I'd like to see the sales increase/decrease over the years for GMC, because I'm curious as to whether or not all of their "product placements" in TV shows and movies pays off. I'm thinking "no," that it's more of an ego thing to pay millions to Hollywood for the right to have Aah-nold or Mel Gibson motor around in a GMC truck on the big screen.

 

I would hope ford would'nt need some "movie star" (i say that
for less of a better word) to sell there vehicles. But its all about
marketing and GM must have to spend the money to ttrry to
sell there products.

 

Anyone remember what Perry Mason drove? Black Cadillac convert- new one every year. And his sidekick Paul? T-bird Convert. And Della? Lincoln Convert. hmmm. And who put the Mercury Marquis on the map? Jack Lord- Hawaii five-0
I don't know if GMC's strategy increases sales, per se, but it establishes a market image. For years, Lincoln had a classier image than Cadillac (probably still true) that was carefully crafted by FMC.

Chevy's been spending a boatload of money on the Nashville circuit- that can't be an accident, can it?

"I wouldn't trade my Silverado for your Escalade
or your freak parade
I'm the only John Wayne left in this town."

edit: anyone else seen Jason Aldean's video to "Hicktown?" Wonder how many FTE'ers are in it (dozens of trucks, but not a single Chebbie or Dodge to be found anywhere. This one is lifted Blue Oval heaven )

 

Go tell a typical Chevy owner that they don't have a Chevy but a GMC. Go to a GMC dealer and try to get warranty repairs done or the other way around. Last time I looked, almost all of the sheet metal and trim in front of the doors is different on the GMC and Chevrolet which is a lot different than the differences between the Ford and Lincoln LT. Besides, GMC's are "Professional Grade" which insinuates that all the others, including Chevrolet and Ford are builder grade (?) or apprentice grade(?).

 

That wouldn't be the problem- tell a GMC owner they've got a Chevy.

Warranty werk will crossover if there isn't the approriate franchise nearby.

 

In regard to the movie stars (or media in general), I would personally prefer it if the manufactures didn't give them (or pay them) to drive the cars.

I find it much better when someone chooses to drive something because they honestly believe that it is a better product, not because it is lining thier pocket.
Examples include:
The original Italian Job - Fiat was going to provide 15 Fiat 500's, Morris said you can use the Mini, but you are going to have to pay for it. They purchased the Mini's (they thought they were supperior), and amongst Mini fans (including me) this is a classic.

Ronin - The likes of Audi and Peugeot paid significant sums of money to have cars used in the movie, YET a BMW M5 (who made them pay for the vehicles) is a headlining car in the movie, John Frankenheimer (sp?) said it was the best car in the movie, despite Audi and Peugeot almost bankrolling one of his dream projects.

Gran Turismo 4 - The opening sequence is based around a Ford GT, it is also on the cover - which according to all the research I have done - Ford did not pay for at all. When the makers of GT4 were interviewed, they were asked which was the best car they drove? They replied, "One that sticks clearly in our mind as being a very special car is the Ford GT" - and this is from people that drove some of the most "special" cars on the planet in the making of the game, certainly not faint praise at all.

All in all, I heartedly don't believe in the "paying stars to drive cars" phenomenon - I believe this money could be much better spent on making the cars better, so these people would want to drive them without getting paid. Just my humble opinion.

 

What is the big deal about breaking it down. It's GM vs. Ford vs. DamilerChrysler. Sounds like a bunch of accountants messing with numbers when you start breaking to down. Bottom line is, GM is kicking series butt in sales and carrying most of the big three numbers.

 

That is in Canada only. In the US Dodge isn't even close.

 

Here's a bizarre warrranty story: I bought a Crown Vic from a Kia/Nissan dealership and then had the warranty work done at a Lincoln/Mercury dealership. I don't like my local Ford dealership, they're quite uppity.

 

Stars and their cars:
Eddie Albert on Green Acres- Lincoln convertibles, then Mercury Park Lane convertibles when they stopped making the Lincolns.

Frank Cannon- nothin' but Mark IIIs and Mark IVs, and they were ALWAYS silver with a black top and red interior.

Barnaby Jones- LTD Brougham 2-doors

Crazy Like A Fox- Harry Fox and those gawd-awful '74/'75 Brown Coupe deVilles!

Any more?

 

You might be surprised how much Chrysler has closed the gap with Ford in the last few years. If the current trends continue, Chrysler will pass Ford in total sales, and Toyota will slip by them both for number 2.

 

Hey Jeff dont forget The Andy Griffith show. Always a Ford squad car. Mr Kimball on Green Acres drove a Ford Bronco. Steve Mcgarret on Hawaii Five-O drove Ford cars mostly Mercurys off the era. Like you said Frank Cannon an his big Lincolns. On the old Lassie TV series they drove Ford trucks. If anybody remembers the old Porkies TV movie one off the kids had a fifties Ford truck. A couple off those in there. Cant think of anymore.

 

In the end the only thing that will be earth shattering will be if the Silverado out sells the the F-series. The F-series only has about a 40K lead right now. GM's truck combo has out sold Ford's F-series many times in the last 25 years. But Ford has had the single series lead for a long time now.

 

The Silverado has a very good chance of outselling the F150 by itself during the first full year of the upcoming release of their new truck. I can't believe that they sell as many as they do now, seeing how outdated the Silverado is compared to all other full size trucks. If that happens, it would end a 25+ year reign of the F150 being the best selling vehicle.

 

Given the stuff I have seen, I wouldn't be remotely surprised if it happens either.
From the news I have seen, Ford are concentrating on creating large profits as of late, and not targeting sales at all.
It will be a big reign to fall down though.