Filed under: Green, Marketing/Advertising, GM
GM may not break up with Big Oil on TV after all
Well, that breakup didn't last long. It seems that GM is looking to get back together even before it parted ways with Big Oil. We wonder, however, just how apt Big Oil will be to take GM back. Remember, it was just the other day that the General decided to bolster its green credentials by announcing the split would take place in an upcoming TV commercial. According to GM spokeswoman Kelly Cusinato, though, GM's marketing department is still tweaking the television spot, and might choose not to run it at all. The commercial was expected to air this weekend and possibly appear afterwards on Discovery's newly launched eco-friendly channel, Planet Green.
Perhaps GM's corporate marketing Director Katherine Benoit didn't realize how big of a story this would turn out to be. The Chevy Volt is still a few years away and GM's going to need to sell more SUVs until then, so perhaps the Dear John letter was a wee bit premature.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mike 8:42AM (6/18/2008)
Like anyone ever had any doubts about GM and oil.
This thing goes deeper than the biggest conspiracy theorists might picture.
By the way....do you now see why people are not buying GM's green image and "green" vehicles?
This is why GM offers $4,000 discount on HYBRID Tahoe.
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Pete 8:47AM (6/18/2008)
You're an idiot!
Yar 8:57AM (6/18/2008)
I am a proud member of the VRWC.
On second thought, I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of, or my participation in, a group/organization of that name.
purecoda 8:50AM (6/18/2008)
"I wish I could quit you."
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Kaptain75329 10:23AM (6/18/2008)
The line is:
"I wish I knew how to quit you."
I bet GM wishes they knew how to do that right now.
purecoda 11:01AM (6/18/2008)
And now we know who's seen the movie, and who hasn't.
;-)
Kaptain75329 12:04PM (6/18/2008)
The things we do for chicks.
Shoot me now please. :-P
inteller 1:33PM (6/18/2008)
Big Oil: "But you don't know how to quit me, so bend over bitch!"
mike 8:52AM (6/18/2008)
That may very well be, however it doesn't change the fact that GM has besically just admited that all this time they did not develop clean technology--FOR A REASON. They are in it together with big oil.
But i am sure reading this news makes that guy Driving his "HYBRID" Tahoe with 9 stikers that say HYBRID feel very bad about himself.
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mike 8:54AM (6/18/2008)
So who will be the first one to accuse me of being Toyota lover? Or an import lover (much safer attack)?
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Alex 8:59AM (6/18/2008)
Do car companies receive any kick backs or "r & d money" from the oil companies? Seriously. Everyone talks about how the two are in bed together but i'm a see it before i believe it kind of guy.
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mike 9:01AM (6/18/2008)
You make a good point, but GM refusing to air that ad...is that not part of SEEING?
I think it is.
Yar 9:04AM (6/18/2008)
No offense mike, but there's a difference between circumstantial evidence and proof.
Disgruntled Goat 9:06AM (6/18/2008)
There are many examples but this is a classic:
http://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/a/streetcars.htm
Yar 9:22AM (6/18/2008)
This is from the bio of the author of that article:
"Protecting and preserving our natural environment is a matter of life and death for every creature on Earth and all future generations. Our ability to use resources without depleting them, to function as part of a sustainable ecosystem, and to serve as responsible environmental stewards is critical. My goal is to help you get the information you need to make effective decisions about key environmental issues, from national policies and global initiatives to personal lifestyle choices."
The man has an agenda, it's no surprise he's putting pieces together that don't fit.
Tai 10:11AM (6/18/2008)
@mike,
I actually visited one of the Toyota plants in 2002 when I was studying there. They sat some of my friends in a conference room with them and allowed us to ask them question. Somehow the conversation shifted to Hybrid technology and one of the corporate guy told us this wasn't a new concept and that they have been working on it for quite some time. However, they were getting resistance from the global community....which included oil companies. I actually sat my camcorder on the table and video taped the whole conference. ^^
I wouldn't say they were in bed with the oil companies but there's no doubt the oil companies can put pressure on just about anyone they want.
Disgruntled Goat 9:01AM (6/18/2008)
For anyone who is intimate with GM's history and how much effort they put into promoting gasoline powered transportation and killing mass transit, this whole break up with Big Oil reeks of hypocrisy. GM wouldn't be where they are today (or were when they ruled the landscape) without their life partner Big Oil.
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Pete 9:12AM (6/18/2008)
Our way of life wouldn't be around without oil. Oil is used in everything besides automobiles. Where do all these idiots come from...
GM didn't kill mass transit...consumers did...it was what they/we wanted.
Kimura 9:31AM (6/18/2008)
You talk as though no other car company relies on oil products for their cars to run. hate to break it to you, but Toyota's Tundra and Sequioa aren't exactly fuel sippers.
And it's not even bigger picture. All cars on the market today use oil-based products, both gasooline to run them and oil to keep tthem lubricated.
Parkerman 12:15PM (6/18/2008)
Kimura ^
Yea, but see.. the other companies haven't tried to BS it and say they are breaking up with oil... Like GM was going to do.