3:06 p.m. April 18, 2010

GM offers Detroit church members a Sunday drive

It was a day of praise, prayer and, well, test driving General Motors' new lineup of cars, crossovers and SUVs.

In what organizers said was the first event of its kind in the area, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit today teamed up with GM and GM Minority Suppliers and Dealers to offer church-goers a chance to test drive more than a dozen cars.

As congregants shuffled out of the northwest-side church at 1 p.m., Pastor Charles G. Adams said the idea was to demonstrate GM's commitment to minority causes, its employment of thousands of local African Americans and to encourage church-goers to buy a new GM car.

"Americans now must support American-made products," Adams said outside the large church with Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, who is a long-time member. "We are encouraging our church members to take care of their community by buying locally. This is an ethical purpose that is beyond profit."

After a short cruise in a shiny maroon 2010 Chevy Camaro, Indira Murray, 38, was all smiles.

"It's a beautiful car," the 38-year-old Detroit resident said. "I love it. When I get a job, I might get one."

Her 8-year-old son, Aaron Mahone, Jr., offered his endorsement.

"It was radical," he said. "It was so cool. I want one."

Bing said he saw no problems with GM marketing outside of the church.

"The minority community buys a lot of cars from the Big 3," he said. "This was an out-side-of-the-box idea that I really support."

Why no Chryslers or Ford?

Organizers said it was GM's idea.

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