Posted on 10/17/2013 11:01:55 AM PDT by jazusamo
It looks like General Motors is going through an identity crisis as its marketing strategy has flip-flopped by changing its targeted audience. The new General Motors' truck ad, "Strong," targets conservatives by honoring a heroic and manly GM truck buyer with lyrics that describe him as a "love one woman for all his life" type of guy who arrived at work on time for twenty straight years. The rugged, heterosexual identity of today's GM differs greatly from last year's politically correct version when the company won praise for running a "gay" Chevy Volt ad and for flying rainbow banners to celebrate America's sexual diversity.
As mentioned recently on NLPC, the new GM truck ads have done little to pull buyers of any sexual orientation into dealerships. A recent survey (unveiled here) points to the fact that conservative truck buyers still hold it against GM for taking billions of taxpayer dollars as it went through an Obama-orchestrated bankruptcy process that favored political allies over other groups.
It is also very likely that the heavily subsidized and much-hyped Volt does not sit well with tax-paying, truck-driving consumers who prefer not to have their tax dollars go to wealthy purchasers of Obama's favorite vehicle; regardless of what sexual preference the subsidy recipient has. The fact that GM once blamed conservatives for the Volt's failure does not help matters. GM continued making political statements that irked conservatives by criticizing Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential election campaign at the same time that its UAW members were coming out in force to help President Obama win reelection.
GM's flip-flop from gay appeasement to pandering to conservatives with the new rugged and heterosexual truck ad could have been expected from a company that has roots in the political arena. The company's explanations for the poor sales performance of its new truck lineup could have been scripted by a White House spokesperson. The lame excuse that supply for the new trucks could not keep up with demand could only be believed by the most gullible or uninformed voter; I mean consumer. Unlike the heroic "strong" truck driver, who is described in the ad as "somebody you can trust," GM management has lost credibility by giving inaccurate explanations for sales shortfalls in the past when it used the same "supply can't keep up with demand" excuse for the Volt.
The above-mentioned survey proves that the GM boycott is alive and well. This can also be evidenced by comments that were posted on a conservative website which posted a copy of the NLPC piece. Over 100 comments confirmed that many consumers will still not consider a GM product because of the bailout overhang and the seemingly politically-motivated, taxpayer-supported Chevy Volt. I'm sure that there are thousands more who feel that way and I personally know many individuals who say they will steer clear of any GM products.
It does not take all that many disgruntled consumers to negatively impact GM. In a very competitive environment, GM will have to make up for lost sales by offering additional incentives ( as recently added) to those truck buyers who are more open-minded to the thought of buying a bailed-out manufacturer's vehicle. The company should be able to drive truck sales, but it will come at a cost. GM can then move on to thinking about making up with its gay base of consumers who may have been insulted by the latest truck ad. Maybe the fumbling, Obama-appointed management will offer up a new rainbow-colored truck to make amends.
Mark Modica is an NLPC Associate Fellow.
GM lost me when they let my stock tank in favor of union bailouts.
Let GM go. I have become a Ford fan.
Government Motors can’t wither and die fast enough for me.
As a corporate citizen of the United States it is a traitor. And the American consumer has sentenced it to the death of a million lost sales.
Homo truck ads just don’t cut it, I guess.
Government Motors is dead to me.
I will buy a GM when they repay their bondholders and buy back their government owned stock (for what was paid).
I try not to do business with those who rob me - unless I see a credible effort to make amends.
GM needs to just go bankrupt and sell to a foreign buyer like Chrysler. Oh wait, Chrysler got bailed out too and still sold to a foreign buyer.
The ads reflect the static-visioned libs who do not care for the free market and have no idea and do not care for what the ordinary American wants or will buy.
If they had their druthers they would force every American to buy what Obama wants them to buy.
Just like health insurance.
I wouldn’t buy a GM ever, they have come out supporting the far left.
Chrysler was the one that started this whole mess with the original bailout in the 70s.
Government should have no place determining the winners and losers in the marketplace, and should not reward companies for making bad business decisions.
See post #10.
Bump.
I bought a Tundra Crewmax last year. I love that truck.
Since Obama stole GM, I would walk before I would buy another GM product.
What’s a GM?
What you said.
Billions of tax dollars were spent to move GM to China.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
