Toyota dealers outraged, claim taxpayer dollars used on GM incentives are unfair
Toyota dealers are speaking out and are outraged claiming the the use of taxpayer dollars on General Motors incentives are “reckless, unfair and detrimental to the entire auto industry and to the country.” The Toyota National Dealer Council, which represents approximately 1,250 Toyota dealerships throughout the U.S., said that GM last week 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.”
The U.S. government owns 60 percent of equity in General Motors, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
“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.”
He continued: “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. 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.””
– By: Stephen Calogera
