Filed under: Etc., MPG, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC
New GM ads focus on fuel economy
GM has decided that the fuel economy of its vehicles should be the main focus in its advertising, rather than attempts to merely buff its battered brand image. Even the luxury line, Cadillac, is talking up miles per gallon in its new ads. Take the CTS, for instance. Please. It is capable of a somewhat surprising 26 mpg (on the highway, downhill, with a tailwind).
New "pump less and drive more" commercials will show the General's vehicles at the gas pump with the likes of Toyota, Ford, Mazda, and Chrysler to help try and make the point that their Pontiac, GMC, or Buick models either have better fuel economy or are capable of going farther on a fill up. GM hopes this will help slow the freefall its sales and stock price are currently experiencing. Yeah, that and $6,000 rebates (now without trade-ins!) ought to do the trick.
[Source: The Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dave 1:02PM (7/10/2008)
Notice they have the words "up to" above the 26mpg quote. They think the public is so stupid and will fall for this. They are going to have to change their mix drastically and fast if they want to stay in business. This is like the 70's all over again, resisting the obvious and trying to hang on to their old ways.
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Domenick Yoney 1:24PM (7/10/2008)
I added the text to the picture to illustrate the point. The ad campaign discussed is geared toward television
why not the LS2LS7? 2:09PM (7/10/2008)
As opposed to BMW's ads explaining they have 8 cars making 28mpg, omitting the "up to"?
Ridiculous haterade going on here.
I do find the ads emphasizing gas tank size (range) to be odd.
RSR 9:58AM (7/11/2008)
According to you, Dave, every automaker must think we're all stupid since every automaker does the same marketing. So why only pick on GM?
ford 1:02PM (7/16/2008)
don't be a hater because you're not a uaw member!
ford 12:45PM (7/16/2008)
some people have bigger feet than others!
tnakd0g 1:14PM (7/10/2008)
All I've seen this year from GM is commercials for their vaporware hybrid products and flex fuel vehicles. What's new here?
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Joey 1:21PM (7/10/2008)
Let's not knock Caddy so fast. Find someone with the car and ask them. FACT, my 97 Crown Vic gets in the mid 20's with the a/c on.
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Wise Golden 10:09PM (7/10/2008)
My wife's DHL (Full Size Caddy) with North Star gets 24. Best car that we've ever had. Not sure why people seem so hateful towards GM.
ford 1:03PM (7/16/2008)
u got a four cylinder in it? last time i checked consumer reports avg mpg was 15mpg with a v8!!!!
Jimmy 1:44PM (7/10/2008)
Why so skeptical on the 2008 EPA numbers ? Is there cause to think the EPA numbers are wrong or can you just not contain your GM hatred today ?
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Domenick Yoney 1:51PM (7/10/2008)
Not so much hatin' as just having a little fun at their expense. Actually, I think 26 on the highway is probably reasonably accurate. City mileage isn't that great but for a Caddy, it's not so bad.
Joce03 4:36PM (7/10/2008)
In my opinion, it's not so much "GM hatred" as poking fun at the fact that you are using MPGs to sell a vehicle who's fuel consumption should not be a selling point. Its a Cadillac. It is a status symbol, a luxury vehicle, and to some extent a sports sedan. And, I would have the same opinion is the car maker in question was BMW, Chrysler, Merc or Audi.
Having said that, if they offered the CTS with a diesel capable of high 30s MPG that would be an other story.
ford 1:00PM (7/16/2008)
somebody told him japan makes better cars. To bad the same old lazy americans are bolting them together to avoid tariffs!
me2 1:56PM (7/10/2008)
26 MPG is the EPA highway rating for a CTS. Nothing to do with a tailwind or driving downhill. Its better than a Honda Element.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2008_Cadillac_CTS.shtml
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2008_Honda_Element.shtml
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Joce03 4:38PM (7/10/2008)
A Honda Element is a pretty big vehicle! Apples and oranges?
RSR 9:54AM (7/11/2008)
Element is only a 4-cylinder with 166 hp and weighs about 400 lb less than CTS. Only strengthens the case, doesn't it?
SkiD666 9:58AM (7/11/2008)
CTS is a car,
Element is a CUV.
CTS is rated 18/26 mpg,
Element is rated 20/25 mpg
CTS weighs 3900 lbs,
Element weighs 3600 lbs.
CTS has a 300 HP, V6
Element has a 160 HP, I4
Even though it's apples to oranges, don't you think that the lighter vehicle with smaller engine should get better gas mileage?
ford 1:02PM (7/16/2008)
my 1994 olds 88 with a 3.8l six averages 26 mpg!
brn 1:58PM (7/10/2008)
I really don't understand many of the comments in this blog.
The EPA numbers are the most consistent measurement available.
Caddy is advertising their highway mpg? Who isn't? The "article" simply used Caddy as an example of a luxury brand. I don't see the need to condemn.
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