Carmakers’ embrace of “employee discount pricing” this summer helped their short-term bottom line, but it hurt their brands in the process, according to a report on Forbes magazine’s website.


According to a survey by market researcher Branddimensions, consumers saw the ‘sweetheart’ terms from General Motors, Ford and, to a lesser extent, DaimlerChrysler as signs that their cars weren’t good enough to stand on their own. The ultimate result of the promotion was the widening of an already-existing gap in perceived quality between Detroit’s Big Three and their Japanese counterparts, the report said.


“People thought they were desperate to unload excess inventory,” Bradley Silver, CEO of Branddimensions, told Forbes.


According to the report, Branddimesnions said sales by the Big Three tumbled in September after rising over the summer. Also falling were consumer scores for brand image, quality, credibility and perceived resale value, among other attributes.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.