Drew Dowdell

Chevrolet-Buick-GMC-Cadillac Sales Increase 36 Percent in June 2010 DETROIT – June sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac increased by a combined 36 percent to 194,828 units in the United States. This is the sixth straight month in which sales for GM's brands increased year-over-year by more than 20 percent. Year-to-date sales for the four brands also have risen 32 percent to 1,069,577 units – an increase of 258,368 units compared to last year. The increase was fueled by the continuing success of the company's launch vehicles, its growing sales of compact, midsize and luxury crossovers, and some recovery in the markets for pickups and full-size SUVs. The resurgence in large pickup truck sales was a key factor behind June's results, according to Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. Combined sales of the Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Avalanche, and GMC Sierra were up 27 percent for the month, compared to June 2009 and are up 12 percent year-to-date. "As companies continue to invest in their businesses, we expect this segment to continue to recover," said Johnson. "We think the release of some pent up demand in the pickup market is an indication that a fundamental part of the U.S. economy is gradually strengthening." GM's launch vehicles continue to be a driving factor behind the company's sales increases. Retail sales of the Chevrolet Equinox and Camaro, Buick LaCrosse and Regal, GMC Terrain, and Cadillac SRX and CTS Wagon have increased 222 percent year-to-date through June and totaled 172,083. This represents about one out of every four retail sales for GM. June Crossover Performance Keeps GM the Industry Crossover Leader Chevrolet and GMC dealers reported 16,093 deliveries of the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain – a 208 percent improvement from June 2009. For the year, sales of these vehicles are up almost 193 percent, to 94,105 sales through June. Mid-size crossovers Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia continued to show improvement. During June, their combined sales increased 39 percent. Year-to-date, they are up 28 percent. The Cadillac SRX luxury crossover maintained its impressive run with an increase of 462 percent during the month. Year-to-date, SRX sales are up 488 percent. Month-end dealer inventory in the U.S. stood at about 438,000 units, which is about 30,000 higher compared to May 2010, and about 144,000 lower than June 2009. June Key Facts and Brand Results: Sixth consecutive month that sales for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac have increased by 20 percent or more. Ninth consecutive month of total and retail sales gains for GM's four brands. Fifth month in a row of total sales improvement for GM's full-size pickups. Fourth consecutive month of double-digit retail sales increases for GM's brands. Chevrolet: Chevrolet delivered 141,381 vehicles in June, a 32 percent gain year-over-year. This includes an 11 percent increase in retail sales, marking the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year retail sales gains. The largest sales increases were from Chevrolet line of full-size trucks. Silverado registered 30,994 total sales in June – a year-over-year increase of 25 percent, and posted the best retail sales month of the year. Buick: Buick posted a 53 percent sales increase in June compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date total sales for Buick are up 48 percent. Driven by the momentum around the LaCrosse and Enclave, retail sales saw a 28 percent increase for the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year retail sales increases, making June the best total sales month for Buick in 2010. GMC: GMC reported a 45 percent increase in total sales and 34 percent increase in retail sales in the month of June, compared to the same month last year. This is the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases for GMC, and for the calendar year GMC total sales were up 29 percent over last year. Cadillac: Total sales for June were up 39 percent versus the same month last year. Retail sales were up 35 percent. SRX total sales rose 462 percent for its 10th straight month of triple-digit percentage increases. CTS posted its best retail month of the year. CTS total sales were up 31 percent and retail sales were up 23 percent. GM's Full-Size Utilities Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL increased 69 percent during the month, totaling 15,192 deliveries. Year-to-date, sales of these vehicles are up 19 percent. Fleet sales for GM's four brands were 59,571 for the month.

The thing that would concern me with the Maxima (other than I don't like it's looks) is the CVT. Nissan has been having trouble with the CVT in it's V6 applications to the point where there is the "secret" extended warranty on the transmission.

Not always. It can even be determined by the position it was parked most of it's life. If the owner parked it outside in a specific spot, they probably always oriented the car the same way. The sun is the real killer of those body fillers.

that might not even be a header panel, but just the bumper fillers. front and back sets can be had on E-bay, new, for $300

It's the Buick tagline from 1988 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncHmzaqOeDI

This Just In: 2010 Buick Enclave CXL Does the Great American Road Belong to Buick? Find out in our Interactive Review of the 2010 Buick Enclave CXL

This just in: 2010 Buick Enclave CXL While I'm finishing up the full writeup on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ, we'll also be starting an Interactive Review on a 2010 Buick Enclave CXL-2. I've only had about 5 minutes of seat time so far, but for this review I'll be taking the Enclave on an 800 mile round trip jaunt to Washington D.C. for the Independence Day celebrations. Does Great American Road belong to Buick? 2010 Buick Enclave CXL Gallery

I'd say we all chip in and buy Loki a gift, but that would socialism..... I KID! Happy Birthday guys!

First IPO for a U.S. Automaker in 54 years Tesla shares rise after 1st U.S. carmaker IPO in 54 years

Is this new fangled internet stuff confusing you old man? j/k! Happy Birthday!

low potassium?

I think her point was that it didn't work 30 years ago in 200 feet of water, why would we expect the same techniques to work today in 5,000 feet of water? A second, very large point, is that Exxon, BP, Royal Dutch Shell are the most profitable companies on the planet yet they spend little to nothing on safety and cleanup R&D in so much as to even hire an intern to update the Gulf of Mexico Spill Management guidebook to not include people who have been dead since 2005 as expert contacts and walruses as native animals that need care.

I never said the Malibu held a big value advantage. I said that it's price was in line with most of the competition option for option. Turbo Sonata will probably be the value leader in the segment, but it's not going to be 25k loaded. The turbo version is going to likely add $1700 to $2000, but they could make it a no cost option and it still won't get me to overlook it's appearance. Put that engine in the Optima and we'll talk. The Malibu isn't getting pushed out at all. I'll admit that it's one of the older in the segment but it's holding it's own fairly well and it still manages to be one of the most visually attractive vehicles in this class. I will admit to being smitten with it's lines. There are still plenty of people out there in this vehicle segment who don't care about NAV or having the absolutely most powerful engine on the block. The Malibu moves along plenty of gusto so that any power deficiency compared to a 275hp vehicle is purely academic. For the record, Malibu sales were up 54% in May 2010 and are up 36% for the year. The Malibu LT2 gets heated seats, aluminum wheels, bluetooth, power seats, steering wheel controls, remote start, XM Radio ($346 option on the Legacy) and auto dimming mirror ($212 option on the Legacy) for $25k. After incentives it's down to $22.3. Sure you get AWD on the Legacy.... so it has a sales advantage north of the Mason Dixon.

It's because we won't learn from our mistakes.

when they're attached to hybrid setups, they might

It does have a USB input.

Well, drop the rear seat entertainment and the stupid "protection packet" ($350 for rubber floormats? Really?) and it's just a smidge over 30k. A Ford Fusion Sport (the larger V6) and SYNC MSRPs for $32k. An Altima 3.5 with NAV MSRPs for $31.8k, ditto the Accord. Now, no one pays MSRP even for an Accord, but basically if you equip the cars identically with the exception of NAV, the Malibu's price seems about in line with the competition. NAV units tend to be a $1,500 to $1,900 option. I'll admit some curiosity about Chevy not even offering it because it's such a huge profit center.

Check this out on Ebay Vintage Cadillac Dealer Sign Crest & Vee on Post Vintage Cadillac Dealer Script Sign Neon Illumination via a tip from C&G member HoLottaBuicks

I'm not done with photos yet

Just because of the badge?

I don't think you'd want to avoid any of those Stang. For me, the obvious one years ago was trucks. I don't like trucks and I'm not a fan of SUVs. But the Avalanche caught my attention with it's versatility and then as I looked at it longer I noticed how attractive it is for a truck. It's probably the only one out there that I'd buy because of the aesthetic instead of in spite of it. I can't think of any other truck, even the Escalade EXT, that I find visually appealing from the outside.