Mark of Excellence program adds incentives to '05/'06s

[Flybrian]

GM will offer new incentives to move '05, '06 vehicles
Jamie LaReau | Link to Original Article @ Automotive News | January 19, 2007 - 2:33 pm

DETROIT -- General Motors is telling auto dealers that it will unveil an incentive program today that will put customer cash on 2005 and 2006 models and offer more salesperson incentives under the Mark of Excellence program.

GM has not released details, but a memo to dealers this morning says GM plans to offer $750 bonus cash on all 2005 and 2006 models through Feb. 14. It also will offer a $200 salesperson bonus and a $50 sales manager bonus on all 2005 and 2006 models sold through January.

GM's regional dealer councils have recommended this sort of program to GM because sales are typically slow this time of year, says John Rogin, owner of Rogin Buick in Livonia, Mich. A program like this allows dealers to support sales staff during slow times, he adds.

"Cash on the hood to the sales staff moves the car," Rogin says. "I'm thrilled that they put the salesperson and the sales manager in the loop. It needs to be done more often and continually."

Rogin has only one 2005 model left and about four 2006s, but he said dealers in the Southeast have hundreds of 2006 models in inventory.

[Northstar]

GM typically gets off to a slow start sales-wise, so some extra cash on the hood is definitely good if it helps GM get say 25% market share in January. GM's market share is usually a lot lower in January than other months, so 25% would be great.

On the 2005 models: How does the customer know what the total incentives on them are? They aren't posted anywhere. I also don't see why anyone would be a 2005 MY vehicle in 2007 unless it was the perfect car. For instance my favorite GTO color is Midnight Blue, so if I could find one for $20k then I'd take it and run, but other than that, it would have to be one hell of a deal.

[sciguy_0504]

2005 vehicles are still on the lot? Damn. At least these incentives are much lower than what we have typically seen. Unless they are on top of the incentives currently be offered.

[Flybrian]

There's a 2005 Bonneville SLE, Vibe, and LaCrosse CXS left at the local B-P-GMC lot. Of the 2006s, most are CXS trims of Buicks, Vibes, and Savanas but those are work vans, so not a big deal.

[Northstar]

I think there are quite a few (100-200?) 2005 GTOs on lots nationwide.

[ellives]

I think there are quite a few (100-200?) 2005 GTOs on lots nationwide.

Interestingly I was casually trying to hunt down a GTO using gmbuypower.com and couldn't seem to find one anywhere. It's annoying they still show the product as if it's a current model but then you can't find inventory anywhere.

[regfootball]

wow, i guess buickman will make even more dough now

[RJB]

"For instance my favorite GTO color is Midnight Blue, so if I could find one for $20k then I'd take it and run, but other than that, it would have to be one hell of a deal."

If I could find an 06 I would jump at one too. I went on Autotrader and they are still showing a bunch of 06's on the lots here in Michigan. If this is true or not I don't know, but I am not paying $34,500 for one, as some of them are listed at still. I would hope they would broom one out the door for really really cheap.

[thegriffon]

Why would they? I'ts not like they ever had that many to begin with, and you have trouble finding them, then they probably aren't in too much of a hurry to get rid of the last ones.