GM Reports 265,937 Deliveries in June
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 284
From: Pa
GM Reports 265,937 Deliveries in June
GM Reports 265,937 Deliveries in June
http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayS...74&docid=46752
(Monthly comparison percentages are sales day-adjusted unless noted.)
Chevrolet car retail sales increase of 24 Percent: Malibu up 129 Percent and Cobalt up 27 percent compared with last June
Pontiac retail sales up 14 percent driven by G6 up 27 percent, Vibe up 24 percent, G5 and Solstice up 6 percent
Saturn retail sales up 9 percent with Vue up 100 percent, Sky up 66 percent and Aura up 45 percent
Hybrid sales continue to grow with more than 1,100 delivered in June
GM market share estimated 2 points above May and up slightly compared with June 2007
DETROIT – GM today announced June sales results, highlighted by an 8 percent rise in retail car sales and continued strong performance in crossovers. Despite the significant decline of industry market volume and the limited availability of some of GM’s most popular models, GM dealers in the United States delivered 265,937 vehicles in June, down 8 percent (18.5 percent unadjusted). Truck sales declined 6 percent.
“We’re doing all we can to meet customer demand for our popular crossovers and cars, including increasing overtime or adding Saturday shifts at the plants where we build the Malibu, Aura, G6, Enclave, Outlook, Acadia and our full-size vans,” said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “Hybrid demand and availability continues to build, and we’re seeing really positive momentum with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon 2-mode hybrids. While the truck market continues to be impacted by the sudden rise in fuel prices, our offerings from Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac continue to lead their respective segments in fuel economy and that is a decided advantage for those shopping for those vehicles. We expect our market share performance to be very strong compared with April and May.”
Chevrolet Malibu total sales were up 95 percent with retail sales up 129 percent, Cobalt sales were up 37 percent total and 27 percent retail, HHR was up 39 percent total and 70 percent retail, Equinox was up 64 percent total and 42 percent retail, while Suburban and Tahoe were both up in total sales – 13 and 1 percent respectively.
Pontiac retail sales were up 14 percent led by G6 up 27 percent, Vibe up 24 percent, G5 and Solstice were up 6 percent compared with June 2007.
The Saturn division had strong sales in June with Sky total sales up 62 percent, Aura up 41 percent and Vue up 40 percent. The Astra had sales of nearly 900 vehicles.
Cadillac had a strong performance with CTS total sales increasing 31 percent and a retail increase of 10 percent compared with the same month a year ago. SRX and STS both had 26 percent total sales increases.
GM’s popular crossover Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook together accounted for more than 8,800 vehicle sales in the month as demand for the vehicles continues to strain available supply.
GM hybrid vehicles continue to gain in popularity in the marketplace with 547 hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon 2-mode SUVs delivered. There were 295 Chevrolet Malibu, 30 Saturn Aura and 277 Vue hybrids sold in June. For the month, a total of 1,149 hybrid vehicles were delivered, with 4,376 hybrids sold so far this year.
“Make no mistake about this … Asian automakers do not have a monopoly on fuel efficient vehicles. We have a full lineup of vehicles – including five hybrid models -- that provide industry-leading value, great fuel economy and the best warranty coverage of any full-line automaker,” LaNeve added. “Every month, more and more customers are choosing our brands when shopping for a high value, fuel efficient vehicle.”
GM has aggressively managed inventories to low levels. In June, only about 788,000 vehicles were in stock, down about 267,000 vehicles compared with last June. The 72 Hour Sale at the end of June was targeted at the 2008 vehicles left in inventory. Combined full-size pickup and utility inventory is down about 124,000 vehicles compared with June a year ago. The sale helped rebalance inventory to a stronger car mix. There were about 238,000 cars and 550,000 trucks in inventory at the end of June. GM also revised its 2008 industry annual sales forecast to approximately 15.0 million total vehicle SAAR, down from the mid-15 million total vehicle SAAR range estimated earlier this year. The continuing impact of higher fuel prices and lack of robust economic growth led to the revision.
Certified Used Vehicles
June 2008 sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, were 41,857 vehicles, down nearly 9 percent from June 2007. Year-to-date sales are 256,543 vehicles, down 6 percent from the same period last year.
GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry’s top-selling certified brand, posted June sales of 36,445 vehicles, down 10 percent from a strong June 2007 sales performance. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 3,270 vehicles, up 5 percent. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 1,168 vehicles, down 21 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 841 vehicles, up 10 percent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 133 vehicles, up 37 percent.
“The Cadillac, Saab and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle programs posted solid sales increases in June, while GM Certified Used Vehicles continued its sales leadership in the category,” said LaNeve. “We expect growing consumer consideration in coming months for the value and peace-of-mind assurances that come standard on all certified GM vehicles.”
GM North America Reports June and Second-Quarter 2008 Production; Third-Quarter Production Forecast Revised to 900,000 Vehicles
In June, GM North America produced 342,000 vehicles (136,000 cars and 206,000 trucks). This is down 62,000 vehicles or 15 percent compared with June 2007 when the region produced 404,000 vehicles (142,000 cars and 262,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 16,000 vehicles in June 2008 and 21,000 vehicles in June 2007.) For the second quarter, GM produced 835,000 vehicles (381,000 cars and 454,000 trucks). This is down 307,000 vehicles or 27 percent compared with the second quarter 2007 when the region produced 1,142,000 vehicles (402,000 cars and 740,000 trucks).
The GM North America third-quarter production forecast of 900,000 vehicles (456,000 cars and 444,000 trucks) is down about 12 percent compared with a year ago, due to recent production adjustments that will reduce the number of trucks produced by about 209,000 and increase the number of cars by about 89,000. GM North America built 1.020 million vehicles (367,000 cars and 653,000 trucks) in the third-quarter of 2007.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
Note: GM sales and production results are available on GM Media OnLine at http://media.gm.com by clicking on News, then Sales/Production. In this press release and related comments by General Motors management, we use words like "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "objective," "plan," "goal" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, representing our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: the pace of introductions and market acceptance of new products; the effect of competition on our markets and significant changes in the competitive environment; price increases or shortages of fuel; and changes in laws, regulations or tax rates. GM’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q provide information about these factors, which may be revised or supplemented in future reports to the SEC on Form 10-Q or 8-K.
http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayS...74&docid=46752
(Monthly comparison percentages are sales day-adjusted unless noted.)
Chevrolet car retail sales increase of 24 Percent: Malibu up 129 Percent and Cobalt up 27 percent compared with last June
Pontiac retail sales up 14 percent driven by G6 up 27 percent, Vibe up 24 percent, G5 and Solstice up 6 percent
Saturn retail sales up 9 percent with Vue up 100 percent, Sky up 66 percent and Aura up 45 percent
Hybrid sales continue to grow with more than 1,100 delivered in June
GM market share estimated 2 points above May and up slightly compared with June 2007
DETROIT – GM today announced June sales results, highlighted by an 8 percent rise in retail car sales and continued strong performance in crossovers. Despite the significant decline of industry market volume and the limited availability of some of GM’s most popular models, GM dealers in the United States delivered 265,937 vehicles in June, down 8 percent (18.5 percent unadjusted). Truck sales declined 6 percent.
“We’re doing all we can to meet customer demand for our popular crossovers and cars, including increasing overtime or adding Saturday shifts at the plants where we build the Malibu, Aura, G6, Enclave, Outlook, Acadia and our full-size vans,” said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “Hybrid demand and availability continues to build, and we’re seeing really positive momentum with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon 2-mode hybrids. While the truck market continues to be impacted by the sudden rise in fuel prices, our offerings from Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac continue to lead their respective segments in fuel economy and that is a decided advantage for those shopping for those vehicles. We expect our market share performance to be very strong compared with April and May.”
Chevrolet Malibu total sales were up 95 percent with retail sales up 129 percent, Cobalt sales were up 37 percent total and 27 percent retail, HHR was up 39 percent total and 70 percent retail, Equinox was up 64 percent total and 42 percent retail, while Suburban and Tahoe were both up in total sales – 13 and 1 percent respectively.
Pontiac retail sales were up 14 percent led by G6 up 27 percent, Vibe up 24 percent, G5 and Solstice were up 6 percent compared with June 2007.
The Saturn division had strong sales in June with Sky total sales up 62 percent, Aura up 41 percent and Vue up 40 percent. The Astra had sales of nearly 900 vehicles.
Cadillac had a strong performance with CTS total sales increasing 31 percent and a retail increase of 10 percent compared with the same month a year ago. SRX and STS both had 26 percent total sales increases.
GM’s popular crossover Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook together accounted for more than 8,800 vehicle sales in the month as demand for the vehicles continues to strain available supply.
GM hybrid vehicles continue to gain in popularity in the marketplace with 547 hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon 2-mode SUVs delivered. There were 295 Chevrolet Malibu, 30 Saturn Aura and 277 Vue hybrids sold in June. For the month, a total of 1,149 hybrid vehicles were delivered, with 4,376 hybrids sold so far this year.
“Make no mistake about this … Asian automakers do not have a monopoly on fuel efficient vehicles. We have a full lineup of vehicles – including five hybrid models -- that provide industry-leading value, great fuel economy and the best warranty coverage of any full-line automaker,” LaNeve added. “Every month, more and more customers are choosing our brands when shopping for a high value, fuel efficient vehicle.”
GM has aggressively managed inventories to low levels. In June, only about 788,000 vehicles were in stock, down about 267,000 vehicles compared with last June. The 72 Hour Sale at the end of June was targeted at the 2008 vehicles left in inventory. Combined full-size pickup and utility inventory is down about 124,000 vehicles compared with June a year ago. The sale helped rebalance inventory to a stronger car mix. There were about 238,000 cars and 550,000 trucks in inventory at the end of June. GM also revised its 2008 industry annual sales forecast to approximately 15.0 million total vehicle SAAR, down from the mid-15 million total vehicle SAAR range estimated earlier this year. The continuing impact of higher fuel prices and lack of robust economic growth led to the revision.
Certified Used Vehicles
June 2008 sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, were 41,857 vehicles, down nearly 9 percent from June 2007. Year-to-date sales are 256,543 vehicles, down 6 percent from the same period last year.
GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry’s top-selling certified brand, posted June sales of 36,445 vehicles, down 10 percent from a strong June 2007 sales performance. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 3,270 vehicles, up 5 percent. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 1,168 vehicles, down 21 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 841 vehicles, up 10 percent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 133 vehicles, up 37 percent.
“The Cadillac, Saab and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle programs posted solid sales increases in June, while GM Certified Used Vehicles continued its sales leadership in the category,” said LaNeve. “We expect growing consumer consideration in coming months for the value and peace-of-mind assurances that come standard on all certified GM vehicles.”
GM North America Reports June and Second-Quarter 2008 Production; Third-Quarter Production Forecast Revised to 900,000 Vehicles
In June, GM North America produced 342,000 vehicles (136,000 cars and 206,000 trucks). This is down 62,000 vehicles or 15 percent compared with June 2007 when the region produced 404,000 vehicles (142,000 cars and 262,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 16,000 vehicles in June 2008 and 21,000 vehicles in June 2007.) For the second quarter, GM produced 835,000 vehicles (381,000 cars and 454,000 trucks). This is down 307,000 vehicles or 27 percent compared with the second quarter 2007 when the region produced 1,142,000 vehicles (402,000 cars and 740,000 trucks).
The GM North America third-quarter production forecast of 900,000 vehicles (456,000 cars and 444,000 trucks) is down about 12 percent compared with a year ago, due to recent production adjustments that will reduce the number of trucks produced by about 209,000 and increase the number of cars by about 89,000. GM North America built 1.020 million vehicles (367,000 cars and 653,000 trucks) in the third-quarter of 2007.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
Note: GM sales and production results are available on GM Media OnLine at http://media.gm.com by clicking on News, then Sales/Production. In this press release and related comments by General Motors management, we use words like "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "objective," "plan," "goal" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, representing our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: the pace of introductions and market acceptance of new products; the effect of competition on our markets and significant changes in the competitive environment; price increases or shortages of fuel; and changes in laws, regulations or tax rates. GM’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q provide information about these factors, which may be revised or supplemented in future reports to the SEC on Form 10-Q or 8-K.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,173
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080701/..._ge/auto_sales
By TOM KRISHER and DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP Auto Writers
22 minutes ago
DETROIT - High gasoline prices and a weak economy took a toll on U.S. sales of Toyota Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co. vehicles in June, with Toyota reporting a 21.4 percent decline and Ford dropping 27.9 percent.
Industry analysts had predicted June auto sales could drop by double-digits to their lowest monthly rate in 16 years.
Toyota, however, had been expected to fare better because it has a lineup more tilted toward small fuel-efficient cars and crossover vehicles.
But it didn't. Toyota said Tuesday its car sales dropped 9.4 percent for the month, while its truck sales slipped 38.9 percent. For the first half of the year, Toyota sales were down 6.8 percent.
Ford shares sank to a new 52-week low, while rival General Motors Corp. shares were trading near their lowest level in more than a half century.
Dearborn-based Ford blamed the latest sales decline on high gas prices and low consumer confidence, which sent buyers to the sidelines. It reported steep drops in June sales of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, including a 41 percent year-over-year decline for the F-Series pickup, a perennial best-seller, and a 52 percent drop for the Ford Explorer SUV.
U.S. auto sales had already fallen for seven straight months as of May, the longest period of consecutive monthly drops in eight years, according to the auto information Web site Edmunds.com.
When customers do buy, they're picking smaller cars, crossovers and hybrids. The demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles has been a boon to Japanese automakers such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., which rely less heavily on trucks and sport utility vehicles than the Detroit Three.
For the first half of the year, Ford's sales were down 14 percent compared with the year-ago period.
Ford said sales of its smallest car, the Ford Focus, rose 28 percent in the first six months of the year, although Focus sales fell in June. The automaker said last month it plans to increase production of the Focus as well as the Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape small SUVs.
Ford shares tumbled 32 cents, or 6.6 percent, to $4.49 in afternoon trading after sinking to a 52-week low of $4.41 earlier in the session. They have traded as high as $9.64 over the past year.
The Associated Press reports unadjusted figures, calculating the percentage change in the total number of vehicles sold in one month compared with the same month a year earlier. Some automakers report percentages adjusted for sales days. There were 24 sales days last month and 27 in June 2007.
22 minutes ago
DETROIT - High gasoline prices and a weak economy took a toll on U.S. sales of Toyota Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co. vehicles in June, with Toyota reporting a 21.4 percent decline and Ford dropping 27.9 percent.
Industry analysts had predicted June auto sales could drop by double-digits to their lowest monthly rate in 16 years.
Toyota, however, had been expected to fare better because it has a lineup more tilted toward small fuel-efficient cars and crossover vehicles.
But it didn't. Toyota said Tuesday its car sales dropped 9.4 percent for the month, while its truck sales slipped 38.9 percent. For the first half of the year, Toyota sales were down 6.8 percent.
Ford shares sank to a new 52-week low, while rival General Motors Corp. shares were trading near their lowest level in more than a half century.
Dearborn-based Ford blamed the latest sales decline on high gas prices and low consumer confidence, which sent buyers to the sidelines. It reported steep drops in June sales of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, including a 41 percent year-over-year decline for the F-Series pickup, a perennial best-seller, and a 52 percent drop for the Ford Explorer SUV.
U.S. auto sales had already fallen for seven straight months as of May, the longest period of consecutive monthly drops in eight years, according to the auto information Web site Edmunds.com.
When customers do buy, they're picking smaller cars, crossovers and hybrids. The demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles has been a boon to Japanese automakers such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., which rely less heavily on trucks and sport utility vehicles than the Detroit Three.
For the first half of the year, Ford's sales were down 14 percent compared with the year-ago period.
Ford said sales of its smallest car, the Ford Focus, rose 28 percent in the first six months of the year, although Focus sales fell in June. The automaker said last month it plans to increase production of the Focus as well as the Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape small SUVs.
Ford shares tumbled 32 cents, or 6.6 percent, to $4.49 in afternoon trading after sinking to a 52-week low of $4.41 earlier in the session. They have traded as high as $9.64 over the past year.
The Associated Press reports unadjusted figures, calculating the percentage change in the total number of vehicles sold in one month compared with the same month a year earlier. Some automakers report percentages adjusted for sales days. There were 24 sales days last month and 27 in June 2007.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
They sold fewer than 900 Astras in the entire month?
Wow, marketing failure anyone?
It's an awesome little car by all accounts. It looks great. My local Saturn dealer has at least a dozen on the lot. What the heck are they doing wrong? The only thing I can think of is advertising -- I've never seen a single ad for it (although I've seen it flashed briefly on the screen in a general Saturn ad).
Wow, marketing failure anyone?
It's an awesome little car by all accounts. It looks great. My local Saturn dealer has at least a dozen on the lot. What the heck are they doing wrong? The only thing I can think of is advertising -- I've never seen a single ad for it (although I've seen it flashed briefly on the screen in a general Saturn ad).
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,958
From: Kansas City, MO
They sold fewer than 900 Astras in the entire month?
Wow, marketing failure anyone?
It's an awesome little car by all accounts. It looks great. My local Saturn dealer has at least a dozen on the lot. What the heck are they doing wrong? The only thing I can think of is advertising -- I've never seen a single ad for it (although I've seen it flashed briefly on the screen in a general Saturn ad).
Wow, marketing failure anyone?
It's an awesome little car by all accounts. It looks great. My local Saturn dealer has at least a dozen on the lot. What the heck are they doing wrong? The only thing I can think of is advertising -- I've never seen a single ad for it (although I've seen it flashed briefly on the screen in a general Saturn ad).
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
But the Aura is boring.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,209
My dealership has about 15 Astras on the lot. I don't think I've seen one sold. There's a total lack of advertising.
The Aura is a lot of car for the money. I can see why someone would pick a 4-cylinder Aura over the Astra.
The Aura is a lot of car for the money. I can see why someone would pick a 4-cylinder Aura over the Astra.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,448
From: Irving, TX
Of course, 99% of all cars w/o a V8 or a coupe available is seen as boring on this board.
For most people not on car enthusiast forums, a 4 sedan with nice features is what they want, and the Aura over delivers.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 757
Two notes about Pontiac:
G6 had a strong sales month. Again. Retail up 27 percent. It has quietly been a consistently strong seller, despite the fact that it is an old design that was not a class leader to begin with.
G8 had a weak sales month. Again. Sales look like they are going to be a repeat of GTO's despite its being a better looking, more practical car.
When you add two and two together, you see that Pontiac competes very well in the value-priced market, but fails as a BMW alternative. This argument becomes stronger when you consider the historically strong sales of the Grand Prix and Grand Am. And yet look into the brand's future, and you see it's been completely left out in the cold for future Epsilons. Instead, it's getting a couple of impractical sports vehicles - Solstice Targa and the G8 Sport Truck.
When is someone at GM going to notice all this and give Pontiac the cars that it could sell very well? Why are they trying to force it upmarket when it clearly thrives as a value-priced sporty brand, going head-to-head with the likes of Nissan and Mazda?
G6 had a strong sales month. Again. Retail up 27 percent. It has quietly been a consistently strong seller, despite the fact that it is an old design that was not a class leader to begin with.
G8 had a weak sales month. Again. Sales look like they are going to be a repeat of GTO's despite its being a better looking, more practical car.
When you add two and two together, you see that Pontiac competes very well in the value-priced market, but fails as a BMW alternative. This argument becomes stronger when you consider the historically strong sales of the Grand Prix and Grand Am. And yet look into the brand's future, and you see it's been completely left out in the cold for future Epsilons. Instead, it's getting a couple of impractical sports vehicles - Solstice Targa and the G8 Sport Truck.
When is someone at GM going to notice all this and give Pontiac the cars that it could sell very well? Why are they trying to force it upmarket when it clearly thrives as a value-priced sporty brand, going head-to-head with the likes of Nissan and Mazda?
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,448
From: Irving, TX
The Astra does look good and I am sure is more fun to drive, but is nowhere near as big as the Aura. Astra needs some better marketing to get some buyers.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,448
From: Irving, TX
Two notes about Pontiac:
G6 had a strong sales month. Again. Retail up 27 percent. It has quietly been a consistently strong seller, despite the fact that it is an old design that was not a class leader to begin with.
G8 had a weak sales month. Again. Sales look like they are going to be a repeat of GTO's despite its being a better looking, more practical car.
When you add two and two together, you see that Pontiac competes very well in the value-priced market, but fails as a BMW alternative. This argument becomes stronger when you consider the historically strong sales of the Grand Prix and Grand Am. And yet look into the brand's future, and you see it's been completely left out in the cold for future Epsilons. Instead, it's getting a couple of impractical sports vehicles - Solstice Targa and the G8 Sport Truck.
When is someone at GM going to notice all this and give Pontiac the cars that it could sell very well? Why are they trying to force it upmarket when it clearly thrives as a value-priced sporty brand, going head-to-head with the likes of Nissan and Mazda?
G6 had a strong sales month. Again. Retail up 27 percent. It has quietly been a consistently strong seller, despite the fact that it is an old design that was not a class leader to begin with.
G8 had a weak sales month. Again. Sales look like they are going to be a repeat of GTO's despite its being a better looking, more practical car.
When you add two and two together, you see that Pontiac competes very well in the value-priced market, but fails as a BMW alternative. This argument becomes stronger when you consider the historically strong sales of the Grand Prix and Grand Am. And yet look into the brand's future, and you see it's been completely left out in the cold for future Epsilons. Instead, it's getting a couple of impractical sports vehicles - Solstice Targa and the G8 Sport Truck.
When is someone at GM going to notice all this and give Pontiac the cars that it could sell very well? Why are they trying to force it upmarket when it clearly thrives as a value-priced sporty brand, going head-to-head with the likes of Nissan and Mazda?