Tag Archives: GM

Economics, Not Disinterest Explains Low Car Sales to Young

Posted on 7 August 2013 by Ken Zino

Disinterest in new cars by young people is a myth that ignores fundamental economic trends, General Motors Chief Economist Mustafa Mohatarem said at the CAR Management Briefings in Traverse City, Michigan. New car affordability, a crushing student loan debt and higher operating and insurance costs are delaying young people from buying new vehicles. “It’s not a permanent withdraw from the market, it’s more of a delay,” Mohatarem said. Continue reading →

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GM Sales Up 4% in First Half of 2013. Chevrolet Sets Record

Posted on 16 July 2013 by Ken Zino

General Motors sold more than 4.85 million vehicles in the first half of 2013, an increase of under 4% compared to the same period in 2012. The question now is will GM remain Number Two in Global Auto sales when current leader Toyota Motor reports sales results for the period. GM in a rising global market increased its share only 0.1% year-over-year, while Toyota has been rebounding at a much higher rate. Continue reading →

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GM OnStar Telematics Now in Mexico

Posted on 26 June 2013 by Ken Zino

OnStar Mexico, announced today that its telemetric services are now active on the new Chevrolet Cheyenne (aka Silverado) and GMC Sierra pickups, and will be available on the Cadillac ATS later this year. More vehicles across GM’s four vehicle brands – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac – will be equipped with OnStar throughout 2014. Continue reading →

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Alan Batey Named Global Head of Chevrolet

Posted on 25 June 2013 by Ken Zino

In a convoluted position that likely resulted from GM insider politics and bureaucratic infighting, in his global Chevrolet role, Batey will report to GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson; in his U.S. Sales, Service and Marketing role, he will report to Mark Reuss, president, GM North America. Continue reading →

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GM Maintains Number One Spot in China over VW Group

Posted on 14 June 2013 by Ken Zino

In the closely watched sales race in China, the world’s largest car market by far, the reigning champion GM held off its strongest contender, VW Group, for the Number One position, according to sales numbers through May. Continue reading →

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General Motors Sales up Slightly in May as Trucks Dominate

Posted on 4 June 2013 by Ken Zino

Executive summary: GM remains Number One in the U.S. by 100,000 in sales over quality challenged Ford Motor, which has just announced another massive recall on its best-selling 2013 models. In terms of retail sales though, Toyota Motor continues to be Number One. Continue reading →

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General Motors Sells 1 Million Vehicles in China

Posted on 22 April 2013 by Ken Zino

With total overall light vehicle sales projected at more than 20 million for 2013, China will easily retain its title as the world’s largest auto market followed by the U.S. at more than 15 million. Continue reading →

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General Motors Global Q1 Sales Increase 3.6%

Posted on 16 April 2013 by Ken Zino

General Motors posted sales of more than 2.36 million during Q1 of 2013, an increase of 3.6%, in a global auto industry that was up 1.5%, compared with the same period in 2012. Continue reading →

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Ford and GM to Develop 9- and 10-Speed Automatic Transmissions

Posted on 16 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation have signed an agreement whereby both companies will jointly develop an all-new generation of 9- and 10-speed automatic transmissions for cars, crossovers, SUVs and trucks. Continue reading →

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General Motors to Invest €4 Billion in Loss-Making Opel

Posted on 10 April 2013 by Ken Zino

GM has lost more than $18 billion in Europe since 1999, including $1.8 billion in 2012. GM also wrote down more than $5 billion in assets in the Eurozone, and it wrote off more than half the value of its PSA Citroën stock (-$220 million) acquired latest year in what GM said at the time was a collaboration that would, eventually, save billions. Nothing was really new in today’s speeches. Continue reading →

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GM to Build 8-Speed Auto Trans, 3-cylinder Engines in U.S.

Posted on 4 April 2013 by Ken Zino

General Motors will invest nearly $332 million in four manufacturing sites to produce more fuel-efficient engines and transmissions. The latest investments, announced today at GM plants in Flint and Bay City, MI, Toledo, OH and Bedford, IN, will support production of a new 3- and 4-cylinder Ecotec small gasoline engine, a new V6 engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and tooling for an existing 6-speed transmission. Continue reading →

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Milestones – 100 Years of Bosch Generators

Posted on 14 March 2013 by Ken Zino

One hundred years ago, Bosch introduced the world’s first voltage-regulating generator for motor vehicles. Back then, it was only a power source for what were newly invented electric headlights by Cadillac founder Henry M. Leland. Leland also pioneered electric ignition on his cars, while Bosch – a magneto company – trailed that development. These were the early days of the electrification of the automobile, which continues to this day. Continue reading →

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Porsche Sales Rise 18% in February Led by 31% U.S. Gain

Posted on 11 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Porsche sold 10,454 sold new vehicles in February 2013, an increase of 18.2% in comparison to the same month last year. The Porsche model most in demand worldwide was the Cayenne SUV once again at 5,637. Almost 2,000 911 models were sold.The former sports car maker, now luxury vehicle manufacturer fully owned by the Volkswagen Group, saw particularly strong sales in the U.S. at 3,225, a 31% increase in its largest market. Year-to-date Porsche sales at 22,515 are up 22% globally. VW Group is closing in on GM as the world’s second largest automaker and wants to be Number One in global auto sales by 2018. Continue reading →

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Toyota Promotes an American Executive to key Job in Nagoya Headquarters

Posted on 7 March 2013 by Ken Zino

A significant move is promoting Mark S. Templin, from group vice president and general manager – Lexus Division in the U.S. to managing officer and executive vice president of Lexus International, where he will lead Lexus global operations from Toyota City, Japan. Templin is the first non-Japanese executive to oversee a Toyota division within the company’s global headquarters in Japan. Continue reading →

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Spyker Plans for B6 Venator Concept Production in 2014

Posted on 5 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Dutch automaker Spyker N.V. showed its B6 Venator Concept, at the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show today. The ultra expensive gambit to revive the slumping company is a compact, 2-door mid-engine sports car. Currently Spyker sells the C8 Aileron, limited production 400 horsepower super coupe. Continue reading →

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