GM extends President's Day sale through Feb. 28

[Flybrian]

'Positive response' prompts GM to extend incentive campaign
Company adds Saturn Vue hybrid-electric vehicle to the discount program that runs through Feb. 28.
John D. Stoll | Dow Jones Newswires | Link to Original Article @ DetNews

DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. has extended until the end of February an incentive campaign as it works to recover from disappointing retail sales in January.

It is now including the Saturn Vue hybrid-electric vehicle in the discount program that was originally to end Tuesday.

The automaker will continue offering zero percent loans spanning as long as 60 months on vehicles and $500 cash back on certain vehicles.

The deals were initially offered under GM's annual Presidents Day sale.

They have been extended to Feb. 28 because GM has seen "a real positive response to the offers," GM spokesman John McDonald said in an interview.

McDonald said the company is now discounting its relatively new hybrid, known as the "Green Line" version, for "simplicity's sake."

He said some dealers had only hybrid versions of the Saturn Vue in stock, but were unable to give discounts on that vehicle.

GM sells relatively few hybrid vehicles in the United States but has plans to ramp up volume this year with new product offerings.

McDonald said GM's closely watched February incentive spending levels are about even with the same period in 2006. McDonald said the company is "getting the right balance" when it comes to discounting vehicles without losing too much margin in the process.

GM has said its 14-month drive to cut incentive spending has been successful. The initiative is designed to boost profit margins and increase the resale values of the company's vehicles.

In a conference call Wednesday with analysts and media, Earl Hesterberg, Group 1 Automotive Inc. chief executive, said GM's January sales were lackluster but that February discounts should inspire demand.

Group 1 is among the larger auto dealership groups in the United States.

GM will also offer a "March Madness" campaign that coincides with the national college basketball tournament that starts next month.

GM's retail sales, excluding deliveries to fleet customers, fell 8 percent in January. Top executives have characterized the performance as disappointing and pointed to the company's restraint on January incentives as a reason for the unexpected decline.

[balthazar]

Looked at a Vue today- nice lil SUV: I'm not nuts on the front fascia, but the interior was very nice. I intend to return and take one out this weekend. Dealer confirmed red tag ends the 28th... not sure I can turn a deal that quickly. Any ideas what 'March Madness' will entail?

Is it confirmed : all '07 Vue V-6s are still honda units? Even the dealer mentioned early "bugs" in the first year of the honda motor, but "they should be all worked out by now". Peachy.

[knightfan26917]

Hmmm....I'm not as concerned about the extended program timeframe as I am about the running of the SAME commercials..... I can't count I've seen the same commercial during the 10p newscasts....

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Money can't buy happiness" ... Don Williams ... 'One Good Well'

[Flybrian]

Those commercials are starting to piss me off. They pushed my dad over the edge four days ago

[aaaantoine]

What makes the TV ad campaign worse is that it's corporate wide. So for every brand they want to advertise they use the same remixed "hail to the chizzle" track.

And I thought I was getting annoyed by the Ford Edge commercials. At least that song is catchy.

[Z-06]

I have always believed that it is the marketing department of GM which has gotten them into $h! by having no imagination.

They just are elementary school graduates with no center theme or creativity.