Autoblog

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #266 LIVE

Dan Roth — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials

We record Episode #266 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #266

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #266 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM retakes World's Largest Automaker title from Toyota thanks to quake

Zach Bowman — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, GM, Toyota, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

Bloomberg is reporting that General Motors has taken back the crown as the world's largest automaker. The Detroit-based company outsold Toyota through the first six months of 2011, thanks largely to the manufacturer's production shortages brought on by this year's earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. GM sold a total of 4.536 million units worldwide through June 30, Volkswagen moved 4.13 million vehicles, while Toyota numbers fell to 3.71 million units. Bloomberg reports that production at the company's Toyota City facility plummeted by 23 percent after a full production stop following the March earthquake.

Even so, Toyota says that it plans to institute an aggressive production recovery period during September, one month ahead of schedule, to help satiate demand. Those efforts still might not be enough to put the Japanese automaker ahead of Volkswagen through the remainder of 2011, however. Analysts say that's due to the simple logistics of delivering vehicles from their production facilities to the dealerships that need them most.

GM retakes World's Largest Automaker title from Toyota thanks to quake originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM failing to keep Hummer, Pontiac and Saturn buyers in the fold

Zach Bowman — Fri, 13 May 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that General Motors has been unable to hold onto the loyalty of new car shoppers who formerly owned vehicles from one of the automakers now-defunct brands. Hummer, Pontiac and Saturn owners are now turning outside of the GM family for their new purchases.

Despite the fact that GM has offered up to $1,000 to those customers during January and February, around 71 percent of Saturn owners traded their vehicle for another brand this year. Likewise, 70 percent of Pontiac drivers opted for a different make when it came time to replace their vehicle in 2011.

While 23 percent of Saturn drivers switched for a Chevrolet, 35 percent turned in their keys for a Honda, Toyota or Ford product.

Speaking of Ford, the report notes that Blue Oval is suffering from similar woes when it comes to Mercury customers. Those buyers headed towards other automakers at a rate of 65 percent this year.

GM failing to keep Hummer, Pontiac and Saturn buyers in the fold originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy boasts best-ever first quarter global sales

Chris Shunk — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GMC

2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT - Click above for high-res image gallery

2011 has been an up and down year so far for General Motors. High incentive spending, $100-per-barrel oil and potential supply disruptions due to the Japan earthquake have been a major downer. Even the automaker's stock price, which jumped to $39 per share after the IPO opened at $33 per share, is down 18 percent on the year.

But in spite of all that ails The General, sales have been very strong, and at the end of the day the car business is all about moving metal. Here in the States, Cadillac, GMC and Buick have been on fire, and on a global basis Chevrolet has been very strong. How strong? Mlive.com reports that The BowTie brand had its best first quarter ever, with sales up 15 percent globally compared to 2010.

Best-ever first quarter sales is a great way to kick off Chevy's 100 Year Anniversary as a brand, and a lot of the success has come due to the rapid growth of the Chinese market. GM sold 2.3 million vehicles in China in 2010 and plans to increase that total to five million units per year by 2015.

The first quarter also marked the first time the Cruze became the best-selling Chevy on a global basis. GM moved 150,650 copies of the sedan through March, up 117 percent compared to the first quarter of 2010. With a hatchback variant of the Cruze on its way, The General's C-segment offering will likely only improve in the months ahead. We're thinking GM is hoping the same can be said for its stock price.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT: Review

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Mlive.com]

Chevy boasts best-ever first quarter global sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaking: Ford beats GM in March sales

Chris Shunk — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:56:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford, GM

2011 Ford Fiesta SES - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors posted its seventh consecutive sales gain for the month of March, with 206,621 total sales. A good month, no doubt, but Ford had a better month for just the second time since 1998. Ford last bested GM in February, 2010. The Blue Oval posted sales of 212,295, thanks in part to a 21-percent jump in truck sales.

That's a victory of 5,674 units for the Dearborn, MI-based automaker, but the real drubbing came in the ongoing battle of Ford Vs. Chevrolet. The Bowtie brand moved 148,197 units, compared to 203,794 for Team Ford. That's a 28-percent sales jump for the Blue Oval, which admittedly amped up fleet sales for the month, but retail sales were also up 14 percent.

Ford had plenty of hot products moving off dealer lots, with 53,272 F-Series trucks sold, a record 9,787 Fiestas and record March sales for the Escape and Fusion. One factor holding back GM sales was a $700 per vehicle cutback in incentive spending, though that will probably help the automaker's bottom line more than a few extra Malibu sedans rolling off the line.

While Ford was victorious in March, GM is still up for the year by 97,000 units. Stay tuned to Autoblog for our monthly By the Numbers update, which will lay out sales totals for all of the major automakers selling in the U.S.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Breaking: Ford beats GM in March sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to outsell GM in March?

Chris Shunk — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:35:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials

March sales don't end until Thursday evening, but an Edmunds sales forecast suggests that Ford could beat General Motors in sales for the first time since February, 2010. The Blue Oval is projected to sell 210,000 vehicles for the month, up 34 percent from February figures. Edmunds sees GM having a solid month as well, but the crystal ball sees 208,000 sales for The General, up less than one percent from February sales.

One reason for GM's sales slump is a reduction in incentives from February levels, as the Detroit, MI-based automaker slashed incentives by an average of $700 per vehicle. That sounds like a massive drop in rebates, but keep in mind that GM was the industry leader in incentive spending for the first two months of the year. Meanwhile, Ford bumped up spending by a reported $84 per vehicle, mostly due to an effort to clear last-generation Focus sales as the 2012 models begin heading into dealerships.

Edmunds also sees a big March for the rest of the industry, with Toyota expected to move 181,000 units, followed by 135,000 vehicles for Honda, 117,000 for Nissan and 112,000 for Chrysler. Don't forget that these are merely projections for March numbers, and anything can happen between now and Friday.

Edmunds also mentions that sales dropped off as March wore on, as the Japan disaster, international conflicts and high gas prices began to wear on sales. Stay tuned to Autoblog for our official By The Numbers post as the figures roll in.

[Source: Edmunds Auto Observer | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Ford to outsell GM in March? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM posts 23% January sales gain, still down from December

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:45:00 EST

General Motors today posted 178,896 total sales in January, a strong 23-percent gain from a year ago. According to the automaker, sales were up in all segments of the market, led by strong crossover and pickup sales. Fleet sales were down seven percent, though commercial sales gains wiped out that deficiency. Sales to retail customers were up 36 percent.

It's not exactly all good news, however. Sales were actually down 20 percent from December. Check out all the details in GM's press release after the break.

Continue reading GM posts 23% January sales gain, still down from December

GM posts 23% January sales gain, still down from December originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM reports 16% December increase, calendar 2010 sales up 21%

Zach Bowman — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, GM, Earnings/Financials

General Motors rounded out 2010 on a high note. December ended with a 16-percent rise in sales versus the same month in 2009 and GM's four core brands managed to sell 21-percent more vehicles in 2010 than 2009. Factor in the four brands that were axed and the General still sold 118,435 more vehicles, or six-percent, more this year than last. Much of the success at year's end is thanks to strong crossover sales. GM says that CUVs were up 42 percent compared to a year ago. Pickup truck sales were 29-percent higher, but cars weren't quite as strong. GM saw car sales falter by six percent thanks to waning fleet sales, even while retail sales jumped by 14 percent versus a year ago. Hit the jump for more details. [Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM reports 16% December increase, calendar 2010 sales up 21%

GM reports 16% December increase, calendar 2010 sales up 21% originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM going to church to sell cars?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM

Go to church on Sunday, sell on Monday? Well, not exactly, but General Motors will bring along the cream of its crop this Sunday, April 18, to the Hartford Memorial Baptist Church near Detroit, Michigan. For those interested in seeing the next wave of green technology, the procession will include the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

The event is being sponsored by GM Minority Suppliers and Dealers, and the automaker says the purpose of the shindig is "to build new relationships in the community and highlight the contribution of minority suppliers and dealers to the community and local economy."

We're not sure how common this sort of thing is with GM, let alone with other automakers, but we have to wonder if some won't find the event just a wee bit distasteful. That said, Reverend Dr. Charles G. Adams, pastor of the 10,000-member Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, says, "This is a wonderful opportunity to do something really special for Hartford church members. Something that has never been done at a church in Detroit."

Any who wants to know more or who are thinking of attending can find all the official details in the press release pasted after the break.

[Source: Hartford Memorial Baptist Church]

Continue reading GM going to church to sell cars?

GM going to church to sell cars? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM considering boosting production of four hot sellers: Camaro, Equinox, Lacrosse and SRX

Chris Shunk — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Crossover, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM

2010 Chevy Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery

Good news has been in short supply for General Motors so far this year, but increased demand for its new products shows that the worst of times may be in the rear view mirror. Automotive News is reporting that GM may increase production of four new vehicles due to heavy demand. The new-for-2010 Chevy Equinox and Camaro, Cadillac SRX and Buick LaCrosse are reportedly under consideration. Equinox sales are so brisk (13,157 sales in August) that GM is considering adding production of the efficient crossover at a second plant. Expanding Equinox production could also happen if GM adds a third shift to its CAMI facility in Ontario.

One reason for the potential production increases stems from this summer's Cash for Clunkers bonanza. Inventory is now so low for many vehicles that a bump in production is inevitable. GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson reportedly told AN that the company knew it would have to eventually bump production and that its new products have done the best job of outstripping demand. GM is likely hoping that these fresh faces are hot enough that a sustained production bump is necessary, which may mean that some laid off employees could be called back to work.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Chevy Camaro

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: GM considering boosting production of four hot sellers: Camaro, Equinox, Lacrosse and SRX originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota raises production forecast by 3%; losing ground to GM

Chris Shunk — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Toyota, Volkswagen

The global auto sales downturn has been as painful as it's been swift, but a report from Yomiuri shows that the worst of times may be over. The Japanese news agency (via Automotive News) reports that Toyota has raised its vehicle production forecast upwards by 3% to 6.5 million units. That's still a far cry from Toyota's amazing 2008, yet the positive adjustment is still worth over 300,000 units of additional production.

That's welcome news to Toyota's manufacturing facilities around the world, as the drop in sales in the first half of 2009 left the Japanese automaker with far too much inventory. With the upward revision of production for the rest of the year, factories could be running more steadily.

While Toyota appears to be back on the upswing, it's facing renewed pressure from General Motors for the top spot in global sales. In the first half of 2009, GM closed the gap in overall production to only 11,000 units versus Toyota, a far cry from the 274,000 unit differential in the first half of 2008. GM, which struggled more than most in the US during the first half of the year, had far stronger results in emerging markets like China and South America, with overall sales down 21% versus 2008. Toyota's sales dipped 26% during the same period. Volkswagen also made a big jump compared to Toyota, as the German automaker's sales dropped only 5.1% in the first half of the year. VW is now within 500,000 units of Toyota during the first six months of the year.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Toyota raises production forecast by 3%; losing ground to GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM could renew Total Confidence program in May

Dan Roth — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, GM, Earnings/Financials

A bit of positive news about General Motors: April sales were up 15% compared to March. GM Sales and Marketing Vice President Mark LaNeve notes that April is typically worse for sales than March and credits GM's Total Confidence program for the reversal.

Since Hyundai rolled out its Assurance gambit, GM and Ford Motor Company has hopped into the game with similar programs. GM's Total Confidence will foot the bill for nine monthly payments of $500 or less, and also helps buyers who might be upside down when it comes time to trade. Needing to close every single sale it can, GM is reportedly looking at extending the Total Confidence program beyond its original wrap-up at the end of April. It also doesn't hurt that GM's product lineup is stronger than it has been in years, and if it can build momentum, May might see a similar upward tilt in sales.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req.]

GM could renew Total Confidence program in May originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Global Dominance Shift: VW may have sold more than Toyota in Q1

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Toyota, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

Over the last several years, few automotive stories have held as much interest as the global fight between Toyota and General Motors for worldwide sales supremacy. Don't look now, but there's a new combatant hailing from Germany ready to take the reigns: Volkswagen. However, VW's ascendancy has less to do with the German automaker's output -- GM and Toyota are shedding sales at a much faster rate than VW.

Toyota - currently the undisputed leader in automotive sales volume - is expected to post about 1.23 million sales in the first quarter of '09, down an amazing 47% from the previous year. Volkswagen's 1.39 million sales represent a much smaller drop of about 11%. We're not yet sure where General Motors will fall in the rankings, but it seems likely to come in third place. What's caused VW's rapid rise in global prominence?

The two largest markets for Toyota are the United States and Japan, and vehicle sales in both countries have been some of the hardest hit by the global economic downturn. In contrast, VeeDub is very strong in Germany, China and Brazil, and, in attempt to boost new car sales, these three countries have recently implemented vehicle scrapping schemes. It's worked, and VW is reaping the rewards.

Of course, if there's one thing that General Motors and Toyota have proven over these last few years, it's that life's not easy at the top. It should prove interesting to see if VW can manage to maintain the market share that it's so recently inherited. Thanks for the tip, Axel!

[Source: Reuters]

Global Dominance Shift: VW may have sold more than Toyota in Q1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM looking to double sales in China by 2013?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: China, GM, Earnings/Financials

General Motors sold 1.09 million vehicles in China in 2008, and the automaker wants to nearly double that figure to two million by 2013. A GM spokeswoman in China said they'll do that by introducing thirty -- that's right, 30 - "new or upgraded models" over the next five years. The company's March sales were up in China, along with everyone else's, thanks to China's new car buying incentive. With Q1 sales at 363,701 units, that would put GM on course for nearly 1.5 million cars sold in 2009.

In the short term, the sales targets rely on the global economy not getting any worse, and the Chinese government artificially propping up sales. Over the long term, GM must be hoping that by the time the economy turns around it will still be a strong enough to take advantage of its dominant position, its eight Chinese joint ventures and China-specific development, and the allure of those 30 new and revised models. If it can't, then Volkswagen looks to be the wolf in the shadows, having also pledged to double its sales to two million units by 2018.

[Source: Reuters]

GM looking to double sales in China by 2013? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Dispute: Toyota displaces GM as world's largest automaker

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Quick: Who is the world's largest automaker? General Motors or Toyota? Last year, the two brands were in a statistical dead heat after sales for all of 2007 were tallied, and debates raged as to which one of the two global giants had outsold the other. This year, there's no argument. The winner of the 2008 sales crown was Toyota by over 600,000 units (exact figures are due a bit later). This is quite an accomplishment for the Japanese automaker and reinforces the fact that GM's sales have been in decline for the last couple of decades after crushing all competitors and reigning as the worldwide leader in auto sales for 77 years. Still, the mood is hardly one of jubilation at Toyota as the rise to the top has not been without sacrifice. The automaker has lost both money and market share over the last few months, and the outlook for 2009 isn't shaping up to be much better.

[Source: CNN]

No Dispute: Toyota displaces GM as world's largest automaker originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM aims to double sales in Japan by 2011

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:04:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, GM

If you think things have been tough for General Motors in America, you should see how bad it's going for them in Japan. Forget pulling out of the Tokyo Motor Show, we're talking a steady sales decline over the past decade that has brought volume to just 2,000 units a year from a high of 50,000 in 1996. That really sucks, so GM wants to try and change things ASAP. They have announced a modest goal of doubling sales in Japan over the next three years.

Part of the problem with Japanese sales is image, but product selection and a shrinking dealer network are also to blame. Rick Brown, president of GM Japan, says they plan to address those issues by adding a couple of dealerships a year, and by shaking up the product mix. They plan to start selling the Chevy Aveo, the new 2010 Camaro, and despite the struggling economy, some new luxury cars and SUVs like the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, Saab 9-3X, 9-4X and 9-5.

Even though those products might help, it might be a case of too little too late. Japanese buyers might be even more hesitant than usual to buy cars from the Detroit 3 because of bankruptcy fears. It's not like Ford and Chrysler are doing any better in Japan either, with similar sales declines over the pact ten years. Heck, they aren't even buying as many domestic cars these days.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]

GM aims to double sales in Japan by 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM reports Q3 global sales, trails Toyota by over 300k units

Chris Shunk — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:35:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

General Motors is reporting global sales of 2.1 million units for the third quarter, which is down 11% from the same period last year. Through September of this year, GM has sold 6.7 million cars and trucks worldwide, putting the automaker further behind Toyota, which has sold 7.05 million units so far this year. The struggling U.S. market is a big part of GM's sales woes, as 61% of the Detroit automaker's sales came from outside of its home market. That's up from 56% last year, but down from the 65% figure for the second quarter of 2008. VP of sales and marketing Jonathan Browning points out challenges in the global financial markets as a big problem for GM, but also mentioned that strong sales in emerging markets is helping to ease the sales burden.

Since GM has a serious cash crunch and merger talks on its hands right now, it likely doesn't care much about a global sales race with Toyota. That doesn't make Toyota's accomplishment any less significant, though, considering how long the General has been on top of the global sales charts.

[Source: The Detroit News]

GM reports Q3 global sales, trails Toyota by over 300k units originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz claims GM will cut fleet sales by 100k in 2007

Dan Roth — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:52:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, GM, Earnings/Financials

Dang, it looks like everyone will have to dream up a new way to insult the four-door Cobalt. GM's Bob Lutz has announced that sales to fleet companies will be curtailed to the tune of 100,000 vehicles this year. The reduction is part of an ongoing effort to boost the resale value of General Motors cars. Reducing sales to fleet customers opens the door for some other automaker to deal with the stigma and doesn't ding the bottom line as much as it would seem.

Low-margin sales to fleet customers are less helpful to automakers than retail sales, and the perception that comes along with being a fleet powerhouse dings the perception further.

Lutz doesn't sound overly concerned with short-term hits in the bottom line, preferring to take the uncommon long view and even admitting that there will be bloodletting before GM is fully realizing its potential. He's been refreshingly candid about making the product good enough that it requires no excuses or incentives to sell, and changing the sales mentality at GM from one of panic to true competition for the foreign makers that have cleaned the domestic industry's clock. Product is no longer the hurdle for GM to clear, there's lots of great stuff for 2007, and we look forward to the day when people strike up excited conversations about domestic product with us.

[Source: Automotive News sub. req'd]

Lutz claims GM will cut fleet sales by 100k in 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. auto sales will fall in 2006

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Marketing/Advertising, GM

General Motors' market guru, Paul Ballew, predicted Tuesday that total U.S. auto sales will decline in 2006, weighed down by higher interest rates and rising gas prices.

GM is trying to stem the tide by launching a zero-percent financing offer on many 2006 models. The limited-time offer runs from June 29 through July 5.

GM's sales for the summer of 2006 are bound to suffer in comparison to the huge numbers posted during 2005's "employee-pricing" discount sale, but even the beginning of the year has been slow, with sales for the first five months of 2006 down 8 percent year-over-year.

[Source: Reuters]

U.S. auto sales will fall in 2006 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jun 2006 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pontiac sales continue to climb

Joel Arellano — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 15:08:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, GM, Pontiac

If product is everything, then Pontiac may be one of General Motor's shining examples. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, while sales for the sporty brand may have dropped in the first quarter this year compared to 2005, some of those figures can be attributed to GM's de-emphasis of fleet sales as the automaker moves away from that market. And while the Solstice is still sold out, the G6, now made (in)famous on Oprah, has already posted a 78-pct increase this quarter compared to last year. GM partially attributes the G6's sales success to new trim packages, more powerful engine choices, and appealing design. The automaker points to studies showing that the brand has some of the youngest buyers in its segment, helping it to compete with Honda and Nissan.

But Pontiac watchers are concerned. They point to the upcoming G5, based on the Chevrolet Cobalt, and worry about a repeat of the badge-engineering that damaged the marque in the first place. Pontiac, though, says the G5 will be distinctly a Pontiac.

[Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Pontiac sales continue to climb originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Apr 2006 15:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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