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GM's Sales Incentive Compared to a Crack Dealer...

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Arroyo, Jun 3, 2006.

  1. Arroyo

    Arroyo Member

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    "The sooner this company gets taken over by Toyota, the better this country will be." - Tom Friedman, NY Times, comparing GM to "a crack dealer looking to keep his addicts on a tight leash"

    GM FUELS FLAMES FOR ITS LATEST PRICE PROTECTION PROGRAM
    June 1, 2006

    Critics Say Incentive Keeps Buyers Hooked on Gas Hogs

    "It says a lot about GM and their dire financial straits that they are so desperate to sell the gas guzzlers that no one wants, that they are paying for the gas to drive them home," said Dan Becker, director of the Sierra Club's Global Warming Program, to David Shepardson of the Detroit News. "When did you ever hear about a junkie giving up his subsidized fix?"

    The comment is in response to General Motors Corporation's offer to defray the costs of gas for some buyers of new SUVs and sedans. Under the new program, GM is reimbursing buyers in Florida and California for gas costs above $1.99 a gallon for one year. The program, which runs through July 5th, includes GM's thirstiest SUVs such as the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon, Hummer H2 and H3, and the Cadillac SRX.

    "While GM has stepped up its promotion of alternative fuels, critics say the new gas program is a cynical attempt to keep selling gas hogs without regard to the environment and America's dependence on foreign oils," says Shepardson

    New York Times columnist Tom Friedman took the criticism a step further in his Wednesday column. "Is there a company more dangerous to America's future than General Motors? Surely, the sooner this company gets taken over by Toyota, the better this country will be," Friedman wrote, comparing GM to "a crack dealer looking to keep his addicts on a tight leash" by offering the fuel program.

    In response, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told Shepardson that Friedman "is so 'over the top' that it borders on psychosis." Lutz said his hope "is that the majority of Americans, not being extreme liberals, and harboring a deep-seated distrust toward the media, will see his piece for what it is: the product of an unusual, but not altogether well, mind." GM spokeswoman Deborah Silverman told the Detroit News that the fuel-savings program has been successful, based on reports from dealers. She said there are no plans to expand the incentive program nationally.

    "To say GM is like a crack dealer trying to get people to buy gas guzzlers is just patently ridiculous," GM spokesman Brian Akre said to the Detroit News. "We sell a full range of vehicles, just like Toyota and just like the other large auto companies." Akre questioned how an incentive would "addict" customers, said Shepardson.

    http://lacar.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=642
     
    #1 Arroyo, Jun 3, 2006
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    lol
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Jun 3, 2006
  3. micheal

    micheal I feel pretty, oh so pretty.

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    Wow, that is certainly a nice verbal sparring of words.

    Crack Dealer! Crazy Head! Crack Dealer! Crazy Head!


    It's sad though that GM has to stoop to that level. The crack dealer analogy may have been harsh, but there is no doubt that many Americans are addicted to gas guzzlers and this whole program is to help their habit cause less pain.
     
    #3 micheal, Jun 3, 2006
  4. Cameron

    Cameron New Member

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    ...Lutz said his hope "is that the majority of Americans, not being extreme liberals, ... will see his piece for what it is: the product of an unusual, but not altogether well, mind."


    What does being liberal have to do with it? I'm sure there are plenty of conservatives out there that cast GM in the same light. It has more to do with corporate responsibility and poor management.
     
    #4 Cameron, Jun 5, 2006
  5. airpolgas

    airpolgas New Member

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    #5 airpolgas, Jun 5, 2006
  6. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Is this true? Darryl? Anyone? Is he talking about the EV-1 that they then smashed?
     
    #6 TonyPSchaefer, Jun 5, 2006
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #7 cwerdna, Jun 8, 2006
  8. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cameron @ Jun 4 2006, 11:03 PM) [snapback]265824[/snapback]</div>
    I am not sure, but if you pull out a red state-blue state map from the 2004 election done county by county, you will find that the blue counties are very import oriented and the red counties very domestic oriented. Maybe just a coincidence, maybe not.

    As for the column, Friedman doesn't know beans about the auto industry and seems to have acquired a lust for toyota and especially Lexus. I guess he is unaware of which segments Toyota's growth has come over the last ten years? Or maybe he just chooses to ignore the facts. Either way he is dangerous stating such outlandish things.
     
    #8 malorn, Jun 8, 2006
  9. finman

    finman Senior Member

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    Toyota Rav4 EV, Ford Ranger EV, maybe Chrysler Sprint Van? Not sure on that last one. GM crushed all but a few EV1s (one's in a museum! yeah, THAT's where it's needed, sheesh). Toyota also destroyed some, but there are at least several still running. One Rav4 EV sold for over $50,000 on eBay. I'd say there's a market.

    Plus EV1 drivers offered close to 2 million bucks for a handful of the crusher-bound EV1s. GM said no, thank you, we don't need your $$, doing fine.

    GM will not recover from that mistake, not with hydrogen, not with their half-assed "upcoming" hybrids (can u say 10 years to the day after the Prius debut in Japan!??), not with E85, and certainly not with buying gasoline for SUV/crappy sedan owners.

    Toyota Tahoe...hmmm...gives me the willies just thinking about it. And not in a good way.

    cheers,

    Curt.
     
    #9 finman, Jun 8, 2006
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