Pretty heavy numbers. Good side is that retail numbers are pretty much up at all divisions for the year. Much of the drop is due to a huge cut in rental fleet sales. I think the number was a 25% drop in rental fleet.
Not sure where you're getting your figures. Take a look at the Fleet Central website, and GM fleet car sales for the first half of the 2006 model year are down only 5.1% from the same period during the previous years. Here are the figures:
Looks like the Cobalt is replacing the role of the Cavalier/ Sunfire, and the G6 is replacing the Grand Am as fleet specials. The Malibu also remains a fleet-dominated model. And while there has been some shift in the numbers between the 4-door Impala and both its 2-door version, the Monte Carlo and the Pontiac Grand Prix, the overall fleet sales on the cars on that platform are also about the same.
Most of the cut in fleet sales came from discontinuing production of the Chevy Classic, which was a fleet car, anyway. If you exclude the Classic from the comparison, then fleet sales went up, not down.
Most of GM's recent "improvement" has come more from accounting tricks than any real improvement, sales are down all around. We'll see if the Aura and other new cars make a difference, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
I was talking Rental fleet. This is the unprofitable fleet. GM actually increased non rental fleet to business's and the government. In looking at the latest data for October, rental fleet was down 14% while other fleet up 8%.
Sales to daily rental companies were down 14 percent compared to year-ago levels, while non-daily rental fleet business was up 6%. Overall, fleet sales of 75,000 vehicles were down 8% compared with last October. The Detroit, Michigan-based GM stated that retail sales in October were up 36% on a sales-day adjusted basis. The Retail truck sales were up 52%, led by a doubling of full-size pickup retail sales such as Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra and a 46% increase in luxury utility retail sales, including the entire Cadillac Escalade lineup. Retail car sales were up 9%, led by Chevrolet Impala, Pontiac G6, and Saturn Aura.
GMC, Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, Saturn, Pontiac, and Saab all had retail sales increases in October. GMC was up 75% retail, with sales more than doubling for the Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL.
Chevrolet retail sales were up 39%, with double-digit retail jumps by Silverado, up 107%; Tahoe, up 104%; and Suburban, up 83%. The all-new 2007 Silverado pickups also arrived at dealerships in October. Buick retail sales were up 28%, led by Lucerne. Cadillac retail sales were up 30%, with a 14% increase in CTS, a 28% increase in SRX and triple-digit increases for the entire Escalade lineup.
Saturn retail sales were up 16% as the all-new 2007 Aura and Sky continue to bring new customers into the Saturn family. Pontiac retail sales were up 1% due to sales increases for the new G5, G6, and Solstice. Lastly, Saab retail sales were up 83%, driven by a 54% retail increase for 9-3, an 80% hike for 9-5, and a 338% increase for 9-7X.
Ahh I found the data at 25%, it was September data:
GM continues to reduce its reliance on low-margin daily rental sales. Sales to daily rental companies were down 26 percent compared to year-ago levels, while our commercial fleet business was up 12 percent. This ongoing planned pull-down of low-margin daily rental sales resulted in total September sales of 338,380 being down 6.8 percent compared with a year ago on a sales day-adjusted basis.
They really like to spindoctor their presentations. Just look at their own numeric sales figures, and the results don't look so great.
From January to October of this year, here are GM's US sales --
Total sales down 9.3% Car sales down 7.7% Truck sales down 10.4%
Every division lost sales except for Hummer and Saturn. Buick down 15.4%, Chevy down 9.8%.
I'll believe the fleet numbers when the actual figures are released, rather than the PR Department's version of the facts. Do you notice how the press release included none of the figures that I just provided?
You are absolutely right. They have said again and again overall sales are down while retail sales are up. In fact you are linking right to their website data. And guess what, they are almost profitable again here in the US.
The PR department does not get to lie. I think that Enron stopped that if they have lied in the past. I do not think anyone at GM is going to jail. I am positive the fleet numbers are correct. But you can believe what you want.
It's not a matter of lying, but of taking data out of context or omitting it where convenient.
The percentages chosen in the press release tend to be self-serving and incomplete. Percentages can be manipulated just by carefully selected the right denominator. Meanwhile, the actual hard numbers of these fleet sales are never mentioned, and it becomes necessary to go to a third-party source such as Fleet Central to get these because GM won't tell us what they are.
We've been sold GM turnaround stories every single month, but meanwhile, Toyota and Honda are the ones that are gaining the market share and actually generating profits. Optimism is nice, but when it gets in the way of just providing the facts simply and consistently, then I start to wonder about the source.
there is a ray of hope in GM's future? The reason I say this is that today I was at the SF auto show, normally a bastion of ToyHon love.
This year, however, Honda and Toyota were not quite the mob scene they have been for many of the years I have been going. And OMG! There were PEOPLE, yes HUMAN BEINGS, at the Chevy stand! I have to say they were mostly giving the cars a miss (except for the Aveo, interestingly enough), but boy the new full-size Chevy trucks and SUVs were being swarmed. Ditto GMC. And even the Pontiac stand was fairly well populated, where I was intrigued to see the new G5 coupe, which younger folks seemed to really like. And Saturn was awash in people, although one older guy I talked with couldn't BELIEVE they had introduced the Aura with no 4-cylinder model available and without the composite body panels. He said 30 mpg was too low for the model with the 3.5, and the new car was too easy to dent. I guess it is inevitable that Saturn will lose a few of the old guard as they transition to a whole new model line-up. Oh, and I forgot the Acadia - people absolutely LOVED it! From the interior space and versatility to the looks, people were saying so many complimentary things. The Saturn version (what is it, the Outlook?) was locked, not open, but people were very interested in it. As for me, I sat once again in an Ion2, and had to admit that for $15K it isn't absolutely awful, but still would be far from my first choice. Bring on the Astra! And I sat in the new Silverado, and was duly impressed. Even extended cab versions get a rear seat that is very liveable, and my impression of the old model that the entire interior was constructed from trash can lids (and trash can lids made of poor plastics, even for trash can lids) was entirely erased, as the new model's interior is almost totally up to snuff. There is still a small amount of trash can lid, and it is right where the passenger might bump his/her knees (and BOY is that stuff hard and rough - you can hurt your knuckles if you knock on it too hard), but the dash looks a tremendous amount better, as does the IP, and the stereo doesn't look like a child's play toy with oversize buttons ready to break off any more either. I see why the press has been so positive. The 16/22 EPA rating can't hurt either, I suppose.
Oh, the Buick stand, by contrast, was the one place where you could hear the crickets chirping, just as in years past. And Saab was deserted, despite having a fairly large amount of space for a brand that is pretty much a one-trick pony (the 9-3 in its many permuations) these days.
In the GM corner they had this really neat engine display where a guy would demonstrate bench-testing an engine on a dynamometer to show what GM engineers do, as well as demonstrating the operation of the cylinder switchover thingummy when it goes from 8 to 4 cylinders. (what is that called at GM? VCM/ DOD? I have a feeling it isn't either of those) He was drawing a good crowd too.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I was reading about the Saturn Sky Red Line in C&D, and they mentioned that it was using the 5-speed auto from the CTS. Wouldn't be nice if the next CTS gets this engine for the base model, maybe more refined and detuned to 230 hp? This engine would be great, especially for europe, and would make a nice model line up for the CTS besides the CTS 3.6 with 280+ hp.
I've always respected your knowledge, but I'm not sure if you or I are wrong on this one. I think we are both right. I've commonly have heard GM's cylinder cut-off system referred to DOD or otherwise known as "Displacement On Demand"
I'm glad to find out a 4-cylinder Aura is scheduled for production. I assume the ecotec, will be the one they use ? If not, I'd like to know. I would like to see GM, use the 260+ hp engine from the solstice/sky for a Redline Aura. GM, has already been able to get over 300 turbocharged horsepower from this engine. I'd also like to see AWD and sport suspension perhaps be in the mix ? I guess the most important thing for sales is a 4-cylinder engine along with a 6-speed automatic which would be a winning combination. I'd even let this combo be optioned up on XR's for the fuel conscious person.
torque_r yes that is a good idea pal. The 3.6 has already been tested for over 300 hp. and should be the top engine for the CTS. The CTS-V engine needs 600 hp. IMHO.
The most important thing for this car is interior, and the need for some serious "gadgetology" sprinkled down from the STS. The next STS, needs enough Gadgetology to justify that $60's thousand dollar MSRP.
GM officially revised it's name from DOD to Active Management System awhile ago. Do a google search on it. We still call it that though!! All official docs will do the AMS thingy. From Impala online Dealerworld.
Engine, 3.9L V6 SFI with Active Fuel Management (233 hp [173.7 kW] @ 5600 rpm, 240 lb-ft of torque [324.0 N-m] @ 4000 rpm) -- -- -- S S -- LS4 Engine, 5.3L small block V8 SFI with Active Fuel Management (303 hp [225.9 kW] @ 5600 rpm, 323 lb-ft of torque [436.1 N-m] @ 4400 rpm) -- -- -- -- -- S K05 Engine block heater A
I believe it will use the same HYBRID 4 cylinder engine/system from the VUE greenline. 170 hp. So not only will it get excellent 4 cylinder MPG but also additional mpg from the inexpensive mild hybid. Hopefully by next year they will update it with a 6 speed hydromatic. The heavier VUE is getting 27/32 MPG so look for even higher for the Aura.
The Vue Green Line delivers an estimated 20-percent improvement in fuel economy, depending on driving conditions. It is expected to deliver an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and the best highway mileage of any SUV at 32 mpg. The Vue's hybrid system will cost under $2,000.
Yeah the Aura hybrid in XR trim would be hott !!! I hope GM, would let you option up the Aura so you can have the Morrocco brown leather and have a hybrid also. That would be a winning combo IMHO. :shades:
In looking at the specs a Camry 4 gets 24/33 and a Camry V6 gets 22/31.
The comparable Aura V6 gets 20/28, a bit lower. The V6 Vue also gets 20/28, while the Hybrid 4 gets 27/32.
So, after all that, I would say the Aura Hybrid (if a 4 speed) would get at least 27/32 which is a good bit better than the Camry 4. (and higher if they use a 6 speed)
And I bet they keep the Hybrid 4 price way down to make it competitive with the Camry 4.
Is the current US Epsilon even AWD capable? Judging from the Malibus I've seen, there's an awful lot of stuff between the rear wheels that would have to be moved around to make room for a pumpkin and a set of sticks.
Engine, 3.9L V6 SFI with Active Fuel Management (233 hp [173.7 kW] 5600 rpm, 240 lb-ft of torque [324.0 N-m] 4000 rpm)
Only 233 hp? Wasn't it around 240hp last year? That torque peak is awfully high for a pushrod. Might as well just stick the 3.6HF in there if you're turning the crankshaft that fast.
They say that the Aura hybrid will be within $1000 or so of the base price of the 3.5 V-6. That would put it at $21,5 or so, about $5000 less than the Camry hybrid. Of course, you have to add about $2000 worth of stuff to the Aura XE to get it to the equipment level of the Camry hybrid, so around $23,5.
Then the Camry hybrid makes 20 hp more, and makes 10 more miles per gallon or so. Interesting mental exercise.
Thing is, what all the midsize sedans need is a small economical gas-only 4-cylinder engine, but as big as they all have got, and as fast as new cars are getting these days, a 4-cylinder engine provides diminishing returns these days. Very disappointing. Look at the new Camry - the 4-cylinder with 100 less hp does only 2 points better in gas mileage than the V-6.
I would have explained all that to the old guy who was kvetching about the Aura at the show, but I had more cars to see! :-)
If I were at the top of GM, and with the downsizing finally beginning to happen for real, I would still be thinking a LOT about dumping Buick. That's a 10-year process, which would be about right if they started next year. They don't need the volume, P-B-GMC dealers would do very well with or without the 'B' I think, and the brand is becoming largely irrelevant except to a shrinking senior demographic and the fans of Tiger Woods who would actually choose to buy a car just because he pitches it.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I want to see the new products from Buick, before you dump it. I guess looking next year at the Enclave will determine if I agree with you or not. If Buick made my Velite Convertible, then I would really want the brand to live on. It's going to take investments in good product like the Velite, Enclave, RWD LaCrosse, to keep the brand around though.
I don't know why one would bother to put out a RWD Buick anything - these are not cars driven in a sporting manner. Are they actually going to do the Velite? Last I heard it was off, but I am probably out of date on that one. Anyway, the Velite isn't enough to renew the Buick brand - they should just make it a Cadillac instead. I know the future XLR will not always be the slightly strange-looking concoction that is the current model.
And Enclave...well, you still have Chevy, not currently slated to get one of these. Of course, we shouldn't allow ourselves to fall prey to the GM-cloning mindset. Two of them is more than enough, and the GMC and Saturn look very nice, thank you. Chevy can have one with some updates once the Trailblazer is well and truly done with its run in a year or so.
On a sidenote, I think it will be quite striking when the end of the road comes for the Trailblazer and Explorer, both of which future demises have been announced or hinted at. That's the end of a free-spending, gas-guzzling, low-standards era of driving large trucks as our daily transpo.....of course, Suburban and Tahoe continue to seem to have that magic among car buyers. Still can't figure out why they don't want a minivan instead - uses less gas, easier to climb into, usually more useable space, better ride, less expensive to buy, insure, and maintain, what's not to like?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I don't know why one would bother to put out a RWD Buick anything - these are not cars driven in a sporting manner. Are they actually going to do the Velite? Last I heard it was off, but I am probably out of date on that one. Anyway, the Velite isn't enough to renew the Buick brand - they should just make it a Cadillac instead. I know the future XLR will not always be the slightly strange-looking concoction that is the current model.
The Velite, is dead for the moment. It becoming a Cadillac, wouldn't work because they have the ultra expensive XLR at the top of the mountain. Right now my best hope to get anything like the Velite would be to wait and see in the Volvo C-70 gets a "R" model. I personally think Buick, could fit where Cadillac use to be. Cadillac, is becoming a rich mans car. One who had a middle class income use to be able to afford a new Caddy. If GM, would keep the stickers on V-8 top trim Cadillac's like the STS in the $50's then more middle class folks would be able to plump down the premium for them. The XLR, is a way over-priced and only rich people can afford them. The Buick Velite, would of fit nicely in the mid-upper $40K range. I would buy one without a doubt because it's my favoritest GM car ever made.
And Enclave... well, you still have Chevy, not currently slated to get one of these. Of course, we shouldn't allow ourselves to fall prey to the GM-cloning mindset. Two of them is more than enough, and the GMC and Saturn look very nice, thank you. Chevy can have one with some updates once the Trailblazer is well and truly done with its run in a year or so.
The Enclave is a great vehicle for buick, which makes it a great Lexus RX alternative. The Lucerne, once it gets RWD, more power, and a few more gadgets would be a great Lexus alternative. The La Crosse, needs some big V-8 power or TT 3.6 HF V-6 and RWD along with paddle shifters and a 6-speed automatic.
On a side note, I think it will be quite striking when the end of the road comes for the Trailblazer and Explorer, both of which future demises have been announced or hinted at. That's the end of a free-spending, gas-guzzling, low-standards era of driving large trucks as our daily transpo.....of course, Suburban and Tahoe continue to seem to have that magic among car buyers. Still can't figure out why they don't want a minivan instead - uses less gas, easier to climb into, usually more useable space, better ride, less expensive to buy, insure, and maintain, what's not to like?
Well for one Minivans are absolutely worthless IMHO, smaller, tipsy, and most important unsafe. Large SUV's also can tow, haul, carry alot more people in comfort, plus they have 4-wheel drive. This is finally starting to hit home with the american people and is why you are seeing the CUV's replace the GAWD AWFUL Minivan. :mad: I hate minivans and wished all would disappear off this planet !!!! :mad:
Ford, GM fall off list as insurance industry group toughens criteria to promote improvements.
David Shepardson / The Detroit News
WASHINGTON -- Foreign vehicles swept every category on a list of the safest 2007 models released Tuesday by an influential insurance industry group, mainly because the group toughened its criteria for being named a top safety pick.
Still can't figure out why they don't want a minivan instead - uses less gas, easier to climb into, usually more useable space, better ride, less expensive to buy, insure, and maintain, what's not to like?
Maybe the buyer's pride? :P But again that is what the Lamda's should take care of.
This is NHTSA's latest rant to get more stuff into all vehicles. Not a bad thing. BUT, last years best cars are now in the do not buy heap because of lacking one feature.
Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and Volkswagen AG fell off the list this year, mainly because many of their models don't have ESC. Of the top safety picks, seven were SUVs and two were minivans. The four cars honored were the Audi A4 and A6, Saab 9-3 and Subaru Legacy. No small cars won; the Honda Civic was dropped from the list because it doesn't have ESC.
Didn't I hear somewhere that this would be federally mandated on all cars by the end of the decade? So they should quit making a big fuss about it, as all cars will have it in a couple of years, and test models without ESC as a separate group for now. Much like they do with cars with side curtain airbags.
Apparently Toyota estimates that the approximate total sales of full-size (truck-based) SUVs this year and next will be about 500K (they are worried about their new Sequoia, still not due for a year, as to its gargantuan size and low fuel economy). This is the one category where I believe GM will continue to dominate with the Suburban and Tahoe. The Fords have always been less popular, and the Armada fell short of forecasts right from the word go. Meanwhile, Sequoia continues to sell around 30-40K per year. They are hoping for a "bigger piece of the pie" with the new model, but I think unless there are no further gas spikes, this segment will shrink even more than they predict. And Toyota will be caught holding the bag, while Tahoe/Suburban sales will remain flat, thereby taking that "bigger piece of the pie".
I do have better hopes for the Tundra - I think Toyota will make its 200K/year projection here either in calendar 2007 or 2008 (full availability of the new model won't be until March '07), but of course it is a drop in the bucket next to F-150 and Silverado. They eventually want 250K sales per year for the next-gen Tundra, which is production capacity at the new plant in San Antonio. I think the new Silverado has the goods to grab some more sales from Ford here, and didn't I hear somewhere that Ford has now delayed its F-150 revamp?
My favorite feature of the new Silverado - the rear doors on extended cabs that fold all the way back flat against the side of the bed - why hasn't anyone thought of doing this before? It is so convenient, and can't cost much more than making a door that only opens to 90 degrees.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
My favorite feature of the new Silverado - the rear doors on extended cabs that fold all the way back flat against the side of the bed - why hasn't anyone thought of doing this before?
Because they had to wait for the Nissan Titan to show 'em how it was done.
Keep in mind that half-doors on extended-cab pickups didn't show up in the US until the late '90s, that it took a few years of experience to realize that half-opening doors were a pain in the butt, and that the Titan was the first new or redesigned truck to hit the market after that realization became evident.
General Motors Corp. executives and United Auto Workers officials said an exceptional amount of teamwork enabled the company's Fort Wayne Assembly Plant to start production ahead of schedule on the GMT900 last week.
"We are launching 13 weeks prior to the original launch date, and for that I thank you," said Cathy Clegg, plant manager, during a launch celebration last Wednesday for the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.
Production of the redesigned, full-sized pickups had started the previous day, and "it's going very well," she said.
"The next-generation Chevrolet Malibu's interior showcases the precision and detailed execution that will differentiate it among the mid-size car segment," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager. "The 2008 Chevy Malibu will offer a number of striking and progressive interiors that use premium materials to demonstrate quality and value not seen before in this segment." The car will officially be unveiled in January at the Detroit auto show. Until then, we'll have to make due with the official interior teaser photo, which can be seen in full after the jump
allow me to say that this is a 300% minimun improvement.
Will we see a navigation system, GM?
In an accord or camry, you can call though the vioce rec. system and ask for the lastest restaurants, as well as talk to people hands free.
Will we see a chevy do that in the next generation malibu?
I think the next malibu will rock if it has the 3.6 and 6 speed. Would be even better if 3.6 output was upped to best toyota. the main thing however is weight and turning radius. The toyota and honda have advantages in weight that let them move faster and drink less. We need to see the stats on this new chevy.
I think you just saw it. Since this is a 2008 vehicle it should be out in about 1 year. What you are looking at is most likely production tooled components with grain applied by a special process only done by a few companies. Grain is applied to the tools after all validation is done. So the interior is what it will look like.
Looks kinda concept-y to me. I'd like it to be true, but I guess compared to the current drab offering, it's too much of a jump for me to take in. Like going from a Model T to a SLR...kind of shocking. With upcoming refined mechanicals and finally some competitive interiors, there's some promise. But I'll have to see it to really be excited.
I looked real close at the pic and it looks awful real to me. What is concept-y to you? I can see the part cut lines of the pieces. If it was a concept I would have had no separate part lines.
The colors don't look real, especially the leather and the silver...and I guess the biggest oddity in the pic is the light and shadow. Like it's been retouched or otherwise enhanced.
Don't get me wrong, I'd like it to be real, compared to the dreck GM has put in the Malibu since it brought the name back.
I wouldn't look to the Camry for ergonomic innovation. That Malibu pic is very European.
The colors don't look real, especially the leather and the silver...and I guess the biggest oddity in the pic is the light and shadow. Like it's been retouched or otherwise enhanced.
If it's like the GM products of late, what will do it in is the quality of the materials, more so than the design.
The design in the Malibu photo doesn't frankly look exceptional to me -- there is many a car already on the market with similar designs, but for the two-tone effect.
Which is fine, of course -- dashboards don't need to be groundbreaking -- but the question remains whether the final product will be something more than photogenic.
Take this pic of the current Malibu Maxx dash: Yahoo link, and the dash looks decent. Where it gets grim is when you actually sit in the car and realize that the plastics look cheap and are not all that nice to spend much time around.
It has to be more than skin deep, it has to look the part in real life. And that I'm going to have to see for myself, in the flesh, before I believe it.
not real excited by those pics of the '08 Malibu? They look OK for a top-line trim, which is what I am sure we are looking at given the leather seating. Count on lots more hard plastic where this prototype has nice soft material, in all the models under $25K. If I had my guess, that is....
I, like fin, will believe it when I see it. Don't expect this in the '08 Malibu LS, is all I'm saying. As for styling, it is better, but not revolutionary or anything.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I guess we have alot of "believe it when I see it" on the board tonight. I suppose with good reason given some of GM's promises. If this car is say in top trim and priced at lets say $25K, would that not be a bargain for a camcord alternative ?
I as many of you know am optomistic and believe GM, will have soft materials for the dash. The new Tahoe, uses a high grade of rubber on its LS model. We have lots of them at work and I, like searching them because it reminds me of the upscale quality direction GM, is currently going.
Comments
Not sure where you're getting your figures. Take a look at the Fleet Central website, and GM fleet car sales for the first half of the 2006 model year are down only 5.1% from the same period during the previous years. Here are the figures:
Car | 2005 | 2006 | Change
Aveo | 8786 | 6136 | -2650
Cavalier | 7273 | 40 | -7233
Cobalt | 0 | 32279 | 32279
Sunfire | 7109 | 159 | -6950
Vibe | 6481 | 6371 | -110
Ion | 158 | 6491 | 6333
Classic | 44387 | 543 | -43844
Malibu | 45628 | 53330 | 7702
Alero | 58 | 0 | -58
G6 | 5690 | 30601 | 24911
Grand Am | 24253 | 391 | -23862
L | 25 | 1 | -24
LW | 3 | 0 | -3
Century | 608 | 4 | -604
Lacrosse | 0 | 10214 | 10214
Regal | 32 | 1 | -31
Park Avenue | 0 | 3 | 3
Monte Carlo | 8256 | 13447 | 5191
Grand Prix | 28876 | 38820 | 9944
LeSabre | 14592 | 439 | -14153
Lucerne | 0 | 8433 | 8433
Impala | 83643 | 65917 | -17726
Bonneville | 4667 | 45 | -4622
CTS | 1973 | 3576 | 1603
Aurora | 5 | 0 | -5
DTS | 0 | 8363 | 8363
Deville | 8394 | 208 | -8186
Seville | 8 | 0 | -8
STS | 870 | 626 | -244
XLR | 66 | 26 | -40
Corvette | 232 | 217 | -15
SSR | 93 | 44 | -49
GTO | 46 | 25 | -21
Total | 302212 | 286750 | -15462
Looks like the Cobalt is replacing the role of the Cavalier/ Sunfire, and the G6 is replacing the Grand Am as fleet specials. The Malibu also remains a fleet-dominated model. And while there has been some shift in the numbers between the 4-door Impala and both its 2-door version, the Monte Carlo and the Pontiac Grand Prix, the overall fleet sales on the cars on that platform are also about the same.
Most of the cut in fleet sales came from discontinuing production of the Chevy Classic, which was a fleet car, anyway. If you exclude the Classic from the comparison, then fleet sales went up, not down.
Most of GM's recent "improvement" has come more from accounting tricks than any real improvement, sales are down all around. We'll see if the Aura and other new cars make a difference, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Sales to daily rental companies were down 14 percent compared to year-ago levels, while non-daily rental fleet business was up 6%. Overall, fleet sales of 75,000 vehicles were down 8% compared with last October.
The Detroit, Michigan-based GM stated that retail sales in October were up 36% on a sales-day adjusted basis. The Retail truck sales were up 52%, led by a doubling of full-size pickup retail sales such as Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra and a 46% increase in luxury utility retail sales, including the entire Cadillac Escalade lineup. Retail car sales were up 9%, led by Chevrolet Impala, Pontiac G6, and Saturn Aura.
GMC, Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, Saturn, Pontiac, and Saab all had retail sales increases in October. GMC was up 75% retail, with sales more than doubling for the Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL.
Chevrolet retail sales were up 39%, with double-digit retail jumps by Silverado, up 107%; Tahoe, up 104%; and Suburban, up 83%. The all-new 2007 Silverado pickups also arrived at dealerships in October. Buick retail sales were up 28%, led by Lucerne. Cadillac retail sales were up 30%, with a 14% increase in CTS, a 28% increase in SRX and triple-digit increases for the entire Escalade lineup.
Saturn retail sales were up 16% as the all-new 2007 Aura and Sky continue to bring new customers into the Saturn family. Pontiac retail sales were up 1% due to sales increases for the new G5, G6, and Solstice. Lastly, Saab retail sales were up 83%, driven by a 54% retail increase for 9-3, an 80% hike for 9-5, and a 338% increase for 9-7X.
Ahh I found the data at 25%, it was September data:
GM continues to reduce its reliance on low-margin daily rental sales. Sales to daily rental companies were down 26 percent compared to year-ago levels, while our commercial fleet business was up 12 percent. This ongoing planned pull-down of low-margin daily rental sales resulted in total September sales of 338,380 being down 6.8 percent compared with a year ago on a sales day-adjusted basis.
http://www.gm.com/company/investor_information/docs/sales_prod/06_09/pressreleas- e_0609.doc
From January to October of this year, here are GM's US sales --
Total sales down 9.3%
Car sales down 7.7%
Truck sales down 10.4%
Every division lost sales except for Hummer and Saturn. Buick down 15.4%, Chevy down 9.8%.
I'll believe the fleet numbers when the actual figures are released, rather than the PR Department's version of the facts. Do you notice how the press release included none of the figures that I just provided?
http://www.gm.com/company/investor_information/docs/sales_prod/06_10/deliveries_- 0610.xls
The PR department does not get to lie. I think that Enron stopped that if they have lied in the past. I do not think anyone at GM is going to jail. I am positive the fleet numbers are correct. But you can believe what you want.
It's not a matter of lying, but of taking data out of context or omitting it where convenient.
The percentages chosen in the press release tend to be self-serving and incomplete. Percentages can be manipulated just by carefully selected the right denominator. Meanwhile, the actual hard numbers of these fleet sales are never mentioned, and it becomes necessary to go to a third-party source such as Fleet Central to get these because GM won't tell us what they are.
We've been sold GM turnaround stories every single month, but meanwhile, Toyota and Honda are the ones that are gaining the market share and actually generating profits. Optimism is nice, but when it gets in the way of just providing the facts simply and consistently, then I start to wonder about the source.
This year, however, Honda and Toyota were not quite the mob scene they have been for many of the years I have been going. And OMG! There were PEOPLE, yes HUMAN BEINGS, at the Chevy stand! I have to say they were mostly giving the cars a miss (except for the Aveo, interestingly enough), but boy the new full-size Chevy trucks and SUVs were being swarmed. Ditto GMC. And even the Pontiac stand was fairly well populated, where I was intrigued to see the new G5 coupe, which younger folks seemed to really like. And Saturn was awash in people, although one older guy I talked with couldn't BELIEVE they had introduced the Aura with no 4-cylinder model available and without the composite body panels. He said 30 mpg was too low for the model with the 3.5, and the new car was too easy to dent. I guess it is inevitable that Saturn will lose a few of the old guard as they transition to a whole new model line-up.
Oh, and I forgot the Acadia - people absolutely LOVED it! From the interior space and versatility to the looks, people were saying so many complimentary things. The Saturn version (what is it, the Outlook?) was locked, not open, but people were very interested in it.
As for me, I sat once again in an Ion2, and had to admit that for $15K it isn't absolutely awful, but still would be far from my first choice. Bring on the Astra! And I sat in the new Silverado, and was duly impressed. Even extended cab versions get a rear seat that is very liveable, and my impression of the old model that the entire interior was constructed from trash can lids (and trash can lids made of poor plastics, even for trash can lids) was entirely erased, as the new model's interior is almost totally up to snuff. There is still a small amount of trash can lid, and it is right where the passenger might bump his/her knees (and BOY is that stuff hard and rough - you can hurt your knuckles if you knock on it too hard), but the dash looks a tremendous amount better, as does the IP, and the stereo doesn't look like a child's play toy with oversize buttons ready to break off any more either. I see why the press has been so positive. The 16/22 EPA rating can't hurt either, I suppose.
Oh, the Buick stand, by contrast, was the one place where you could hear the crickets chirping, just as in years past. And Saab was deserted, despite having a fairly large amount of space for a brand that is pretty much a one-trick pony (the 9-3 in its many permuations) these days.
In the GM corner they had this really neat engine display where a guy would demonstrate bench-testing an engine on a dynamometer to show what GM engineers do, as well as demonstrating the operation of the cylinder switchover thingummy when it goes from 8 to 4 cylinders. (what is that called at GM? VCM/ DOD? I have a feeling it isn't either of those) He was drawing a good crowd too.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Are you feeling okay ? OMG, you saying something good about any GM, product is more impressive to me. LOL
I agree the Aura needs the ecotec 4 cylinder as the base.
Rocky
P.S. The Thingummy is called DOD or better known as "Displacement On Demand"
4 cyl is on it's way for the Aura.
I've always respected your knowledge, but I'm not sure if you or I are wrong on this one. I think we are both right. I've commonly have heard GM's cylinder cut-off system referred to DOD or otherwise known as "Displacement On Demand"
I'm glad to find out a 4-cylinder Aura is scheduled for production. I assume the ecotec, will be the one they use ? If not, I'd like to know. I would like to see GM, use the 260+ hp engine from the solstice/sky for a Redline Aura. GM, has already been able to get over 300 turbocharged horsepower from this engine. I'd also like to see AWD and sport suspension perhaps be in the mix ? I guess the most important thing for sales is a 4-cylinder engine along with a 6-speed automatic which would be a winning combination. I'd even let this combo be optioned up on XR's for the fuel conscious person.
Thanks,
Rocky
The most important thing for this car is interior, and the need for some serious "gadgetology" sprinkled down from the STS. The next STS, needs enough Gadgetology to justify that $60's thousand dollar MSRP.
You and 62' have a couple of good posts IMHO.
Rocky
Engine, 3.9L V6 SFI with Active Fuel Management
(233 hp [173.7 kW] @ 5600 rpm, 240 lb-ft of torque
[324.0 N-m] @ 4000 rpm)
-- -- -- S S --
LS4 Engine, 5.3L small block V8 SFI with Active Fuel
Management (303 hp [225.9 kW] @ 5600 rpm, 323 lb-ft
of torque [436.1 N-m] @ 4400 rpm)
-- -- -- -- -- S
K05 Engine block heater A
The Vue Green Line delivers an estimated 20-percent improvement in fuel economy, depending on driving conditions. It is expected to deliver an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and the best highway mileage of any SUV at 32 mpg. The Vue's hybrid system will cost under $2,000.
Rocky
Rocky
The comparable Aura V6 gets 20/28, a bit lower. The V6 Vue also gets 20/28, while the Hybrid 4 gets 27/32.
So, after all that, I would say the Aura Hybrid (if a 4 speed) would get at least 27/32 which is a good bit better than the Camry 4. (and higher if they use a 6 speed)
And I bet they keep the Hybrid 4 price way down to make it competitive with the Camry 4.
Get all that?
Rocky
(233 hp [173.7 kW] 5600 rpm, 240 lb-ft of torque
[324.0 N-m] 4000 rpm)
Only 233 hp? Wasn't it around 240hp last year? That torque peak is awfully high for a pushrod. Might as well just stick the 3.6HF in there if you're turning the crankshaft that fast.
http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2007/HPT%20Library/HVV6/20- 07_39L_LZ8_Impala.pdf
Then the Camry hybrid makes 20 hp more, and makes 10 more miles per gallon or so. Interesting mental exercise.
Thing is, what all the midsize sedans need is a small economical gas-only 4-cylinder engine, but as big as they all have got, and as fast as new cars are getting these days, a 4-cylinder engine provides diminishing returns these days. Very disappointing. Look at the new Camry - the 4-cylinder with 100 less hp does only 2 points better in gas mileage than the V-6.
I would have explained all that to the old guy who was kvetching about the Aura at the show, but I had more cars to see! :-)
If I were at the top of GM, and with the downsizing finally beginning to happen for real, I would still be thinking a LOT about dumping Buick. That's a 10-year process, which would be about right if they started next year. They don't need the volume, P-B-GMC dealers would do very well with or without the 'B' I think, and the brand is becoming largely irrelevant except to a shrinking senior demographic and the fans of Tiger Woods who would actually choose to buy a car just because he pitches it.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I want to see the new products from Buick, before you dump it. I guess looking next year at the Enclave will determine if I agree with you or not. If Buick made my Velite Convertible, then I would really want the brand to live on. It's going to take investments in good product like the Velite, Enclave, RWD LaCrosse, to keep the brand around though.
Rocky
And Enclave...well, you still have Chevy, not currently slated to get one of these. Of course, we shouldn't allow ourselves to fall prey to the GM-cloning mindset. Two of them is more than enough, and the GMC and Saturn look very nice, thank you. Chevy can have one with some updates once the Trailblazer is well and truly done with its run in a year or so.
On a sidenote, I think it will be quite striking when the end of the road comes for the Trailblazer and Explorer, both of which future demises have been announced or hinted at. That's the end of a free-spending, gas-guzzling, low-standards era of driving large trucks as our daily transpo.....of course, Suburban and Tahoe continue to seem to have that magic among car buyers. Still can't figure out why they don't want a minivan instead - uses less gas, easier to climb into, usually more useable space, better ride, less expensive to buy, insure, and maintain, what's not to like?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The Velite, is dead for the moment. It becoming a Cadillac, wouldn't work because they have the ultra expensive XLR at the top of the mountain. Right now my best hope to get anything like the Velite would be to wait and see in the Volvo C-70 gets a "R" model. I personally think Buick, could fit where Cadillac use to be. Cadillac, is becoming a rich mans car. One who had a middle class income use to be able to afford a new Caddy. If GM, would keep the stickers on V-8 top trim Cadillac's like the STS in the $50's then more middle class folks would be able to plump down the premium for them. The XLR, is a way over-priced and only rich people can afford them. The Buick Velite, would of fit nicely in the mid-upper $40K range. I would buy one without a doubt because it's my favoritest GM car ever made.
And Enclave... well, you still have Chevy, not currently slated to get one of these. Of course, we shouldn't allow ourselves to fall prey to the GM-cloning mindset. Two of them is more than enough, and the GMC and Saturn look very nice, thank you. Chevy can have one with some updates once the Trailblazer is well and truly done with its run in a year or so.
The Enclave is a great vehicle for buick, which makes it a great Lexus RX alternative. The Lucerne, once it gets RWD, more power, and a few more gadgets would be a great Lexus alternative. The La Crosse, needs some big V-8 power or TT 3.6 HF V-6 and RWD along with paddle shifters and a 6-speed automatic.
On a side note, I think it will be quite striking when the end of the road comes for the Trailblazer and Explorer, both of which future demises have been announced or hinted at. That's the end of a free-spending, gas-guzzling, low-standards era of driving large trucks as our daily transpo.....of course, Suburban and Tahoe continue to seem to have that magic among car buyers. Still can't figure out why they don't want a minivan instead - uses less gas, easier to climb into, usually more useable space, better ride, less expensive to buy, insure, and maintain, what's not to like?
Well for one Minivans are absolutely worthless IMHO, smaller, tipsy, and most important unsafe. Large SUV's also can tow, haul, carry alot more people in comfort, plus they have 4-wheel drive. This is finally starting to hit home with the american people and is why you are seeing the CUV's replace the GAWD AWFUL Minivan. :mad: I hate minivans and wished all would disappear off this planet !!!! :mad:
Well that's my opinion, sorry for the rant.
Rocky
Ford, GM fall off list as insurance industry group toughens criteria to promote improvements.
David Shepardson / The Detroit News
WASHINGTON -- Foreign vehicles swept every category on a list of the safest 2007 models released Tuesday by an influential insurance industry group, mainly because the group toughened its criteria for being named a top safety pick.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061121/AUTO01/611210365/1148
Maybe the buyer's pride? :P But again that is what the Lamda's should take care of.
Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and Volkswagen AG fell off the list this year, mainly because many of their models don't have ESC.
Of the top safety picks, seven were SUVs and two were minivans. The four cars honored were the Audi A4 and A6, Saab 9-3 and Subaru Legacy. No small cars won; the Honda Civic was dropped from the list because it doesn't have ESC.
Didn't I hear somewhere that this would be federally mandated on all cars by the end of the decade? So they should quit making a big fuss about it, as all cars will have it in a couple of years, and test models without ESC as a separate group for now. Much like they do with cars with side curtain airbags.
Apparently Toyota estimates that the approximate total sales of full-size (truck-based) SUVs this year and next will be about 500K (they are worried about their new Sequoia, still not due for a year, as to its gargantuan size and low fuel economy). This is the one category where I believe GM will continue to dominate with the Suburban and Tahoe. The Fords have always been less popular, and the Armada fell short of forecasts right from the word go. Meanwhile, Sequoia continues to sell around 30-40K per year. They are hoping for a "bigger piece of the pie" with the new model, but I think unless there are no further gas spikes, this segment will shrink even more than they predict. And Toyota will be caught holding the bag, while Tahoe/Suburban sales will remain flat, thereby taking that "bigger piece of the pie".
I do have better hopes for the Tundra - I think Toyota will make its 200K/year projection here either in calendar 2007 or 2008 (full availability of the new model won't be until March '07), but of course it is a drop in the bucket next to F-150 and Silverado. They eventually want 250K sales per year for the next-gen Tundra, which is production capacity at the new plant in San Antonio. I think the new Silverado has the goods to grab some more sales from Ford here, and didn't I hear somewhere that Ford has now delayed its F-150 revamp?
My favorite feature of the new Silverado - the rear doors on extended cabs that fold all the way back flat against the side of the bed - why hasn't anyone thought of doing this before? It is so convenient, and can't cost much more than making a door that only opens to 90 degrees.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Because they had to wait for the Nissan Titan to show 'em how it was done.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
"We are launching 13 weeks prior to the original launch date, and for that I thank you," said Cathy Clegg, plant manager, during a launch celebration last Wednesday for the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.
Production of the redesigned, full-sized pickups had started the previous day, and "it's going very well," she said.
"The next-generation Chevrolet Malibu's interior showcases the precision and detailed execution that will differentiate it among the mid-size car segment," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager. "The 2008 Chevy Malibu will offer a number of striking and progressive interiors that use premium materials to demonstrate quality and value not seen before in this segment." The car will officially be unveiled in January at the Detroit auto show. Until then, we'll have to make due with the official interior teaser photo, which can be seen in full after the jump
Will we see a navigation system, GM?
In an accord or camry, you can call though the vioce rec. system and ask for the lastest restaurants, as well as talk to people hands free.
Will we see a chevy do that in the next generation malibu?
I think the next malibu will rock if it has the 3.6 and 6 speed. Would be even better if 3.6 output was upped to best toyota. the main thing however is weight and turning radius. The toyota and honda have advantages in weight that let them move faster and drink less. We need to see the stats on this new chevy.
Still looks awesome!
Rocky
Question is can you find an Accord or Camry with Nav? I cannot find one. They do not stock them around here.
I think you just saw it. Since this is a 2008 vehicle it should be out in about 1 year. What you are looking at is most likely production tooled components with grain applied by a special process only done by a few companies. Grain is applied to the tools after all validation is done. So the interior is what it will look like.
Love the way the console blends into the IP. Camry does not do it. http://www.toyota.com/camry/interior.html
Don't get me wrong, I'd like it to be real, compared to the dreck GM has put in the Malibu since it brought the name back.
I wouldn't look to the Camry for ergonomic innovation. That Malibu pic is very European.
If it's like the GM products of late, what will do it in is the quality of the materials, more so than the design.
The design in the Malibu photo doesn't frankly look exceptional to me -- there is many a car already on the market with similar designs, but for the two-tone effect.
Which is fine, of course -- dashboards don't need to be groundbreaking -- but the question remains whether the final product will be something more than photogenic.
Take this pic of the current Malibu Maxx dash: Yahoo link, and the dash looks decent. Where it gets grim is when you actually sit in the car and realize that the plastics look cheap and are not all that nice to spend much time around.
It has to be more than skin deep, it has to look the part in real life. And that I'm going to have to see for myself, in the flesh, before I believe it.
I, like fin, will believe it when I see it. Don't expect this in the '08 Malibu LS, is all I'm saying. As for styling, it is better, but not revolutionary or anything.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I as many of you know am optomistic and believe GM, will have soft materials for the dash. The new Tahoe, uses a high grade of rubber on its LS model. We have lots of them at work and I, like searching them because it reminds me of the upscale quality direction GM, is currently going.
Rocky
Rocky
I know you all have already seen the pics but I don't recall seeing the Detnews take on it posted. If it I apologize.
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
P.S. Well it looks like Dad, will have a little extra Christmas money to spend on his grandkids.
newest article from the detnews
Rocky