I see it as the same gimmick they've always had. I suspect you get down there with a fabulous offer for your clunker/gas guzzler in an advertisement. The new cars they are moving are marked up, people won't read the fine print and wind up getting screwed on a rebate or whatever fabulous offer on the clunker/gas guzzler they're being offered, maybe even sign over and somehow forfeit any tax incentives for buying a "green vehicle" if that's at all possible to the dealer ?
Sorry to be the pessimist, but dealerships and whatever they're selling is the same shell game it's always been. I understand they have to eat too and have to sell product at any cost while trying to get some action in a stalled economy. My last Chevy dealership experience wasn't pleasant, they made it clear to me the only way I drive their product is to bend over and take it like the good little consumer I am. Sorry, but they missed that window of opportunity, I found a better alternative and even when that wears out, they can drive a Chevy, but I won't ever bother them to see what they have on their lots. Personally, I have no stake in GM beyond the bailout, that was forced and I can cut my losses even at that (Obama wouldn't give them any more money so I figure they're done bailing GM out), so they can cease to exist for all I care, 1 less automaker in the world and thus their dealerships is fine by me. As far as I'm concerned Ford makes better products all day long. As for domestics, I rank them Ford, Chrysler and GM. Many Japanese cars are ahead of the 3. So you can see where they sit in terms of making a sale and that's being objective with no animosity towards them. Factor that animosity in and Ford is the only one of the three that I'll ever consider buying a car or truck from.