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!
Comments
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.
Hello Elsa,
I wish my husband and I would have seen your post prior to purchasing a 2011 GMC Terrain. We like you purchased the vehicle brand new in July 2011 and within the first week had to take it to be repaired (we were told it was a Cam Phaser)??? We have not owned it a year and it has already been back to the dealer for what is now the fifth time (same issue). We are being given the run around by the dealer, who supposedly is the only one who can speak to the District Manager to handle things on our behalf. Why wouldn’t GMC contact us seeing as though we are the ones who pay for the car? We have been advised that GMC is aware of our concerns, and understand that we feel we have been sold a Lemon, but yet no one will call us???? Go figure. As long as there are lawyers on this earth someone will help us get to the bottom of this. We feel like William Powell who said he should have just bought a foreign car, this is our first American vehicle and it has not been a pleasing experience.
My wife Wendy Santos and I received a full year of preventative maintenance from your Company signed by Brian Sweeney for our 2008 Pontiac G6 that we purchased from Reliable Pontiac-Cadillac at 400 Auto Mall Drive, Roseville, CA 95661 which expires 12/31/2010. On 12/30/2010 I tried to receive a preventative maintenance for my car at 4:00 pm and I was told by the Service Manager that they won’t be able to service my car until 01/03/2011. When I explained to him that the offer expires on 12/31/2010, he told me that he doesn’t have anyone to work on my car today and the Service Department will be closed on 12/31/2010 for New Years. I asked him if they will on honor the offer on 01/03/2011 and he told me that since this was an offer from the Manufacture, they will not be able to accept this offer because Manufacture will not accept an expired offer. This is poor Customer Service and Reliable Pontiac-Cadillac gives your company a bad representation.
If you would like to talk to me, you can e-mail me at ****@hotmail.com or give me a call at ***.
Signed,
Tim Santos
Are there any plans in the pipeline for an updated automatic transmission controller datafile for my brand new 2011 GMC Sierra??? The file this truck was flashed with leaves alot on the table in terms of functionality, and I believe you have to know that, but other than the hiccups in the transmission logic, I love the truck.
Hey Richard, we don’t think GM has any plans to do this… but perhaps having your dealer’s service techs have a look at it would help.
What, specifically, are you experiencing as far as the hiccups are concerned?
Alex
Founder, GM Authority
Alex,
The main hiccup is a 2-3 shuttle shift that has nothing to do with being cold or at operating temperature, it also likes to “slam” drive, especially coming out or reverse, a short “hold” in neutral after reverse seems to cure that for the most part.
The dealership says the truck functions normal, so they say, I just happen to be a powertrain engineer, and I think something is going on, they think I’m “nit picking”, whos to say? I will continue to monitor the situation and shall keep you abreast of the whats goin on.
Thanks,
Rich
What is Brian Sweeney, General Manager for Buick, email address. I bought a 2011 Buick Enclave on 8/26/2011, two weeks later I received a Private Offer Certificate for $1500 off a new Buick, good only in Sept. and Oct. What are the odds I would receive this offer 2 weeks after I had already purchased a Buick ? I think because I am a life long GM customer I should receive some consideration, but nobody cares. I want to email the head man. Maybe I should start buying foreign cars like everyone else.
Hey William. While we’re not GM and don’t know the contact info for him, we can certainly forward your message to some at GM… would you like us to do that?
Cheers,
Alex
Founder, GM Authority
Elise, I had a problem that everyone I contacted said “nothing could be done.” I contacted Dave Roman and he said there was always something could be done and he took care of my problem.
He is a very nice gentleman. dave.roman@gm.com Good Luck
hello my name is jerry yeager i purchased a new 2011 gmc sierra 8 months ago. I would say it is the best riding truck i have owned. I am not happy with the fuel saving v8 to a v4 option that is on the truck. I do not like the vibration that i get at lower speeds . I have been told this is normal for this option on the truck. I have owned several new gm products along with the same number of used gm products….This will be the last gm product that i own.
I bought a 2011 Buick Enclave CXL II (NEW) and have been having problems :
1) On the DIC it cautioned ‘Stabilitrack off’ ‘ .
2)Service brake system
3)Power steering made a terrible noise at every movement- parts had to be changed .I was told that it came from the factory with this defect .
4)Get a jolt now and then whed gear changes .
5)Gas cap came apart
6)Starting problems in the middle of the day after the vehicle had been on the road .This did not happen at the dead of winter -I live in Calgary
With all these problems from a new High End GM car does not speak well of the standard . The excuse I got was that the car is under warranty and is repaired free .In that case i could have bought a premium used car with warranty and saved thousands . I strongly feel that I was given a defective car and should be replaces with a NEW Buick Enclave CXL II with all the options that I have paid for . I have had to waste a good many days every now and then to get the car fixed .The Service department is good .I bought the car at Southgate Chev. Calgary Alberta Canada . If you are not the person this letter has been directed to , could you please forward it to the person concerned .
From a very unhappy customer.
Sincerely,
Trevor Gordon
2012 Lemon
In the shop in the shop, phone call after phone call. NOW waiting for the phone call back from GM, between 2 and 4 PM, it is 4:21PM. So I call 1800-462-8782 and get a guy in the Philippines, suppose to get a call from someone from Argentina. Where did I buy this, ohh USA Pennsylvania. This is pathetic. Look for me on the news with the giant lemon in the back of my truck.