GM Europe Offers Extended Test Drives of Three-Days

GENEVA March 2, 2005; Erica Bulman writing for the AP reported that General Motors Corp., the world's largest automaker, is allowing potential European customers three-day test drives of its Opel and Vauxhall autos so motorists can "experience a car firsthand."

The moves come as GM is trying to improve results from its European operations where losses widened to $742 million in 2004, compared with a loss of $286 million in 2003. GM announced in October plans to cut roughly 20 percent of its work force in Europe -- about 12,000 jobs -- by the end of 2006 in hopes of saving about $600 million a year.

About 35,000 test cars will be made available for the extended tests in about 40 European countries, the company said Tuesday at the annual Geneva International Motor Show.

"We know how good our cars are," said GM Europe Chairman Fritz Henderson. "Trade journalists have confirmed what we know, and now drivers all across Europe have the chance to see and experience it themselves."

The campaign will last for three months, but start dates will vary in each country. Opel has already kicked off the campaign in Germany, where 30,000 extended test-drives have been conducted.

"The joy of driving isn't something you can get from a catalog," said Alain Visser, head of European marketing at Opel. "Quality and versatility can't be experienced through TV commercials. That's why we want to put drivers all over Europe behind the wheels of our cars."

GM said more drivers have been buying Opel and Vauxhall cars recently, which is "clearly reflected in the significant increase in new car registrations." There will also be a series of new Opel models this year.