General Motors Co. is starting a campaign today aimed at selling GM models to owners of 2.3 million Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles that are subject to a recall because accelerator pedals may stick.
The program, which runs until the end of February, follows GM dealers receiving "thousands of calls" from Toyota customers who were concerned or wanted help buying a GM model, Steve Hill, general manager of retail activities for the Detroit-based automaker, said in an interview. The program is available on most Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC models.
The incentives may help GM vie with Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. for customers after Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, halted sales of eight models including the top-selling Camry and Corolla cars. GM Chief Executive Officer Ed Whitacre has said his company must sell more vehicles to make a profit this year.
"This is a good move by GM," said auto analyst John Wolkonowicz of IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts. "This helps GM because while its quality is quite good and much improved, it hasn’t received the public accolades that Honda, Ford and Hyundai have."
U.S. law required Toyota to stop sales of the eight models until it fixes the "dangerous" pedal flaw, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today. Toyota made that move yesterday and also ordered a halt in production.
'Reasonable Request’
"Safe and high-quality transportation is a reasonable request from a customer," said Susan Docherty, head of GM’s U.S. sales and marketing. "We want to be able to provide peace of mind to customers and all of our vehicles are safe."
Toyota spokesman Mike Michels didn’t immediately return a phone call seeking a comment.
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