General Motors has announced that it will be exiting its partnership with Toyota. After 25 years, GM will cut its stake in the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc (NUMMI), which was a joint manufacturing venture between GM and Toyota. The partnership produced vehicles such as the Toyota Corolla and the Pontiac Vibe, as well as the Toyota Tacoma. The manufacturing facility is based in Fremont, CA and produces about 250,000 cars and 170,000 trucks per year.
Since GM has dissolved the Pontiac brand, the involvement in NUMMI was called into question as the Pontiac Vibe was the only GM vehicle currently coming out of the partnership. At first it appeared as though another GM brand would become a Toyota Matrix clone observed Newburgh Toyota, but with GM’s financial struggles it seems that simply walking away is the most feasible option at this time.
There’s been plenty of speculation about GM’s involvement in NUMMI following bankruptcy, but after trying to find solutions that made sense to all parties involved, NUMMI was labeled as part of the Old General Motors says Chicago Chevrolet dealers, and as such would be sold off through bankruptcy.
GM has expressed that the NUMMI partnership has been a positive relationship says one Poughkeepsie used cars dealer. While NUMMI will come to a close, GM is said to be open to future opportunities as well. As it stands, NUMMI employs about 4,500 workers and 890 salaried personnel. Continue reading ‘GM Leaves NUMMI Partnership’
While the auto industry struggles to counteract the effects of falling auto sales, a new study suggests that new car sales won’t necessarily be rebounding any time soon. According to market research firm AutoPacific, Americans are holding on to their cars for longer periods of time, and are there are continuing to stay clear of dealerships.
Research suggested that most would-be new car buyers intended to keep their cars for four years or longer rather than purchase a new car. This statistic, to the dismay of New York Hyundai Repair, is an increase from last year. Meanwhile, 72 percent of the general public intended to refrain from purchasing a new car for more than one year.
Needless to say, the economy is the largest factor in changing buying behavior admits Used Cars Yuma. Consumers that purchase a new vehicle every couple of years or less are becoming rarer in today’s economic environment. Despite the economy, one Nissan dealer in Tacoma points out that automakers are introducing attractive sales incentives and other programs to entice buyers to enter showrooms. Despite these initiatives, sales continue to be sluggish.
With over 32,000 respondents to the survey, the study likely indicates what the general public feels about car buying these days. Although recent signs suggest the worst may be behind us, the industry is still limping along and the rebound in new cars sales is clearly not going to happen overnight. Continue reading ‘Consumers are Holding onto Their Cars Longer’
General Motors is preparing to change the image of its lineup when it emerges from bankruptcy. While the much anticipated Chevrolet Volt is hoped to add to the automaker’s eco-friendly credentials, plenty of attention is also being placed on the Buick brand, particularly to compliment the expected demand for the attractive 2010 Buick Lacrosse.
Complimenting the release of the all-new Buck Lacrosse, Oklahoma City Car Loans say that GM is also planning a new hybrid model in the not too distant future. The stunning Lacrosse will be launched with two powerful V6 options to choose from, not to mention an ultra efficient 2.0-liter four cylinder engine with direct injection technology.
The announcement of a hybrid version of the new Buick Lacrosse comes on the heels of the cancellation of the Chevy Malibu hybrid, which will meet its demise next year according to Trenton Auto Service. The current Chevy Malibu and the Lacrosse hybrid already share similar a chassis and components and are built alongside each other. The cancellation of the Malibu hybrid stems from poor sales, but Salt Lake City used car loans specialists notes that GM seems to think the Lacrosse hybrid will have better luck in the tough mid-sized hybrid segment.
By 2012, General Motors hopes to offer 14 hybrids. The recent announcement of the Lacrosse hybrid appears to be one of those 14, but it remains to be seen whether it can achieve the sales momentum that the Malibu hybrid seemed incapable of attaining. Continue reading ‘GM Announces Buick LaCrosse Hybrid in the Works’
