Straight Talk About GM

 

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2010

 

 

Motor Trend Declares “Buick is Back!”


 For the first time in 28 years, Buick dominates the cover of Motor Trend magazine, along with a headline declaring “Buick is Back!” The April issue of the premier automotive publication features photos of the Buick LaCrosse, Regal Turbo and Regal GS Concept and touts the growing momentum behind Buick.

The April 2010 edition of the magazine includes two Buick features; a drive review of the new 2011 Regal called “International Rescue” and “Trading Places,” a comparison of the 2010 LaCrosse and the 2010 Lexus ES350, in which LaCrosse emerges the winner. The Century T-Type was the last Buick to grace cover of Motor Trend in August of 1982. The April issue of Motor Trend is now available on newsstands.

“We are thrilled to be honored with the placement of Buick models on the cover of Motor Trend,” said John Schwegman, U.S. marketing vice president, Buick GMC. "The declaration that 'Buick is Back' attests to the transformation of the Buick brand and the buzz building for the LaCrosse and Regal. It shows that we are introducing cars that merit the attention of auto enthusiasts, including the editors of Motor Trend."                

Read the review here:  http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_1004_2011_buick_regal_drive/index.html#ixzz0ftt3PCwa
 

 

 

GM Brands Rank Tops for Service

 

GM’s brand dealerships are now providing the best service among mass-market automakers to drivers in their early years of ownership, a comprehensive annual report says, according to the Toronto Star.

J.D. Power and Associates said Wednesday its study shows retailers under six GM brands – including three that are being eliminated – posted most of the highest scores for service to customers with new vehicles in the first three years of operation in the United States, Canada and several other countries.

HUMMER, Saturn, Buick and Chevrolet dealerships led the rankings while Pontiac and GMC held the sixth and seventh positions for levels of service initiation, quality, advice, and facility.

The only brand to break GM's dominance at the top of the study's rankings is BMW's Mini branch.

Among luxury brands, Toyota's Lexus, GM's Cadillac, Jaguar, Honda's Acura and BMW generated the highest scores.

Read more here: 

http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.phpr=3826661&msgid=167457&act=PVQU&c=610518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wheels.ca%2FArticle%2520Category%2Farticle%2F784670

 

 

Chevrolet Picks Up Eight Awards at Chicago Auto Show

Chevrolet General Manager Jim Campbell accepted eight awards, from three different organizations, that recognized the best of the Chevrolet line-up. 

MotorWeek presented two awards to Chevrolet, including MotorWeek’s Best Sport Coupe award for the Camaro and MotorWeek’s Best Small Utility award for the Equinox. The editorial staff of MotorWeek test drives more than 150 cars, trucks and utilities each year. Drivers’ Choice Award winners are chosen following a comprehensive evaluation of factors that matter most to consumers – performance, technology, practicality and value.
 
Chevrolet also collected three awards from the first-ever Internet Car and Truck of the Year. A panel of 12 online automotive journalists named the Equinox the Jurors’ Truck of the Year. In addition, the Equinox was named the Public Truck of the Year, and Camaro the Public Car of the Year, based on more than 50,000 reader votes cast online. 

Finally, IntelliChoice recognized three 2009 Chevrolets as the Best Overall Value in their segments, including the Corvette, Silverado, and Silverado HD. The IntelliChoice Best Overall Values identify vehicles with the best total costs to own and operate a vehicle for the first five years of ownership. Selected from over 1,700 model-year domestic and import vehicles from 2009, the Best Overall Value of the Year awards recognize the best car values by class.

 

 

2010 Buick LaCrosse Named MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award winner for "Best Luxury Sedan"

The LaCrosse Continues to Earn Industry Praise for Design and Quality

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse continues to earn industry praise and recognition, as it receives a 2010 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award today at the Chicago Auto Show. The LaCrosse was named MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award winner for "Best Luxury Sedan."

"MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award for ‘Best Luxury Sedan’ is a great honor for the Buick LaCrosse and confirms the growing momentum behind the car,” said Brian Sweeney, general manager of Buick GMC. “The LaCrosse is a leader in the luxury sedan segment and continues to sell quickly off dealer lots. This award is tribute to the designers, engineers, sales team, employees who build the LaCrosse in Fairfax and dealers who work so hard to bring the LaCrosse to market.”

The annual MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards are chosen by MotorWeek’s editorial staff who test drive more than 150 cars, trucks and utilities each year. Winners are then selected on factors including performance, technology, practicality and value. 

According to MotorWeek the LaCrosse received its top honor for its “stunning good looks and quality inside and out.” The 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan has been redesigned from the ground up, and offers all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced personal technologies and safety features and a luxurious interior.

In addition to two fuel-saving V-6 engines, a new fuel-efficient, direct inject Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine will be available with the LaCrosse CX model this spring. As the only four-cylinder engine offered in its class, the new powertain is expected to deliver fuel economy of 30 mpg highway, making the LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment. 

With its long list of standard safety equipment, the LaCrosse’s safety credentials rate among the best in the industry. It earned five stars – the highest rating possible – in all four metrics from the federal government new car assessment program. The vehicle also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s IIHS Top Safety Pick award, achieving a “good” rating in each of the four crash simulations and offering StabiliTrak, electronic stability control shown to help drivers avoid certain types of crashes.

Other Buick LaCrosse Awards and Recognitions

  • Consumers Guide 2010 Best Buy and Recommendation Award 
  • MotherProof.com’s 2010 Sedan of the Year 
  • About.com Car’s Best New Cars of 2010 
  • 2010 North American Car of the Year finalist 
  • About.com Cars’ Best New Cars of 2010 
  • Edmunds.com’s 2010 Most Recommended Vehicles 
  • Drive Car Reviews “Top Picks for 2009” 
  • CanadianDriver.com  -- Top Picks Award 

 

 

GM Receives Consumer Guide Automotive Awards


For more than 40 years, Consumer Guide has empowered car buyers to shop with confidence,
providing reviews in 18 vehicle categories. The following GM vehicles have been awarded with a
best buy or recommended buy from the 2010 Consumer Guide:


• Chevrolet Malibu – midsize car, best buy
• Chevrolet Corvette – premium sporty/performance car, best buy
• Chevrolet Equinox – midsize SUV, recommended buy
• Chevrolet Traverse – midsize SUV, best buy
• Chevrolet Tahoe – large SUV, best buy
• Chevrolet Suburban, large SUV, best buy
• Chevrolet Silverado, large pickup, recommended buy
• Buick LaCrosse – large car, best buy
• Buick Enclave, premium midsize SUV, best buy
• GMC Acadia – midsize SUV, best buy
• GMC Terrain – midsize SUV, recommended buy
• GMC Yukon – large SUV, best buy
• GMC Sierra 1500 – large pickup, recommended buy
• Cadillac CTS – premium midsize car, best buy
• Cadillac DTS – premium large car, recommended buy
• Cadillac Escalade – premium large SUV, recommended buy

 

 

Sierra 2500 HD Awarded 2010 Best Overall Truck Value by IntelliChoice

Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid, Sierra 2500 HD Crew Cab, Sierra 3500 Crew Cab and Yukon Denali also named Best Overall Values of the Year

At the Chicago Auto Show today, the GMC Sierra 2500 HD received IntelliChoice’s prestigious "Best Overall Value of the Year" annual award, an honor it shares with the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD.

As the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, IntelliChoice recognizes vehicles in 31 classes and nine overall category winners. The Sierra 2500 HD was named the overall category winner for the Best Truck Value Over $28,000, and four other GMC models were named the top vehicle in its class. 

"The IntelliChoice ‘Best Overall Value" award is a top honor to receive in the automotive industry, and we are pleased that several Sierra models along with the Yukon Denali were recognized,” said Brian Sweeney, general manager of Buick GMC. "Today’s consumers are looking for vehicles that will provide the best value for their money, which is what we strive to accomplish with GMC trucks and SUVs. This award proves that we are achieving our goal."

Other GMC vehicles that took top honors as "Best Overall Value of the Year" include:

  • GMC Yukon Denali – Luxury SUV 
  • GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 2WD – Full-Size Pickup 2WD ½ Ton (tie with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 2WD) 
  • GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD – Full-Size Pickup 4WD ½ Ton (tie with Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD) 
  • GMC Sierra 2500 HD Crew Cab 4WD – Full-Size Pickup 4WD ¾ Ton (tie with the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 4WD) 
  • GMC Sierra 2500 HD Crew Cab 2WD – Full-Size Pickup 2WD ¾ Ton (tie with the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 2WD) 
  • GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab 2WD – Full-Size Pickup 2WD One Ton (tie with the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab 2WD) 
  • GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab 4WD – Full-Size Pickup 4WD One Ton (tie with the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab 4WD) 

The annual IntelliChoice.com “Best Overall Value of the Year” awards evaluate approximately 1,800 vehicles to identify the models that offer the best value within their class.

They analyze data to determine actual cost of ownership over a five-year period, which factors in the accumulated ownership costs of depreciation, maintenance, repairs, fuel, fees, financing, and insurance to identify the true standout models in each class.

 

 

2009

 

GM leads the world with 5 of the top 20 vehicles sold in 2009!

 

Toyota also had 5 of the top 20 vehicles sold in 2009

Ford had 4 of the top 20 vehicles sold in 2009

Honda had only 3 of the top 20 vehicles sold in 2009

Chrysler had only 1 of the top 20 vehicles sold in 2009

Nissan had only 1 of the top 20 vehicles sold in 2009

Hyundai had 0

Kia had 0

 

Vehicles 2009 volume 2009 % change from 2008


1. Ford F-Series 413,625 -19.8%
2. Toyota Camry 356,824 -18.3%
3. Chevrolet Silverado 316,544 -31.9%
4. Toyota Corolla 296,874 -15.4%
5. Honda Accord 287,492 -22.9%
6. Honda Civic 259,722 -23.5%
7. Nissan Altima 203,568 -24.5%
8. Honda CR-V 191,214 -3.1%
9. Ford Fusion 180,671 22.4%
10. Dodge Ram 177,268 -27.9%
11. Ford Escape 173,044 10.5%
12. Chevrolet Impala 165,565 -37.7%
13. Chevrolet Malibu 161,568 -8.8%
14. Ford Focus 160,433 -18.1%
15. Toyota RAV4 149,088 8.8%
16. Toyota Prius 139.682 -12.1%
17. GMC Sierra 111,842 -33.6%
18. Lexus RX 93,379 10.9%
19. Subaru Legacy 86,330 29.1%
20. Chevrolet Equinox 86,148 27.7%


Source: Autodata

 

Recalled Vehicles More Than Double in 2009

Toyota is Poorest Performer
Source -- WardsAuto.com – December 30, 2009

More than twice as many light vehicles have been recalled in 2009 than 2008, with two campaigns accounting for nearly half of this year’s total, according to preliminary government data.

A Ward’s analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall notifications through mid-December shows U.S.-market auto makers initiated 105 campaigns affecting 18.4 million vehicles this year. In 2008, there were 101 recalls with implications for 7.7 million vehicles.

For the first time, Toyota was the poorest performer on a volume basis. The perennial quality leader’s nine campaigns ensnared 4.8 million vehicles, with the contentious issue of ill-fitting or unsecured floor mats accounting for 4.3 million.

Ford was close behind. Its four campaigns had implications for 4.5 million vehicles – a total that included some medium-duty truck models.

Chrysler initiated the most campaigns with 16. But they affected 565,558 vehicles, the lowest total of any U.S.-based auto maker. Numerous recalls affecting fewer vehicles, as in Chrysler’s case this year, can be an indicator of diligence, says Mike Donoughe, senior partner with St. Clair Consortium, a business consultancy.

“A company’s internal processes speak a little bit to their cultural orientation,” says Donoughe. “Are they proactive? Do they have a good customer feedback mechanism? Are they acting on that feedback in a timely and diligent manner or are they in a dithering mindset?”

The best strategy for addressing problems, particularly safety issues, is “deal with it, as it comes up, in real time,” he says. “Get it behind you as fast as possible,” Donoughe adds.

Litigators lining up to pursue damage claims linked to the Toyota floor-mat issue suggest the auto maker has long known about a problem – an allegation Toyota rejects. And Ford’s major recall was initiated after 18 months of investigation.

Meanwhile, General Motors, which topped 2008’s list of worst performers with 17 recall campaigns affecting 1.7 million vehicles, improved this year on both fronts. GM staged 12 recalls with implications for 2.2 million vehicles.

Hyundai – which has seen the U.S. largest market-share gain of any auto maker this year, according to Ward’s data – staged a significant turnaround in second-half 2009. After initiating five recalls affecting 1.2 million vehicles from January through June, Hyundai launched just two campaigns accounting for 3,093 vehicles.

Volvo was 2009’s poorest performer among Europe-based auto makers. With five of its seven recalls coming in the second half, accounting for 161,688 vehicles, it vaulted past Volkswagen’s eight recalls that had implications for just over 100,000 vehicles.

Honda recorded what likely was the nastiest recall of 2009. Because of excessive pressure in a driver’s side airbag inflator “metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material possibly causing injury to vehicle occupants,” NHTSA said. Some 440,000 Honda and Acura cars were affected.

Despite the industry’s year-over-year 139% leap in vehicles affected by recalls, 2009 trails by a wide margin the record of 24.3 million units, set in 2000, when Ford was stricken by the Firestone tire debacle.

 

How GM Stacks Up in 2009 Sales

Top six auto makers in the U.S. by 2009 vehicle sales and change from 2008



 

 

 

 

 

 
2,063,069 1,770,149 1,615,799 1,150,784 931,402 770,103
-29.7% -20.2% -15.3% -19.5% -35.9% -19.0%

Note: Data are preliminary
Source: Autodata and onlinewsj.com

 

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Post Sales Gains in December

  • Retail Sales of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Up 13 Percent
  • GM Retail Market Share Increased Two Share Points in Q4 vs. Q3
  • U.S. Dealer Inventory Reaches 385,000 – Lowest Year-End Level on Record

GM dealers in the U.S. reported 160,996 retail deliveries in December – a seven percent increase compared to last year, and a 50 percent increase over last month. Retail sales of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands were 146,419 – up 13 percent for the month. In total, GM dealers in the U.S. delivered 208,511 vehicles in December. This represents a total sales decline of six percent from the previous year, driven primarily by declines in fleet sales (33 percent) and in sales of non-core brands (55 percent).

"The fact that our retail market share has increased two full points from the third to fourth quarters demonstrates that we are strengthening our brands," said Susan Docherty, vice president, Sales, Service and Marketing. "We are delivering a healthier sales mix and earning consumer confidence through our launch vehicles such as Chevy Equinox and Camaro, Buick LaCrosse, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX."

In 2009, GM dealers delivered 2,084,492 vehicles, down 30 percent compared with 2008. "The year-over-year comparison reflects a 38 percent reduction in fleet, reduced overall incentive spending and the orderly wind-down of the Pontiac and Saturn brands," Docherty said. "Our sell-down of Pontiac and Saturn inventory is 10 months ahead of schedule and we only have about 1,700 vehicles left – 800 Pontiacs and 900 Saturns. This shows real progress in our action plans."

Other December Key Facts:

  • Retail sales of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands were 13 percent higher than in 2008 – achieved with 47 percent less inventory than last year
  • Chevrolet retail sales were up 14 percent – driven by strong sales of Camaro (7,518 sales – segment leader for 7th straight month), Traverse (up 92 percent), Malibu (up 34 percent) and Equinox (up 137 percent)
  • Buick retail sales were up 32 percent compared with a year ago on the continued strength of LaCrosse (up 370 percent) and Enclave (up 37 percent)
  • GMC retail sales were up four percent vs. December 2008 on strong Acadia sales (up 49 percent) and Terrain (up 197 percent vs. the vehicle it replaced, Pontiac Torrent)
  • Cadillac retail sales were up seven percent, led by the 2010 SRX, with sales 357 percent higher than a year ago (4,880 vs. 1,069)
  • December month-end dealer inventory of 385,000 – the lowest year-end level on record
  • Total GM crossover retail sales were up 67 percent

"The year 2009 was a watershed year for us in many ways. From our dealer restructuring to our focus on Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC, we have made the difficult but necessary decisions to position our new company for success," Docherty added. "We’re looking forward to 2010 as a year when the economy continues a modest recovery, industry sales begin to improve and our outstanding new products build additional sales momentum."

 

GM Says China Sales Up 67 Percent In 2009

By The Associated Press 01/04/10 - 12:26 AM EST

BEIJING (AP) — General Motors Co. said Monday that 2009 sales in China by the company and its local partners rose 67 percent to a record 1.8 million vehicles amid tax cuts and incentives to help boost the industry.

Detroit-based GM and other global automakers are looking to China's fast-growing market to drive sales amid slack demand elsewhere. Chinese auto purchases surpassed those in the United States for all but two of the first 11 months of the year. Total sales for December are yet to be released.

GM said its own China sales in December soared 96.6 percent from a year earlier to a new monthly high of 189,793 vehicles.
"Despite the sales records in 2009, it looks as if 2010 will be even stronger. The industry outlook is strong and we expect more growth, albeit on a somewhat slower pace," GM China president Kevin Wale said in a statement.

Beijing has helped to boost auto sales with tax cuts and subsidies for drivers to shift to cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars. Most of that aid has gone to Chinese makers of smaller cars, though foreign producers also see sales rising.

GM and other automakers are looking to first-time buyers in smaller Chinese cities to help drive sales as incomes outside the country's prosperous east coast rise.
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10654864/1/gm-says-china-sales-up-67-percent-in-2009.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEFI
 

Product Award Wins
 The Buick LaCrosse CSX and Cadillac CTS/CTS-V have been selected as Drive Car Reviews top picks for 2009.  The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is an Honorable Mention.  

 Here’s what they said about the Buick LaCrosse CSX:  “This sedan is such a departure for the brand it’s hard to fathom.  Turns out buyers are beginning to notice.  The word is the average LaCrosse buyer is 15 years younger than Buick’s normal demographic.  Standard on the CXS are heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, and dramatic lighting in the sculpted cabin.  Wrapped up in bold sheetmetal, LaCrosse is a jolt to the competition.”

Their Cadillac comments:  “Making the list 3 years straight, the stealth fighter shaped Caddy is a joy to pilot.  The performance V model is so exhilarating, it will tempt even the most conservative drivers to tarnish their driving records.  There’s a wagon version too and soon a very edgy coupe.  Those looking at the usual suspects (3 Series, C Class, G37, IS, A4) deserve to put the CTS on the test drive list.”
   
 Additionally, CanadianDriver.com named LaCrosse as their Top Picks Award.  And, the Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Camaro won a spot on About.com Best New Cars of 2010.

 

 

 

2008

 

GM Announces 2008 Global Sales of 8.35 Million Vehicles! Of course, according to the news media, these are vehicles that people don't want to buy!
 

Record-setting sales performance in GM’s Latin America, Africa and Middle East and Asia Pacific regions, and a third consecutive 2 million vehicles sales performance in Europe during 2008 helped General Motors sell more than 8.35 million vehicles globally last year.

GM’s nearly 3% growth in both the Asia Pacific and LAAM regions partially offset North America sales that declined 21%, and growing pressure in Europe that resulted in 7% fewer sales. Compared with 2007, GM’s total sales were down 11%, reflecting continuing global economic pressures that include tightening credit, falling commodities prices and lack of GDP growth.

Here are some 2008 highlights:
 

Chevrolet sales in China grows 16% to nearly 200,000 vehicles; 1.09M vehicles sold in China sets record with 6 percent volume growth.

 
Chevrolet sales breakthrough 500,000 mark with record share; Opel sets sales record in Central and Eastern Europe with volume up 13%.


GM beats the industry with more than 1.27 million total vehicle sales in Latin America, Africa and Middle East Region, led by top-selling Chevrolet Corsa, Celta and Aveo.


GM continues emerging markets leadership with 2008 market share growth in 14 of 26 markets.

Please read the entire press release:
 http://email.graction.com/cgi-bin15/DM/y/jdQV0KOLGx0D4Y0mgt0Eu
 

 

2007

 

GM Sells More Than 9 Million Vehicles Globally In 2007


General Motors sold 9,369,524 cars and trucks around the world in 2007, an increase of 3 percent, according to preliminary sales figures released yesterday.

The 2007 tally is the second best global sales total in the company’s 100-year history, and marks the third consecutive year (2007, 2006, 2005) and the fourth year overall (1978) that GM sold more than 9 million vehicles in a calendar year.

GM’s global position – especially in emerging markets – built the sales momentum reflected in the 2007 performance.  GM’s sales highlights include:

 

  • Becoming the first global automaker to sell more than one million vehicles in China
  • Doubling sales in Russia to an all-time record of more than 258,000 vehicles, which is an increase of 95 percent
  • Setting a sales record in Brazil by selling nearly half a million vehicles
  • Posting record sales in two regions – Europe and Latin America, Africa and Middle East

Did you know that GM is the industry leader in its commitment to the American economy? GM helps support the livelihoods of more than a million people in North America. That's more than any other car manufacturer.

Facts:

  • Every day, approximately one million North Americans earn their living helping GM build and sell cars in North America
  • More than 1.1 million people receive heath care benefits from GM
  • Toyota employs only about 38,000 people in North America

 

It's no surprise that GM tops the auto industry in our commitment to the American economy. We're building some of the best vehicles we've ever built and we're investing in America's future.

Feel free to pass along these facts:

U.S. Capital Investment (in Billions)

 
·                GM       $31.0*
·                Toyota   $13.4**
·                Honda    $8.5**
 

* GM data (1999-2002)


** Honda data (through 2006), Toyota data (through 2003)

Whether it's quality, safety, fuel economy, technology or design, GM has a strong story to tell.

 

This new study should open every Americans Eyes..........Wake Up American's!

Auto Jobs Disappearing

 

For every 10 jobs lost in the U.S. by one of the big three American automakers, only one job is created by a foreign automaker opening a plant in the US. Phil LeBeau, CNBC Auto Reporter, has more. Click link below:

 

http://www.overthehillcarpeople.com/why_we_should_buy_vehicles_from.htm

 

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