Why GM Accessories Don't Sell, and How to Fix It

[The_Blur]

I have an iPhone, and I can't remember the last time I saw another iPhone user without a case. Despite the huge population of iPhone users, we all have different-looking iPhones. They're all the same. It's not like a Droid where roughly the same operating system commands a plethora of both cheap and expensive smartphones. It's a cookie cutter phone in the best possible way because we can all have different cookies.

The market is ripe for customization. Everyone wants their personality to shine through their purchases. The two most expensive things anyone buys are their home and their method of transportation. Everyone, without exception, customized their homes. You can't walk into a house and see the same thing twice—different arrangements of furniture, photographs, art, paint, everything.

Automobiles, on the other hand, have the same potential. Why aren't people doing it?

PRICE—If it cost less to modify our vehicles, we would probably all do it. GM subscribes to this belief, and even goes so far as to encourage a proper salesperson to present GM Accessories. I'll get back to that in a couple of paragraphs. These accessories are generally expensive and not really worth the money. I'll give you a solid example. There's no reason a footwell lighting kit should ever cost $500, but here it is. Lower the profit margin on these items, and they'll sell in higher quantities. Stop listening to your financial guys who drive family sedans without any of these parts. You need to listen to the buyers, and I'd say Camaro enthusiasts are definitely buyers.

RESALE VALUE—Someone is going to come into this thread and tell me customizations kill resale value. Yes, throwing giant vinyls on your ricer does kill the resale value, and so does that supercharger, but it should still be an option. We still let people buy unusual colors for cars and base models with no options, and both of those kill resale value, too.

WARRANTY—Someone else is going to come in here and tell me the warranty is affected by these parts. Have you looked at GM Accessories Zone? I don't think any of those parts could possibly void your warranty.

DEAL STRUCTURE—This one gets into how car deals are made. It's not really the dealer's fault that he or she is stuck selling these they way they do. First, they sell you a car, and then they sell you stuff for the car. A lot of accessories would be easier to sell if they were part of the car part of the deal. It's evident with truck sales that people will buy large packages for discounts. If GM encouraged the sale of a dealer performance spec car with a certain collection of accessories at a special discount, that would move units. Imagine a Sonic turbo being sold with accessory wheels and sporty tires, a different grille, an intake upgrade, a stripe package, and exhaust for less than the sum of those parts. This can be done at the end of the deal. All of these can be added at the dealer, and the stock parts can be kept instead of given back to the buyer. What is a Sonic driver going to do with a stock air box? Keep it, recondition it, and offer it to a service customer that was in a front end collision for a discount. Everyone wins.

MERCHANDIZE—Usually, it sucks. The options for customization range from keychains and reflective triangles to rally stripes to battery protection. Only one of these four examples actually enhances the car. The rest of this stuff belongs at AutoZone in the "stuff I don't need" isle. I will give some credit to GM for offering a variety of audio upgrade packages, but I have to be blunt, a top reason why this stuff doesn't sell is because it sucks. What kind of merchandize is going to sell? You're on the right track with brake upgrade kits. You could probably make one of those for most cars and sell it as a safety feature. Stripes and graphics are good, too. You might want to make more of them to order to keep costs down so that the prices can drop. I also like the interior trim kits. You'd catch more interest if you tailored accessories to sporty car drivers. If you tailor a Malibu from start to finish for Mrs. Soccer Mom, her husband, with a '70 Chevelle in the garage isn't going to have as much fun driving it. They both own the car, so sell some sportier seats out of a Z28, and a stripe package. Most of the accessories offered today are floor mats and splash guards. That's not customization. The car has to scream, "This is me!" It needs to have the personality of the person driving it, even if that means GM is offering something ridiculous. I should be able to look at the accessories page and laugh that some option is being bought by some weirdo instead of laughing that GM probably has a warehouse full of chrome door handles for every car that no one has bought in the last 10 years.

It's a long post, but I'm sick of seeing salespeople pitch the same parts year after year in a vain attempt to sell to one of us. As Camaro enthusiasts, I'd like to say we should be grateful for all the OEM options that we're given. We do have more options than other GM drivers. If you take out the floor mats, Spark drivers have only five accessories to consider, and one of them is a smoker's package. I want to see every GM car different and reflective of the person who drives that car. Someday, if GM gets the accessories thing right, we'll see more people with more passion about their vehicles, and GM will make more money on the front of every deal.

[RubyCamaro]

Well said. I would add only one thing. Remember that your buyers are not stupid. Most of us worldwide are now plugged into he world wide web. We are not going to pay twice as much for an inferior part when we can buy better ones less expensively. I might pay a little bit more for the same quality part from the dealership if I was guaranteed it would not effect my warranty. Otherwise, I'm out there shopping for the best part at the best price!

[Bhobbs]

What GM needs to do is offer a wide variety of upgrades that can be installed at the dealers that won't void the warranty.

[CamaroSkooter]

The problem with GM getting into the aftermarket accessories business is that there are already well-established vendors that already do it at a price point that GM will never be able to match.

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

The problem with GM getting into the aftermarket accessories business is that there are already well-established vendors that already do it at a price point that GM will never be able to match.

I meant GM put together upgrade packages using aftermarket parts. They could then validate them so they don't void the warranty.

[CamaroSkooter]

Oh, yeah, I was just posting in general, not really as a response specifically to your comment

[SS 376]

Very well said. I think GM is leaving a lot of money on the table. An OEM will be by far the largest buyer of any single mod so they can get a better deal than any single tuning shop or even a distributor. Moreover, buyers will be more willing to spend more on accessories if they can roll the price into the finance cost of the vehicle. I bought my 1SS for $32K--if the dealer told me I could put on LTs and a CAI for another say, $1500 that's $1500 in revenue GM could've captured instead of someoen else.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by RubyCamaro

Well said. I would add only one thing. Remember that your buyers are not stupid. Most of us worldwide are now plugged into he world wide web. We are not going to pay twice as much for an inferior part when we can buy better ones less expensively. I might pay a little bit more for the same quality part from the dealership if I was guaranteed it would not effect my warranty. Otherwise, I'm out there shopping for the best part at the best price!

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

What GM needs to do is offer a wide variety of upgrades that can be installed at the dealers that won't void the warranty.

I'll get into GM Performance Parts in another thread.

[right to travel]

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

What GM needs to do is offer a wide variety of upgrades that can be installed at the dealers that won't void the warranty.

They (GM) already do. However most dealers dont know the difference between their ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to selling anything but the cars on the lot. And they can barely do that. Example i walk into my dealership and order a 1ss 1le no other options. we get the numbers down to 37500 otd. I had in my hand a check for 46000 with the intent to spend all of it. I wanted a set of all season tires, zl1 rockers, a few suspension parts and some other odds and ends from their ebay store. Long story short (and i mean LOOOOOOOONG story) I left with my car and nothing else. The dealers lost money and GM lost money due to dealership incompetence.

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

The problem with GM getting into the aftermarket accessories business is that there are already well-established vendors that already do it at a price point that GM will never be able to match.

some vendors have licensed with gm performance parts pfadt, pedders, defenderworks, magnaflow. there maybe a few others but again dealerships ass or hole in ground

Originally Posted by SS 376

Very well said. I think GM is leaving a lot of money on the table. An OEM will be by far the largest buyer of any single mod so they can get a better deal than any single tuning shop or even a distributor. Moreover, buyers will be more willing to spend more on accessories if they can roll the price into the finance cost of the vehicle. I bought my 1SS for $32K--if the dealer told me I could put on LTs and a CAI for another say, $1500 that's $1500 in revenue GM could've captured instead of someoen else.

Yea um no i tried see above. There are some dealers that i would think would get this done (Rodgers comes to mind ) but they are a 1 in 500 gm dealer

Originally Posted by The_Blur

I'll get into GM Performance Parts in another thread.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But why wait?????? GMPP is kinda in this same category. The thing with GMPP is that is kinda tucked away in a corner where only a few people know about,use or care about. Most of whats in the catalog is race engine (off road only) stuff. It has gotten better with the camaro parts but i dont think it really geared toward the type of customers that hang around.

My view is that GMPP and GM accessory's need a complete overhaul and a change in perspective of who they want to buy stuff from them. Right now no one has a reason to look at any site or catalog from gm for parts. We can get GM parts from other places at great prices. Example CTSV/ ZL1 brake kits can be had for significantly less from those "other sources" brand new than they can from gm directly. And i assume they are making money from the sales at these prices. so why does gm not get in on this?

[Number 3]

GM has tried for many years to offer aftermarket accessories. The potential advantage it is to be able walk in to your dealer and buy a Camaro and add several or many accessories that differentiate your car in appearance and or performance that maintain warranty and can simply be added to the negotiated price of the car and included in any necessary financing. These accessories would then be included in the warranty of the car for either the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty or the 100,000 mile PT warranty.

Now the flip side is to believe that aftermarket parts meet any of GM requirements. No disrespect to any vendor here on Camaro5, but they don't run the same durability tests that GM does and simply don't incur the costs to bring these products to market. So anyone can bring an accessory to market for less than GM if they don't simply run one car on the durability test that GM does and the environmental tests that GM does, and the component and subsystem tests that GM does. Some do some great work, I know this for a fact. But I also know the requirements GM has and I know that it is hard for any vendor to run all the tests required to meet PPAP requirements.

So the battle is simply cost and GM will not bring a product to market that isn't tested and validated to meet all the requirements.

I recall many years ago GM bringing an aftermarket sunroof to market for the S-Truck. It was available in the aftermarket for a very reasonable price. But when GM added all of it's environmental and test requirements, the piece price nearly doubled. It doesn't mean the supplier part was necessarily sub standard, but the cost to simply verify they met the GM requirements drove the price way up due to the testing and evaluation required to confirm their part met GM requirements.

It's a tough business for sure. Just ask our vendors that have tried to supply GM directly .

[Truck Norris]

For starters they could start selling 2.3L TVS supercharger upgrades for around $2,650 like Ford Racing Performance Parts does which includes the S/C, elbow, SCJ monoblade TB, fuel rails and belt.

Then start selling Recaro seat packages that don't cost $6,000, and ZL1/Z28 brakes, ZL1/Z28 wheels, etc. all without price gouging its customers.

I've seen quite a few 5.0/ GT500 owners at the track with a whole slew of FRPP and when I asked why they said because they are good parts at a good price and dealers don't go pointing to his mods as the culprit whenever a problem arises.


P.S. GMPP is now called Chevy Performance

[yzark99]

Who would buy a footwell lighting kit for $500, when you can roll your own for $8?

[right to travel]

Originally Posted by Number 3

GM has tried for many years to offer aftermarket accessories. The potential advantage it is to be able walk in to your dealer and buy a Camaro and add several or many accessories that differentiate your car in appearance and or performance that maintain warranty and can simply be added to the negotiated price of the car and included in any necessary financing. These accessories would then be included in the warranty of the car for either the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty or the 100,000 mile PT warranty.


Now the flip side is to believe that aftermarket parts meet any of GM requirements. No disrespect to any vendor here on Camaro5, but they don't run the same durability tests that GM does and simply don't incur the costs to bring these products to market. So anyone can bring an accessory to market for less than GM if they don't simply run one car on the durability test that GM does and the environmental tests that GM does, and the component and subsystem tests that GM does. Some do some great work, I know this for a fact. But I also know the requirements GM has and I know that it is hard for any vendor to run all the tests required to meet PPAP requirements.

So the battle is simply cost and GM will not bring a product to market that isn't tested and validated to meet all the requirements.

I recall many years ago GM bringing an aftermarket sunroof to market for the S-Truck. It was available in the aftermarket for a very reasonable price. But when GM added all of it's environmental and test requirements, the piece price nearly doubled. It doesn't mean the supplier part was necessarily sub standard, but the cost to simply verify they met the GM requirements drove the price way up due to the testing and evaluation required to confirm their part met GM requirements.

It's a tough business for sure. Just ask our vendors that have tried to supply GM directly .

So what i dont get is why not do more to offer stuff from higher trim models to buyers of lower trims or prior years. without charging rediculous prices. i know they want to deliver the highest quality stuff but those shipments of parts that are cosmetically imperfect that we know they get all the time that at not fit to be put on a new car would find a happy home on my used car instead of the dumpster. There is money in OEM upgrade market and that applies across the entire car market not just sports cars.

As far as the dealers go again there is a mega failure on their end to facilitate this. they know less about the product they are selling than the customer and focus primarily on just selling things as is.

Originally Posted by Truck Norris

For starters they could start selling 2.3L TVS supercharger upgrades for around $2,650 like Ford Racing Performance Parts does which includes the S/C, elbow, SCJ monoblade TB, fuel rails and belt.

Then start selling Recaro seat packages that don't cost $6,000, and ZL1/Z28 brakes, ZL1/Z28 wheels, etc. all without price gouging its customers.

I've seen quite a few 5.0/ GT500 owners at the track with a whole slew of FRPP and when I asked why they said because they are good parts at a good price and dealers don't go pointing to his mods as the culprit whenever a problem arises.


P.S. GMPP is now called Chevy Performance

Ford is doing this right if ya ask me. most 5.0 owners i talked to will have multiple FRPP parts on their cars. Its also the first place they look for performance upgrades and then they go aftermarket. And they get a warranty for the new stuff and IT DOESN'T VOID THE FACTORY WARRANTYif it is installed at a ford dealer who is certified by ford to do performance installs. Do we even have GM certified performace install dealerships???????

[Anaconda]

Originally Posted by Truck Norris

For starters they could start selling 2.3L TVS supercharger upgrades for around $2,650 like Ford Racing Performance Parts does which includes the S/C, elbow, SCJ monoblade TB, fuel rails and belt.

Then start selling Recaro seat packages that don't cost $6,000, and ZL1/Z28 brakes, ZL1/Z28 wheels, etc. all without price gouging its customers.

I've seen quite a few 5.0/ GT500 owners at the track with a whole slew of FRPP and when I asked why they said because they are good parts at a good price and dealers don't go pointing to his mods as the culprit whenever a problem arises.


P.S. GMPP is now called Chevy Performance

http://www.fordracingparts.com/musta...mancepacks.asp

I forgot about Ford racing parts until you brought that up. I find it interesting that they also offer a warranty on top of their supercharged systems. Their performances parts site does offer some interesting options. I know through the GM catalogue they do offer a CAM which will void warranty and the LSA supercharger kit. Although, I am not sure if it's actually readily available to purchase as a full kit and can be installed via the dealership. Tuning will be an issue since I'm sure that the dealerships don't have the knowledge(at this time) and the ability to tune for this supercharger. Also I am not sure if there is a warranty on top of their LSA superchargers.

There are people around that would like aftermarket type options from the dealer with warranty to have that "piece of mind" or what have you.

In my opinion, I'm glad that there is the option to upgrade to the 3.91 gears, 1LE suspension track pack among the few available performance upgrades that won't really affect warranty. If it is affected it will be given a 12 month warranty on parts (at least that's what my dealer told me). But a supercharger, intake, possibly a cam option would be nice to see. Would I get it? Quite possibly. Would there have to be rigorous testing for this option? I would certainly think so. But that's just my opinion.

I would like to see a more expanded offering of performance products for our Camaros similar to the Ford Racing products offered on their site.