GM to Change the Way it Delivers Cars

10/23/96

Reuters reports that the Wall Street Journal has published an article describing the way General Motors plans to change its vehicle distribution system. The goal of GM's new plan is to deliver the exact car a customer wants within 24 hours.

According to the Wall Street Journal, "people close to the situation" say GM will eventually keep large inventories of all of its brands of cars and light trucks at 75 regional distribution centers across the United States. The paper said authorized dealers without a particular vehicle in stock could get it from a regional center in less than 24 hours, if a customer wanted it.

Reportedly, the automaker's strategy board has already approved the plan, which is an expansion of the Cadillac division's Custom Xpress Delivery service. Cadillac intended to launch its plan nationally early next year, while General Motors began testing it out with Chevrolet and GMC sport utility vehicles in certain areas, it said.

The report says GM will launch the plan nationally for all its brands in several years. GM declined comment, although it did confirm that the program was underway for Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC operations.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel