Last week, we reported that Buick-GMC was left without a general manager, since newly-hired Michael Richards resigned to reportedly pursue other opportunities (we’ve got the new scoop about that below). This week, GM put Brian. K. Sweeney in charge of the two brands. In his previous post, Sweeney served as general sales manager of Buick-GMC (since June 2008).
Susan Docherty, GM vice president of Sales, Service, and Marketing, had the following to say about the new appointment:
Brian has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Buick and GMC brands through his work with our dealers and marketing activities. He consolidated 13 different agencies to one dedicated partner to drive a consistent brand message, led the dealer network through a difficult transition and has earned a reputation for tirelessly driving results that benefit consumers.
Sweeney, 42, joined GM in 1990 as a district sales manager for GMC and has since then held numerous marketing leadership positions, including regional management positions in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Detroit. He has dedicated most of his career to Buick, Pontiac, and GMC, but also has experience at Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Saab (which is about to cease existing).
Docherty also named Jennifer Constable to Sweeney’s old post as general sales manager of Buick-GMC. Constable, 47, was regional sales and marketing manager of Cadillac in GM’s Southeast Region since November 2008. She will report to Sweeney.
Constable has been with GM for 25 years and has spent her career mostly in the field, working with dealers across the country – focusing on sales, service, and parts, improving dealer relations, productivity and marketing effectiveness, and developing the overall dealer network.
All changes are effective immediately.
The GM Authority Take
At the present time, we don’t know more than the press release gives off about either Sweeney or Constable. We don’t know if Sweeney is much of a car guy, but having been in marketing, he may figure out for himself that Buick needs to go in a different direction than Cadillac and that GMC needs to stop diluting its brand. Constable seems to be a good fit, having spent most of her time in the field with dealers. You get to know the sales side of things pretty fast that way.
And about the 9-day-exec, aka Michael Richards: some little birdies have been telling us that the reason for his lighting-fast departure was actually a screw-up on GM’s part: he previously worked at Ford, where his style proved to be ineffective and outrageous. We wonder how his name even got past the reference check process with GM in the first place!
In case you’re interested, we have GM’s full presser after the break.
PRESS RELEASE
Sweeney Appointed Buick GMC General Manager; Costabile Named General Sales Manager
2009-12-17
DETROIT – Susan E. Docherty, GM vice president of Sales, Service and Marketing, today named Brian K. Sweeney general manager of Buick GMC, effective immediately. Sweeney had been general sales manager of Buick GMC since June 2008.
“Brian has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Buick and GMC brands through his work with our dealers and marketing activities,” Docherty said. “He consolidated 13 different agencies to one dedicated partner to drive a consistent brand message, led the dealer network through a difficult transition and has earned a reputation for tirelessly driving results that benefit consumers.”
Sweeney, 42, joined GM in 1990 as a district sales manager for GMC. He has held numerous sales and marketing leadership positions, including regional management positions in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Detroit. While he has dedicated most of his career to Buick, Pontiac and GMC, he also has experience at Cadillac, Saab and Chevrolet.
Docherty also named Jennifer Costabile general sales manager of Buick GMC. She succeeds Sweeney effective immediately. Costabile, 47 was regional sales and marketing manager – Cadillac in GM’s Southeast Region since November 2008. She will report to Sweeney.
Costabile has been with General Motors for 25 years. She has spent her career predominantly in the field, working with dealers across the United States. She has served in a variety of roles, focusing on sales, service and parts, improving dealer relations, productivity and marketing effectiveness, and developing the overall dealer network.
About Buick GMC
Buick is in the midst of a transformation that started with the Enclave luxury crossover and continues with the completely redesigned LaCrosse luxury sedan and Regal sport sedan. Buick is emerging as a modern, premium brand with vehicles characterized by sculpted designs, personal technologies, luxurious interiors and responsive performance. Future new sedans and crossovers are planned and will continue to expand Buick’s portfolio both in North America and China. More information can be found at www.buick.com.
GMC is one of the industry’s healthiest brands and is evolving to include more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers. The all-new GMC Terrain is a smaller SUV that offers outstanding fuel economy along with the capability, engineering excellence and refinement that have defined GMC for more than a century. Complementing the Terrain is the Acadia eight-passenger crossover, Yukon and Yukon XL and Sierra pickups. Today GMC is the only manufacturer offering three full-size hybrid models. Details on all GMC models are available at www.gmc.com.
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by 
February 22, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Hello, my name is Elsa Barrientez. On May 21, 2009 I purchased a new Buick Enclave from Brown Pontiac GMC Buick at 4300 S. Georgia St. in Amarillo, Tx. 79110(806-353-7211). On December 16, 2009 I was about to take off shopping in Amarillo when I placed the key in the ignition, turned it, and noticed that it would not start. The key was now stuck in the ignition. I called my husband and his nephew who had to jump start the vehicle. It worked until January 4th. I put the key in the ignition and nothing happened. The key was stuck in the ignition once again. This time I called the dealership and asked for help. They sent a worker to jump start it in my garage and kept it January 4-6). I received a service form that stated: battery tested ok. I drove it but we carried cables, a screw driver and a tool kit because I no longer have faith in this vehicle. I turn it on an hour before I go to work to make sure I have a ride to my two hour job( from 4:00-6:30). I work short hours because as I explained to the dealers of Brown Pontiac, the customer specialist, and the service manager(James Underwood) I have rheumatoid arthritis which does affect my heart( especially when I get upset). On February 1st 2010 the Enclave did not start again and the key was stuck in the ignition. I called the dealership in a panic because I had to go to work to pay for my medicine and doctor fees. The vehicle was boosted in the garage and I was left with a loner car. The Enclave was serviced from February 1st to February 10th. When it was returned (after ten days) I was not given a service form) only told that it had been reprogrammed and it should now work. I have such little faith in the Buick Enclave that on February 19 when we left for a short trip to San Angelo, Texas we decided not to drive it and take a chance it would leave us stranded out of town. On February 22, 2010 I had to pick up a prescription for my husband and take his clothes to the cleaners and the Enclave didn’t start again. The same service person boosted it and I watched the vehicle drive away. Now I ask you does General Motors company expect or believe that I am suppose to live my life accepting that every two to three weeks or even a month, a year, that the car will need to be boosted and I have to put my errands or plans on hold to have this vehicle serviced? I do not accept this and I ask that I am given a new vehicle to replace what I now strongly believe to be a lemon. I was reading my purchase contract and I read words like demand, default, if you pay late, and if you break your promise. Well I ask you what about when the customer demands the vehicle works, the manufacturer doesn’ t default on their workmanship, or break their promise of selling a product that they are proud of and willing to stand behiind. I deserve what I am paying for a vehicle that turns on when I need it to. Once again I will not settle for anything less than a new vehicle.
- Contact information removed by GM Authority for privacy reasons.