Ion Vue Sky
Gm Delivered 375k Autos in May; Sales Up 4.7%
General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 375,682 autos in May and that amount is up by 4.7 percent as compared with the year-ago monthly sales. The figures were announced by the largest American automaker on the first day of June.
On an unadjusted basis, sales increased by 8.8 percent. GM's May retail sales of 279,731 were up 8.5 percent. On an unadjusted basis, retail sales were up 12.8 percent as compared with a year ago.
May sales mirrored the strength of the automaker’s new product portfolio. Increased sales of the Chevrolet Impala, Saturn Aura, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave demonstrated GM's strong positioning in the auto industry for fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles. The Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra, both full-size pickup trucks of the Detroit automaker, are deemed fuel-efficiency leaders in their class. The pickups pushed GM's large pickup segment sales up ten percent in total and 14 percent retail compared with May 2006.
GM divisions with retail sales increased in May include Saturn, up 59 percent; GMC, up 18 percent; and Pontiac up eight percent. Also, Chevrolet was again the sales leader in the industry with a five percent increase.
In May, GM North America produced 401,000 vehicles. This is down by 25,000 units or six percent as compared to May 2006 when the region produced 425,000 vehicles. The region's 2007 second-quarter production forecast is unaffected at 1.145 million vehicles. Additionally, the region's initial 2007 third-quarter production forecast is set at 1.075 million, up two percent from third-quarter 2006 figures.
Like the wintry breeze from the Neuspeed cold air intake, the automaker frostily revised its 2007 second-quarter and initial 2007 third-quarter production forecast for its international regions. GM Europe’s 2007 second-quarter production forecast is revised at 468,000 vehicles, down 5,000 units from last month's guidance. The region's initial 2007 third-quarter production forecast is set at 389,000 vehicles. GM Asia Pacific, meanwhile, second-quarter production forecast for this year remains unchanged at 568,000 vehicles. The region's initial 2007 third-quarter production forecast is set at 524,000 vehicles. Additionally, GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East forecast is unchanged at 233,000 vehicles. The region's initial 2007 third-quarter production forecast is set at 258,000 vehicles.
"Our May results were extremely positive as we saw strong total and retail sales increases. Our significant market share gains in full-size trucks and crossovers validates the decision we made to invest in industry-leading fuel economy in these important segments," said Mark LaNeve, the vice president for GM North American Sales, Service and Marketing.
"We are particularly pleased with the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, which pushed our full-size truck sales up more than ten percent for the month. As with many of our vehicles, these great all-new trucks offer what the customer is looking for - best-in-class fuel economy, terrific performance and tremendous value. And our newest entry to the crossover segment, the Buick Enclave, is performing ahead of our expectations. Dealers are selling them as soon as they arrive from the plant. Our mid-size crossover segment performance, including the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, continues to grow at a blistering pace."
The Saturn brand of the automaker also made a dramatic change with its product renaissance. The said rebirth has tremendously accelerated increased total sales to almost 69 percent compared with a year ago. Saturn’s sales are bolstered by the warm public acceptance of its new lineup which includes the Aura and Aura Hybrid, Sky, Outlook, Vue and the Vue Hybrid. Part of the renaissance campaign is the introduction of the Astra as the replacement of the Ion small car. For this year, Saturn brand is said to be the fastest growing brand.
About the Author
Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director, Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.
Ion Vue Sky
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2008 Saturn Vue Pricing Announced
General Motors’ fastest growing brand Saturn recently announced the pricing for the 2008 Saturn Vue. The redesigned midsize crossover SUV is one of the latest efforts by General Motors to revitalize its Saturn brand. Last month, the brand posted the highest sales increase in terms of percentage of all automotive brands in the United States auto market.
The 2008 model year version of the Saturn Vue will have a starting price of $26,990. That is $3,425 more than the 2007 Saturn Vue which was introduced in the market at a price of $23,565. Despite the increase in price, the Saturn Vue is expected to gain attention from auto buyers, thanks to its redesign. The new Vue, according to General Motors, is equipped with many standard features as well as driving-oriented technologies. The styling of the redesigned Vue is also a strong selling point for the auto model.
In terms of safety, the 2008 Vue will be equipped with a complete lineup of airbags. Front, front seat side and side curtain airbags come as standard features for the 2008 Vue. Seat belt pretensioners, disengaging collapsible pedals, active head restraints are also thrown in as added safety features for the 2008 Vue. The new Vue will also be equipped with General Motors’ StabiliTrak electronic stability control system. An electronic Trailer Sway Control feature also comes with the newest Vue.
Three engines are offered with the Vue - all come with Saturn oxygen sensors. A 2.4-liter Ecotec engine will be used on the base FWD version of the Vue. The said engine will be mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The AWD XE variant of the Vue will be using a 3.5-liter V6 engine. The said V6 can produce as much as 222 horsepower and 219 lb-ft of torque.
For the XR and Red Line variants of the Vue, General Motors’ direct overhead camshaft 3.6-liter V6 engine will be used. This improved V6 can produce 257 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. Aside from these three engines, the Vue will also be offered as a hybrid which will use General Motors’ two-mode hybrid technology.
Aside from the announcement of the pricing for the 2008 Saturn Vue, the company also reported that they are thinking about injecting their current lineup with smaller and more fuel efficient cars. “We think there is definitely room at the bottom for an economy car for Saturn,” says Lisa Hutchinson, Saturn's director for product development. “There is a growing interest in fuel economy as prices have gone up,” she added in an interview with Bloomberg in New York.
Currently, the brand’s smallest car is the Saturn Ion. Aside from the Ion, Saturn’s lineup includes the convertible Saturn Sky, the midsize sedan Saturn Aura, the redesigned Saturn Vue, the outgoing minivan Saturn Relay and the new premium midsize crossover SUV Outlook. While, it is apparent that Saturn will be producing small cars for the United States auto market, the company declined to reveal when they will be introducing the small car. What the company announced though is that the new Saturn Astra will be available by fall this year. It will be a rebadged Opel Astra and it was first seen at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.