BECKHAM
07-06-2013, 01:12 AM
General Motors threw in a nice little gift for car buyers Thursday -- free maintenance program for two years or 24,000 miles on new 2014 Chevrolet, Buick or GMC cars, trucks or crossovers.
The plan, which is particular popular with customers and auto dealers alike, has already been tested within GM: Cadillac has offered it since 2011.
"This new plan will kick off our customers' ownership experience on the right foot and keep our strong sales momentum going," says GM CEO Dan Akerson, who announced the plan at GM's stockholders' meeting.
Other automakers, including Volkswagen and Lincoln, have similar programs.
Offering free oil and filter changes, rotation of tires and 27-point vehicle inspection -- and often throwing in a free car wash -- may sound expensive, but can be good business. Akerson noted that customers who bring their cars back to GM dealers regularily are more likely to buy another car. With time to kill, they may take a stroll around the new-car showroom.
And dealers love being able to build a regular ongoing relationship with owners, and being having the cars there to suggest other service items they may want in addition to the freebies.
The program covers up to four service visits in the 24-month period, and is fully transferrable to subsequent owners. it's also retroactive for customers who have already purchased or leased a 2014 model year vehicle will receive the scheduled maintenance program.
The plan, which is particular popular with customers and auto dealers alike, has already been tested within GM: Cadillac has offered it since 2011.
"This new plan will kick off our customers' ownership experience on the right foot and keep our strong sales momentum going," says GM CEO Dan Akerson, who announced the plan at GM's stockholders' meeting.
Other automakers, including Volkswagen and Lincoln, have similar programs.
Offering free oil and filter changes, rotation of tires and 27-point vehicle inspection -- and often throwing in a free car wash -- may sound expensive, but can be good business. Akerson noted that customers who bring their cars back to GM dealers regularily are more likely to buy another car. With time to kill, they may take a stroll around the new-car showroom.
And dealers love being able to build a regular ongoing relationship with owners, and being having the cars there to suggest other service items they may want in addition to the freebies.
The program covers up to four service visits in the 24-month period, and is fully transferrable to subsequent owners. it's also retroactive for customers who have already purchased or leased a 2014 model year vehicle will receive the scheduled maintenance program.