Pontiac & GMC are two brands hanging on for dear life with the government involvement in restructuring GM. The administration would like for these two brands to be eliminated. Pontiac would have a couple of popular models move under the Buick brand as they are already planning with the Saturn Vue and Regal. They would also like to see the high end GMC trucks and SUV’s sold as Chevrolet. GM, however is fighting to keep Pontiac as a boutique brand with fewer models and they do not believe that GMC owners will buy from Chevy. GM is already planning to sell off Hummer, Saab, and Saturn. Kansas City does not even have any Saturn dealerships left although GM claims they are still looking for a new business partner in this market. (CableSpots 4/20)

This is an interesting time for auto dealers in Kansas City. If you’re a Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealer not only are you fighting for business because of tighter credit, and fewer car buyers, but now there is so much uncertainty as to the future of the brands this must be killing their new car sales. Buyers typically do not want to purchase from a brand that may not be here to honor any manufacturer warranties soon after the vehicle has left the showroom. It’s easy to understand why the Saturn dealerships left the market for this same reason.
What would you do as a GM or owner of one of these brands? Are you seeing any interesting new marketing ideas from the auto industry?

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