WDET News
- GM Runs Apology Ad
-
Dec 10, 2008Automotive & Business - Link to Audio
General Motors has taken out a full-page ad in this week’s Automotive News…apologizing for what it calls bad business decisions. WDET’s Sarah Cwiek reports…
SOQ
The ad…titled “G-M’s Commitment to the American People”…is in part an unusually candid apology. G-M says it “violated consumer trust” by proliferating brands and dealer networks to an unsustainable level…and focusing on trucks and SUVs rather than fuel-efficient vehicles. But G-M says it’s “paid dearly” for those decisions…and is working hard to correct them by re-structuring for long-term viability. The automaker promises that if it receives a taxpayer-funded bridge loan…it will begin repaying those loans by 2011. A G-M spokesman says the ad was an effort to counteract media commentary…which has not reflected the company’s efforts to transform itself. Some industry analysts say it’s a smart move…showing G-M’s commitment to restructuring and accountability. But others questioned why the company would publish the ad in the Automotive News…an industry trade publication…if it wanted to reach a broad swath of the American public. This is Sarah Cwiek…WDET news.