Webchat: Q&A with Buick/GMC General Manager Brian Sweeney
Please join us for a live Q&A with new Buick/GMC General Manager Brian Sweeney from 1-2 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 21.
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Mr. Sweeney,
Please be so kind as to explain exactly what the GMC tagline “We are professional grade” means.
Does that mean trucks with rugged, durable components with high mean time between failures so they would be suitable for working professionals such as contractors, jobbers, ranchers, farmers, etc? A vehicle for people whose incomes depend on a rugged, reliable, low-maintenance truck to use in their jobs?
Or does it mean you are targeting the professional classes such as lawyers, doctors, whose primary concern is luxury and status?
Will Sierra ever stop being a rebadged Silverado?
But RD, the Sierra is “Professional Grade” while the Silverado is not. I’m not sure what they add to the Sierra to make it “Professional Grade” though. Perhaps Mr. Sweeney can explain that.
“Professional Grade” is meaningless gibberish that was developed by a Madison Avenue huckster for GMC’s advertising campaign. It doesn’t have to make sense – kinda like Chevy’s “Like a Rock”. I wish I could get paid millions of $ to just think up nonsense like they do.
“Professional Grade” is meaningless gibberish that was developed by a Madison Avenue huckster for GMC’s advertising campaign.
RD,
I concur completely. Meaningless gibberish. Why do they persist in insulting us? When I see professionals (contractors, carpenters, ranchers, farmers, etc.) using pickup trucks in their jobs they seem to be most often Fords or Chevies — not GMCs. If GMC trucks were really built for professionals, surely working professionals who need a reliable, sturdy trucks to do their jobs would have recognized that and be buying them.
I hope Mr. Sweeney addresses this issue during his Webchat later today.
“Professional Grade” is meaningless gibberish…
RD,
Not completely meaningless. If you look at it another way, you’ll see that GM is implying those who buy Chevy instead of GMC trucks are amateurs.
I should have asked the guy who fixed my driveway last summer what he thinks about it. He is a good cement/concrete contractor and did a good job repairing my driveway, but he was driving a Chevy truck and not a GMC. So in GM’s view, he is not a professional.
I also note that the newly-elected senator from Massachusetts drives a Chevy pickup — according to GM’s marketing spin, that makes him another amateur.
I like that. If GMCs are for the pros, then Chevys must be for the amateurs.
My apologies. I had heard on the radio that Senator Brown’s pickup truck was a Chevy. Today on TV I saw footage of him driving it, and it is in fact a GMC.
Just goes to show what those radio reporters know.
To Whom it May concern,
I am going through a tough time right now and the guys at Bergeys, Chevrolet have been great. They are located in Zeiglerville, PA. I especially had a great experience with Mr. Loinhart. They say used car dealers are sneakey but, he has been in my corner all the way. I am a loyal Chevy customer and I work for The Vanguard Group. I have been there 5 1/2 years and understand great customer service since I have been waiting on people for over 18 years. Their sales and Service division is outstanding and helpful. I would like to also recommend a product to you that I have been trying out. It would be great for a ladies vehicle for the North East. The product is Weather Tech Floor liners. I have shown it to the guys at Bergeys and they appreciate my opinion. My husband’s cusin is an Engineer at Ford and my father-in-law worked for Reedman’s in Levittown, PA for 20 years. It is very nice when a lady can go into a car dealership and get a fair shake.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Sincerely,
Dawn M. D. Marion
I’m hoping that buick can make the regal GS avaliable with the option of an 6 speed automatic . Because a lot of people i’ve talked to including myself don’t know how to drive an stick and we want to purchase this car we love buick and we love this car. it’s truly beautiful we just want it to be avaliable for everyone to drive so if possiable could you guys please take this into consideration it would be the best thing ever if you guys could do that for us. please please please!!!
Because a lot of people i’ve talked to including myself don’t know how to drive an stick…
Levelle,
Do yourself a favor and learn how. It’s not that difficult, and you will be amazed at the control you have and how much more fun it is to drive. You will also become a better driver.
It’s widely acknowledged that people who use manual transmissions are almost always better drivers. You actually have to think and be involved with the operation of the car instead of just steering it.
that is because only old people drive buicks!!!! If you cannot drive stick by now, don’t bother to. you can never teach and old dog new tricks. and that goes for GM as well.
I am hearing a lot of fans who want the Riviera concept to come to production. Personally, I would love to see the Riviera make production. It is a stunning car. Are there any plans to bring Riviera back to the Buick lineup? (By the way, keep up with the Buick renaissance. I’m in my 20’s and would have never considered a Buick before the LaCrosse came along. Now I am in love with them.)
Levelle,
I’m very saddened to hear your request to GM. I think for years GM has not made manual cars because many people don’t know how to drive them.
A friend of mine actually didn’t buy a great new car because he didn’t drive manual. He later found a used car he really really liked… it was manual… a few months later he was driving manual and regretting not buying the new car with the manual.
Unless for some reason you can’t drive a manual (health reasons) or unless you do a lot of city driving I strongly recommend considering finding a friend who can drive manual and learning. Manual cars are a lot of fun to drive.
With all that said I highly doubt GM would build a manual only car. If you look at all of GM’s performance cars (Corvette, CTS-V, Solstice etc…) they all have auto options. So I think you probably are already covered.
After your comment though I think maybe GM needs to consider a class for people wanting to learn how to drive manual cars.
From my experience if you can find a manual car, and a flat empty parking lot you can learn the basics of driving manual in a week or so. In fact the best learning technique I have found is to put the car in 3rd gear and at idle learn how to let the clutch pedal out without stalling the car. This will cause the car to roll at very low speed. But once you notice (hear) the engine speed change as the clutch pedal moves you should be able to develop the feel needed to pull out in any gear. I used this technique to teach a friend of mine to drive a manual car. It worked like a charm. The big trick is not let the clutch out so fast that the engine stalls.
If for some reason you are interested in more I can post additional instructions.
Will GM be donating anything to Haiti?
GM donated $100,000 to Haiti the day following the earthquake. They also posted a Red Cross link for all their employees who were interested in donating.
Please bring back Pontaic!!! Bottom line GMs best car line ever
I have been trying mandi. I have been trying for months now. These GM execs just do not seem to care about their cusomers. they would rather sell cars to 80 year old men who live in retirement homes. The buick brand is boring, and always will be. If you are trying to appeal to your 6.8 billion customers you lost, then you failed miserably. The GMC and Chevrolet brands are EXACTLY the same. They have been like that since the beggining of GMC. And as for your Cadillac brand, It lost it’s way. you are offering garbage to the American people, as well as the rest of the countries of the world. Bring back your best brand ever: Pontiac.
The GMC and Chevrolet brands are EXACTLY the same. They have been like that since the beginning of GMC.
But Immortal, those GMC vehicles are “Professional Grade.” I just wish someone in the Buick/GMC division would take the time to explain exactly what it is they do to Chevies to turn them into professional grade GMC products. I woudl think it would mean the GMC trucks have more robust, heavy-duty parts and components that are less likely to fail while doing critical professional jobs, but is there any evidence that is true?
Seriously, please tell us what is it that upgrades GMC trucks into professional products? I have a GMC Sonoma, and it seems to me to be just like a run-of-the-mill Chevy S10.
Immortal GP,
I found many of the more recent Pontiacs boring. The interiors mainly are just minimalistic and crappy. By todays standards they barely cut it. When Pontiac had neat cars (late model Trans AM/Firebird, GP, GrandAm) they were interesting. Even the G8 wasn’t bad. But the G5, an G6 lacked interior style and quality. Same goes with the Solstice. GM made the right move ditching Pontiac.
Next GMC needs to go. Then they can fill in all the gaps.
Buick is doing a great job with the Regal and LaCrosse offering sporty yet luxury type cars. If they keep going I think the bottom of the line interior models will have filled in the Performance gap that Pontiac left. After all if you remove the badges strip the interior down and Give it sporty colors isn’t the new Buick Regal GS basically a Pontiac? Add back the nice interior and all of a sudden its able to compete with German imports.
Why did Mr. Sweeney ignore the questions several of us had posted here prior to his webchat event?
It’s nice that he offers his time to communicate with potential customers, but not everyone’s job allows him or her to be online at 1-2 p.m. EST. Those who cared enough to post questions before the event, deserved to have their questions answered too — even if they couldn’t be online during the live webchat event.
Please build a Riviera and Regal coupe!
Please DO NOT build another buick regal, or a buick regal coupe for that matter. Keep away from that crap. It got you nowhere before, and it will get you nowhere now
I totally disagree. The new Buick Regal is probably going to be one of the better cars GM has made in a long time. It is just what GM needs. The older Regals didn’t really have the same appeal as the new one does. The new Regal is based on the Opel Insignia. Apparently in Europe it is a popular car. GM should do fairly well selling them. Its a totally different kind of car then the previous Regals. This time its sporty, has style, good looks an a good appeal. It should sell real well.
The new Regal is based on the Opel Insignia.
Why couldn’t GM just sell it here as an Opel Insignia? I admit I know a lot less about marketing than GM’s brand managers, but my simple country boy thinking says they’d do well to stress the car’s European roots and precise German engineering.
I think GM could have done very well with the Opel brand name here. Especially if they didn’t trumpet it as a GM product. People who don’t like GM would probably have bought Opel branded cars (assuming GM markets the options right).
I think GM made two HUGE mistakes with the Buick Regal. 1) Not bringing the Opel Insiginia OPC car here as is (with the 2.8L 325 HP V6) and 2) Refusing to bring diesels over to the US. I think if GM offered their customers with 150-250 HP Diesel engine options a lot of people would buy them after a test drive. Imagine the Insignia styling, 200-250 HP and 35+ MPG highway and 28+ MPG city. Anyone who thinks People wouldn’t buy them would be foolish.
At least GM is getting close to the mark with the 255 HP 4 cylinder. If they pumped 300 Hp out of it it would be more appealing to me. Though I’d rather the V6 Turbo.
I went to chevy dealer to buy a Silverado,but was told that because presently I don’t own a GM product I don’t qualify
for 2k loyalty discount. How stupid! if anything- GM should welcome ,make it easy and attract new customers or those like myself who in the past bought GM junk and had to turn to foreign brands but now want to take another look at GM.
I don’t own a GM product I don’t qualify for 2k loyalty discount.
Obviously then in GM’s eyes you are disloyal. If I were you, I’d head on over to the nearest Ford dealer. They won’ t treat you any worse.
I think GM used to offer a first time GM buyer’s discount. Though I’m not sure if they still offer it.
BTS,
If you own a Toyota you’re in luck. GM has announced they will give a $1,000 price break to any Toyota owner who comes in and buys a GM product. GM Offers Beleaguered Toyota Owners Incentives To Switch
Furthermore, GM, not wanting to look like vultures, is not going to advertise the deal on a national level. However, individual dealers and dealers groups may do so.
Here are the incentives noted:
* Toyota lease holders can get up to $1,000 in lease payments to terminate their Toyota lease and buy or lease a GM vehicle. It applies to Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles.
* Financing buyers can get 0% interest rates for 60 months on most GM vehicles.
* Cash buyers can get $1,000 down-payment assistance to get into a GM vehicle.
Just wish GM would save “Kappa” with the Nomad concept at the low end, and a Buick Vellite version at the high end. The Solstice drove great, but the insides looked like re-used wetsuit material. The Sky was marginally better.
Mr. Sweeney,
Still no reply from you on what exactly the tagline “Professional Grade” means.
I’d always assumed “professional grade” is synonymous with heavy duty and durable. Something that professional jobbers can count on not to break down when faced with a deadline, but after the last few GMC commercials I’ve seen, I’m not so sure that’s the case.
Can you please clear up my confusion and let us know the official GM definition of “Professional Grade?” I hope it’s more than just some clever marketing phrase a brand manager consultant advised you to use.
would like to know why a Company would invest so much into a BRAND like Saturn and just kill it!
that Brand was built with in the beginning with 6000 ppl and had alot of FANS ppl that loved them!
yall should have never killed the Dream! i say yall should rethink about what you have done to the
Company as it sits IDLE! after investing almost a billion dollars in it ! shame on yall! RE OLDS is rolling
in his Grave as we speak,and wasnt to happy about yall killing his Brand either!
My husband and I ordered a 2010 GMC Terrain in mid April. We are now told by our dealer at GMC in Auburn, WA that they do not know when or even if we will get one. We were under the impression that GMC was in the business of selling vehicles. All we get are excuses regarding this issue. So what actually is the reason you can’t get us what we ordered?