GM dealers in the United States delivered 260,922 vehicles in April. Retail car and crossover sales were up more than 9 percent. A sharp sales increase in fuel efficient cars and crossovers could not make up for soft truck demand and a sharp decline in fleet deliveries impacted by the American Axle strike. On a non-adjusted basis, retail sales were down 11.5 percent and total sales for the month were down 16 percent.
GM's out to break the perception that you need to go a foreign manufacturer if you want a fuel efficient vehicle. Running changes to versions of both the Chevrolet Cobalt and Malibu have made them the most fuel efficient vehicles in their respective classes. For the Cobalt, all manual transmission cars receive new tires, a revised PCM tune and a few other "secret" tweaks to achieve an astounding 36MPG on the highway. The 4cyl Malibu LTZ finally receives the six-speed automatic from its six cylinder counterpart, resulting in an increase to 32MPG.
GM's hefty Lambda vehicles will see a fuel economy boost as well. The DI 3.6 will soon find its way into the engine bay, and the Outlook is up first. Fuel economy is expected to increase to 27MPG highway.
We at C&G have known all along that GM already has the tools it needs to build class leading fuel efficient vehicles without compromising their desirability, and we take this opportunity to thank GM for taking the innovative approach this time around, proving that they've learned a lot since the "detune and downsize" 1970s.
At the Beijing Auto Show GM pulled the wraps off the stunning Buick Invitca concept. Previewed at the New York Auto Show last month, this new Buick represents the latest fruits of the synergy between Chinese and North American Buick designers - a taut, dynamic shape that commands your attention like no Buick sedan has done since....since....I can't remember. Want one in your driveway? Fear not, as this car is likely a thiny disguised version of the replacement for the LaCrosse in both the North American and Chinese markets.
"Damaged brand" - seems like a long time ago, doesn't it?
The changes for 2009 model year GM vehicles (Saab pending) are now available for your viewing pleasure. Check the links below and see what cosmetic, mechanical, or feature changes your favorite GM vehicle will undergo for the new model year.
Our design competition forums are humming once again. Longtime C&G member NOS2006 has invigorated the design forums with some fresh ideas for all you future Ed Welburns out there. Think you've got the "chops" to hang with our designers? Check out Chopping Competition #47. The subject du jour for this contest is the Buick Riviera. The Chinese-designed coupe seems to be a love-it-or-hate-it design. Well, here's your chance to make everbody love it. If starting from scratch is more your specialty, you may want to try your hand at Sketch Competition #24 and come up with a new Pontiac G5. The Cobalt's red-headed stepsister gers no love from anyone. Well, you've got the chance to make things right by creating your vision of a next-gen G5. The sky's the limit.
And of course, if you're not in the competitive spirit, you can always strut your stuff in the C&G Design Showcase, and post your chops or sketches of whatever you want, whenever you want.
GM dealers in the United States delivered 282,732 vehicles in March, a decrease of 13 percent when compared with the same month a year ago. For the first three months of 2008, GM total sales of 805,720 vehicles were down 11 percent compared with a year ago. Retail share appears to have remained stable throughout the month and the quarter.
Rounding out our NYIAS coverage are members' reports on their experiences at the show. Be sure to read staff member z28luvr01's take on his experience at the press days last week. His piece gives an interesting perspective on GM that isn't always obvious to the public eye. It's lengthy but definitely worthwhile reading. Also check out fellow staff member GMTruckGuy74's report from the show floor, complete with plenty of pics.
The public days for the New York Auto Show are in full swing, and the Javitz is chock full of people checking out the new Saabs, Pontiacs, and everything else GM and the rest of the auto industry has to offer. Can't make it? Don't worry, C&G's got your back with some exclusive videos that you can't get for the price of admission to the show. We've got some live footage from the press days that, together with our NYIAS photo galleries, might just make a decent substitute for the real thing. For some behind-the-scenes perspectives on some of the goings-on at GM, be sure to check out our four exclusive interviews with different GM executives.
Knowing the pricing of the Pontiac G8, would you buy one?
Yes, make mine a $29,995 V8 GT!
Definitely, I'll take a $27,595 V6 GT!
Yes and either make a great deal!
Maybe...the pricing is a little high
Nah, too much for my blood
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