GM Follows Toyota's Move to 0% Financing
General Motors Co. is offering a 0-percent/60-month financing program on most of its 2010 model vehicles, Automotive News reported. The move mirrors a 0 percent marketing plan just announced by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. Both automakers are under heat to rebuild sales -- GM following its bankruptcy, Toyota after the largest U.S. product recall in its history. Susan Docherty, GM vice president for U.S. marketing, said the company was not chasing Toyota. “That was our plan prior to hearing about what Toyota was going to do. We locked this in about a week ago,” she said on GM's monthly sales call with reporters and analysts today. GM reported a 12 percent U.S. sales gain for February in a market that rose 13 percent. Docherty said the program will cover about 55 percent of all GM models. “Obviously, with our hot launch products, we don't need to put 0 percent financing for 60 months on that,” she said. “That 0-for-60 will be primarily on products like our pickups. “That's completely in line with what our marketing strategy is. We're going headstrong into truck month for both Chevrolet and GMC, which is a traditional play that we have normally done during March.” The plan also includes 0 percent/72-month financing for remaining 2009 model inventory, Docherty said. That offer covers about 97 percent of GM's 2009 models.
More Industry

Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership
After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.
Read More →
RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Selling to Grow
The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.
Read More →
Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High
Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop
Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.
Read More →
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →
BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn
The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.
Read More →