GM Dealer Convention, Orlando

[Bruce Nunnally]

ORLANDO -- General Motors executives are to meet here this weekend with hundreds of independent dealers as they try to mend relationships and answer questions about the automaker's efforts to encourage them to renovate stores and improve online marketing, employee training and customer-retention programs.

The Detroit automaker asked dealers to reinvest in their stores last fall after GM emerged from bankruptcy reorganization. The voluntary program includes incentives to encourage renovations, which can range from some cosmetic improvements, such as new signs, to all-new stores.

But only 20% of GM's dealerships are compliant with the design standards. GM will be meeting with its dealers this weekend as thousands of dealers convene in Orlando for the annual National Automobile Dealers Association convention.

"We have a lot of work to do," Steve Hill, GM general manager of retail sales support, told the Free Press in advance of the convention.

Read More: http://www.freep.com/article/20100212/BUSINESS01/2120333/1322/GM-reminds-dealers-about-1st-impressions

GM is focusing on four areas with its dealers: improving facilities, training, digital marketing and customer retention.