GM March 2008 Sales Down 13%; Retail Sales Up

[K-1]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

Where are you getting this informatin? Is this an April Fools?

Nope, the 2.2L is getting VVT and a bump in efficiency for '09. There was an article about it not too long ago.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by paul8488

2009, that's the problem! Who's to say the Corolla and Civic won't get 40 by then?

Toyota, Honda, and the EPA, that's who.

[ChevyOptra5]

Originally Posted by Elk

Aveo 2008 3,693 2007 6,793 -45.6

Can we please kill this thing and replace it with something competitive? I mean really we are past the point of saying “it needs more time, not enough people know about it” and gas prices are high. If it can’t sell good now it’s never going to sell good.

I would think the refreshened hatchback would help things as i've always preferred hatchbacks for subcompacts, for some reason, tiny sedans just look weird to me. The biggest drawback is fuel economy though, its not rated any higher than a cobalt that has more power.

[Hoosier Red]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

There is probably some truth to this. It is better for GM, Saturn and the UAW to see Aura sales increasing. GM can live with a slow selling Astra as long as their bread and butter vehicles continue to increase in sales - that being the Aura, Vue and Outlook.

The problem with that is that the company has nothing to offer that first time college aged buyer. The Civic gets them hooked at Honda and they come back for an Accord and a Pilot when they have a family. What does the GM buyer get? The Cobalt and Aveo? Probably not going to hook them for life with those products.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by paul8488

2009, that's the problem! Who's to say the Corolla and Civic won't get 40 by then?

The 2009 Corolla is already out, and it doesn't get 40mpg.

[HoosierRon]

I think it is huge news that in this terrible market (even Toyota was down double digits this month), GM can drop fleet sales 7%, yet still maintain its market share. GM may be the only car maker with increased retail sales for the month!

[Elk]

Originally Posted by K-1

The Enclave has had plenty of prime TV spots (watch any televised event with Tiger Woods). The G5 has three times as many sales outlets, has been on the market for nearly 2 years (vs. 2 months for the ASTRA), and has a pretty heavy rental fleet rate.

Anyone that doesn’t watch golf has seen almost no Enclave advertizing. Anyone that watches NBC, CBS or ABC between 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm has seen a bunch of Outlook ads.

The stats I could find said the G5 is 12.3% fleet.
http://www.fleet-central.com/af/t_po...istrations.jpg

It also lists the ION as being 19% fleet. Aura 31%.

[paul8488]

Well whatever the numbers, the Cobalt I can buy today doesn't get the same fuel mileage as the competition. Neither does the Aveo. This leads me to wonder how it is that GM is going to amazingly jump ahead of the small-car competion in fuel mileage next year.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by Elk

Anyone that doesn’t watch golf has seen almost no Enclave advertizing. Anyone that watches NBC, CBS or ABC between 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm has seen a bunch of Outlook ads.

The stats I could find said the G5 is 12.3% fleet.
http://www.fleet-central.com/af/t_po...istrations.jpg

It also lists the ION as being 19% fleet. Aura 31%.

Did you watch any NCAA Tourney action? There were PBG ads nearly every other commercial break, with the Enclave nicely shown off.

Newer fleet reports (2007 mid-year) have the G5 at 27%. With sales of the G5 dropping, I'm sure the % has increased.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Well whatever the numbers, the Cobalt I can buy today doesn't get the same fuel mileage as the competition. Neither does the Aveo. This leads me to wonder how it is that GM is going to amazingly jump ahead of the small-car competion in fuel mileage next year.

With the new 2.2L VVT and a 5-speed manual.

[bone]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

Great news that Aura is finally seeing a jump in sales. My parents did their part as they purchased a dark blue Aura XE last month and love it. I am really starting to see Auras everywhere - probably because I notice them more due to my parents having one.

I think it just takes Saturn a while to get momentum behind new product since they have such a small ad budget and store network. That said, I think the new Enclave sells so well because it is nearly the perfect CUV in terms of styling. I see them all over North Central San Antonio where I live. Every time I see one I think - "man that is a good looking CUV" and I am 33.

I am also starting to see lots of Malibus. Just goes to show that when GM builds a good vehicle people will buy it.

Also of note - the March 2008 Consumer Reports has a tagline on the top left cover of their magazine that says "New GM models shine". Amazing praise from CR. The feature the CTS and Malibu and have lots of good things to say about both.

I'm finally beginning to see some Auras and Vues and many Outlooks in Southern Quebec. The Outlook is really beautiful, especially in black, like the XR my neigbour has.

[MCGARRETT]

If the peso-dollar keeps sinking, GM should seriously consider brining the Astra production to the USMexCan area. If not, I fear it might be DOA. It is not "replacing" the ION with 750 sales a month, the ION, as bad as it was could do that standing on it's head.

[sigma]

Originally Posted by paul8488

2009, that's the problem! Who's to say the Corolla and Civic won't get 40 by then?

Unless they are both getting brand new unannounced powertrains for a model year that begins production in about 4 months, they aren't.

[sigma]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Well whatever the numbers, the Cobalt I can buy today doesn't get the same fuel mileage as the competition. Neither does the Aveo. This leads me to wonder how it is that GM is going to amazingly jump ahead of the small-car competion in fuel mileage next year.

The 2.2L Ecotech was completely reengineered and Variable Valve Timing was added which improved fuel economy by about 5% and power output by about 7%.

[Rick_VT]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Well whatever the numbers, the Cobalt I can buy today doesn't get the same fuel mileage as the competition. Neither does the Aveo. This leads me to wonder how it is that GM is going to amazingly jump ahead of the small-car competion in fuel mileage next year.

Not sure if any one else has said it, but condolences to Pauls family