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FINALLY: GM compares mpg to Toyota in ads
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It is truly amazing how slow these companies can be to react to the market and consumers' perceptions. Granted, I'm not on the inside so I don't know the intricacies of coming up with and actually producing new marketing campaigns at GM, but this has got to be the most OBVIOUS thing they could have started doing 6 months ago.
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I'll have to keep an eye out for these ads.
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I've seen some of them, they're OK..
But, am I the only one that reads this and shakes their head...
COME ON GM the TRUCK MARKET IS DEAD...
Yes you won there... your trucks are best in the world... Comfort, relability, mileage etc etc...
Great news except NO ONE is buying TRUCKS...
We need ads the explain how you get better milage in your Aveo then in a Fit.
Oh you can't Darn!
But, am I the only one that reads this and shakes their head...
COME ON GM the TRUCK MARKET IS DEAD...
Yes you won there... your trucks are best in the world... Comfort, relability, mileage etc etc...
Great news except NO ONE is buying TRUCKS...
We need ads the explain how you get better milage in your Aveo then in a Fit.
Oh you can't Darn!
Wrong... Even with the large drop in sales, trucks like the Silverado are still some of the best selling vehicles on the market (and some of the most profitable). I think it's worthwhile to drive home the fact that GM makes some of the most fuel efficient trucks on the market. There are still lots of people and companies who need to buy trucks.
That said, I saw a lame Lucerne TV ad last night that touted its extremely long range (implying that it has great fuel economy). I don't even know how they can tout the range.
Lucerne 18 gallon tank, 25MPG highway
Avalon 18.5 gallon tank, 28MPG highway
Taurus 20 gallon tank, 28MPG highway
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9,268 Posts
+1 and not only against the Corolla/Camry but also against the Civic/Accord (the Cobalt XFE, Malibu XFE)
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113 Posts
i'm going to disagree with you there, just because the trucks arent selling in the states, doesnt mean that they're not sell in canada, you guys cant sell them, and we cant keep them on our lots, 85% of my business is trucks-and mostly diesel trucks at that. so i would have to say that the truck market isnt DEAD, rather in a deep sleep for you.
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As 2002 Caddy noted, correctly IMO, a day late and a dollar short. For GM to hype the Fuel Economy of a couple of dying segments is throwing money down the drain. WHO CARES!!
OTOH your suggestion about hyping the Cobalt is asking to be gored in the press. There is exactly one trim level the XFE that is one mpg better on the Highway only. All the rest of the Cobalts are nowhere even close to the Corolla or the Civic. And...when you go onto the Chevy website you get this disclaimer [ quantities very limited, IOW don't try to buy one actually ]
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I disagree with your thought on the Cobalt XFE. I say, Hype it up! COMPARE it and a Civic and Corolla! Who cares if it's limited, Toyondassan has played with the numbers on all of their products, especially that throat lozenge called the Prius. It has NEVER lived up to it's fuel economy claims but since it comes from the sombrero company, it doesn't matter/is ignored!
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Let me clarify my point..
1) GM Trucks are the best in the world
2) GM Trucks get the best mileage in the world
3) This market is SHRINKING BIG TIME
Why spend limited marketing dollars in a segment that you already own and are winning in... You need to spend marketing on segments where you are getting your butt kicked. How about an add that says the Malibu gets better mileage then the Camry.
Except the best Camry does EPA-estimated 33 mpg city/34 mpg highway and the best Malibu does an EPA estimated 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway... A little work to do here...
So in short.. GM needs to do to the Truck market what it did to the car market in 1990. Shift the focus... Lets Squeeze another 2MPG out of the Malibu Hybrid... Lets get the Volt here a year or two early... Lets bring the Beat to town NOW.
And lets begin marketing our CARS!
ENOUGH of the Trucks already!
1) GM Trucks are the best in the world
2) GM Trucks get the best mileage in the world
3) This market is SHRINKING BIG TIME
Why spend limited marketing dollars in a segment that you already own and are winning in... You need to spend marketing on segments where you are getting your butt kicked. How about an add that says the Malibu gets better mileage then the Camry.
Except the best Camry does EPA-estimated 33 mpg city/34 mpg highway and the best Malibu does an EPA estimated 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway... A little work to do here...
So in short.. GM needs to do to the Truck market what it did to the car market in 1990. Shift the focus... Lets Squeeze another 2MPG out of the Malibu Hybrid... Lets get the Volt here a year or two early... Lets bring the Beat to town NOW.
And lets begin marketing our CARS!
ENOUGH of the Trucks already!
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It's nice to see GM focusing on this. And I like the sounds of "Pump Less, Drive More" = but why did it take this long? And I agree with most people who believe this needs to be in regards to the CARS - not the trucks... Why doesn't GM just come here and ask what to do before they go ahead and do it? We'll give them advice for FREE. I wonder how much they paid for bad advice...
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Comparing the truck milage to the Toyotas and Fords is like comparing the paint job of the Titanic to other sunken ships.
They HAVE actually started to rerelease some of the best commercials they ever thought of, the sneeky gas pump. THOSE WERE AWESOME I cannot tell you how many people watch and laugh when they see them! And in big bold print CHEVY COBALT GETS 36MPG HIGHWAY, BETTER THEN HONDA CIVIC
Its funny, its got a short and simple message, its perfect! Show more of them!
Start playing your strengths in your weakest segment! 09's are availble are they not?
Start talking about the Malibu's 33mpg vs Camry's 31.
They HAVE actually started to rerelease some of the best commercials they ever thought of, the sneeky gas pump. THOSE WERE AWESOME I cannot tell you how many people watch and laugh when they see them! And in big bold print CHEVY COBALT GETS 36MPG HIGHWAY, BETTER THEN HONDA CIVIC
Its funny, its got a short and simple message, its perfect! Show more of them!
Start playing your strengths in your weakest segment! 09's are availble are they not?
Start talking about the Malibu's 33mpg vs Camry's 31.
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The way I see it - this will let people know that Toyota ALSO makes big trucks and their big trucks are less efficient than GM's big trucks. People need to know that Toyota doesn't just built the Prius and Corolla. Besides, the truck market is still huge, so we can't just say "no, no, no. no" every time GM brings out new ads for their trucks.
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A couple of points to make...
1. You mention there is still work to do with regard to Malibu fuel economy compared to the Camry, however you are comparing the mileage ratings of a Camry Hybrid to a Malibu with the 4 cylinder/6 speed combo. I don't think that is a fair comparison. In 2008, the 4 cylinder/6 speed combo was only available for a short period of time in the LTZ trim, however for 2009 dealers can order the same powertrain in a 1LT. It is also getting a bump to 33 MPG on the highway.
2. As far as truck advertising goes, trucks are still far more profitable for GM, so it's important they get the try and get as much of the segment as possible (even if it is shrinking rapidly). Not to mention giving up on the truck segment would be devasting to the company. Right now, cars are selling at a rapid rate (even without the advertising) causing GM to add production to Aveo, Cobalt, Malibu & Impala).
3. Long term your thoughts are spot on, but in the interim GM still needs to sell trucks because that is where the capacity and money is.
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You might want to double check that
The EPA for the 2008 Malibu Hybrid is 24/32 The comparison is apples to apples.
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The hybrid systems don't use the same technology, so I would not agree that it is an apples to apples comparison. Does Chevrolet need to improve the Malibu Hybrid - yes of course, but the only thing that makes them similar is the hybrid badge.
As far as where the volume of the segment is, it is with 4 cylinder engine - non hybrid models. The Malibu (with the 4 cylinder/6 speed combo) is rated at 22/32 compared to the Camry at 21/31. For 2009, the Camry 4 cylinder fuel economy stays the same where as the Malibu is getting a highway bump to 33 MPG.
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