By Andrew Ganz
Monday, Jul 23rd, 2012 @ 3:00 pm
 
General Motors is going after at least eight of its dealerships for what the automaker alleges are failures to meet sales and performance targets.

The Michigan automaker says that eight unnamed stores didn't meet various performance goals that they agreed to in 2010. While both the automaker and its outlets are generally keeping their lips zipped, Automotive News reports that the automaker might buy out at least eight underperforming showrooms.

The litigation is the latest saga in GM's more than three-year-old fight with a few dealers that remain after it shut down thousands of outlets as part of its 2009 bankruptcy. About 700 dealerships filed for arbitration and were allowed to stay open, assuming they complied with targets outlined during the arbitration process.

Separately, GM is urging its Cadillac dealers from falling back on old habits that it considers inappropriate for the luxury segment. According to the USA Today, Cadillac has asked its dealers to refrain from "fire sale" ads and lease rates below what the automaker has specified.

GM says that it will reward dealers that play by the rules with various compliance perks.

GM has worked hard to revamp its Cadillac dealership network, which has long lagged import brand rivals like Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. With a series of new products like an updated Cadillac SRX and all-new Cadillac XTS and Cadillac ATS models hitting the market now as 2013 models, the brand has its most complete and competitive lineup in decades.