Every day, GM's nearly 7,000 dealers tackle it all: from
routine oil changes to complicated engine overhauls and
collision repairs. What they hadn't fully cracked is the growing windshield
replacement business, because of an old distribution system
that made same-day installation virtually impossible.
General Motors Service and Parts Operations has entered into an
agreement with PPG Auto glass to offer a direct delivery program for
genuine GM windshields. This relationship positions GM dealers to
compete with aftermarket shops for customers who want same-day
replacement. It is designed to help GM grow its share of the billion
dollar windshield replacement business and respond to dealers
“whose customers want their damaged windshields replaced with
glass that is validated to GM's strict specifications”.
The new same-day system involves about 140 PPG branches
across the country that will deliver genuine GM windshields to dealers
on a daily basis, versus a third-party single distribution center in
Michigan that used to deliver glass to the dealers. In some cases,
dealers located in rural areas can receive their windshields next day.
"The distribution pipeline has been transitioning to the new system
since July and most part numbers will be stocked by Nov. 1," said
Mike Regan, GM Service and Parts Operations.
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