We've uploaded the court document which you can take a look at here. The WSJ also has a copy here if ours is too "racy" for ya!

Rick_Fan_001: I shit you not
wertraym: Of course they do — are they all wearing golf slacks and green sport coats?
wertraym: with white patent leather shoes?
Rick_Fan_001: of course
Rick_Fan_001: now they are juggling
Rick_Fan_001: and balancing objects on their faces
Rick_Fan_001: like bowling pins
Rick_Fan_001: dide - best part is I got this entertainment for free
wertraym: Is this the National Auto Dealers Association keynote by Rick Wagoner or the Barnum & Brothers Circus?
Rick_Fan_001: they are still balancing plates to the song flight of the bumblbee
Rick_Fan_001: I wish the transformer bumblebee would show up and fry these guys
wertraym: Maybe I'll just post this back-and-forth, kinda like a live-blog
Rick_Fan_001: wagoner in a yellow camaro
Rick_Fan_001: that would be killer
wertraym: Wagoner in a yellow Camaro, or posting this as a live-blog?
Rick_Fan_001: now six plates are going at once on poles
Rick_Fan_001: this rocks
Rick_Fan_001: hahahah
Rick_Fan_001: wait they are going for 7 plates
wertraym: Holy cow, the insanity
Rick_Fan_001: 60 yr old cheerleader is asking the crowd to go wild and cheer for plate 7
Rick_Fan_001: I kid you not
wertraym: I'm not sure I believe you
Rick_Fan_001: crap... a plate fell
wertraym: Did it break?!?!
wertraym: Oh noes!
Rick_Fan_001: no, just a thud
wertraym: Oh.
Rick_Fan_001: obviously not chinese made
wertraym: Anti-climactic
Rick_Fan_001: 60 yr old cheerleader is dancing now
wertraym: I can hardly contain my excitement.
Rick_Fan_001: shes jumping up and down and blowing on the plates to make them go around
wertraym: It's a 60-year-old female cheerleader?
Rick_Fan_001: Im getting hot...whoops wrong IM window
wertraym: Great...
wertraym: Is Wagoner actually going to speak,or is this some big tease?
Rick_Fan_001: I think they are wrapping it up
Rick_Fan_001: big finale coming
Rick_Fan_001: wait for it
Rick_Fan_001: wait for it
Rick_Fan_001: 9 plates!!!!
Rick_Fan_001: yes!
wertraym: No drops?
Rick_Fan_001: nope
Rick_Fan_001: they are catching them now
Rick_Fan_001: they are playing a polka
Rick_Fan_001: taking a bow
Rick_Fan_001: gotta save battery
Rick_Fan_001: be right back
wertraym: K
* Offline: Rick_Fan_001 has signed out.
* Online: Rick_Fan_001 has signed back in.
Rick_Fan_001: second act on stage
Rick_Fan_001: magician
wertraym: OMG!
Rick_Fan_001: they are tangoing
wertraym: Ask him to pull some car and truck sales out of a hat for GM
Rick_Fan_001: magician and his asst
Rick_Fan_001: he reaching into his hat
Rick_Fan_001: his blue gloves just turned red
Rick_Fan_001: now they are green
Rick_Fan_001: now they are yellow
wertraym: WOWZ!
Rick_Fan_001: wow
Rick_Fan_001: his asst just changed into clothes instantly
Rick_Fan_001: from red dress to yellow
wertraym: Was she out of clothes?
Rick_Fan_001: they are called 'QUick Change'
Rick_Fan_001: cuban music playing
Rick_Fan_001: Cuban Pete
Rick_Fan_001: singing chick chicky boom
Rick_Fan_001: asst just pulled out fake flowers
Rick_Fan_001: she has a giant tube
Rick_Fan_001: wow - big flowers in the tube
Rick_Fan_001: WoW - cool trick
wertraym: I'll be she does have a giant tube
Rick_Fan_001: new chick , other asst just disappeared
Rick_Fan_001: nice job
Rick_Fan_001: haha
Rick_Fan_001: he has a bottle of absithe
Rick_Fan_001: and monks are singing in the background
wertraym: Monks?
wertraym: So its not a Jewish magician?
Rick_Fan_001: heh
Rick_Fan_001: one sec
Rick_Fan_001: I'm mezmoreized
Rick_Fan_001: wow her dress just turned from blue to purple
Rick_Fan_001: now hes in a white outfit
Rick_Fan_001: so many clothes changes
Rick_Fan_001: now shes in a black and white polka dot dress
Rick_Fan_001: now its orange
Rick_Fan_001: I cant keep up
Rick_Fan_001: holy crap
wertraym: So like Rick Wagoner — a one-trick pony
Rick_Fan_001: he just spilled glitter on her and her dress turned white
Rick_Fan_001: Ed Sullivan is back on stage
Rick_Fan_001: he says they are opening up a strip malle
Rick_Fan_001: mall
Rick_Fan_001: get it - a strip mall cause the dresses were changing so fast
Rick_Fan_001: ed is doing impressions
Rick_Fan_001: Nor Cal resident
Rick_Fan_001: Clint Eastwood as a baby doing a poem
Rick_Fan_001: Im a little baby that you still have to carry - and I call my diaper Dirty Harry
Rick_Fan_001: I shit you not
Rick_Fan_001: Jack Nicholson now
wertraym: What the hell is this?
Rick_Fan_001: Its all visua
wertraym: NADA or talent search?
Rick_Fan_001: visual
Rick_Fan_001: Oh man, here come the Beatles
Rick_Fan_001: she loves you ya ya yah
Rick_Fan_001: these guys are good
Rick_Fan_001: best part of the show
Rick_Fan_001: george harrison guy is a dead ringer
Rick_Fan_001: no pun intended
Rick_Fan_001: I'll stay away from Lennon jokes
wertraym: What the fuck?
Rick_Fan_001: Im anonymous here
wertraym: This NADA has warped my fragile little mind.
Rick_Fan_001: dude, and youre not here
Rick_Fan_001: gotta save battery
Rick_Fan_001: and clap over my head
Rick_Fan_001: whole crowd is doing it
Rick_Fan_001: now were going to stand
wertraym: Oy.
Rick_Fan_001: and clap with beatles
* Offline: Rick_Fan_001 has signed out.
* Online: Rick_Fan_001 has signed back in.
Rick_Fan_001: welcome speech finally
* Offline: Rick_Fan_001 has signed out.
* Online: Rick_Fan_001 has signed back in.
Rick_Fan_001: NADA chairman Dale Willy is speaking about profitability
Rick_Fan_001: standby
wertraym: k
Rick_Fan_001: introducing NADA exec committee
Rick_Fan_001: about 10 to 15 away from Rick W
wertraym: Woo-HOO! More magic tricks!
Rick_Fan_001: Im missing those more and more
Rick_Fan_001: be back
* Offline: Rick_Fan_001 has signed out.
* Online: Rick_Fan_001 has signed back in.
Rick_Fan_001: product info gathered under real world, daily conditions from dealers is valuable to manufacturers - it's free
Rick_Fan_001: quoting Bill Daily - NADA chair ( I need to check that though)
Rick_Fan_001: justifying role of dealers
Rick_Fan_001: should be partners with manufacturers
Rick_Fan_001: not just when there are slow selling cars
Rick_Fan_001: but before cars get off the drawing boards
Rick_Fan_001: car mfgrs are not always fair to all dealers
Rick_Fan_001: dealers should be treated as partners in govt affairs
Rick_Fan_001: help shape legislation
wertraym: Well, that would make sense if dealers could keep their big mouths shut about product planning
wertraym: Yes, dealers should do EVERYTHING — except, you know, sell cars.
Rick_Fan_001: legislators have found that NADA fills a valuable spot between mfgrs, govt and consumers
wertraym: blah, blah, blah...
Rick_Fan_001: NADA understands and can communicate realistic remedies for legislation on behalf of consumers and auto makers
wertraym: NADA=greatest thing since sliced bread
Rick_Fan_001: fed govt officials are here to talk to regulators one on one
Rick_Fan_001: its the chairman of NADA ... need to get his name checked
Rick_Fan_001: we the deales are the point where teh consumers, automakers, and congress interesect. we're uniquiely qualified to unite these sectors
Rick_Fan_001: our role will become even more critical over the next 100 years
Rick_Fan_001: no one means more to the future than we do
wertraym: haha
Rick_Fan_001: its a big responsibiltiy and we;re up to the task
Rick_Fan_001: standing up now
wertraym: Yes — no one means more to the future of cars than NADA
Rick_Fan_001: ok, next speakinger coming up
Rick_Fan_001: theme this year is 'focus on profitability'
Rick_Fan_001: 700 exhibitors
Rick_Fan_001: 5 halls
Rick_Fan_001: 40 workshop topics
Rick_Fan_001: 145 work sessions
Rick_Fan_001: half the speakers are new this year
Rick_Fan_001: acn get workshop certificates online for attending 4 or more workshops
Rick_Fan_001: 35 countries
Rick_Fan_001: 1500 foreign attendees
Rick_Fan_001: NADA goes back to New Orleans next year
Rick_Fan_001: first time since Katrina
Rick_Fan_001: video of 2008 convention highlights being shown
Rick_Fan_001: Rick coming up soon
Rick_Fan_001: Time Magzine Dealer of the Year award too
Rick_Fan_001: and Jay Leno
Rick_Fan_001: Dale Willar is speaking
Rick_Fan_001: introducing Rick
Rick_Fan_001: Dale Willard is introducing Rick Wagoner
Rick_Fan_001: Wishing GM a 100 year happy birthday
Rick_Fan_001: video highlights of GM
Rick_Fan_001: history
Rick_Fan_001: GM design defines an era
Rick_Fan_001: tech firsts
Rick_Fan_001: getting closer
Rick_Fan_001: today is Rick's Birthday
Rick_Fan_001: he is being introduced still
Rick_Fan_001: youngest CEO in GM history
Rick_Fan_001: rick is on stage
Rick_Fan_001: great to be here
Rick_Fan_001: on his birthday
Rick_Fan_001: laughter
Rick_Fan_001: he's been to NADA every year since 2004
Rick_Fan_001: since he came back stateside
wertraym: Happy Birthday Rick!
Rick_Fan_001: yep
wertraym: Happy Birthday GM!
wertraym: Will they have a big cake?
Rick_Fan_001: rick did a keynote here back in 2001
Rick_Fan_001: dealers and OEMs need to work together - predicted rate of change would accelerate
Rick_Fan_001: its even more than he imagined
Rick_Fan_001: pretty incredible to consider all the challenges faced over the past 7 years, like 9/11
Rick_Fan_001: like 100/barrell oil
Rick_Fan_001: bankruptcy from suppliiers
Rick_Fan_001: economoic challenges
Rick_Fan_001: runaway health care inflation
Rick_Fan_001: dealer challenges, like profitability and industry consolidation
Rick_Fan_001: talked about dealers and OEMs working together
Rick_Fan_001: example: automotive youth education program
Rick_Fan_001: Jack Smith proposed it
Rick_Fan_001: OEMs and dealers should work together to create an apprentice program for service techs
wertraym: OMG! This is like, riveting and stuff...
Rick_Fan_001: that's what Jack Smith proposed
wertraym: Yes, OEM's should work by themselves to do the dealers job for them
Rick_Fan_001: hey - its an example of OEMs and Dealers working closely together
Rick_Fan_001: 4,500 dealers are participing...impacted 13,000 lives of skilled auto techs
wertraym: The dealers should bear the ability to intervene in the decisions of the automaker and yet take on none of the responsibilities.
Rick_Fan_001: ongoing consolidation of dealers is next topic
wertraym: Oh good
Rick_Fan_001: has to be a mutual decision between OEMs and dealers...deales leaving the industry should be able to leave with dignity
wertraym: And how they'd rather all die of gonorrhea and rot in hell than do it?
wertraym: ha!
wertraym: Dignity?
wertraym: That which they've never provided to customers they now want?
Rick_Fan_001: find mutually agreeable ways to do this
Rick_Fan_001: that must happen
Rick_Fan_001: justifying role of dealers
Rick_Fan_001: should be partners with manufacturers
Rick_Fan_001: not just when there are slow selling cars
Rick_Fan_001: but before cars get off the drawing boards
Rick_Fan_001: car mfgrs are not always fair to all dealers
Rick_Fan_001: dealers should be treated as partners in govt affairs
Rick_Fan_001: help shape legislation
wertraym: Well, that would make sense if dealers could keep their big mouths shut about product planning
wertraym: Yes, dealers should do EVERYTHING — except, you know, sell cars.
Rick_Fan_001: legislators have found that NADA fills a valuable spot between mfgrs, govt and consumers
wertraym: blah, blah, blah...
Rick_Fan_001: NADA understands and can communicate realistic remedies for legislation on behalf of consumers and auto makers
wertraym: NADA=greatest thing since sliced bread
Rick_Fan_001: fed govt officials are here to talk to regulators one on one
Rick_Fan_001: its the chairman of NADA ... need to get his name checked
Rick_Fan_001: we the deales are the point where teh consumers, automakers, and congress interesect. we're uniquiely qualified to unite these sectors
Rick_Fan_001: our role will become even more critical over the next 100 years
Rick_Fan_001: no one means more to the future than we do
wertraym: haha
Rick_Fan_001: its a big responsibiltiy and we;re up to the task
Rick_Fan_001: standing up now
wertraym: Yes — no one means more to the future of cars than NADA
Rick_Fan_001: ok, next speakinger coming up
Rick_Fan_001: theme this year is 'focus on profitability'
Rick_Fan_001: new fuel legislation was a good example of join NADA cooperation with OEMs
Rick_Fan_001: NADA played a key role
Rick_Fan_001: big warning on the hurdles that need to be overcome by 2020
Rick_Fan_001: work reminds him of a story of a cowboy that went before St. Peter
Rick_Fan_001: St Peter asked if he had done something of particular merit
wertraym: BTW — this is all live on site right now
Rick_Fan_001: cowboy : bikers were harrassing a girl and he said dont do that. cowboy knocked over a bkier bike
Rick_Fan_001: St peter said when did this happen?
Rick_Fan_001: cowboy - a few minutes ago
Rick_Fan_001: unlike cowboy, we want to live to tell the tale
Rick_Fan_001: bring succsfully to maket a new range of propulsion technologies
Rick_Fan_001: focus on gas friendly to gas free
Rick_Fan_001: like Volt
Rick_Fan_001: as we bring these new technologies to market, we'll change the way people think about transportation
wertraym: From gas friendly to gas free?
wertraym: From Beano to gas free?
Rick_Fan_001: this is a huge assignemnt as we work together to bring the technoglogy to market and sell and aservice it
Rick_Fan_001: 2 areas of big focus to work together on NOW
Rick_Fan_001: NADA and OEMs
Rick_Fan_001: 1) first workt together for right regulatory environment to reduce growth of US oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
Rick_Fan_001: some states want to go beyond federal regulation
Rick_Fan_001: but the fact is we should be focuseed on national standards, not states
Rick_Fan_001: it would fragment our efforts to achieve end results
wertraym: God forbid we'd fragment it
Rick_Fan_001: in short we need to work together to educate state and local lawmakers on the important of tough national satandards
wertraym: God forbid some states would want to get SOME legislation enacted
Rick_Fan_001: 2) reduce oil consumption by fostering creation of infracsturure needed to implement alt energy solutions
Rick_Fan_001: charging stations
Rick_Fan_001: hydrogen refueling infrastructure
Rick_Fan_001: today we need ethanol pumps to support flex fuel vehicles
Rick_Fan_001: but its hard to make this happen
Rick_Fan_001: take E85...we've taken the chicken out of the chicken and egg problem
wertraym: I can't drive E85!
Rick_Fan_001: we're making flex fuel
wertraym: Flex your fuel, GM!
Rick_Fan_001: E85 is ramping up, but we're doing a lousy job making E85 available to consumers
Rick_Fan_001: despite best efforts
Rick_Fan_001: dealers and OEMs need to workt togehter to push E85 acceptance
Rick_Fan_001: wrapping it up now
Rick_Fan_001: appealing for dealers and OEMs to continue to work hard at working together
wertraym: Dealers and OEM's, living together in perfect harmony!
wertraym: Like fucking Ebony and Ivory
Rick_Fan_001: we have the ability to solve great problems
Rick_Fan_001: domestic mfgrs have been restructuring and are better able to compete globally
Rick_Fan_001: we stand at a time of great dynamic change
Rick_Fan_001: success comes to those who lead
Rick_Fan_001: looks forward to working with dealers in the days and years to come
Rick_Fan_001: thats it
wertraym: Success comes to those who lead?
* Offline: Rick_Fan_001 has signed out.
wertraym: So does that mean Toyota is succeeding?
wertraym: Crap, now we'll never know.

HUMMER H3 Right-Hand-Drive Unveiled

* Premiere at the opening of new HUMMER showroom in the United Kingdom
* Assembly in GM's Struandale plant in South Africa
* Start of sales in summer 2007

DETROIT - Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman, global product development, unveiled a prototype right-hand-drive H3 during the opening ceremony of a new HUMMER facility in Manchester, UK. "HUMMER's iconic design and unparalleled off-road capabilities appeal to a wide audience globally. We are determined to build upon the brand's unique recognition in Europe and especially here in the UK," said Lutz.

The right-hand-drive HUMMER H3 will be assembled at GM's Struandale plant in South Africa and will be available in other right-hand-drive markets, such as South Africa, Australia and Japan.

GM acquired the rights to the HUMMER brand in late 1999. The H3 made its debut in North America in May 2005 and helped make HUMMER one of the fastest-growing truck brands in the United States by the end of 2006. With its smaller, more efficient package, the H3 made the brand accessible to more customers, while still retaining the characteristics that make a HUMMER unique: iconic design and unparalleled off-road performance.

In addition to growth in the United States, HUMMER has shown significant expansion around the globe. HUMMER sales grew nearly 34 percent globally in 2006, with 82,000 vehicles delivered, compared with 61,000 in 2005. This performance was paced by the continued strength of the HUMMER H3.

While all previous H3s have been assembled in GM's North American facility in Shreveport, Louisiana, the new international H3, intended for most markets outside of North America, is being assembled at the Struandale Assembly Facility in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where GM invested more than $100 million to prepare for production of the H3.

HUMMER H3

Since the beginning, HUMMER vehicles have been in a class of their own, with extreme style and capability, unmatched by the competition. The latest chapter in the story is the HUMMER H3, designed in response to demand from global markets for a premium everyday driving vehicle, offering the legendary HUMMER performance.

Developed for markets around the world and built in South Africa, the H3 embodies HUMMER's unique styling features and iconic shape. In addition, the H3 has a premium interior design and a 3.7-litre engine with the choice of a manual or automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system.

H3 packs its authentic HUMMER style and capability into more compact dimensions. Compared to the HUMMER H2, the H3 is 39 mm shorter, 171 mm lower and 73 mm narrower. Roughly the same length as a larger family saloon, H3 can navigate city traffic, yet still deliver HUMMER's trademark crawling and climbing capability off-road.

The 4,782 mm long HUMMER H3 is powered by General Motors's Vortec 3.7-litre engine with dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing. Specifically designed for this type of vehicle, it delivers 242 hp/180 kW at 5600 rpm and 328 Nm of torque at 4600 rpm.

H3 is the first HUMMER ever to offer the choice of a manual or an automatic transmission. In addition to the Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission is available, offering ultimate driver control.

At the heart of the HUMMER H3's capability is its electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. The system is augmented with traction control, an optional locking rear differential and StabiliTrak stability control, which is offered as standard. The H3 can ford 407 mm deep water at 32 km/h or 610 mm deep streams at an 8 km/h pace, and climb 407 mm vertical steps or rocks.

This off-road performance is also aided by the "wheel at each corner" design giving a maximum approach angle of 37.5 degrees and maximum departure angle of 35.5 degrees. These approach and departure angles permit the H3 to drive into a hole and back out again, without getting hung up at the front or the rear.

The H3's more compact size provides manoeuvrability advantages, such as an 11.3m turning circle, making equally easy work of parking manoeuvres or tight turns when off-roading. A 219 mm ground clearance and maximum breakover angle of 23.5 degrees make it possible to clear large obstacles in off-road driving.

Toyota Offering $2,000 To Dealers [Business Week]

Related:
Toyota Drops A Big And Heavy 2007 Tundra Full-Size On Dealers And Customers [internal]

Tesla Opening Electric Car Dealerships This Fall [Gizmodo]

Related:
New Mexico Gets Tesla "WhiteStar" Facility — To Produce An Electric Fusion?; Great Balls Of Lightning! Tesla Motors To Electrify Michigan On Tuesday? [internal]

...if you're in the market for a new vehicle and you're willing to take the 2006 model — you'll be able to get a helluva deal from your dealer. That is, if your dealer's looking to share that money — because anything not used out of the unadvertised "dealer incentive" goes right back into their pockets. That means there's now a good way to see if your Chrysler Group dealer's playing you a fair deal, or just playing you. – Ray Wert

$$$ for Chrysler dealers [Detroit News]

Related:
Chrylser, Chrysler, Pants On Fire!; Breaking! Whoa, Joe Shows Chrysler Group Sales That Don't Blow — DCX Up 4.7%, Beats Ford [internal]

GM 06-20
Date: August 25, 2006

To: All General Motors Dealers

From: William E. Powell
GM Vice President
Industry Dealer Affairs

Subject: Amendment 2006 Fuel Allowance Guidelines
Effective September 1, 2006


This bulletin replaces and supersedes GM Bulletin GM 06-19 dated August 18, 2006.

Recently we notified you of a change in policy to our fuel fill reimbursement based upon the changing business conditions and competitive environment. In so doing, it was not our intent that this would possibly be a cost transfer to our dealers or an impediment to customer satisfaction. It was rather a move to adjust to the marketplace.

Based upon the recommendation of the GM National Dealer Council and input from the Divisional and Regional Councils that a complete fuel fill was viewed as an integral element in the delivery of GM vehicles, we have decided to reinstate our fuel fill reimbursement program. We value and appreciate the input and support of our dealer body and our dealer council process.

This notice, therefore, will rescind the GM Bulletin GM 06-19 with respect to fuel allowance guidelines and will leave the policy as before, as communicated in GM Bulletin GM 06-17 dated July 19, 2006, and Saab Bulletin dated October 1, 2005. Further details regarding the 2007 Fuel Allowance Guidelines will be sent to you in a subsequent notice.

We continue to work diligently toward the turn around of GM and rely upon the finest dealers in the industry for advice, counsel and business results.

Related:
GM Says To Dealers: No Gas For You! [internal]

Date: August 18, 2006

To: All General Motors Dealers

From: William E. Powell
GM Vice President
Industry Dealer Affairs

Subject: 2006 Fuel Allowance Guidelines

Effective September 1, 2006

This bulletin replaces and supersedes GM Bulletin GM 06-17 dated July 19, 2006, and Saab's bulletin dated October 1, 2005.

Due to changing business conditions and competitive pressures, General Motors must continue to examine all areas of the business and implement solutions to increase revenues and reduce costs.

One of the changes that GM is implementing is to modify the way dealers are reimbursed for the cost of fuel. Beginning with vehicle deliveries to customers September 1, 2006, GM will reimburse dealers a flat rate for fuel expense for each retail delivery. For passenger cars, dealers will be reimbursed $20 per vehicle. For trucks, dealers will be reimbursed $30 per vehicle. By implementing this change to the fuel allowance policy, General Motors will be able to continue to support our dealers and customers while at the same time reduce cost.

A table is provided on the following page containing GM vehicles broken down into two groups, passenger car and light duty trucks. The two vehicle groups are based on the vehicle segmentation classification GM uses for Polk registration data. As new vehicles are added to the GM lineup, they will be classified as cars or trucks based on the existing segmentation scheme and reimbursed for fuel accordingly. As stated above, effective September 1, 2006 these vehicle groups will be used to determine the credits to dealer open accounts for fuel allowance. This change is effective for Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Cadillac, HUMMER, Saturn and Saab vehicle lines.

The change in fuel allowance also affects fleet orders. The Retail Amenities Delete Credit, (Option Codes V2G and TFD), will be adjusted effective with fleet orders received by GM beginning on September 1, 2006 to $20 for cars and $30 for trucks. Please take note that commitments on behalf of fleet customers, (e.g. Bid Assistance), or fleet orders received by GM prior to September 1st, will be honored at the retail amenities delete credit levels currently in effect.

While this represents a change to GM's policy, General Motors remains competitive in fuel reimbursement within the industry.

Related:
Hey Dealers! GM's Mark LaNeve Has A Great Opportunity For You! [internal]

Dear GM Dealers:

Here's a great opportunity! The date of the Summer 2006 NADA Dealer Attitude Survey administration has been extended through Friday, August 11, 2006. So, if you haven't had a chance yet to submit your feedback, please do so by directly linking to the Web site at...

...http://www.nadasurvey.com. If you've already turned in your survey, thank you for taking the time to do this.

There are a number of third-party sources we here at GM utilize to monitor the company's performance, but there's no better way than reviewing NADA survey results for us to understand how your customers are feeling and how you think we can continue to improve our mutual business. I assure you we take the survey seriously and spend significant time analyzing the results - and then acting on your feedback.

Importantly, remember, the more surveys we get, the more accurate the survey will be. So, I urge you to please take time to let us know what you think. Your feedback matters and will help keep us heading in the right direction.

Thanks for all your continued support.

Sincerely,

Mark LaNeve
GMNA Vice-President
Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing

Yes, we've got to say how sad it is that its so in need of positive reinforcement, the General needs to be upbeat and positive about a "Dealer Attitude Survey." Either that or folks in LaNeves office are all on Zoloft.

Related:
Broke? GM Fires Multibillion-Dollar Claim Against Delphi

...remained even-spoken in his description of service bulletins for BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, etc...when it comes to Honda, out come the smooches. His description starts as such:

"Though Hondas are known for trouble-free operation, there are exceptions..."

Yes, well the same holds true for many Buick, BMW, Chevy and Ford models with similar trouble-free operation, despite a few noted exceptions. Let's throw the Honda Accord and Ford Fusion down the gullet of NHTSA's TSB search tool and see what comes out the other end:

Honda Accord: 7 TSB results
Ford Fusion: 3 TSB results

Obviously TSBs can't determine what constitutes "trouble-free operation," but automakers — whether Japanese, American, German or even Swedish — have all improved reliability and increased mean time between failure (with the exception of Chery — who admit some "quality issues"). Is the Times falling back on old stereotypes to advance an argument when, as is the case here, one need not be made? We're just asking.

Service Bulletins Can Explain Repair Mysteries [NYT]

Related:
New Glitch for Ford GT: Oil Leaks [internal]

Full text of the memo after the jump:

Date: May 16, 2006

To: GM Dealer Network

Subject: VSSM and SPO Field Realignment and Leadership Announcements

Several months ago, we announced that we were planning to realign the VSSM and SPO field organization to support our U.S. Market Growth Plan and Channel strategy. This important initiative will positively impact the way that we interact with all of you on a daily basis, so I wanted to share the leadership structure and appointments with each of you.

Regional Sales and Marketing
Each region will have three Regional Sales and Marketing Managers (RSMMs)—-Chevrolet; Pontiac-Buick-GMC; and Premium-Saturn. The RSMMs will be responsible for the integration and implementation of the marketing and sales tactics for their brands in their region. They will report to the Regional General Manager, and work with their respective Divisional General Manager to ensure linkage to channel specific marketing initiatives. The Regional Divisional Marketing Managers (RDMMs) are aligned by channel and will report to the appropriate RSMM. Zone teams will call on dealers within a channel and will report to the RSMM for that channel. Saturn Market Area Managers and their teams will continue to report to the Saturn RDMM and Sales Manager, who will report to the Premium-Saturn RSMM, in recognition of the Saturn channel. Together, these changes will provide for better development, communication and implementation of our go-to-market strategies.

Customer Retention, Parts and Accessory Sales
Approximately three out of 10 new GM vehicle owners return to their GM dealership for vehicle maintenance. With the field realignment, we are taking steps to focus on customer retention and revenue opportunities so that more GM vehicle owners will return to you for their vehicle maintenance. Each region will have a Regional Service Development, Parts and Accessories Manager and an Assistant Regional Manager-Aftermarket. These positions will report through the Executive Director SPO-Field Operations and have a dotted-line relationship to the Regional General Manager. Duane Miller is appointed to the Executive Director position. The Regional Service Manager (RVM) position will continue to be part of each region and operate with its current responsibilities and reporting relationships, including an ongoing relationship with Peter Lord, Executive Director Service Operations. Together, these positions will lead our efforts with you to increase customer retention and grow parts and accessory sales.

Other Changes and Important Dates
We are now working to appoint dedicated zone teams to a single channel in terms of their assigned dealers. This will result in several new appointments at the zone and direct contact level. We are working to minimize the disruption to you and your business during the transition to this new structure, which we will begin operating under effective July 1. Our goal is to drive sales and service contacts and decisions on a channel basis, which should provide more focused support for your business.

Thank you for your hard work and contributions to helping us achieve GM's turnaround.

Sincerely,

Mark R. LaNeve
GMNA Vice President
North American Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing

Related:
GM Announces MSRP Cuts [internal]