GM SHOWROOM TRAFFIC UP 30%!

The General Motors promotion offering employee discounts to all customers has boosted the number of shoppers in showrooms across the country by nearly 30% over May, and increased sales, too, according a report from CNW Marketing Research, Bandon, Oregon. Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing Research, said closing ratios for the first half of June, when the program started, are up about 22% compared to May for GM. Floor traffic was especially strong in some critical markets where GM needs to boost its sales, such as Los Angeles and Miami, said Mr. Spinella, whose company gathers data at 450 dealerships in 27 markets. Many dealers nationwide have reported good or strong results with the program, while others have said it isn't generating as much traffic as they expected.