Bring Your GM Vehicle Back If You Don't Like It, Compliments of Bob Lutz

Hmmm - good effort, but it seems to me like this is just an altered version of the Hyundai Assurance program: if you lose your job, bring the car back. It might work, but I think they could possibly be biting off more than they can chew here. But time will tell.

...also a buyer may be deterred by credit bureau hits for financing.

kandeemann2001, to me, this is a LOT different form the Hyundai plan. This plan is (supposedly) unconditional. In the other one, you need a life changing event. Very different and very risky.

estreka/inlinesix, perhaps GM is banking on those deterrents to keep this from getting out of hand.

I imagine some people will look at this as "free two month car lease". Not sure this was a good idea in a market full of buyers willing to cheat the system for a "good deal". Some yahoos might even try it over and over thinking they can get free cars for life or something.

I sell cars for General Motors and I feel that this will bring a "few" people into the front door BUT don't forget, we just came off of the wonderful clunker program, and many GM dealers lack the inventory to take care of the prospective buyers that may come. As with any program, you will have someone who will try to scam the program, it happens everyday and it is a rapidly growing trend in America....you just have to expect it and be aware. As far as General Motors is concerned, they are definitely headed in the right direction with their newly designed vehicles. I would put them up against any manufacturer. The problem with GM is, they won't do a good enough job with the marketing, as in the past. Another issue we have is the consumer has been schooled by the "big three" not to buy a car until the rebates are rediculously high, and the interest rates are 0%, instead of focusing on buying "quality", sooooo..... not matter what they do, domestic consumers aren't going to buy until they feel they are getting their vehicle with the biggest rebate and the lowest interest rate offered.......and most will have a "wait and see what happens" attitude before they buy. Until the "Big Three" change the way they market their vehicles, this isn't going to change. Now compound that with all of the bad credit out there now, and unemployment, they just may have to bring back the Yugo! LOL

Will the returned cars be sold as "new"? How will I know that the car I'm about to buy wasn't purchased, abused, and then returned?

cynic783:

odometer.

The Car has to be returned before 4000 miles, and I am sure if there is any damage created by the individual who purchased it, they will be liable. There will be lots of fine print.

A General Motors Vehicle Inquiry Report, and a Carfax should reveal any issues with a returned vehicle.

I can see a LOT of people returning (mechanically) abused cars under this program.

"Hey, there's a drag event this weekend. Let's grab a Camaro, tear up the strip with 13 flats, and return it Monday."

There would be very little physical damage evident (Tires, depending on the treadwear of whatever cheap ass tire GM put on 'em), very few miles put on it, and nothing immediate to tell the dealer anything is wrong with it.

Johnny Mullet then buys his Crapmaro 3 months later, and it detonates on him. We all know they have reliability problems anyway, this will only make things worse.

You are right jays83gsl, Just like the same people who go to the high end clothing stores to buy an outfit for the club on saturday night, and after getting their dna all over it, they return it to the store on Monday for a refund. That doesn't happen in Europe, because once you buy it you own it there. American companies are too soft, and are giving too much, therefore the respect for them has all been lost.

Can't beat this deal with a dipstick! It's in concept like the deal Saturn used (in their case a 3 day return policy). The minimum 31 days is interesting. On one hand you will have to commit to a month of ownership which could ensure the deal is sealed. The downside could be a number of lightly used cars on GM's lots with big discounts over a new one. Wait, that may be an upside. Buy it. Use less than 60 days and 4000 miles. Return it. Buy it back a few weeks later at a reduced price. Win-win, no?

thats a good point zoomzoomn!

Not a bad idea,to give GM toys to the public..

but if You give property to people on too easy terms they;ll propably exploit it...and gie it back not as fresh ..especially from the day they;ll decide they don't want a car, but they still be able to keep it for few weeks(according to dealership agreement...
I think You could give GM back the car with a little charge of money, or You can exchange Your first choise on other GM car...
The same situation with too easy accesable credit..
there might be a lot of money waisted in this program, or MR Lutz is so secure abiut GM;s quality?..:)

Somebody said that binging back sth like Youg in this crisis time is not a bad idea..
Yeah...great designed, light weight , not expensixe car under Chevy badge could be a good idea. How about sth like 2 -door Chevy Corvair ?- unfortunatelly the name is spoiled, but the idea/formula is great for this heavy times...sth like smaller Mustang - well designed, well (but not luxurious) executed with a lot of options....
Give it a good marketing, make it a star - that could work.
Volt is not a flagship - is too ugly :).and Cruze is to common...

Not a bad idea,to give GM toys to the public..

but if You give property to people on too easy terms they;ll propably exploit it...and gie it back not as fresh ..especially from the day they;ll decide they don't want a car, but they still be able to keep it for few weeks(according to dealership agreement...
I think You could give GM back the car with a little charge of money, or You can exchange Your first choise on other GM car...
The same situation with too easy accesable credit..
there might be a lot of money waisted in this program, or MR Lutz is so secure abiut GM;s quality?..:)

Somebody said that binging back sth like Youg in this crisis time is not a bad idea..
Yeah...great designed, light weight , not expensixe car under Chevy badge could be a good idea. How about sth like 2 -door Chevy Corvair ?- unfortunatelly the name is spoiled, but the idea/formula is great for this heavy times...sth like smaller Mustang - well designed, well (but not luxurious) executed with a lot of options....
Give it a good marketing, make it a star - that could work.
Volt is not a flagship - is too ugly :).and Cruze is to common...

This would be better than a long-term rental car.
However, I believe most GM cars usually do well for the first few months of ownership and most last for the warranty period. It is after the warranty is up that GM's infamous cost-cutting bites.

Which car will you buy if you have $30k to $40k a Buick or Cadillac???

I used to think that only Disney produces cartoons and films totally unrelated to modern life. Now, it's GM which not only make cars that worth to be recycled into something better and meet the demands but their way of doing the business makes me think that they live on Mars.

Methinks this will be another one of those campaigns that sounded better when it was pitched than it actually worked in practice. I suspect that it will be abused to an astonishing degree by unscrupulous low-lifes who will jump at the chance to drive a new car for a couple of months for "free".