GM Reports 129,227 Deliveries in January

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New products and GMAC financing help stabilize retail share above 21 percent for the second consecutive month
Cars and crossovers were 65 percent of GM retail vehicles sold
"Presidents Day Sale" begins with 0 percent APR or bonus cash offers on select vehicles for qualified buyers
DETROIT - Driven by an 80 percent reduction in fleet sales, General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 129,227 vehicles in January, down 49 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales were off 38 percent, but retail market share held steady compared with December. GM's retail share performance was assisted by reduced-rate APR financing capacity through GMAC and a GM loyalty cash offer. GM January total car sales of 43,943 were off 58 percent and total truck sales (including crossovers) of 85,284 were down 42 percent compared with a year ago. Additionally, retail sales for GM cars and crossovers combined were about 65 percent of sales mix in the month.
"We're attacking this unprecedented market as aggressively as possible, while offering more vehicles than ever that provide great value and that Americans enjoy owning," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Our retail market share is a bright spot, holding steady above 21 percent for the second month in a row. That's a full point above the trailing 12-month average. It's important to realize that we accomplished this retail performance as the overall market ran about 6 million vehicles behind where it was last January (on a seasonally-adjusted annual rate) and every manufacturer was deeply impacted."
The newly-launched Chevrolet Traverse crossover continues to gain traction in the market place with total sales of more than 5,200 vehicles. Chevrolet's crossovers, HHR, Equinox and Traverse had 11,666 retail sales, a 10 percent increase compared with last year. The strength of Traverse's launch helped push retail sales of all GM crossovers to 20 percent of all retail vehicles sold by the automaker in January, up about 3 percentage points from a year ago.

Buick Tops 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study

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Image via WikipediaFurther demonstrating Buick's ongoing commitment to quality, J.D. Power and Associates announced today that Buick tied for the highest ranking in vehicle dependability for three-year old models. The Buick LaCrosse was also ranked first in the midsize car segment, beating the Toyota Camry, while the Buick Lucerne came in second in the large car segment.
For the seventh straight year, Buick has ranked in the top ten brands in the J.D. Power and Associates dependability study, which tracks vehicle issues over a three-year ownership period and this year evaluates more than 200 problem areas. Buick moved from sixth place to take over the top spot in this year's study.
"Quality and craftsmanship have always been one of the defining characteristics of the Buick brand," said Susan Docherty, GM North America vice president for Buick, Pontiac and GMC. "The added value of that dependability, combined with premium materials and refined, responsive performance, is something our customers have come to expect from every Buick, and it's the driving force behind the continuing transformation of the brand."
In addition to the latest J.D. Power and Associates honor, Buicks have been recognized with numerous "recommended" and "best buy" designations by leading consumer magazines and websites for all three current models: Enclave, Lucerne, and LaCrosse. Building on that tradition, an all-new 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan will arrive in showrooms

TRANSIT CONNECT BRINGS 22 CITY, 25 HIGHWAY MPG TO MARKET-LEADING COMMERCIAL TRUCK LINEUP

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Transit Connect is rated at 22 city, 25 highway EPA miles per gallon, goes on sale in the U.S. this summer, starting at $21,475, including destination
Ford fills an unmet U.S. commercial business need with new Transit Connect, an industry-exclusive vehicle specifically developed to be a smart new choice for small business owners
Low operating and ownership costs, 135 cubic feet of cargo space and a 1,600 pound payload make Transit Connect a smart solution
Dearborn, Mich., Feb. 24, 2009 – Ford today confirmed EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Ford Transit Connect at 22 miles per gallon in city driving and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.
“No other vehicle on the road in the U.S. today delivers the combination of fuel economy and useful space as the Ford Transit Connect,” said Rob Stevens, chief engineer. “It’s a unique package, offering a 1,600 pound payload, 135 cubic feet of cargo space and superior fuel economy.”
To deliver a more fuel efficient commercial vehicle, Ford is tapping its global portfolio of products to meet the unique needs of American small business owners with the 2010 Transit Connect. It represents a spacious new alternative to larger commercial vehicles and is ideal for navigating congested cities.
Transit Connect arrives with a global reputation for durability and toughness dating back to its 2003 launch, when an expert jury of European commercial vehicle journalists named it International Van of the Year.
Transit Connect: It’s DurableFord Transit Connect is a purpose-built commercial vehicle, built on a dedicated commercial vehicle platform in an exclusive commercial vehicle production facility. It is designed, engineered and manufactured by Ford of Europe to beat tough, light commercial vehicle durability standards.

FORD GAINS RETAIL SHARE IN MARCH, DELIVERS FIRST FUSION HYBRIDS, LAUNCHES FORD ADVANTAGE PLAN

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Ford retail share climbs in March capping two consecutive quarters of retail share gains
First Fusion Hybrids are delivered to customers
Ford Advantage Plan offers customers peace of mind in uncertain times
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 125,107, down 41 percent versus year ago but were 30 percent higher than February
Ford updates first quarter North American production
New, fuel-efficient products and quality on par with the best in the industry helped Ford increase retail market share in March to its highest level since December 2006, capping two consecutive quarters of retail share gains. Ford estimates its retail share performance from October 2008 through March 2009 was the strongest of any major manufacturer compared with the same period a year ago.
Ford’s newest products drove the company’s retail share performance: the new F-150 pickup, Escape small utility, Flex full-size crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan. The sell-down of the previous-generation Fusion mid-size sedan also contributed to the company’s strong retail showing.
Growing awareness and consideration of Ford and its high-quality, fuel-efficient products are starting to take hold. Plus, through June 1, Ford is offering consumers additional reasons to “Drive one.”
“Ford has a great story to tell, and the Ford Advantage Plan will help our dealers tell that story,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Marketing and Communications. “We’re trying to provide people peace of mind in these uncertain times. When you combine that with our leading quality, fuel economy, safety and strong residual values, there has never been a better time to come over to Ford.”
The Ford Advantage Plan is effective on vehicles delivered from March 31 through June 1. The Plan offers payment protection up to 12 months for up to $700 per month on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle if a customer loses his or her job. Plus, 0 percent financing from Ford Motor Credit is available on select vehicles.
Customer deliveries of Ford’s newest products – the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan – began in March. Recent independent studies rate Fusion and Milan – the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans in America – as having the best predicted reliability among all mid-size sedans. Plus, the new Fusion Hybrid delivers 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on highway, topping the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway. The new four-cylinder Ford Fusion S achieves 34 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city, beating both the gasoline-powered Camry and Honda Accord.
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 125,107 in March, down 41 percent compared with March 2008. Retail sales were down 36 percent compared with a year ago and fleet sales were down 50 percent.

bmw car

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The momentumful outline of the side view becomes thereby the symbol for a particularly temperful appearance in the streetscape. The optional chrome volume, which frames the stretched window areas, underlines this impression.Service provider: The six cylinder engine BMW of the 130iBMW 1er brings the fascination BMW with the practical advantages of a compact vehicle in agreement. That applies in special way to BMW the 130i.Its 3.0 litre large row six cylinder engine with magnesium aluminium group crank case, VALVETRONIC and double VANOS mobilizes 195 KW of 265 HP.This Kraftpotenzial leads the high efficiency of the row six-cylinder made possible at the same time to outstanding road performances (0-100 km/h limited in 6.0 seconds with the Dreitürer and/or 6.1 seconds with the Fünftürer, maximum speed electronically on 250 km/h), an economy exemplary in this performance class. BMW 130i three and and use Fünftürer of on the average 8.3 litres per 100 of kilometers in the European Union test cycle both and.

Bmw

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The joy in driving was established also in the compact class. Now it is again increased. New BMW 1er its world premiere celebrated new engines, purposeful modifications at the Exterieurdesign and an attractive reorganization of its interior for the prelude of the international automobile salon in Geneva with a second Karosserievariante. For the first time is to be had BMW 1er then also as Dreitürer. The new model variant sits down with its sporty-elegant collateral line and with particularly agilen handling characteristics in scene.A maximum of efficient dynamics reaches BMW 1er - both and three and and Fünftürer - with the new generation of four-cylinder engines. For additional achievement and singular economy an aluminum crank case and a new Common Rail injection system for the Diesel drives as well as the High Precision Injection, a Direkteinspritzung of the 2 provide. Generation, with the Benzinern. In addition the new engines with Brake Energy regeneration, car start stop function and switching point announcement are combined.A class for itself is in the compact segment also in the future BMW 130i. Its row six cylinder engine with magnesium aluminium group crank case and VALVETRONIC technology carries 265 HP for 195 KW out and makes now also the three-door model variant BMW of the 1er absolute top-class sportsman.With more than 200,000 sold units world-wide BMW 1er in the compact segment made to measure put a start down. Engine in front, power transmission to the rear wheels - in such a way reads the concept for maximum driving joy, which led also in this class to success. For the first time the functionality of a handy diagonal tail sedan with the typical handling characteristics BMW was combined. Now the first - and still only - compact vehicle with rear propulsion provides again for sensation. The new three-door variant emphasizes the dynamics of the propulsion principle already at first sight still more clearly.

Maruti Hyundai and Gm to hike car prices

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NEW DELHI: The new year will begin on a costly note for car buyers with major players, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motors and General Motors, planning to increase prices of the vehicles by as much as Rs 12,000.The companies are citing higher costs of raw materials such as lead and aluminium, besides rising freight charges as well as petroleum products, among the reasons for increasing the vehicle prices.According to dealer sources, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has told its distributors to gear up for an increase in prices across all models by up to Rs 12,000. The price hike would be applicable on dispatches of vehicles from the date of announcement of the hike in January. When contacted, officials of the country's biggest carmaker declined to comment.Sources said Maruti has also written to its dealers that it will shut down production facilities for maintenance activities during December 24-31 and the dealers should plan their bookings accordingly.Maruti's nearest rival Hyundai Motors India Ltd is also planning a price hike of up to two per cent across different models by December-end or January next year. Hyundai's lowest price car is the Santro non-AC which comes for Rs 2.72 lakh, while the high-end Sonata Embera is priced Rs 15.71 lakh.