RE: It sounded so promising last year... Graham is correct. From what I see most car dealers don't know what a true loyalty program is about and what it can do for a dealership when marketed correctly.
Most use "gimmics" like, get a free trip to Las Vegas if buy a car, employee pricing, factory rebate, cash back promotions. For the car buying population these "incentives" do the job.. But loyalty is a foreign and complex concept.
On the other hand, maybe offering miles is just another gimmic. So then why has it not taken hold at the dealerships? Some time proven promotions are better than others in attracting buyers. Simply, offering miles for a new car won't do it.
But will consumers even care about Aeroplan when it comes to buying a car? The feeling back in 2011 was that it would and because the business category is huge (financial-wise) that Futura will make it big. I think we are missing a bridge someplace in order to cross a large understanding gap.
That's why David should go talk with Aeroplan personnel and talk about it. After all, Aeroplan over the years have successfully run promotions with car dealers on a national basis. The lastest being a 4 month promotion with Infiniti A huge success I assume. There must be something to it.