Michigan Chrysler Dealers Losing Incentives, Giants Win the Super Bowl and More

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb. 29, 2012 - DETROIT – Michigan Chrysler dealers may still be hearing the scraggily echoes of Clint Eastwood from yesterday’s impressive Super Bowl spot by Chrysler. Yet, as that memory fades Michigan Chrysler dealers may be thinking about Chrysler SEO Serio Marchionne’s announcement made Saturday at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention.
“We have suspended the rewards program, and after consultation with our dealers, intend to be back with a revised program,” Marchionne said in reference to Chrysler’s dealer incentive program. According to the Detroit News, the program suspension is temporary, and Marchionne said the new incentives will be linked to improved customer satisfaction scores.
Another relevant snippet from Marchionne’s speech that Michigan Chrysler dealers will be paying attention to included his push for a bridge between Detroit and Windsor, which if built would in all hopes bring an influx of Canadian customers into the metro Detroit area.
Super Bowl Ads
The Giants won Super Bowl XLVI last night, scoring in the final minutes of the game to retake the lead from the Patriots, but it also appears that another strong rivalry was brewing during the commercial breaks.
Chevrolet’s 2012 Silverado “apocalypse” commercial has generated some controversy for its barefaced dig at Ford trucks. For those who have not seen the ad, some unknown apocalyptic force causes utter chaos and destruction, and the only survivors remaining are those who were driving Chevrolet Silverado trucks.
As the surviving group gathers, one asks “Where’s Dave?” to which and another man replies, “Dave didn’t drive the longest-lasting most dependable truck on the road. Dave drove a Ford.”
Jalopnik revealed yesterday Ford was none-too-pleased about the ad, and sent letters to both General Motors and NBC asking that the ad not be shown.
Specifically, Ford takes issue with Chevrolet’s claim that the Silverado is the “longest-lasting, most dependable truck.” Ford counters that the F-150 has better safety scores because it received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety pick status, and also that Ford has “more trucks on the road with over 250,000 miles than does Chevrolet.”
Which automaker is correct, and how much does it really matter in the world advertising? That will be played out at a later date, possibly in court. As for now, how has GM responded?
“We stand by our claims in the commercial, that the Silverado is the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup on the road,” said GM Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick in a statement. “We can wait until the world ends, and if we need to, we will apologize. In the meantime, people who are really worried about the Mayan calendar coming true should buy a Silverado right away.”
MI Auto Times will provide any updates related to these topics and more as they become available.
For more information visit http://www.miautotimes.com
[Source(s): The Detroit News, Jalopnik]