GM Is Saying Goodbye to Mr. Goodwrench
For more than three decades, Goodwrench has been the name of the service department of General Motors’ dealers. Its ad mascot was Mr. Goodwrench, a pleasant, clean-cut mechanic (though he was played with more sass by Stephen Colbert in a series of commercials in 2003).
But now that GM and its new marketing boss, Joel Ewanick, are putting an emphasis on the automaker’s four core brands, Mr. Goodwrench is getting the boot, reported The New York Times.
GM said it would phase out the Goodwrench name in the United States on Feb. 1.
“This is more than a name change — it is a declaration of our commitment to our customers,” said Steve Hill, vice president and general manager of GM customer care and aftersales.
Goodwrench will be replaced by the Certified Service tag for each brand: Chevrolet Certified Service, Cadillac Certified Service, Buick Certified Service and GMC Certified Service.
“Certified Service supports GM’s strategy to focus on the four brands,” said Hill, explaining that the new strategy provides “a natural extension of the customer’s vehicle purchase experience at the dealership.”
More Industry

Charger Network Growth Slows
Despite a projected increase in public EV chargers in 2026, charging infrastructure remains a top concern for consumers as the gap between the most and least EV-friendly places remains substantial.
Read More →
Lenders, Consumers Take on More Auto Loan Risk
September records loosened credit access the most in over a decade as buyers took advantage of the conditions to afford trading, though loan applications fell.
Read More →
Next-Gen Hybrids in Sight
Dealerships can expect to see revamped hybrids from Honda next year as the company rolls out a new system and model lineup.
Read More →
Gem State Stores Change Hands
A larger auto group founded in the industry’s early years sold two franchises to a neighbor group that's on a growth spurt.
Read More →
Charging In Motion
Honda has been researching wireless in-motion charging for electric vehicles since 2025, and new technology developments have put it a step closer to a final product.
Read More →
Twin Cities Stores Sell
Minnesota-based Walser Automotive Group made what it called the most significant acquisition in its history with a three-rooftop deal in Minneapolis.
Read More →
U.S. Auto Sales Still Below Prepandemic Levels
Mobility Global industry observers don’t expect the market to return to the higher volumes that became routine before Covid but to stay well below its potential.
Read More →
The Powertrain Shift
Electric-vehicle owners are backpedaling, according to new data, with product availability driving many to shift back to gas-powered engines.
Read More →
Achromatic Autos
The shades that dominate the U.S. car market don’t call attention to themselves, though grayscale may have plateaued after a 30-year upswing, research shows.
Read More →
Used-Vehicle Affordability Worsens
Listing prices in August defied seasonal trends, rising above $27,000 for the second time this year.
Read More →