Beware the Constant Promo Cycle

While in university, one of my professors gave me a piece of advice that I've never forgotten:

Watch out for companies engaging in non-stop sales promotions.  They're a quick fix to boost sales but they don't get to the root of the problem.

And then we see companies like Ford and Chevrolet reporting positive numbers and paying back government money while they engage in a relentless promotions war.

Ford Family Pricing, Chevrolet Clearance Event - these are signs of a larger marketing problem, a brand with a confused identity.  Beware the constant promo cycle...