GM offers Ford test drives

divine_afg · 26-03-2010, 12:42 PM

Source Drive.com
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General Motors will take the unprecedented step of allowing customers to drive rival vehicles at its dealerships.

General Motors in the United States is offering customers the chance to drive Fords and Toyotas in a daring marketing move designed to tie in with the company's new slogan: "May the best car win".

The car maker told car industry journal Automotive News that it would lease space in four US cities for the pilot project, which will pit three Chevrolet vehicles against their main rivals from Ford, Toyota and Honda.

Steve Tihanyi, GM's general director of marketing services, told a conference in Chicago the "Test Drive Studio" program would be trialled in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Philadelphia.

"You come in and drive any of these competitive products at your leisure," he said. "You don't have to go running around town to go to a bunch of dealerships."

"It fits perfectly with 'May the best car win'. We're going to see how it plays out."

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I give GM Point for such Aggrevsive Marketing.
What does everyone think here, Who would win ?

**Professor Farnsworth** · 26-03-2010, 12:49 PM

oh this cold backfire terribly. unless the competition is heinously disgraceful

burnz · 26-03-2010, 12:50 PM

that would make it easyer for prospective buyer.

but since your in the dealership!!

FPV8U · 26-03-2010, 12:53 PM

Very interisting concept... got to give it to them for having the guts to do that.

blueoval · 26-03-2010, 01:01 PM

These guys have a seriously large set of brass ones to do this. Will be interesting to see what the outcome is.

snappy · 26-03-2010, 01:06 PM

I wonder how well maintained and looked after these cars will be personally i think it only should be allowed if its regulated buy a indapendent body .
Whats to stop them using stale fuel , thick oil wrong tyre pressures the list goes on .

If done honeslty its a bold move and could pay of if there cars are better. But if not its a disgrace

divine_afg · 26-03-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snappy

I wonder how well maintained and looked after these cars will be personally i think it only should be allowed if its regulated buy a indapendent body .
Whats to stop them using stale fuel , thick oil wrong tyre pressures the list goes on .

If done honeslty its a bold move and could pay of if there cars are better. But if not its a disgrace

I was thinking the same, can't Ford or other Manufacturers oppose this...

EDManual · 26-03-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine_afg

I was thinking the same, can't Ford or other Manufacturers oppose this...

Wouldnt think so.

Ford buy all sorts of cars to test against and pull apart for comparison, sort of the same thing. You own it, you can do whatever you like to it.

BENT_8 · 26-03-2010, 01:36 PM

I was only thinking this same idea a month or so ago.

The local Ford dealer to me has a Holden dealer next door.

I always see people walking from one yard to the next comparing the two.
It got me thinking about how many buyers bought the Holden over the Ford and vice versa on sales pitch alone.

I thought to myself, if i was the Ford Dealer Principal i'd have a nice shiny, demo k's VE SS parked right next to our brand new FG XR8 with a slogan offering to compare the difference.
That way the prospective Ford buyer wont need to hear the other guys pitch to compare the 2 as his curiosity would be satisfied.

If by some chance the buyer favours the VE, you can still get a sale as your VE with demo k's will be priced to beat their new price.

Wally · 26-03-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snappy

I wonder how well maintained and looked after these cars will be personally i think it only should be allowed if its regulated buy a indapendent body .
Whats to stop them using stale fuel , thick oil wrong tyre pressures the list goes on .

If done honeslty its a bold move and could pay of if there cars are better. But if not its a disgrace

I think if I were shelling out even $40k I would visit the other dealer and make sure I wasn't shown a pup.

It's a good idea. Of course there will be brand faithful from all camps determined to give the salesman a hard time, but for the swinging voters it does provide same geography to compare. Even being able to see the interiors, paintworks, build quality, etc side by side would be a bonus.

No doubt the main aim is to position GM as proud and equal to the rest. People admire pluck and will probably reward it with purchase.

GTP-814 · 26-03-2010, 01:09 PM

Whilst there is the slightest possibility of them detuning a car, I wouldnt trust them

EDManual · 26-03-2010, 01:15 PM

yeah, haha, reminds me of that Sim Lim Square in Singapore where they try to sell you outdated or no name brands by showing you how they are better than 'name' brands!!

They do things like have a nice panasonic video camera(the one you want) plugged into a dodgy TV, then compare that to a 'ladasonic' and its so much better and for half the price!

Scott · 26-03-2010, 01:18 PM

You could imagine that happening in Australia...

Sportswagon v Falcon Wagon

No Sir, Ford don't make a Station Wagon so we bought their premier model for comparison. Yes, we understand that it is not fair for us to compare our lowly wagon against a flagship such as the Territory .... OMG, Sir - can you see this rust?

Calais V v G6E

Here is our V8 Calais, as you can see it has leather blah blah blah. Here is is Fords G6, we couldn't get our hands on a G6ET for this comparison but I can assure you that the G6 and the G6ET are more-or-less the same thing......

Omega v XT

Our Omegas are selling so well that we couldn't free one up for this comparison so we grabbed the next closest car we stock - an SV6. They are basically the same thing as the base model. No Sir, the XT does not come with 18" alloys or sports bucket seats - we're not sure why Ford did that...

Commodore Ute v Falcon Ute

It is funny to us Sir that Ford were unable to make a utility like we have seen in Australia for ever. We don't understand why they made the body like that - our Ute looks far more streamlined and as it is one piece, it is fundamentally stronger. Can you believe Sir that the Falcon still uses a live axle? We don't understand why they would use such old technology, it's not like Utes get used as Utes anymore.

Naturally all Holdens would be optioned to the max and have been tuned prior to delivery.

Tongue firmly in cheek.

Smoke Pursuit · 26-03-2010, 01:23 PM

Dealers up here in QLD do this when new models come out..

I know one that had a few VE's as demos in comparo to the FG when it was released... Was an easy sell tho!

vegabass · 26-03-2010, 01:52 PM

I used to work in a dealership where Mitsubishi and Subaru were next to each other, Id often get people looking at EVO's then testing the STI's...then coming back and buying the EVO! lol

chevypower · 26-03-2010, 02:56 PM

The only car where GM has the winner is the Camaro. Even then I would have a serious look at the Mustang 5.0 before buying one.

greens_tuf · 26-03-2010, 03:09 PM

I would think they are trying to encourage people to visit their dealers...
Once they're in, just start reeling them in...

Neeek · 26-03-2010, 03:23 PM

Ballsy. Very ballsy. I like their style.

MAD · 26-03-2010, 04:35 PM

Just a few tweaks of the wheel alignment and tyre pressures would make a real mongrel out of an otherwise good handling vehicle. A few loose nuts here and there to add some clunks for good measure.

Deco28 · 26-03-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAD

Just a few tweaks of the wheel alignment and tyre pressures would make a real mongrel out of an otherwise good handling vehicle. A few loose nuts here and there to add some clunks for good measure.

I'd assume tampering is illegal.

snappy · 26-03-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deco28

I'd assume tampering is illegal.

Not if they own the car . As long as its roadworthy id say there safe.

XR8putts · 26-03-2010, 05:06 PM

Oh please GM.

With Ford's TGW and fit/fitment/refinement levels where they are at now in the US, GM wouldn't stand a chance.

I'd say GM intend to and will sabotage the Fords. Either that or a Mustang 5.0 won't be (convineantly) avalible for comparison..

Hopefuly customers arn't so dumb..

XXXR · 27-03-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puts99

Hopefuly customers arn't so dumb..

Don't count on it

chevypower · 27-03-2010, 04:01 PM

I'm pretty sure Ford did something similar in 2008. I don't think it was at every dealer though.

jpd80 · 27-03-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevypower

I'm pretty sure Ford did something similar in 2008. I don't think it was at every dealer though.

No, that was GM offering cross shopping against Camry - they thought Malibu was so good.
It all ended in tears with GM going broke (because of other things.

)

P6LTD351 · 27-03-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puts99

Hopefully customers aren't so dumb..

He he. So what's your explanation for Commodore outselling Falcon?

jpd80 · 27-03-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb2monty

He he. So what's your explanation for Commodore outselling Falcon?

Lots of Omega sales, practically no XT sales...:rolleyes:

But seriously, I think this is one of those situations where you
don't want customers even thinking about another product.
why on earth would GM give Toyota any air time whatsoever?

Ohio XB · 27-03-2010, 06:05 PM

This should be interesting. I wonder just what info we WILL hear about the outcome.

I agree, a balsy move. You've gotta have confidence to do something like this. Knowledge would be even better. ;)

Steve

jpd80 · 27-03-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio XB

This should be interesting. I wonder just what info we WILL hear about the outcome.

I agree, a balsy move. You've gotta have confidence to do something like this. Knowledge would be even better. ;)

Steve

Hey Steve,

Did GM try this cross shopping thing with the Camry in 2008?
It could be a false memory but I'm sensing Deja vu...

John

Brazen · 26-03-2010, 05:44 PM

There is no way they would tamper with the cars, it would be an absolute disaster if it was found out and would also make the competition cars look like they have to be 'detuned' to level the playing field with inferior GM cars. It would seriously be one of the stupidest things to do, and the damage to their reputation and sales could be costed in the millions of dollars.

Even if people dont drive the cars, the fact that GM is so confident in their product will create sales just by itself.