truth about domestics

They’re all in GM’s latest advertisement!

In one of GMC’s latest commercials, GM teamed up with a group of students from Texas A&M that goes by the name Dude Perfect. The group of students is known for making challenging and very elaborate basketball shots.

Take a look at the video – the Dude Perfect group sets up a basketball shot from an airplane! Pretty sweet, but I still question how effective the ad will be at selling GMC trucks. In any case, the video is worth of watching.

Earlier this year we posted a story about General Motors adding a third shift at the Ingersoll, Ontario plant that builds the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.  However, demand has proved to be so strong that more production capacity was needed.  Therefore, GM will expand the body shop at Ingersoll and then ship the body shells to the Oshawa, Ontario plant that builds the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro and Impala, where a third shift will build the Equinox.  All of the workers laid off at Ingersoll will be brought back, plus an additional 70 workers to help build the bodies.  Over at Oshawa, 600 employees will be reinstated, making this another victory for GM’s comeback.  For the full story, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

General Motors announced that it has cut $10.7 billion in annual costs, moving the company closer to a planned 2010 profit. The cost savings can be attributed to reduced interest payments from a reduction of debt, reduction of union retiree bills, and a $6.7 billion saving in cutting jobs, closing plants, and shutting down brands.

Meanwhile, the costs savings will be used for vehicle development (good thing!) and marketing. Redesigns of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are expected, and could cost as much as $1 billion.

In addition to 2010 profitability, CEO, Ed Whitacre’s goal is to keep GM’s market share at 20 percent. This will be tough to achieve, but possible as GM improves quality, its product lineup, and changes the overall perception of its customers.

Read the full news story at Bloomberg.

I’m usually not a fan of a company handing out free stuff.  I mean, sure, people will show up to get their free hot dog with 10 gallon purchase of gas or whatever, but who really needs a three day old hot dog?  In this case however, I think General Motors is really on the right track.  GM is offering a year’s worth of free service (up to 4 visits) to 1999 and newer Pontiac owners in the hopes that they will visit their nearest Buick/GMC dealer and stay in the family.  This plan should work well, as my very own brother owns a Pontiac Grand Prix and will be glad to have free oil changes, tire rotations and inspections of his vehicle for the next year.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

According to Automotive News via Autoblog if the GMC Granite were put into production, GMC might abandon television marketing altogether and focus solely on internet and smart phone advertising.  Buick-GMC advertising director Steve Rosenblum told AN that a Granite-style small vehicle that seats four is the next step for GMC, something that gives the brand presence below the current Terrain CUV.  He goes on to state that a vehicle of this type would be heavily marketed to people under the age of 35.  The marketing will focus on the internet and smart phones because by 2011, two-thirds of people under the age of 40 will have a smart phone.  Hopefully something similar to the Granite will be put into production, because it gives GMC a broader audience, please just don’t let Chevrolet get a re-badged version.

Check out our Granite gallery here!

The GMC Granite concept is quite an interesting vehicle.  While many people believe it may have been originally designed as a Pontiac, the vehicle seems to fit GMC’s new image well in my opinion.  The vehicle will offer plenty of interior space even with its small packaging on the outside.  The Granite is nearly two feet shorter in length than the Terrain, but it features rear-hinged rear-doors to help ease ingress/egress.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

Or for video of the reveal, head on over here.

(Image source: GM)

Now I’m not totally sure, but I think the teaser above is a concept for GMC’s version of the Chevrolet Orlando.  The Orlando is a new crossover that will seat 7 and be built on the new Delta platform that underpins cars like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Cruze.  For more details…well you’ll just have to wait until our coverage of the Detroit Auto Show!

(Image source: GM)

According to GM’s vice president of communications, Chris Preuss, General Motors has some pretty big concepts to unveil at this years Detroit Auto Show.  The Cadillac XTS will be shown as the replacement for the ages old DTS sedan.  GMC will be showing the Granite off as the sibling to the Chevrolet Orlando, both built on the new Delta platform.  Chevrolet will be showing off the new Aveo RS, supposedly more shapely than the current Aveo.  Buick will also have a high performance version of the 2011 Regal, so stay tuned for more news from the 2010 North American International Auto Show.  For now, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

The average age of a new car buyer today is 52.  The average age of a Buick buyer?  70!  Buick is hoping to lower that number, and it needs to in order to compete with rivals Lexus and Acura.  The first step in a younger direction was the 2010 LaCrosse.  The average age for the sharp looking new sedan is 55, 15 years below Buick’s average but still older than Brian Sweeney likes.  Sweeney is Buick/GMC’s new division manager, and he’s hoping to lower the age even more with the new 2011 Buick Regal.  Their hope is that by using “experimental marketing” they will be able to attract an even younger crowd to Buick.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

General Motors is pushing close to $7,000 at dealers in order to move the remaining Saturn and Pontiac models sitting on dealer lots.  The move comes as GM was forced to close down 4 brands (Hummer, Saab, Saturn and Pontiac) leaving only GMC, Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet left.  Sales of the Saturn and Pontiac brands were down sharply this year, which is to be expected, I mean, who would really want to buy a brand that will no longer be around come spring of 2010?  For more details, head on over to MSNBC.

(Image source: GM)