Originally Posted by fastball
Scott, I think many people today aren't brainwashed by CR or unpatriotic, I think many of them are still jaded by an experience with an American car from the 1970's and 1980's. I have to admit, so was I after the junker of a Beretta I had (which we discussed in another thread..... remember that great peel and eat paint job those cars had?) I had essentially sworn off American cars and bought a 2000 Honda Prelude brand new in 1999.
Unlike most people, however, I remained open minded and continued to believe if GM built cars as good as Japan, I would buy one in a heartbeat. Well, the new Malibu, CTS, and of course this Camaro have convinced me. The problem GM is running into is that you haven't opened the minds to the vast majority of people who have sworn American cars off for good without looking at them today.
I think GM needs a massive add campaign. Not showing a Cobalt zipping around advertising a $199.00/month lease, but serious, direct, and point blank campaign. Something like this: Have Bob Lutz walk toward the camera with a 1959 Eldorado and a 2009 CTS-V on both sides of him. Have him point out that in the time those two cars had been produced, GM had lost their way in design and quality, but have gotten it back in a big way. I think you would open alot of people's ears who currently drive Toyotas if he said "over the past 30 years, GM has made product choices which have hurt you, our customer, and our beloved country. We admit what you might have owned 10+ years ago might not have given you the satisfaction you expected. We've also talked better quality in the past but didn't quite deliver. Well, those days are over at GM. Today, our engineering and design is second to none, with attention to details, reliability, and overall product quality surpasing what is offered from our competitors, foreign or domestic. We have the most sophisticated and highest quality assembly lines in the industry, and our engineers are the most brilliant we've had since (as he points back to the Eldorado) this classic was produced. We invite you to take a serious look at GM products. See what you've been missing."
I'm not a commercial writer, but I think something along those lines would go a long way in getting people back into GM dealerships.
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