Centerfield
04-02-2005, 09:22 AM
As posted on the April 1st LA Car Blog (http://www.lacar.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=421):
TIRED OF NEGATIVE PRESS, GM BUYS PRIMEDIA
It may have all started at the LA Auto Show. General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz reportedly spoke to a small group of journalists at the show, and expressed some displeasure over a story he read on Chevrolet's new HHR. According to AutoWeek, Lutz informed the group, "I read [a news story] today that is the height of stupidity: 'GM's reply to the PT Cruiser, but it comes to the party at least three years late.' "I swear to God, some of your colleagues just don't understand this business, which doesn't prevent their busy fingers from moving over the keyboard."
As it turns out, the story on the HHR was by Motor Trend's Frank Markus, and the exact quote is: "The HHR is four years late to a party starting to break up in Chrysler showrooms, so don't pay over sticker for one." (MT, March 2005)
The dissatisfaction with sectors of the press took another turn, when GM's vice chairman showed up at a press conference at the New York Auto Show. According to ABC NewsTalk station WJR, a clearly frustrated Lutz lashed out, berating reporters for their alleged import bias and suggesting that the media is to blame for many of GM's problems.
Today, GM went a long ways toward fixing the problem by purchasing Primedia, Inc., the mega-media company that publishes Motor Trend, Automobile, European Car, IntelliChoice Buyer's Guide, Truckin', and Lowrider magazines, among others. GM issued a press release stating, "We see no immediate changes taking place. We do, however, look forward to our new relationship with members of the automotive press."
The release goes on to state that if all goes well, they'll look into the propriety of other media investments, such as Hachette Filipacchi Media - the company that publishes Car and Driver and Road & Track magazines. "We will assess that possibility in exactly one year from today."
;)
TIRED OF NEGATIVE PRESS, GM BUYS PRIMEDIA
It may have all started at the LA Auto Show. General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz reportedly spoke to a small group of journalists at the show, and expressed some displeasure over a story he read on Chevrolet's new HHR. According to AutoWeek, Lutz informed the group, "I read [a news story] today that is the height of stupidity: 'GM's reply to the PT Cruiser, but it comes to the party at least three years late.' "I swear to God, some of your colleagues just don't understand this business, which doesn't prevent their busy fingers from moving over the keyboard."
As it turns out, the story on the HHR was by Motor Trend's Frank Markus, and the exact quote is: "The HHR is four years late to a party starting to break up in Chrysler showrooms, so don't pay over sticker for one." (MT, March 2005)
The dissatisfaction with sectors of the press took another turn, when GM's vice chairman showed up at a press conference at the New York Auto Show. According to ABC NewsTalk station WJR, a clearly frustrated Lutz lashed out, berating reporters for their alleged import bias and suggesting that the media is to blame for many of GM's problems.
Today, GM went a long ways toward fixing the problem by purchasing Primedia, Inc., the mega-media company that publishes Motor Trend, Automobile, European Car, IntelliChoice Buyer's Guide, Truckin', and Lowrider magazines, among others. GM issued a press release stating, "We see no immediate changes taking place. We do, however, look forward to our new relationship with members of the automotive press."
The release goes on to state that if all goes well, they'll look into the propriety of other media investments, such as Hachette Filipacchi Media - the company that publishes Car and Driver and Road & Track magazines. "We will assess that possibility in exactly one year from today."
;)