fbodfather

so you're saying that GM either paid off these dealers or promised them something in return for their endorsement? Please.......... Here's more: "In an 'Open Letter to America' published Friday in The Wall Street Journal, GM dealers said that "Wagoner is leading the best management team at GM since Alfred Sloan," who was the company's first CEO from 1923 through 1946 and served as chairman of the board for two decades through the mid-1950s. "It is a difficult job that requires balancing the needs of customers, employees, retirees, shareholders and dealership employees," the dealers said in the letter, which was signed by members of GM's National Dealer Council, as well as the top executives of three of the largest automotive retail chains in the country. "Given the hand that exists, it appears that Rick Wagoner and GM are taking very bold steps that are making a difference," the dealers said in the letter. They referred to Wagoner as a man of integrity and an "excellent leader, father, husband and human being." The co-chairman of GM's National Dealer Council said in an interview with Dow Jones Newswires that dealers were tired of seeing speculation about Wagoner's job security in the press. "I would say what prompted this was all the misinformation," said Paul Rubin, who owns a GM dealership in Minnesota. "We just wanted to stand behind our guy....I think we could've gotten 7,700 signatures (for the ad) if we went dealer to dealer." so........lemme get this straight........... ---the dealer council..........and the top three execs of the three largest retail chains in the country......who, by the way.......have more than just GM francises.........are either: 1. being paid off to say this or 2. don't know as much about this business as most think they do? ............. ........... ........... I'm speechless............

and......if I must say so......some very large volume highly respected dealers at that......... from an article in Automotive News: Despite GM's hardships, the board's endorsement has emboldened Wagoner's supporters. Just before the board's special Sunday meeting, two prominent dealers each wrote a letter to the board members in support of Wagoner. The two dealers – John Bergstrom, chairman of Bergstrom Automotive in Neenah, Wis., and Carl Sewell, chairman of Sewell Automotive Cos. in Dallas – are longtime friends of Wagoner's. Bergstrom, who owns 13 GM stores in Wisconsin, says several board members thanked him for the gesture. On April 4, The Wall Street Journal reported that the two dealers had written letters to the board. Sewell and Bergstrom subsequently received a flood of phone calls from supportive dealers. That's when they decided to buy full-page ads in the Journal and in Automotive News. Thirty-six dealers signed the letter contained in the ads, including AutoNation Inc. COO Mike Maroone, UnitedAuto Group Inc. CEO Roger Penske and Sonic Automotive Inc. President Jeff Rachor. "Today our CEO Rick Wagoner is leading the best management at GM since Alfred Sloan," Bergstrom's ad says. "He needs and deserves support for the enormous job that he is doing." The 36 dealers spent about $194,000 out of their own pockets to publish the ad in Friday's Journal. A full-page ad in Automotive News costs up to $18,555. Perhaps it's time to support Mr. Wagoner.........(not that I'd EVER mention any particular person............)

...just got word we'll be bringing the Camaro Concept "Fiberglass" to the Houston Auto Show. (this was the concept shown in Los Angeles)....suggest you get there early in case we get orders to ship it somewhere else......

OK.....I'm gonna say it again.....pay attention. Camaro will NOT be FWD.......and I still want to understand who made the statement within the Chevy Exhibit. I don't believe it was any of my product specialists because they already know how much the Camaro means to you and Chevrolet....... It may have been someone posing as a GM Employee....or it may have been someone from a dealership. But I'll say it again........this is totally untrue........further, we (Chevrolet) want to appeal to all age groups. In case anyone hadn't noticed, the U.S. Market is the most competitive market in the world....both in terms of volume and choice of vehicles......no country has anywhere near the choices that we have in the U.S. and Canada.........no one.

Simply NOT TRUE......... To whomever talked to the person at the Chevy Exhibit at Los Angeles.....I'd like a description of the person that said that.......hopefully you remember his name (as all Chevy Product Specialists wear name tags.....) I can assure you that if indeed this was said, I need to have words with this person because it simply is NOT TRUE.

You truly are delusional. No, I'm not being a gentleman about it anymore, ...you are a fraud and your behavior is reprehensible. (telling Delphi to go on strike???) The reason Olds sold over 1 million units: over 60% of Olds Dealerships were dualled with Chevrolet .....Chevy dealers could sell ice to an eskimo in those days.........but here's the real reason: An Olds Cutlass was approx. $200 more than a Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the mid-seventies.........but the INTERNAL costs were substantially more.......that may have been fine back then.....when there were few imports, but the industry has changed. If we did that now, you'd be hollering about that also........ See.....it's easy to take shots. You say LaNeve and Wagoner have no idea of the retail business.......well, I'm here to tell you that you don't have an idea as to what it takes to run one of the largest corporations in the world. And since you're being an ass with the ridiculous drivel that you're putting on your site: I'll say it once again.....if you were the top Buick salesman and you'd accomplished that in the North East....or the West Coast....or even Texas, I'd be very impressed. Face it: selling Buicks in Southern Michigan could easily be construed as an "order taker" (yeah.....that was mean and uncalled for.....how's it feel?)

Once again, this shows that Buickman will seemingly do anything to further his cause. Ladies and Gentlemen. It is now 2am. I am sitting in Cobo Hall in our office within the Chevy Exhibit. The Tahoe Hybrid is in plain sight of where I'm sitting. I can ASSURE YOU that the Tahoe Hybrid is a real vehicle...and has all the hybrid components. It runs on hybrid power. I touched the components myself. (if he'd like to have forensics performed to see my finger prints.....) Moreover, next to it is a cutaway chassis that demonstrates how the system works. I know because I had it built for the Chevy Exhibit. If this does not convince everyone that this man is nothing but publicity-hungry, nothing will. I'm offended and outraged that this man will seemingly go to no length to get headlines.

It will be avoided at all costs. The damage done by going chapter 11 is huge in terms of perception alone. That's my take........not that I'm an expert....it's just my own thoughts.

I remember sitting in a meeting one day with John Heinricy (Fcar chief engineer and now with GM Performance Division) and he made a comment that the ugliest thing he could think of was the front tires of a Camaro doing a burnout.............AND HOW!!!!

well...it affects me...but I gotta tell you.......while I wasn't jumping up and down at the news, I also understand that in order for the company to become strong once more, actions such as this are necessary.....in fact, crucial. I have a lot of respect for someone like Bill Ford who has turned down his salary until the company gets profitable once more. It concerns me greatly that there are those within the walls of GM and Ford and any other major company that have a "me first" attitude. That attitude is not what made this country great. I still say that it will be the hard work of many that save GM...not just one or two or a dozen. Call me naive, but that's the way I see it.

uhhh...........no. EXT was in the product plan long before the SSR was even thought of.

yes, actually, it is!

This has got to be one of the most irresponsible posts I've read in some time. (I stopped at Page 7) Stop believing any of this. It's simply not true.

Thank you, Hyper for your perspective. You are right in your last paragraph.......ever notice those who have never run a company tend to think they have the answers?

very important to understand that this program came about at the call of the national dealer council. (so it's Wagoner's fault that he listened to dealers other than yourself???) You may also notice that other manufacturers do a year-end clearance as well.

Wow, OC.....your response was nearly identical to mine........except for "Home Deliveries" which is illegal in several states under current francise laws. I do like two of the ideas......GM card and $50 certificate for branded merchandise. I don't know what you do for a living, but it's clear to me that you have an understanding of this business on a larger scale. Buickman...you really need to go back and re-read this post...and take notes!

Not Kappa.

aw shucks, HypberV6........ (blushing........) :CG_all:

I'm sorry if I sounded harsh earlier on this thread.......but......I was in another (of many) hotel rooms after a particularly grueling day....... Most of you don't know me. But let me say that I have ultimate respect for most of the Camaro (and Firebird) Enthusiast community. You, the enthusiast have helped keep the dream of the Camaro/Firebird alive. Yes, it's so very frustrating to love a car and have such passion for it......only to have the manufacturer of that car seem to turn a deaf ear. Let me assure you that this is not the case. There are many reasons why the Camaro went on hiatus. There are many reasons why we play our 'future product plans' close to the vest. I understand your frustration. That's why I spend way too much time on the various sites......to let you know ...as best as I can....that you ARE heard. when I saw several posts criticizing GM for inviting enthusiasts to NAIAS, I was flabberghasted.......I cannot understand how anyone......anyone.....on this enthusiast site ......or any other enthusiast site......could find that this was not a good idea. Perhaps I'm thick here.........but we're damned because we won't talk.....and when we DO do something for the community, we're still damned.......... (shakes head........bashes it into a wall) Now......I'm hoping that perhaps I was tired and I misunderstood some of these posts.........I'm gonna assume that I was.

And I want a date with Christie Brinkley or Sandy Bullock, too........but it ain't happening right away........... In due time, my friend; in due time. There are many reasons GM isn't talking.........read my book in a couple of years (at this point it may be several volumes..........two alone on websites!) and then you will understand.........

Let me clear up a few things....... FIRST........nowhere did I use the word "Camaro"......but you will note that this special event is for Camaro/Firebird Enthusiasts......... Second.....someone posted the letter sent out. They also posted how people were selected. Can anyone give me a more fair way of doing this? Third......I don't like the "yahoo" word.....it's insulting. It only serves to perhaps validate the myth that all Camaro and Firebird owners are trash. That simply is not true. I've spent many years travelling to Fcar events and I can tell you that there are many many many wonderful people within the community. It's too bad that a few ruin the reputation of the majority. For what it's worth, there are at least six Doctors on the list......two architects, many other professionals. I have been dealing with the press for many years. I would tell you that these people will represent the Camaro/Firebird community in the best way possible. In fact, I daresay they will probably behave themselves better than many members of the press. And God Forbid that they should have something good to say about General Motors after the event!!! Fourth......this was my idea. I believe it's a good one. I think it's a way to show the community, once again, that GM really does care about them. I could have saved myself many many many hours of grief by doing nothing. Is there someone who thinks I should have done nothing? There are many people within the enthusiast community that have spent countless hours and countless dollars and countless sleepless nights putting on enthusiast events that we can all enjoy. Why would we not want to entertain them? As I said.......the post is on this thread that shows how people were picked. I went thru the sites on my own time. It was not on GM's time. (wanna guess how long it takes JUST TO WRITE OUT 1,259 NAMES???) (Sorry if I sound a little 'miffed' ......'miffed' is much too tame quite frankly) We do not show cars to the press at an event like NAIAS and then remove them.....so yes, if you attend NAIAS, you will get to see all of the new cars and trucks that GM is debuts at NAIAS. Further, they will be at other shows in the late winter and early spring. I'll be posting those shows after NAIAS. To a certain webmaster.........I can't tell you how disappointed I am at your posts. And Chris........thank you for setting the record straight.