DETROIT -- General Motors executives have talked a lot lately about cutting back on sales to rental fleets, a strategy they believe will enhance residual values and improve the image of their brands.

But the guy overseeing those cutbacks -- Ed Peper, GM's U.S. vice president of fleet and commercial sales -- doesn't want to leave the impression that sales to rental fleets are bad. In fact, he says, GM spends more time than ever strategizing which vehicles to send to Enterprise, Budget and other rental operators.