General Motors' 60 Day Money Back Promotion Shines
By : Jeff Bressler
Date : 10/15/2009

A lot of folks thought old Bob Lutz was crazy for dusting off the ancient automobile promotion bag of tricks and guaranteeing a 60 day money back policy on any General Motors automobile purchased. Many pundits found Lutz, who was thrust into the marketing czar role at General Motors lacking the youthful savvy that is needed to win the hearts and minds of auto buyers. I guess Lutz, in his late 70s, taught those old whipper snappers a thing or two.

It appears that Lutz’s promotion has done quite well. I like this story on two fronts. First, the results give a view of hard numbers on the dynamics of a promotion which are not often seen and secondly, the money back scheme actually sold a bunch of American made cars to satisfied buyers.

The 60 day money back guarantee offers buyers two full months to decide if they like their new drive or not. If a discontent purchaser returns the car the dealer will reclaim it and give the buyer the full price they paid (with certan conditions applied, of course).

Some skeptics thought a bunch of gum popping kids would invade Chevrolet showrooms and check out a new Corvette only to return it 60 days later much worse for the wear. This was not the case at all. Lutz, who commands the attention of a group of journalists like Moses speaking to his people, was ebullient at reporting the results.

Views on the internet of GM products has risen 15 percent since the introduction of the promotion. Over 150,000 new vehicles were sold. Within that number, the stats are pretty interesting. Only a few hundred drivers actually signed on for a new GM product and asked for the 60 day money back deal. The vast majority were more enticed by the additional $500 rebate they could obtain in lieu of the return policy.

Out of the couple of hundred that took the 60 day plan, only one car was returned, and that was due to the fact the buyer wanted to change his drive from the a manual to automatic transmission.

So without a lot of back office aggravation a lot of people were reacquainted with the GM brand. Score one for the old guy!


New Car Rebates and Incentives - September 3, 2009
By : Benjamin Hunting
Date : 09/03/2009

Click here to see all new car rebates & incentives.


2010 Toyota Tundra
1.9% Interest or $1,750 Cash Back

The 2010 Toyota Tundra has seen some upgrades compared to the previous model year that help the already very competent truck shine even brighter. The full-size pickup can be ordered in Regular, Double and CrewMax body styles, with the last two featuring four door access to the passenger compartment. Depending upon the size of the vehicle’s cabin, a 5.5, 6.5 or 8-foot cargo bed can be grafted onto the truck. The Tundra is a legitimate contender when it comes to hardcore utility, able to tow up to 10,800 lbs when properly configured.

The biggest change to the 2010 Toyota Tundra can be found under the hood in the form of a new V-8 engine. Displacing 4.6-liters, this unit puts out 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque while still returning fuel economy of 15 miles per gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway. Those who desire more brawn can opt for a very impressive 5.7-liter V-8 that cranks out 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque with only a slight fuel efficiency penalty. The bargain edition of the Tundra comes with a 4.0-liter V-6 that provides 236 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, but it doesn’t outperform the entry-level 8-cylinder engine when it comes to frugality at the pump. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment on the V-6, while both V-8’s make use of an advanced 6-speed auto. Four-wheel drive is available across all engine ranges.

There is a financing incentive of 1.9% interest or $1,750.00 cash back on the 2010 Toyota Tundra effective until 09/08/2009.


2009 Nissan Altima
0.0% Interest or $1,500 Cash Back

The 2009 Nissan Altima is a sporty mid-size sedan that is also available in coupe form. Designed to offer a more hot-blooded alternative to those typically shopping for a family vehicle, the Altima’s attractive exterior styling and affordable price make it an appealing choice. The base Altima sedan and coupe come with air conditioning, a push button starter and a CD player, but an extensive options list allows buyers to easily add upgrades a la carte. Higher trim levels offer heated leather seats, automatic climate control, HID headlights and a sunroof. Premium features include an available rearview camera and a navigation system.

The 2009 Nissan Altima can be ordered in 4-cylinder, V-6 or Hybrid editions, although the latter is reserved exclusively for the sedan. The 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine generates 175 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, and sips fuel at the rate of 23 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway. It can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a continuously-variable automatic transmission. The much more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 pushes out 270 ponies and 258 lb-ft of torque, but drops fuel economy down to 18 miles per gallon in stop and go driving and 27 miles per gallon during highway cruising. The hybrid reverts to the same 4-cylinder engine found in the base model, but adds an electric motor to provide 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque along with a very high 35 miles per gallon of fuel economy around town and 33 miles per gallon on the highway. The Hybrid is restricted to the continuously-variable automatic, but the V-6 can choose from the same gearbox options afforded to the 4-cylinder Altima.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $1,500.00 cash back on the 2009 Nissan Altima effective until 09/07/2009.


2010 Ford F-150
0.0% Interest or $1,000 Cash Back

After a strong redesign in 2009, the 2010 Ford F-150 picks up where it left off in providing buyers with one of the most competent and versatile trucks on the market. Available in a full range of different passenger compartment configurations, bed lengths and appearance packages, the F-150 is-literally everything to everyone when it comes to options and features. Some of the most popular items ordered with the F-150 include chrome bumpers, cruise control, power windows and door locks, and a tailgate step, all of which are available on the popular XLT model. Off-road (FX4) and ultra-luxury (King Ranch) packages can also be used to upgrade the truck.

The 2010 Ford F-150 can handle 3,030 lbs of cargo out back and tow an additional 11,300 lbs when equipped with a towing package. There are four engine choices to be found when ordering an F-150, with two versions of either a 4.6-liter or 5.4-liter V-8 on offer (the latter is also produced in a FlexFuel edition). The smaller of the two motors generates 292 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque while providing fuel mileage in the range of 14 miles per gallon in the city and 19 miles per gallon on the highway. A value edition of the same engine drops power by 50 ponies and lowers torque to 294 lb-ft. The more capable 5.4-liter unit steps production up to 320 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque while maintaining almost identical fuel economy. A four-speed automatic is mated to the inexpensive 4.6-liter, while all other engines make use of a 6-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is also an option for most versions of the F-150.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $1,000.00 cash back on the 2010 Ford F-150 effective until 10/05/2009.


2009 Chevrolet Corvette
1.9% Interest or $4,000 Cash Back

For many, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette represents the apex of affordable sports cars. The sleek lines of the Corvette coupe and the carefree adventure promised by the Corvette convertible both resonate with a large group of automobile buyers. Both versions of the ‘Vette come well equipped right out of the box, and shoppers can choose to upgrade them with a number of different packages. A heads-up display, heated seats, leather trim and DVD navigation are some of the highlights from the options list, along with the Z51 suspension package that can be further enhanced with Chevrolet’s Magnetic Ride Control adjustable damping system.

Underneath the hood, the choice is very simple: all 2009 Corvette coupe and convertible base models share the same 6.2-liter V-8. Of course this is no hardship, given that the unit churns outs a blazing 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque, helping the vehicle accelerate faster than the majority of other cars on the road. A 6-speed manual transmission is the gearbox of choice for enthusiasts, but a 6-speed automatic with manual shift control is also available, along with a performance exhaust option can increase overall horsepower to 436. Fuel mileage for the Corvette is a none-too-obscene 16 miles per gallon around town and 26 miles per gallon on the highway.

There is a financing incentive of 1.9% interest or $4,000.00 cash back on the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette effective until 09/30/2009.


2009 Hyundai Azera
$1,000 Cash Back

The 2009 Hyundai Azera is a luxury sedan that matches the new Genesis in size but slots in just underneath it in terms of price and performance. The Azera is meant to target Acura and Buick shoppers interested in a plush and comfortable ride that also offers decent power and a touch of exclusivity. The base Azera features cloth seats, dual climate controls, a number of power accessories and upscale leather trim. The Limited edition installs leather seats, folding sideview mirrors and a nicer gauge package. Options include surround sound for the stereo, a navigation system, a sunroof and power adjustable pedals that can accommodate drivers of all sizes.

The 2009 Hyundai Azera features two V-6 options. The first, a 3.3-liter, provides 234 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque, along with fuel economy rated at 18 miles per gallon around town and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. The Limited’s 3.8-liter engine increases output to 263 horsepower and 257 lb-ft of torque while keeping fuel consumption at an almost identical level. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard for each engine and includes manual shift controls.

There is an incentive of $1,000.00 cash back on the 2009 Hyundai Azera effective until 09/30/2009.



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