Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Consumer Reports News

Two Chevrolet's make Consumer Reports Ten "Top Picks" and the ONLY Domestic Vehicles to make the list

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/cr-recommended/top-picks/overview/top-picks-ov.htm

Posted via web from Dick Genthe Chevrolet

Friday, February 19, 2010

Former Dealer Colleen McDonald to Run for Michigan Senate

 
Crain's Detroit Business -- February 17, 2010 - 3:36 pm ET

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100217/RETAIL07/100219866/1409#ixzz0g2XOPRhS

DETROIT -- Colleen McDonald, former owner of three suburban Detroit dealerships shuttered by the bankruptcy reorganizations of Chrysler Group and General Motors Co., announced Wednesday she is a candidate for the state Senate.

McDonald, 44, will run as a Republican. She was previously president of the Holiday Automotive Group, which owned Livonia Chrysler Jeep Inc., Century Dodge Inc. and Holiday Chevrolet Inc. 

All three were listed for closure during the GM and Chrysler bankruptcy proceedings last year. Holiday Automotive Group reported more than $115 million in 2008 revenue companywide, and at least 170 employees.

McDonald was one of numerous auto dealers who lobbied successfully on Capitol Hill last year for federal legislation seeking arbitration for rejected GM and Chrysler dealers. 

She said Wednesday that she filed a dealer appeal last month to the American Arbitration Association, contesting the closure of Livonia Chrysler Jeep and Century Dodge, and hopes to have a hearing on that matter by late March.

She said she did not appeal the GM closure of Holiday Chevrolet, and that franchise agreement lapsed before the new federal law in December enacted the appeals process. About 1,550 dealers have sought arbitration to reinstate their franchises, and those cases must be resolved by June 14.

“When I went to (Congress) to lobby for saving our dealerships, I was surprised how many people we talked to within government didn't seem to have even the most basic knowledge about running a business,” she said of her candidacy. “That's part of what inspired me to run, is seeing how much government needs a little common sense.”

McDonald in 2001 became the first woman president of the Metro Detroit Chevrolet Dealers Association, and has served on the boards of the Michigan Auto Dealers Association, Detroit Auto Dealers Association, and Southeastern Michigan Dodge Dealers Association.

Posted via web from Dick Genthe Chevrolet

News: Ecotec Engines Investment in Michigan

GM To Invest $494 Million In U.S. Manufacturing For Next-Generation Ecotec Engines

2010-02-18

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  • Three plants involved in project: Tonawanda, NY; Defiance, OH and Bay City, MI
  • Project results in nearly 550 jobs
  • Next generation Ecotec engines will continue to provide the right combination of fuel efficiency and performance to meet customer expectations

DETROIT General Motors will invest more than $494 million and create nearly 550 jobs in three U.S. plants to produce the next generation fuel efficient Ecotec engine.  The project consists of the following:

  • Tonawanda -- $425 million site investment will add capacity for the next generation Ecotec engine at 370,000 per year and bring about 470 jobs to that community
  • Defiance – $59 million site investment will support precision sand cast block at a capacity of 188,000 annually and result in about 80 jobs to that community
  • Bay City – $10.5 million site investment will bring new product to the plant (Ecotec connecting rod) and will create about 15 jobs for that plant.

The investment includes facility renovation, new machinery, equipment and special tooling to support this engine program at the three plants.

“GM is transforming its product portfolio to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and the next generation Ecotec engine is an integral part of that transformation,” said Denise Johnson, vice president – labor relations. “The investment in state-of-the-art four-cylinder engines is another example of GM’s commitment to replace larger-displacement engines with more compact, advanced four-cylinder engines that optimize fuel savings and performance. We look forward to working with our union partners at these three plants to make this investment a success.”

The investment in Tonawanda, supported by the investments at Defiance and Bay City, will go toward producing two next-generation Ecotec engines. The new engines will have additional capabilities to improve fuel efficiency and improve performance through advanced design and by adding technology.

The Ecotec engine family is known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and performance. GM Ecotec engines have been on the forefront of delivering leading edge technology including direct injection, variable valve timing and turbocharging. Direct fuel injection, a hallmark of many Ecotec engines since 2007, is just now becoming mainstream technology in the industry. 

The current Ecotec 2.4L with direct injection and variable valve timing in the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain was recently recognized as one of Ward’s Auto World magazine’s 2010 “Ten Best Engines” for North America based on several factors, including power, fuel efficiency and new technology. The Ecotec is currently available in 2.0L, 2.2L and 2.4L displacements.

“This investment is important because it supports manufacturing in the United States,” said Cal Rapson, vice president and director, UAW International Union. “All three plants have a strong reputation for building quality and focusing on the needs of our customers.”

For competitive reasons, specifics about the engine capabilities as well as product applications will be shared at a later date.

About General Motors:  General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908.  With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands:  Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling.  GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy.  GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation.  More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

###

Posted via web from Dick Genthe Chevrolet

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

GM Media - United States - News

Three Chevrolet Vehicles Named to Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com 2010 Top 10 Family Cars

2010-02-16

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DETROIT – Today, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com recognized three Chevrolet vehicles as their 2010 Top 10 Family Cars, including Equinox, Suburban and Traverse. The list represents the kbb.com editors’ recommendations for the best vehicles for families, based on factors such as resale value, fuel efficiency, capability and kid-friendliness.

"The factors Kelley Blue Book editors consider are in line with what we believe appeals to modern families who consider Chevrolet vehicles," says Jim Campbell, Chevrolet General Manager. "As such, it’s no coincidence that Equinox, Traverse, and Suburban assembly plants are all running overtime to keep up with customer demand."

Here’s what Kellley Blue Book’s kbb.com editors had to say about Chevrolet line-up:

2010 Chevrolet Traverse

Boasting more cargo volume than even its Chevy Tahoe stablemate, the Traverse is the biggest crossover on the road -- yet it beats the fuel economy of many smaller three-row vehicles. We like both of the Traverse's siblings -- the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia -- but the Chevrolet’s lower starting price makes it our choice for families.

2010 Chevy Suburban

Even when carrying nine passengers, the Chevy Suburban still offers a cavernous 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Still not enough? Hook up a trailer and the Suburban can tow up to 9,600 pounds. Beyond sheer size and strength, the Suburban delivers a comfortable ride and plenty of occupant-coddling niceties.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox

In the highly populated crossover category, the Chevy Equinox stands out from the crowd as a vehicle that competently embodies function and form. In addition to an upscale interior and bold exterior styling, the Equinox is also able to achieve a class-leading 32 mpg on the highway (in four-cylinder form).

Click on the links below to see Equinox Program Manager Whitney Krause highlighting some of the features that help make the Equinox one of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com 2010 Top Ten Family Cars.

For more information on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com Top 10 Family Cars for 2010, the Top 10 list, including editorial commentary and reasoning behind each of the editors’ picks, visit www.kbb.com/Top10FamilyCars.

About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is one of America's best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from "gas-friendly to gas-free," Chevrolet has nine models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers three hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Chevrolet delivers expressive design, spirited performance and strives to provide the best value in every segment in which it competes. More information can be found at www.chevrolet.com. For more information on the Volt, visit http://media.gm.com/volt/.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2009 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com also is a W3 Gold Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car Blue Book Values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations.

Posted via web from Dick Genthe Chevrolet

Great News Chevrolet Gold Bowtie

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

National Wear Red Day

On Feb 5th 2010 Say "RED" to receive: NO CHARGE Winter Inspection Service = Visual brake inspection + Inspect tires and adjust pressure + Check coolant freeze point + Inspect exhaust system + Check for Vehicle Recall Notices + Top off all fluids + Check battery cables and test battery + Inspect w...iper blades + Verify exterior lamp operation + Lubricate door hinges, hood, and trunk hatch.

Posted via web from Dick Genthe Chevrolet

New Facebook Page

We just launched our new Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/genthechevrolet

Posted via web from Dick Genthe Chevrolet

GM Certified Incentivized Rate - Clarification

The Incentivized Rate is actually 3.9% for 60 Months 

Posted via web from Dick Genthe Chevrolet

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Dick Genthe Chevrolet Breaking News!!!

Dick Genthe Chevrolet has been selected to be the Saturn Authorized Service Center for Downriver Michigan. We are very excited for the opportunity to welcome these customers and their families into our Dick Genthe Chevrolet Family.

Posted via web from Dick Genthe Chevrolet

Department 180

GM Media - United States - News & Information

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Retail Sales Up 3 Percent – Total Sales for These Brands Up 30 Percent

GM Total Sales Increase 14 Percent

2010-02-02

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  • Fourth Consecutive Month of Retail Sales Gains for GM’s Four Brands
  • Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX Retail Sales Up 161 Percent
  • Fleet Sales Comprise 29 Percent of Total Sales

DETROIT – U.S. dealers for GM’s brands – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac – reported retail sales of 102,420, up 3 percent compared to January 2009, and 145,098 total sales (up 30 percent).  These results were driven by the continued strong growth of new GM crossovers and passenger cars. For the month, GM dealers reported 146,825 total sales (including other brands), representing a total sales increase of 14 percent from the previous year.

“This is the fourth month in a row that Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac have shown a collective year-over-year retail sales increase,” said Susan Docherty, GM vice president, Sales, Service and Marketing. “Our long-term plan to continue to focus and strengthen our brands is delivering results.”

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac comprised 98 percent of the company’s retail sales in January, compared to 85 percent a year earlier. Retail sales, including other brands, in the U.S. were 104,122 during the month. This represents a 10 percent decline from a year ago, driven by other brand sales – Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and HUMMER – that were 90 percent lower. GM dealers delivered 42,703 fleet vehicles, comprising 29 percent of total deliveries for the month.

Other Key Facts:

  • Chevrolet Equinox retail sales increased 67 percent; estimated retail share of the compact crossover segment is up 5 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010)
  • GMC Terrain retail sales were up 162 percent (compared to the vehicle it replaces, Pontiac Torrent);  estimated retail share of the compact crossover segment is up more than 3 points (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010)
  • Cadillac SRX retail sales were up 218 percent vs. last year, the fifth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year; SRX gained approximately 15 points of retail share in the Mid-lux SUV crossover segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010)
  • In their first year on sale, GM Compact Crossovers – Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain – have become the second best selling crossovers in the industry
  • GM sells more crossovers than any other automaker, representing approximately 20 percent of industry crossovers sold
  • Buick LaCrosse retail sales were up 142 percent, the fourth consecutive month it has gained more than 100 percent year-over-year; LaCrosse gained an estimated 12 points of retail segment share, making it number one in its segment (Jan. 2009 vs. Jan. 2010)
  • Chevrolet dealers sold 5,371 Camaros – the eighth straight month it has outsold Mustang

“Our launch vehicles such as the Chevrolet Equinox and Camaro, Buick LaCrosse, GMC Terrain, and Cadillac SRX continue to attract new customers to our brands,” Docherty said. “In addition to styling and fuel efficiency, customers have told us they want safe, high quality vehicles. They can have peace of mind knowing that our vehicles come standard with our 5-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and OnStar.”

Management Discussion of January Sales Results

“Global economic recovery is picking up pace,” said Mike DiGiovanni, executive director, global market and industry analysis. “In the U.S., we are seeing a strong rebound in manufacturing and stabilization of consumer confidence, which will support a slow but steady improvement in the vehicle market.”

U.S. Economy

  • Leading economic indicators point to a continuing recovery in 2010, although risks remain
  • Job losses continue to decline, but initial claims of unemployment remain high, indicating continuing reduction in the labor force. Unemployment is likely to stay near 10 percent
  • Consumer confidence stabilized at the December level. Consumer vehicle buying attitude is improving, but consumers don’t anticipate a strong recovery in jobs and income
  • Home prices have stabilized in large parts of the country. Housing starts dropped 4 percent in December, but rising housing permits indicate construction will pick up in coming months
  • The manufacturing sector continues to expand. Corporate profit reports show the corporate sector is positioned to expand as the economy improves

U. S. Auto Industry

  • The U.S. January 2010 SAAR is estimated to be approximately 11.0 to 11.3 million (total industry estimate) – largely on par with Q4 2009 sales
  • Based on the strengthening U.S. economy, we are increasing our 2010 CY sales outlook to 11.5 to 12.0 million (total vehicle)


GM North America Production

Units 000s

Car

Truck

Total

       

2010 January

69

130

199

Units O/(U) prior year

63

71

134

% change O/(U) prior year

1050%

120%

206%





       

2010 Q1

237

413

650

Units O/(U) prior year

121

158

279

% change O/(U) prior year

104%

62%

75%

 

GM U.S. Dealer Inventory

Units 000s

Car

Truck

Total

       

2010 January

143

247

390

Units O/(U) prior year

(220)

(192)

(411)

% change O/(U) prior year

  (61%)

  (44%)

  (51%)

Units O/(U) prior month

(6)

11

5

% change O/(U) prior month

  (4%)

4%

1%





       

2009 December

149

236

385

2009 January

363

439

801

Other Brands Sales Down 90 Percent in January – Represent 1.2 Percent of Sales, 1 Percent of Inventory

Saturn, Pontiac, Saab and HUMMER combined volumes represented 1.2 percent of total sales in January, compared with 12 percent in May 2009. Inventories for the combined brands totaled 4,212 units at January month-end, representing a 96 percent decrease compared to the end of May 2009 (112,141 units).

Month-End Inventories of Non-Core Brands (May2009 – Jan 2010):

 

May 2009

Jan 2010

% Reduction

HUMMER

4,039

2,493

38 %

Pontiac

70,876

534

99 %

Saab

4,579

780

83 %

Saturn

32,647

405

99 %


About General Motors:  General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908.  With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands:  Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling.  GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy.  GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation.  More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

###

Tom Henderson
GM Communications
Tel:  313-667-2702
Mobile:  313-410-2704
tom.e.henderson@gm.com

The Great News keeps coming for General Motors

Posted via web from Dick Genthe Chevrolet

Breaking News: February Incentives

Overage Bonus Cash - $1000 in Bonus Cash on Selected Units

Lease Pull Ahead – Feb – Aug 31/2010

                Waives up to 3 payments for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac Owners

                Waives up to 4 payments for Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer, and Saab Owners

Enhanced Customer Cash:

                $4000 on 2009 Impala’s

Pontiac and Saturn Private Offer:

                $2000 Bonus Cash on 2010 Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalance

                $1000 Purchase Bonus Cash on other 2010’s

                $500 Lease Bonus Cash

Toyota/Lexus Conquest Program: (choose one)

a.       Up to $1000 in lease termination assistance

b.      $1000 in Conquest Cash on most 09/10 Chevrolet’s

c.       0% for 60 months on most 2010 Chevrolet’s

GM Certified Used Incentivized Rate:

                4.9% for 60 months in GM Certified Pontiac G6’s

Posted via web from Dick Genthe Chevrolet