This article is part of the GM Authority Mailbag series, where the GM Authority Crew features and replies to your questions, comments, and observations.
The following comes to us from Keith:
“Please let the powers that be know that the canceling of “Main Street in Motion” was wrong. Myself and several of my Long Island, NY friends were really looking forward to driving the various cars. Some were even interested in what was new in the GM stables with an eye on buying. Yeah I know we could go to any showroom and test drive, except the difference is salesmen are looking for that sale and you don’t have the side by side comparative ride experience without pressure. My boss was really interested in comparing the pickups there in order to beef up our fleet. If money was the issue, I’m sure that a fee could be charged without losing any interest. Look at car shows (especially NY) where people are turned away or have to wait for entrance due to crowd response.”
Keith — I couldn’t agree more. The Main Street in Motion tour was great not only for enthusiasts, but for average car buyers as well, and it’s too bad it was been dropped.
However, I’m hopeful that GM will re-introduce the tour in the future with an emphasis on each of its brands, rather than GM as a whole. For instance, Chevy, Buick, and Cadillac could each have their own “mini tours” where they invite not only their current customers, but also those of competing makes — say those of Lexus or BMW for Buick and Cadillac events, respectively.
In fact, Lexus is notorious for these types of events — which as far as I remember are called “A Taste of Luxury” — or something to that extent. Lexus brings Acuras, Infinitis, Benzes, and BMWs for customers to test drive; the events are full of quality Hors d’oeuvres, tons of technology displays, and the lines always seem longer for competing makes (especially for the BMWs). As guests leave, they fill out short surveys (about the event and the vehicles they drove) from which I imagine Lexus derives valuable feedback. Some attendees receive a $500 coupon in the mail weeks after the event for their next Lexus purchase.
So, perhaps smaller and more focused events — like the ones held by Lexus — would prove more beneficial to GM as a whole. We know Cadillac puts on similar events… why can’t Buick, Chevy, and GMC — as well?
Comments
I was introduced to BMW this way, I agree events like this are a great way to get to know the cars, I cant stand sales people and would prefer an environment where I could enjoy a real test drive…This really gets back to GM dealers comming together and puting together Drve GM events.
I went to a Cadillac one on an old airstrip and it was a total blast! I quickly changed my mind from getting a Lexus and purchased a CTS-V! I loved that car for all the years I had it. That event completely changed my impression of Cadillac and I think it would do wonders for all the brands to reintroduce themselves to the public. Especially since people seem to still be mad about the “bailout,” this might give them a reason to be okay with it. Look, we had to ask for the bailout but look how we put it to good use! Something like that.