TUCSCON, AZ - General Motors held its 2013 model-year fleet product preview at the JW Marriott Starr Pass in Tucson, Ariz., in mid-May, showing many upcoming products, including its new bi-fuel CNG Chevrolet Silverado and 2014-MY Impala, among others. The automaker said that approximately 1,000 people attended the event, including 590 of GM’s Fleet and Commercial Operations’ (FCO) customers and roughly 150 upfitters, dealers, and other partners, such as Ally, OnStar, and GM Accessories. Overall, the event was focused on GM’s commitment to the fleet and commercial industry.

You can view a photo gallery of images from the event here.

“This was an opportunity for us to further convey to our customers that we’d like to be their number one choice, and that we’ll work hard to earn that by providing them with great products, innovative business solutions and an exceptional customer experience,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, Fleet and Commercial Sales.

The automaker presented a number of its accomplishments during the event, noting that GM vehicles averaging 30 or more mpg represented approximately 40% of GM’s U.S. sales in 2011, which is up from only 16% three years ago. The automaker noted its 25% share of the fleet and commercial market, its nine straight profitable quarters, and 25 consecutive months of commercial growth.

GM stated that fleet managers had the chance to drive nearly all the vehicles in GM’s product lineup, including the Chevrolet Sonic, Caprice PPV, Malibu ECO, the CNG-powered Express, and the Buick Verano. Vehicles on display at the event included the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado bi-fuel CNG truck; the 2013 GMC Sierra bi-fuel CNG truck; the entire lineup of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu; the 2013 Chevrolet Spark; the upcoming 2014 Chevrolet Impala; the 2013 Buick Encore; and the all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS and XTS.

For this year’s product preview, GM wanted to focus on its relationship with its customers. During the event, GM highlighted the experiences of its fleet customers in a series of videos, and the automaker honored representatives from those organizations on stage. Another new approach that GM took during the event was an “experiential” segment of the ride-and-drive event. The automaker stated it highlighted a number of vehicle features, including its advanced propulsion offerings and its business solutions, such as cargo management systems developed especially for the Sonic, Captiva Sport and Express cargo. GM FCO also added a charitable event to the ride-and-drive event. Participating in the event gave each attendee a chance to contribute a $5 donation to one of GM’s four charities, and customers had the opportunity to contribute a possible total of $20.

Getting back to the core message GM wanted to impart, the GM FCO highlighted the customer service experience it can provide, giving fleet customers the chance to meet representatives from GM’s Service Team, its Order Fulfillment and Production Planning staff, and its Fleet Action Center.

By Greg Basich