Post by TonyV on Jan 28, 2010 1:04:32 GMT -5
Jan. 27, 2010
GM, Ford launch programs to lure Toyota owners
By TIM HIGGINS, JEWEL GOPWANI and BRENT SNAVELY
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITERS
General Motors and Ford launched campaigns today to attract owners of Toyota vehicles worried about the ongoing recall over sticking accelerator pedals.
GM dealers inundated by Toyota owners
Steve Hill, GM general manager of retail sales support, said in an interview that dealers were being inundated by Toyota owners concerned about the recall and looking for help.
“Starting last night and certainly into today, we’re just getting barraged by phone calls from our dealers and our field personnel telling us about … customers from Toyota calling and stopping in. They have a lot of questions; they’re looking for help,” Hill said.
In response, GM crafted an incentive program aimed at Toyota owners.
“A lot of these customers were our customers, … and they’re looking for help and we want to provide help,” Hill said.
Jake Fisher, senior automotive engineer at Consumer Reports, said this is a rare opportunity to lure Toyota customers.
“It’s very difficult to pry someone away from Toyota,” said Fisher, expecting other automakers to offer incentives for people who trade in a Toyota.
A customer “might not just buy that vehicle, but buy that manufacturer down the road,” Fisher said.
The GM incentive program, which will run through the end of February, includes:
• Toyota lease holders can get up to $1,000 in lease payments to terminate their Toyota lease and buy or lease a GM vehicle. It applies to Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles.
• Financing buyers can get zero percent interest rates for 60 months on most GM vehicles.
• Cash buyers can get $1,000 down-payment assistance to get into a GM vehicle.
“It applies to any Toyota owner,” Hill said.
Ford responds with incentives of its own
Ford said late today that it also plans to offer $1,000 to owners of Honda and Acura models as well as those from Toyota, Lexus and Scion who want to buy a Ford.
The campaign is in response to news earlier today that General Motors launched a similar $1,000 campaign today to attract owners of Toyota vehicles worried about the ongoing recall over sticking accelerator pedals, said Ford spokesman Robert Parker.
“Anytime a major action like is taken by one of our competitors, we have to respond,” Parker said.
Parker said the program will be advertised primarily by Ford’s dealership groups.
GM, Ford launch programs to lure Toyota owners
By TIM HIGGINS, JEWEL GOPWANI and BRENT SNAVELY
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITERS
General Motors and Ford launched campaigns today to attract owners of Toyota vehicles worried about the ongoing recall over sticking accelerator pedals.
GM dealers inundated by Toyota owners
Steve Hill, GM general manager of retail sales support, said in an interview that dealers were being inundated by Toyota owners concerned about the recall and looking for help.
“Starting last night and certainly into today, we’re just getting barraged by phone calls from our dealers and our field personnel telling us about … customers from Toyota calling and stopping in. They have a lot of questions; they’re looking for help,” Hill said.
In response, GM crafted an incentive program aimed at Toyota owners.
“A lot of these customers were our customers, … and they’re looking for help and we want to provide help,” Hill said.
Jake Fisher, senior automotive engineer at Consumer Reports, said this is a rare opportunity to lure Toyota customers.
“It’s very difficult to pry someone away from Toyota,” said Fisher, expecting other automakers to offer incentives for people who trade in a Toyota.
A customer “might not just buy that vehicle, but buy that manufacturer down the road,” Fisher said.
The GM incentive program, which will run through the end of February, includes:
• Toyota lease holders can get up to $1,000 in lease payments to terminate their Toyota lease and buy or lease a GM vehicle. It applies to Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles.
• Financing buyers can get zero percent interest rates for 60 months on most GM vehicles.
• Cash buyers can get $1,000 down-payment assistance to get into a GM vehicle.
“It applies to any Toyota owner,” Hill said.
Ford responds with incentives of its own
Ford said late today that it also plans to offer $1,000 to owners of Honda and Acura models as well as those from Toyota, Lexus and Scion who want to buy a Ford.
The campaign is in response to news earlier today that General Motors launched a similar $1,000 campaign today to attract owners of Toyota vehicles worried about the ongoing recall over sticking accelerator pedals, said Ford spokesman Robert Parker.
“Anytime a major action like is taken by one of our competitors, we have to respond,” Parker said.
Parker said the program will be advertised primarily by Ford’s dealership groups.
