It feels like not a day goes by without reading about some new form of cost-cutting by the Detroit Three. Today’s casualty is Tiger Woods, or more specifically his endorsement deal with GM which ends prematurely this December 31, a year earlier than scheduled.
Tiger Woods has endorsed GM for the past 9 years and drives Buick vehicles such as the Buick Enclave as part of the deal. The deal is valued at US$40 million for 5 years, a contract which was renewed in 2005.
Woods was involved extensively in the launch of the Buick Rendezvous SUV in 2002 and apparently more than 130,000 of the SUV were sold in 2002 and 2003, which far exceeded forecasts. That sales success was attributed to Tiger Woods.
GM also grounded 2 more of their original 7 leased corporate jets, which were already down to 5 in September. This must be a big blow for big GM’s pride, having only 3 corporate jets in its fleet now.
GM, Ford and Chrysler attracted criticism when their company heads flew down to Washington D.C. in their luxury private jets to lobby the U.S. Congress for bailout money. Such irony. Democrat Gary Ackerman likened it to seeing a man in a high hat and a tuxedo working in a soup kitchen. I guess they’ll never learn.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
Kakakaka…how to endorse if no money?! Aisey, looks like Tiger needs to earn his cash in what he’s good at…back to green field ‘Alfred’!!
Oh! I bet Toyota is eyeing on him then…first, Britney…second, Orlando Bloom…next, Tiger Woods…yeaaahhh!!!
Pas ni Tiger Wood sponsored by Proton for their Proton MPV launch..
Lol.
Ye la tu…even GM paid him US$40 mil for 5 years…Proton nak bayar berapa? Let’s say half la, US$20 mil for 5 years…hmmm…bazir je la! Put that money back into RnD and put more effort on refinement quality department is much much better investment! I think la…
p/s: Duit kite wor (Our tax money)…buat aper bagi kat Tiger Woods….
marketing strategy je, at least masuk worldwide news proton sponsor tiger woods!
cheers~
Hahaha…
betul le tu… boleh gak tengok Tiger Woods bawak Proton pegi function ye tak…nak ke dier? Hahaha…
why can’t they fly 1st class?
good riddance! the sooner the better. if the big 3 is gone, there are always toyota and honda to fill up their shoes. oh no, don’t build dem mighty tastin’ light truck with V8 pushrods for these yanks. instead teach them how to cruise around in 1.5L cars instead.
Toyota also built big gas guzzler, like 2.7 L, 3 – 4 Litre cars/trucks/MPVs but she still enjoy her success. Why??? Good marketing strategy, instead of arogance/laziness. BTW, the vehicle beside TW is great, I like it.
just imagine the big three=proton. Only difference there when they have trouble beg for money ,congress deny. here, no money ask, gov give without thinking.
Actually there are lots of similar stuff proton and GM. At least proton started hearing what people wanted instead of making what they wanted people to buy.Still proton and GM make cars that are unreliable. Only difference I can see is the bigger you are the stronger the fall impact will be. Proton stumble a lot of times. We need japs running the world auto industry. Their method works
whos next to fall? lol.
Tiger cannot do much for GM image since he himself is out of action until early next year due to knee operation. Also not certain if he can maintain his past greatness in the future. Still even at half his best, he is still a fearsome competitor. Good time for Mercedes, BMW or Audi to take over from GM.
Biskut Tiger will will use Tiger woods now. Sekuat harimau !! poor tiger woods, ure the unluckiest person in the world.
today’s news says more players in the US motor industry are heading to Washington to request bailout. components manufacturer, workers assoc, etc. everyone. i bet they will not use the jets.
tiger woods: finally i can drive A lamborghini