The first 1,500 all-new Pontiac G6s were shipped Sept. 10 from General Motors Corp.'s Orion, MI, assembly plant to dealerships — just days before one of the most ambitious marketing stunts ever kicked off advertising for the sedan.
GM gave away 276 G6s Sept. 13 to every audience member of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” daytime TV program. The gimmick cost about $7 million and delivered a huge media splash for the G6, which replaces the Grand Am. Media inquiries came all the way from Australia.
But the giveaway could have adverse effects. Oprah's show is watched predominately by women. Will the stunt leave the G6 forever labeled a “chick car?” Plus, some recipients are complaining about the tax bill on their “free” cars — in some cases more than $7,000.
