It's been a tough year for the world's largest automaker.
After billions of dollars in bailouts and bankruptcy in June, General Motors is on the road to win back consumers with a 60-day money back guarantee to new buyers.
Paul Dinneen, GM Canada's retail promotions manager, says the company is after a specific buyer.
"We've designed it to try to attract those who wouldn't have General Motors on their consideration list. These are people looking at Hondas and Toyotas," he said.
The guarantee only applies to the surviving GM brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac. It doesn't apply if you want to buy a Hummer for example.
There are rules. The vehicle has to be less than 4,000 kilometres when brought back to the dealership.
"We want the vehicle returned in good condition," Dinneen said.
Good condition means no accidents, dents, tears, or scratches inside or out totaling over $200 as determined solely by a GM dealer.
"Basically to have some protection to the dealer and to our company that the program is not abused," Dinneen said.
"The vehicles do have to be remarketed when they are brought back. There is some customer responsibility in this."
In other words -- if you return it -- it better be in close to showroom condition.
There is a mileage charge based on the value of the vehicle -- the higher the value the greater the charge.
So if you drive your $30,000 car for a month and bring it back you'd pay about 25 cents per kilometer. And be aware the deal can't be unwound completely - you won't be getting your trade-in back.
You just get the value of the trade on the contract so you need to ensure it's a real value -- just in case.
The offer does not involve leased vehicles -- those contracts are too complicated to just rip up. But you can still get other offers and discounts so you don't have to pay more for a vehicle just to have the guarantee.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
