GAC's guy at NAIAS (warning, minor political content)

"Dogapult" (dogapult) 01/22/2019 at 17:37 • Filed to: naias, GAC Motor, Politics

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So, I visited the NAIAS on MLK Day, and got to talk to some guys at GAC. (Could I have fit more acronyms into that line? maybe.)

Anyways, I recalled that NAIAS had featured this company for a few minutes now. Something about them supposedly coming out this year, I think. Honestly, they’re great looking cars. Seem like a good buy, potentially.

I asked a representative about when the cars were supposed to come out, and his response, well, it wasn’t exactly something I would have said as a rep for a company.

“So, I recall you guys being at the show for a few years now, but I haven’t heard anything about the cars actually hitting the street s! Do you have any idea when that’s planned to happen?”

“Well, We planned for it this year, but the plans had to be pushed back because of a speed bump. an orange speed bump. in the White House. With the tariffs put on Chinese made goods, We’re hoping to have the cars on the streets sometime in 2020, but we’ll have to see what happens with the orange speed bump.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that. So I asked a few questions about a couple of the cars in their booth. They didn’t have any ideas on pricing for any of them either, but kept touting how good-value they’d be.

Guy didn’t have a name tag on (Neither did any of the other GAC representatives) but regardless of one’s opinion on the presidency, that doesn’t seem like a good way to represent your business.

(I own none of these pictures. They’re from GAC’s facebook.)

Nibby > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 17:41

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GAC is really close to GTFAC

Textured Soy Protein > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 17:42

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I fully endorse the company guy’s low-key shade throwing.

PS9 > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 17:48

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Launching a new car brand requires years of work, billions of dollars, and is super stressful on everyone involved. I can’t blame him for being frustrated after hitting a stop sign so close to the finish line.

‘The orange speed bump' is far more charitable than I would have been. 

Svend > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 17:51

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Well, they could of skirted around it and you'd of been left wondering if that is what they meant or like he did, told you in a more direct but still relaxed way. 

Dogapult > Svend 01/22/2019 at 17:53

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“Unfortunately, the recent tariffs on Chinese-made goods have made it difficult for us to break into the market, so we’re seeing what we can do for the future.”
It’s not like it wouldn’t have been obvious to what he was referring, but I think overall that’s a pretty shitty way to say it.

Dogapult > PS9 01/22/2019 at 17:55

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More charitable than you would have been, as a random hired rep for an auto show for an automaker, to someone you didn’t know at all? I don’t know, seems like a poor way to interact with the general public.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 17:57

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Maybe not the least offensive way to go, but I’d actually appreciate the honesty, haha.

Any mainstream manufacturer would have given you a non- answer. “W e don’ t comment on future product development details, ” or something like that.

This guy simply answered your question, (maybe a little too) honestly .

Dogapult > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 01/22/2019 at 18:08

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“Unfortunately, the recent tariffs on Chinese-made goods have made it difficult for us to break into the market, so we’re seeing what we can do for the future.”

or even
“Unfortunately, the recent tariffs IMPOSED BY THE WHITE HOUSE etc.”
Calling the president of the United States an “orange speed bump” seems unprofessional at best.

WilliamsSW > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 18:11

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I don’t like the child living in the WH, either, but yeah, that’s a dumb comment by the GAC rep. You’re trying to gain interest in your cars, not make a political statement. 

Dogapult > WilliamsSW 01/22/2019 at 18:16

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It’s not like they’re someone who works for GAC all the time, either, to have proper animosity about this. They were most likely hired for the auto show, as 99% of auto show reps tend to be. I’m not interested in their opinion of the president.

WilliamsSW > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 18:23

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Whether they’re employees or just hired guns, it’s stupid.

Maybe even a little more stupid if they’re hired marketers. 

Dogapult > WilliamsSW 01/22/2019 at 18:24

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Agreed.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 18:30

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I suppose, but there is no question who these tariffs come from, so he’s telling you the specific truth through the lens of the company’s frustration. I appreciate that honesty and detail.

The company (via this worker) is pointing out that if we want their cars here, then Donald Trump needs to get out of the way.

I’m all for insulting lying racists in any and all ways possible, regardless of what job they hold, so this guys “unprofessional-ism” has actually gained some credibility for himself and the company in my eyes.

Don’t defend someone simply because of the j ob they have. Trumps office deserves as much respect as it gives, so Orange Speed B ump is absolutely in line with the way he communicates , e ven in a “ professional” setting.

Mercedes Streeter > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 18:43

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I’ve had worse interactions with smartUSA reps at the Chicago Auto Show.

2009
“So what’s in store for the 2010 model year?”
*Rep disappears behind the display and doesn’t come out.*

I saw him later in the day and asked the same question, he did the exact same feckin thing.

2013
*Rep stands like a statue at the display while curious people try to find information about the car and not realize she’s a brand rep.*

“I see a lot of people have questions about these cars.” (hinting that maybe she ought to do something other than just stand there)

*I eventually decide to do her job while she just continues to stand still.*

*30 minutes later*

“I think it’s time for you to go.”

What? I probably sold more cars in that 30 minutes than you have this entire show. If you aren’t going to do your job, maybe someone who’s actually passionate about the cars should? If you aren’t willing to put in an effort to sell your product you can’t be surprised when your sales are low..

Spanfeller is a twat > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 18:44

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Maybe he was gonna segue into describing why their SUVs are so good at dealing with impossibly fat and tall speedhumps like the President?

Dogapult > Mercedes Streeter 01/22/2019 at 18:47

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That’s pretty bad, for sure. The GAC reps didn’t know much about the cars, either. I’ve definitely done product reps’ jobs on occasion with regards to different brands. But I can’t say I was ever told to leave. Just given dirty looks, on occasion.

Probenja > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 18:57

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I guess you would make an statement if you purchased a Chinese car in the US. I just don’t see hard core Trump supporters even considering getting close to them. I do think that  GAC makes great cars at the level of Korean brands but then they also cost about the same. These Chinese cars are no longer the half priced death traps they were a few years ago.

Dogapult > Probenja 01/22/2019 at 19:02

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Like I’ve said, I’m hugely impressed with GAC’s cars. But certainly not with this particular representative. He also knew very little about the cars, attempting to tout what “good value” they were, without any concrete data on what their price would be.

Textured Soy Protein > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 19:08

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A larger portion of the general public would appreciate the joke than the portion who would be offended by it, and that portion is the I’M NOT BUYING A DURN CHINESEY CAR, I ONLY BUY MURRICAN CARS FROM COMPANIES THAT DIDN’T TAKE A BUYOUT, LIKE MY FORD FUSION! portion, that doesn’t take kindly to when you tell them that their Ford Fusion was built in Hermosillo Mexico. 

Dogapult > Textured Soy Protein 01/22/2019 at 19:14

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I don’t necessarily know about that. I’m not part of that group. My last cars were from Japan, USSR, and Sweden. I still have no interest in that joke. I’d have the same reaction to a company representative that was pro-Trump. I’m not here for your politics. I want to know about your cars.

Textured Soy Protein > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 19:26

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You’re in a much smaller group. Here’s my fully scientific % breakdown of reasons people are offended by the orange speedbump comment, complete with extra high quality graphics!

Berang > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 19:39

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I don’t know. They’ve got my business if they get here.

To be pedantic though, donald is more of an orange slo w bump.  

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Dogapult 01/22/2019 at 21:13

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I think China will have to start in the US just like Japan and Korea. With small bottom of the budget cars. They need a 13,000 dollar sub company CUV not a 5 passenger SUV. 

Dogapult > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/22/2019 at 21:22

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With trying to claim how good value the GAC cars were going to be, the rep kept claiming that their cars would be in the mid teens, and their big, well-appointed SUV was going to max out around 30k.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Dogapult 01/23/2019 at 08:47

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I’ve seen them here  for a few years now. I think I stopped in to look one of the first years, have passed every year since.  Ugly cars, doubtful they’ll sell here anytime soon.