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For Immediate
Release Contact: Joshua Smith
jsmith@gpgdc.com (202)
741-5570
TOYOTA
DEALERS OUTRAGED OVER USE OF
TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON GM
INCENTIVES TARGETED AT THEIR
CUSTOMERS
Toyota Dealers:
“Their targeting of our
customers using taxpayer dollars
is reckless, unfair, and
detrimental to the entire auto
industry, and to the country.”
March 9, 2010—Today, Toyota
dealers across the country are
speaking out against General
Motors using taxpayer dollars to
fund unfair tactics that
undermine their businesses. Last
week, General Motors launched a
nationwide predatory advertising
campaign that uses fear in an
attempt to lure customers away
from Toyota and Lexus dealers.
“Toyota dealers across the
country are business owners who
stimulate local economies and
pay taxes to the government,”
said Paul Atkinson, President of
the Toyota National Dealer
Council and owner of Atkinson
Toyota in Texas. “It is
outrageous that GM is using our
taxpayer dollars against us,
making me and other Toyota
dealers pay to undermine our own
businesses.”
According
to the U.S. Department of the
Treasury, the U.S. government
owns 60 percent of the equity in
General Motors.
“These
incentives fail to take into
account that, despite some
recent problems, Toyota still
makes some of the best cars,
trucks and SUVs on the road in
America,” Atkinson continued.
“These low-blow tactics pose a
real threat to the citizens of
the United States if the
government lets these slip by.”
Last week, Toyota
executives wrapped up
congressional testimony before
the House Energy and Commerce
Committee, the House Committee
on Oversight and Government
Reform, and, most recently, the
Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, & Transportation.
“In open and honest
testimony before Congress,
Toyota executives clearly
demonstrated that Toyota is
committed to working with
regulators to ensure the safety
of American drivers,” said
Atkinson. “It is time for the
U.S. government to stop funding
these predatory incentives that
discourage fellow American
citizens from doing business
with me. GM said it themselves,
‘May the best car win.’”
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