to win, not to become parity with competition.

So basically, you just want GM to follow the other guys and not lead. Simply put, "everybody's doing it." or "the other guys lack credibility, why should we have any?"

I never mentioned that it is or should be fair so I don't know why you're so hung up on it. Its not about being fair, its about Credibility. In the real world, it doesn't matter what your advertising claims if you have no credibility with your target market. Everyone else is doing it? Then stand out by doing a REAL comparison. Emphasize the comparison is of COMPARABLE models. Use the competitions tactics against them. Be consistent. Build credibility. Most people are tired of the cheesy used car lot techniques.

Its not just the credibility issue either, others have pointed out the other unintended consequences of such tactics.

Originally Posted by SierraGS

So 449 out of 142,000 took the deal indicating that this is more of a $500 Rebate program than a guarantee, and when 53 out of 449 are looking to return the vehicle (over 10%), that thought is reinforced.

[knicker26]

Having been involuntarily separated from GM, I'd rather have the Camry. Plus you can get a stick in the Camry.