Kentucky Farm Bureau and General Motors Corp. extended their partnership to offer savings on the purchase or lease of most GM vehicles, including the new GM E85 FlexFuel vehicles that are powered by an ethanol-gasoline blend.
   January marks the beginning of the second year of GM’s participation in the organization’s member-services program, with the automaker offering a minimum $500 off the price on about 75 cars and light-duty trucks. A $750 cash incentive on GM’s trucks that use renewable fuel primarily produced on U.S. farms also is included.
   David S. Beck, Kentucky Farm Bureau’s executive vice president, said the contract was extended because the organization and GM were pleased with members’ response after the discounts were introduced in early 2007.
   "It has exceeded both our expectations," Beck said. "We are offering a service that benefits our member-families and GM."
   As of late November, the last month sales figures were available, Kentucky Farm Bureau members throughout the state bought more than 6,400 GM vehicles, according to Dwight Greenwell, director of member services at Kentucky Farm Bureau.
   Kentucky Farm Bureau previously had a similar arrangement with Daimler-Chrysler Corp., which has a smaller presence in Kentucky and only offered discounts on a few trucks and autos. GM has more dealers in addition to including a wider assortment of vehicles, making the deal more attractive and convenient for a greater number of Farm Bureau members, Beck said.
   "We are always looking at ways to enhance membership in Kentucky Farm Bureau," he said. "We set high standards before accepting products and services for the program, and that commitment to our members was a factor in GM’s decision to become a partner with Kentucky Farm Bureau."
   The vehicle incentives apply to Chevrolet, GMC, HUMMER, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Buick, and Cadillac lines of autos and light-duty trucks. There are some exclusions, including Cadillac CTS-V, XLR-V and STS-V; the Corvette Z06 and HUMMER H1.
   To be eligible, buyers must be members of Kentucky Farm Bureau for at least six months prior to date of delivery and show an authorization number, which can be found online at www.gmfleet.com/kyfb, to their car dealers.
   The Kentucky Farm Bureau private offer may also be combined with other manufacturer and dealer incentives, including GM Business Choice. See participating dealers for information on other offers. For more details on the GM program, contact local Farm Bureau offices or Greenwell by e-mail at dgreenwell@kyfb.com or by phone at 502-495-5000.

By Rachael Kamuf
Kentucky Farm Bureau