Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: One week after announcing GM departure, Mark LaNeve surfaces at Allstate]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/report-one-week-after-announcing-gm-departure-mark-laneve-surf/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/report-one-week-after-announcing-gm-departure-mark-laneve-surf/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/report-one-week-after-announcing-gm-departure-mark-laneve-surf/#commentsFiled under: , ,



When word got out that Mark LaNeve (right) was leaving General Motors effective October 15, we weren't at all sure where the soon-to-be-former exec was heading. The Wall Street Journal has finally let the cat out of the bag, reporting that LaNeve is leaving the auto business for a marketing gig at Allstate. LaNeve will sign on as the overseer of all marketing initiatives including brand stewardship, strategy and advertising, reporting only to CEO Thomas Wilson.

LaNeve leaves GM after five years as vice president of marketing and advertising. LaNeve was usurped by the General's own Bob Lutz, who semi-retired in April only to come back a couple months later to help strengthen the company's marketing and advertising initiatives. He is is being replaced as vice-president of U.S. sales by former Buick-GMC boss Susan Docherty.

While his new post at Allstate may not be as glamorous a job as being a VP at a major automaker, the insurer has recently made some hefty profits. The WSJ says Allstate raked in big bucks in the second quarter, after earlier getting hit hard by the economic downturn. In other words, LaNeve's company car perks might not be as generous, but he appears to be in Good Hands.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

REPORT: One week after announcing GM departure, Mark LaNeve surfaces at Allstate originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingallstateauto insuranceAutoInsurancecar insuranceCarInsurancefritz hendersonFritzHendersongeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmgood handsGoodHandsinsurancelaNevemark lanevemark lenevemarketingMarkLaneveTue, 13 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19193509/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/13/report-one-week-after-announcing-gm-departure-mark-laneve-surf/19193509/article-detail.xml 19193509 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/mark-laneve_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/mark-laneve.jpg <![CDATA[Fritz picks Susan Docherty to replace LaNeve]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/fritz-picks-susan-docherty-to-replace-laneve/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/fritz-picks-susan-docherty-to-replace-laneve/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/fritz-picks-susan-docherty-to-replace-laneve/#commentsFiled under: ,



Just last week we were chatting with Buick GMC General Manager Susan Docherty on the GM Fastlane Blog about our lack of confidence in the 2010 GMC Terrain, and now she's moved up to GM's Vice President of US sales. Docherty will replace the soon to be departed Mark LeNeve as sales VP and one of the General's executive team members on October 16. Docherty enters her new role with a wealth of experience including stints as general manager of Hummer and GM's western region. CEO Fritz Henderson used the press release (after the jump) to welcome Docherty to the exclusive executive club, adding "Susan will continue our progress and reinforce our focus to put the Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac customers first."

While we're sure Docherty is pretty damn pleased with her latest advancement, we're thinking she's got her work cut out for her. GM's US sales have been in a downward spiral for what seems like an eternity, and Docherty will either end her time as sales VP as the hero who helped reverse the decades-old trend or yet another executive who presided over the perpetual fall.

[Source: GM | Image Source: Chris McGrath/Getty]

Continue reading Fritz picks Susan Docherty to replace LaNeve

Fritz picks Susan Docherty to replace LaNeve originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsGeneralMotorsgmmark leneveMarkLenevepontiac buick gmcPontiacBuickGmcSusan DochertySusanDochertyThu, 08 Oct 2009 08:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19188481/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/08/fritz-picks-susan-docherty-to-replace-laneve/19188481/article-detail.xml 19188481 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/sd-620op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/sd-620op.jpg <![CDATA[GM considering new incentives like, but not exactly like, Hyundai Assurance program]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/gm-considering-new-incentives-like-but-not-exactly-like-hyunda/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/gm-considering-new-incentives-like-but-not-exactly-like-hyunda/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/gm-considering-new-incentives-like-but-not-exactly-like-hyunda/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



General Motors' sales for the month of February dropped by a gut-wrenching 53% versus February 2008, giving the General plenty of incentive to kick up, well, incentives. GM knows it has to do something more than the typical cash on the hood, 0% financing marketing initiatives, and it has looked at the Hyundai Assurance program for inspiration.

GM executive Mark LeNeve told Automotive News his company recognizes that the Hyundai program may be addressing sagging consumer confidence, but he doesn't like the fact that losing your job means you also lose your car. LeNeve also stated that he isn't sure the Hyundai Assurance program is the main reason that the Korean automaker's sales were up 14% for January, stating that a portion of the increase could be the result of deep discounts on 2008 models.

Then again, Hyundai had the third lowest decline in February of any major automaker, showing that its improved product lineup is likely being helped by clever incentives. For now, GM isn't divulging much in the way of details about its new incentive plans, but for the short term plans on extending its Presidents Day sale into March. Times may be tough right now, but it looks as if more automakers than just Hyundai are preparing creative incentive programs to move their metal.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd | Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty]

GM considering new incentives like, but not exactly like, Hyundai Assurance program originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gmhyundai assuranceHyundaiAssuranceincentivesmark leneveMarkLeneveWed, 04 Mar 2009 11:41:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1477712/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/03/04/gm-considering-new-incentives-like-but-not-exactly-like-hyunda/1477712/article-detail.xml 1477712 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/gmassure_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/gmassure_opt.jpg <![CDATA[GM to accelerate dealer consolidation]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/10/gm-to-speed-up-dealer-consolidation/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/10/gm-to-speed-up-dealer-consolidation/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/10/gm-to-speed-up-dealer-consolidation/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mark LaNeve,GM North America Vice President, Vehicle Sales, Service, Marketing.GM may have just half the market share it had 30 years ago, but the Detroit-based automaker still seems to have as many dealers as McDonald's has drive-thrus. The General has slashed more than 2,000 dealerships over the past 12 years, but the company will accelerate closings in order to right-size its sales outlets. GM closed 260 stores in 2007 and another 23 in January of this year, but according to Automotive News, the automaker still has a sizable 6,753 member dealer body. That number seems even higher when considering that US number two automaker Toyota makes do with only 1,445 retail locations.

Sales VP Mark LeNeve told Automotive News that GM has a lot of work ahead regarding dealer closings, and that the General will speed its efforts. While fewer dealers will likely mean that you'll have to drive a few miles further to get that Chevy or Cadillac you want, the remaining stores will make more money. (Or that's the general idea, at least.) Additional profits should enable dealers to spend more on advertising and facility upgrades to try and attract more customers.

[Source: Auto News (subs. req'd)]

GM to accelerate dealer consolidation originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Feb 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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