GM, Ford seize on Toyota recall

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY 185]

GM, Ford seize on Toyota recall

BY TIM HIGGINS, BRENT SNAVELY AND JEWEL GOPWANI

FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITERS

With Toyota in the hot seat over sticking accelerator pedals, General Motors and Ford see an opportunity to attract new -- or bring back -- customers.

On Wednesday, the automakers launched incentive campaigns aimed at attracting Toyota customers.

"A lot of these customers were our customers ... and they're looking for help, and we want to provide help," said GM's Steve Hill, general manager of retail sales support.

GM's incentives include lease pull-aheads, zero-percent financing and $1,000 down payments to get into GM vehicles for Lexus and Toyota owners.

Ford is adding $1,000 on trade-ins of Toyota, Lexus, Scion, Acura and Honda models.

Jake Fisher, a Consumer Reports senior automotive engineer, said this is a rare chance to lure Toyota drivers.

"It's very difficult to pry someone away from Toyota," Fisher said.

LINK:

http://www.freep.com/article/20100128/BUSINESS01/1280413/GM-Ford-seize-on-Toyota-recall