GM Ends Relationship With Tiger Woods

From Ad Age:

General Motors Corp. is ending its relationship with its most visible endorser, golf superstar Tiger Woods, citing the difficult economy as well as Mr. Woods' desire for more family time as he and his wife prepare for the birth of their second child. The automaker had a nine-year relationship with Mr. Woods, arguably the biggest sports endorser in the world. Mr. Woods made several commercials on behalf of GM products and also played as often as he could in the Buick Open tournament each season in Grand Blanc, Mich.

I don't see this as a bad thing. Actually it's a new beginning for Buick.  For the first time in decades Buick has had at least one vehicle people wanted the Enclave.  Yes, right now isn't a good time for auto sales in general and particularly SUV/CUV's but the Enclave was selling pretty well before the downturn.  Therefore once the dust settles the Enclave will sell again or at the very least people will have seen the Enclave on the roads building the brand to new shoppers.  It's my theory that the reason why certain brands are not on people's shopping list is that they don't know anyone like them who drive these brands.  Ever notice how certain areas of various parts of American seem to have an "it" brand.  Vermont is widely known to be Subaru heaven.  While Texas is big on pickups.  Some of it is by necessity with Vermont's snowy winters the 4-wheel Subaru's make sense.  But some catalyst started this trend and continues to move it forward.  Street brand awareness.  The more one see's a brand or model the more recognition and the more the potential for future sales of this vehicle.  This is why I have mentioned that Ford needs to sell the next Fusion at first with the slimiest of profit margins.  The more the car is seen at the Grove Parking lot the more likely those moving up from a Civic or Corolla may put the Focus in a heads to head comparison with the Accord and Camry.  

As for Buick has the 2010 LaCrosse that will continue in the style language made popular by the Enclave.  Of course Buick needs more than that.  It is my belief that Buick needs the Skylark again which should share the same platform as the 2010 or 2011 Chevy Cruise.  GM has delayed the Cruise to save some cash now.  Of course is all Monday Morning Quarterbacking but with GM it's time to wake up and do a few more drastic things.  Buick is a brand worth keeping so let's give it some models.  Quickly