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GM says most of its US dealers agree to upgrades

By DEE-ANN DURBIN - AP Auto Writer -- LAS VEGAS -- General Motors Co. said Saturday that most of its 4,400 U.S. dealers have agreed to upgrade their showrooms over the next four years.

The upgrades include new signs, more modern interiors and lounges with free Wi-Fi. In some cases, dealers might also open cafes or salons.

The company announced its plans at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Las Vegas.

GM said 3,400 dealers have agreed to upgrades, and 1,000 have been completed.

GM said it also plans to give dealerships more sales and service training and encourage them to do more online marketing. If they meet all the upgraded standards, they'll receive quarterly payments, spokesman Tom Henderson said.

Henderson said 36 percent of GM's stores were built before 1970.

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Submitted Feb 05, 2012 By: Mudsprings

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99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:6,252 Points:1,811,175 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 5:08:51 AM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse GM bond holders took a beating in the bailout.
SavingInNC Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,139 Points:742,855 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 4:44:34 AM Ignore SavingInNC Report Abuse No just cut the price of your vehicles.
RonTheRunner77 Veteran Author Michigan Posts:343 Points:119,115 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:56:36 AM Ignore RonTheRunner77 Report Abuse woo hoo new sings! I wasn't going to buy a GM car I'm reconsidering on this news though!
dh0770 Champion Author Colorado Posts:1,678 Points:322,360 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 1:06:03 AM Ignore dh0770 Report Abuse Oh ya? And how much bailout money will be needed?
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:2,247 Points:435,540 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:08:10 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse These upgrades will be added to the price of the car. I could car less about the showroom but the training sounds good.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:8,045 Points:1,273,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:58:17 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Skip the salon deal and add some saloons GM.
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:4,254 Points:1,309,120 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:27:31 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse I'm not shopping for a showroom.
schatzila Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,242 Points:679,090 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:19:16 PM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse whoop-de-doo
amerk73 Champion Author Dallas Posts:5,225 Points:1,259,030 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 8:55:37 PM Ignore amerk73 Report Abuse good for GM
bullman68 All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:596 Points:297,450 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 8:16:34 PM Ignore bullman68 Report Abuse Sounds like what Harley Davidson did with most of their dealers.
2amy All-Star Author Fresno Posts:801 Points:349,025 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 8:07:22 PM Ignore 2amy Report Abuse A good way to lure customers inn. A great way to get you to want to buy a new car , of course with new payments.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:5,620 Points:1,195,925 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 8:05:48 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse There are many dealerships that date back many years and they haven't upgraded their showrooms.
jcotaxi Veteran Author South Bend Posts:441 Points:98,920 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 7:48:22 PM Ignore jcotaxi Report Abuse GM must be wanting to cut down on their marketing budget.
Wanda127 Champion Author Florida Posts:1,497 Points:572,600 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 7:42:06 PM Ignore Wanda127 Report Abuse The upgrades cost will be passed on the customers.
Bonnie24TX Rookie Author El Paso Posts:36 Points:4,665 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 6:51:43 PM Ignore Bonnie24TX Report Abuse Don't be fooled, upgrades usually come with higher priced cars, or vice versa, but I hope not. Wish we could all be driving more American made cars.
Van_Halen Champion Author Atlanta Posts:1,664 Points:332,205 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 4:44:58 PM Ignore Van_Halen Report Abuse . Why waste the money when they will be out of business in less then 5 years!
kx250 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,416 Points:769,975 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 2:55:59 PM Ignore kx250 Report Abuse probably wasn't voluntary, and how do you think the dealers get their money back, from their customers - get that great GM fee eel ing....
BuckyTJones Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:3,118 Points:688,235 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 2:05:38 PM Ignore BuckyTJones Report Abuse I think GM would be better served if they focused on building a better more affordable product than a fancy labeled elixir promising to cure all.
jim27106 All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:548 Points:490,485 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 1:15:59 PM Ignore jim27106 Report Abuse Truth, I think GM has paid back your money (Fox, 4/2010).
2granny Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,685 Points:1,104,430 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:53:43 AM Ignore 2granny Report Abuse Sounds like a waste of money.
BudsterMO Champion Author Kansas City Posts:1,915 Points:348,730 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:59:27 AM Ignore BudsterMO Report Abuse This sounds like the OLD GM, not realistic at all.
fullcirclethink Champion Author Washington Posts:1,683 Points:131,040 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:56:58 AM Ignore fullcirclethink Report Abuse Add a few brand name stores and a food court and you might get me in there!
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:44,863 Points:1,810,750 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:55:17 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse On Feb 5, 2012 10:11:19 AM, OHMS wrote: >GM isn't the only carmaker asking dealers to upgrade their >facilities. Ford Motor Co. said last week that 75 of its >Lincoln dealers have already done major renovations of >their facilities Around here, the remaining Mopar dealers upgraded their facilities. As Ford points out in their annual reports, the dealer is the customer's interface to the brand. Therefore, it should be nicely appointed. One year, Ford set goals of 1500 vehicles annually for a Ford dealer in urban areas, figuring that was enough that the dealer could support a nice facility. Lincoln dealers, on the other hand, only had to do 600 as they sell a pricier vehicle.
Norm10 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,843 Points:90,320 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:41:59 AM Ignore Norm10 Report Abuse Just tell them they won't have to flog those money loosing Volts and I'm sure they would all be willing to make the upgrades.
TruthMatters All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:928 Points:200,645 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:24:39 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Upgrade some of their vehicles first, then pay back my tax money!
NedW Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,792 Points:788,670 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:22:38 AM Ignore NedW Report Abuse Maybe some of them could make landing strips and host fly-ins.
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:11,279 Points:1,337,325 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:11:19 AM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse GM isn't the only carmaker asking dealers to upgrade their facilities. Ford Motor Co. said last week that 75 of its Lincoln dealers have already done major renovations of their facilities, and more have agreed to future upgrades.
DutchTreatMI Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,670 Points:402,215 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:45:22 AM Ignore DutchTreatMI Report Abuse Sounds to me like some of the upgrades are a waste of money and unnecessary.
rx7racerca Champion Author Calgary Posts:3,069 Points:807,360 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:30:43 AM Ignore rx7racerca Report Abuse mikesr11: don't you mean statues of Bush and Cheney in the showrooms? Obama didn't approve the auto company bailouts - Bush did. It was just completed after Obama came in. Just like it was Bush and a still Republican House that approved the 700 billion for the banks - a figure larger by a factor of 10, and of far less merit. The banking and investment industry haven't changed how they operate one bit since (for that you can blame both Obama and the GOP - Obama for failing to act more decisively, and the GOP for resisting changes to bank and market governance like their lives depended on it - which politically speaking, they do, since for both parties, the biggest donors call the shots - they expect laws to be written their way for their billions in donations). At least GM is employing Americans, making money, and, much as I don't like to say it (because I haven't liked GM for a long, long time because of mostly indifferent products, and 40 years of focus on profits instead of product), they are producing much better cars. But if you don't like the bailouts, put the blame where it rightly belongs. Or will you vote back the party that gave you the recession and bailouts in 2012, because you can't remember order of events? [Edited by: rx7racerca at 2/5/2012 10:32:27 AM EST]
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:7,830 Points:2,258,020 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:25:37 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse -- LAS VEGAS -- General Motors Co. said Saturday that most of its 4,400 U.S. dealers have agreed to upgrade their showrooms over the next four years. The upgrades include new signs, more modern interiors and lounges with free Wi-Fi. In some cases, dealers might also open cafes or salons. Are you looking for a new vehicle, or a hair cut and lunch.???????
fieldt Champion Author Lansing Posts:2,120 Points:371,215 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:20:39 AM Ignore fieldt Report Abuse Interesting concept.
carpenter4u Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,207 Points:285,440 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:18:58 AM Ignore carpenter4u Report Abuse Of course their arms are being twisted by Government Motors. They are still using our money
fatboy97 All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:691 Points:1,347,105 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:18:56 AM Ignore fatboy97 Report Abuse That still does not produce better autos.
Tonester1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,927 Points:1,964,685 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:16:13 AM Ignore Tonester1 Report Abuse they should improve their attitudes and service.
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,476 Points:842,225 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:15:52 AM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Here we go with all the "Obammabad" (copywrite MidNJ 2010) comments. Unfortunately I have not seen one of those who continually badmouth our President offer another suggestion. Who likes Romney? If so, say so. Who likes Newt? If you do, say so. Like Paul or Rick, say so! Get off of the "Obammabad" comments. Also, we have been hearing them for years and all this BS about "Government Motors". Personally I am glad that we still have an auto manufacturing base that exists in the USA. So are those employed by General Motors.
buzzieNY Champion Author Buffalo Posts:1,091 Points:278,815 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:15:41 AM Ignore buzzieNY Report Abuse Put a Tim Hortons and a Dunkin Donuts in while you're at it.
REVLAW Champion Author San Antonio Posts:8,573 Points:1,645,115 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:15:01 AM Ignore REVLAW Report Abuse Improvement of the "atmosphere" will not improve the product. GM is a failed company that "robbed" taxpayers and investors to survive. They deserve no patronage.
mikesr11 Champion Author New York Posts:1,756 Points:336,710 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:13:53 AM Ignore mikesr11 Report Abuse WHAT IS THE UPGRADE? STATUES OF OBAMA AND BIDEN IN THE SHOWROOMS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tnerbeel Champion Author Houston Posts:6,922 Points:1,389,810 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:12:20 AM Ignore Tnerbeel Report Abuse For myself, it doesn't matter how much they spiffy up those showrooms, they'll never find me in any of them. Meet me down the street at the Ford dealership.
Ltdc Champion Author Long Island Posts:5,432 Points:1,326,945 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:10:43 AM Ignore Ltdc Report Abuse Unless you're at the dealership for everything I wouldn't lose much sleep over the dealership. It's a nice perk but not a deal breaker.
ljmh Champion Author Akron Posts:2,500 Points:444,040 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:10:28 AM Ignore ljmh Report Abuse Only good from this is the jobs it will create.
calypso93 Champion Author Scranton Posts:9,633 Points:1,150,920 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:10:11 AM Ignore calypso93 Report Abuse Put a McDonalds and a Dunkin Donuts in while you're at it.
dlemma Champion Author Wyoming Posts:2,426 Points:1,197,685 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:08:58 AM Ignore dlemma Report Abuse No matter WHAT they do to the building we will NOT buy electric cars!
CJ300 All-Star Author New York Posts:913 Points:227,445 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:08:30 AM Ignore CJ300 Report Abuse If it helps sell cars
dlemma Champion Author Wyoming Posts:2,426 Points:1,197,685 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:08:11 AM Ignore dlemma Report Abuse hey - pay us back our money - give those who totally lost when Barry took over the company - before you do anything to the BUILDINGS. We don't care about the dealership other than being clean and neat. We want the best buy for our money and that has NOTHING to do with the dealership!
BillHeatherL Champion Author Alberta Posts:5,870 Points:1,582,280 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:07:59 AM Ignore BillHeatherL Report Abuse will it affect pump prices
Wolfwings Champion Author Delaware Posts:6,911 Points:1,414,875 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:06:53 AM Ignore Wolfwings Report Abuse Sounds like 0-BUMMER is hiring on next year.. Hope And Change?
srqmale67 Champion Author Sarasota Posts:1,163 Points:237,585 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:06:29 AM Ignore srqmale67 Report Abuse maybe so
Heltonw Champion Author Montana Posts:1,471 Points:1,297,335 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:06:02 AM Ignore Heltonw Report Abuse Help the dealers that work long and hard to promote GM products.
srqmale67 Champion Author Sarasota Posts:1,163 Points:237,585 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:05:41 AM Ignore srqmale67 Report Abuse hope so