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November 15, 2010
www.usedcarnews.com
All Pontiacs Declared Used Cars By David Piestrzynski
There’s no such thing as a new Pontiac. Following the brand’s elimination, which became effective Nov. 1, all Pontiac vehicles on dealers’ lots will be sold as used regardless of ownership history. General Motors ended the brand’s production after 84 years due to declining sales. Some dealers are concerned about the company’s decision to declare all Pontiacs used vehicles. “I don’t see how you can call a car used when it has no title,” said Jack Fitzgerald, owner of Fitzgerald Auto Mall, which is composed of 15 new- and used-car stores in Florida, Maryland and Pennsylvania. He said consumer interest in Pontiac at his stores has diminished in recent years. “Things just haven’t been good for a long time,” Fitzgerald said. “The demand just hasn’t been there.” He has reduced his Pontiac
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inventory over the past few years, and still has a handful of “new” vehicles in stock. Other retailers expect a continued demand for Pontiac vehicles on the usedcar market. Wayne Elhart, owner of Elhart Automotive Campus in Holland, Mich., said the vehicles have been great on the used-car market, and expects things to remain that way. Donavan Bertsch, president of Theel Inc., a Bottineau, N.D., company that operates several newcar franchises, said Pontiac has always been a hit in his market, and that demand increased when the announcement to discontinue the brand was made. “Within six months, we were out of them,” Bertsch said. He said after selling new Pontiac vehicles for 30 years, he has seen the customer base build up. “The market has always held true for Pontiac here in the Midwest,” Bertsch said. He said he’s anticipating that loyalty to the brand to remain, with parts and service still available for Pontiac vehicles. “It’s the same as what we saw with Oldsmobile,” Bertsch said. There were 3,052 certified pre-owned Pontiacs sold in October, according to AutoData Corp. That’s up from 2,659 in October 2009. There have been 32,431 certified Pontiacs sold through October.
END OF THE ROAD: The last 100 2010 Pontiac G6 sedans move down the line at General Motors Orion Assembly Nov. 25, 2009 in Orion Township, Mich.These were the final Pontiac vehicles GM produced.
GM Names Used Vehicle Director
Jennifer Costabile has been named General Motors’ general director of used vehicle activities and marketing, fleet and commercial operations. In this role, she is responsible for GM’s remarketing activities and certified used operations, and leading the fleet and commercial organization’s advertising and marketing. She reports to Brian Small, general manager of fleet and commercial operations. In a career spanning more than 25 years, Costabile has experience Jennifer throughout General Motors. Costabile She has predominately worked in the field on sales, service and parts, as well as working directly with dealers to improve dealer relations, product and marketing effectiveness, and developing the overall dealer network. Prior to her current position, Costabile served as general sales manager of Buick/GMC, where she was responsible for sales and dealer interaction for Buick and GMC vehicles in the U.S. Costabile holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A from New York Institute of Technology at Westbury.
IN THIS ISSUE • ADESA is adding several auctions through acquisitions. – Page 3
• Indiana names its Quality Dealer of the Year. – Page 6
• Prices at auction remained high last month. – Page 5
• Buy-here, pay-here dealers share their best practices. – Page 8