Other Editorials

Beyond Ridiculous

Jim Dollinger
Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Here it is...proof positive that the GM marketing staff is totally clueless. How in the world can they possibly rationalize putting a rebate on a vehicle that hasn't even hit the showroom yet, let alone a highly anticipated, beautifully styled Enclave? LaNeve, Dewar, and company do not understand car sales, nor how to present product in an aspirational fashion. This, in and of itself, is the primary reason GM contiunes to lose market share.

www.autonews.com

The 2008 models may be hard to find, but the shopper who visits the right Ford, Mercury or Buick dealership will find cash on the hoods of vehicles that should be months away from the showroom.

The new Buick Enclave crossover already carries a $1,000 customer rebate, even though dealers don't have it yet.

Ford Motor Co. is rebating $500 on its 2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, including hybrids. Both are crossovers. The 2008 Ford F-series Super Duty pickups qualify for cut-rate loans of 3.9 to 7.9 percent; so do the Escape and Mariner. The Enclave is offered with 4.9 to 7.9 percent interest, and the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer is 3.9 to 5.9 percent. The Land Rover LR2 splits the difference at 4.9 percent.

The April rebate to dealers on new Toyota Tundra full-sized pickup tops out at $2,500. Last month, the high point for the Tundra was $1,500.