Chevy needs the old "Heartbeat of America" ads back on-line. Modernize the song to some degree, of course, but since the division is hot right now, and retro is working at Chevy, appeal to the 30 and 40 year olds like myself who grew up on those ads. The "American Pie" spots get somewhat annoying if you are a fan of the song. I'd start teasing us with the 09 Camaro. If they will let the new Transformer movie use something that looks like it (along with what looked like a '75 of '76 Camaro) then build it up. GM is turning 100 years old in 2008, maybe a sort of 'looking back, looking forward' type of ad -- it would work for all the divisions. Show more Impala SS, less Cobalt. Advertise like crazy the 08' Malibu. I'd take on the stupid Toyota Tundra ads with some sort of spin on it. The Tundra sales are sucking up the place, and I'm thrilled with that. Chevy needs to show some American pride and remind us of what we grew up with. People are starting to notice Chevy now -- I work with a bunch of young 20 year olds and the boys are all VERY excited about the upcoming Camaro. One kid is already saving up to buy one. They may drive Camrys and Civics, but show them something cool, modern yet retro and fast and they will take notice. I think the Heartbeat of America ads would fire up interest.
Pontiac simply needs to advertise more. You never see commercials from Pontiac on any channel I watch. The "We Build Excitement" commercials were very well remembered by people, I can't recall any new Poncho commercial. They are selling G6s very well, I'd tell everyone about those 250 HP engines. I'd show the Solstice more -- I'd hype up about the new rear-drive Grand Prix (sorry, "G8", and that is another thing -- lose the stupid letter/number names and go back to real names).
Buick is in very sad shape, at least here in the US. In China it is hot as can be. Buick needs new blood in it's veins. It needs a small coupe, it needs a rear drive Grand National with the bad boy Darth Vader looks and a turbo engine to match. Bring back some lost names like LeSabre and Skylark.
GMC and Saturn to me are focused right now, Saturn's Toyota/ Honda showroom gimmick is interesting. I hope it works.
Cadillac needs some more rock in their ads, some hip Old School group, maybe even some more Zeppelin, something that builds the power and 'coolness' of the Caddy.
Saab -- who really cares? GM will sell it off in a few years, it doesn't seem like part of GM, the cars are ugly for the most part and nobody in the midwest cares a bit for them.
